Cypress-axe: The essential plugin for accessible web design

As an experienced digital agency with many years of expertise in automated testing, we successfully use cypress-axe in numerous customer projects. Our experience shows that this powerful plugin is a must-have for any development team that values accessibility and quality.

Cypress-axe for accessible web applications

Cypress-axe is a powerful plugin for the popular Cypress testing framework that integrates automated accessibility testing into your development workflows. It enables you to identify and fix potential accessibility issues early on, significantly improving the quality of your web applications and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Advantages over other solutions

  • Seamless integration into existing Cypress test environments
  • Parallel execution of accessibility checks and other tests
  • Easy installation and configuration
  • Support for various browsers for comprehensive cross-browser testing
  • Flexibility through combination with other tools and technologies

Content marketing: Accessible blog for maximum reach

A leading technology company wanted to make its corporate blog accessible to all target groups. Using cypress-axe, we implemented automated tests that were run every time content was updated. The result: a 98% improvement in accessibility, a 30% increase in dwell time, and a significant rise in organic search engine rankings. The client was thrilled with the improved user experience and increased engagement of its readership.

E-commerce: An inclusive shopping experience for all customers

An up-and-coming online store for sustainable fashion wanted a barrier-free platform to offer all customers a smooth shopping experience. By using cypress-axe in the CI/CD pipeline, we were able to continuously check and improve the accessibility of the store. The result exceeded all expectations: a 40% decrease in the checkout abandonment rate, a 25% increase in sales to customers with disabilities, and outstanding feedback on user-friendliness. The shop operator established itself as a pioneer in inclusive e-commerce.

Installation and configuration

Install cypress-axe via npm:

Code:
          

npm install --save-dev cypress-axe

Add the commands to your cypress/support/e2e.js file:

Code:
          

import 'cypress-axe'

Adjust your tsconfig.json (when using TypeScript):

Code:
          

{
 "types": ["cypress", "cypress-axe"]
}

Integrate cypress-axe into your tests:

Code:
          

describe('Accessibility Test', () => {
 it('should have no accessibility violations', () => {
   cy.visit('https://example.com')
   cy.injectAxe()
   cy.checkA11y()
 })
})

FAQ - cypress-axe

In this section, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about cypress-axe for you. These questions will help you develop a better understanding of the plugin and its application. Whether you are just getting started with automated testing or already have experience, the answers to these questions will give you valuable insights and help you use cypress-axe effectively in your projects. Let's find out together how this powerful tool can optimize your development processes!

What is cypress-axe?

Cypress-axe is a plugin for Cypress that enables automated accessibility testing.

Who should use cypress-axe?

Development teams that value accessible web applications and want to automate their testing processes.

Why is cypress-axe important?

It helps identify and fix accessibility issues early on, improving the quality and inclusivity of web applications.

How is cypress-axe installed?

Using the package manager npm with the command npm install --save-dev cypress-axe.

When should cypress-axe be used?

Ideally, at every stage of the development process, especially in CI/CD pipelines.

What are the advantages of cypress-axe?

It enables seamless integration of accessibility testing into existing Cypress environments and supports cross-browser testing.

Where can cypress-axe be used?

In all types of web projects, particularly effective in content management systems and e-commerce platforms.

How does cypress-axe work?

It injects the axe-core library into the website to be tested and performs automated checks.

What alternatives are there to cypress-axe?

Alternatives include the axe-core CLI or manual accessibility testing, but these offer less automation.

How can cypress-axe be integrated into CI/CD pipelines?

By integrating cypress-axe tests into the automated test runs of the CI/CD pipeline, e.g., in Jenkins or GitLab.

Conclusion

Cypress-axe is an indispensable tool for modern web development. It enables you to integrate accessibility into your projects from the outset and continuously improve it. As an experienced agency, we wholeheartedly recommend cypress-axe to anyone who wants to make their web applications more inclusive and of higher quality. Take advantage of our expertise in implementation and benefit from customized training to exploit the full potential of cypress-axe in your projects.