In plain English
Different people find things in different ways. Some browse the menu, some type in the search box, some scan a sitemap or click a “related products” link. This rule says: offer at least two ways to reach your pages. For a store, that is usually a navigation menu plus a search box, which most already have.
Who this is for
- Screen-reader users, who often prefer search or a sitemap to tabbing through menus.
- People with cognitive differences, who may find one navigation style much easier than another.
- Everyone, who has a preferred way to get around.
How to check and fix it yourself
Ask: can a shopper reach a product page in more than one way? Typically yes if you have both:
A category/nav menu ✓
+ a working search box ✓
(and/or related-product links, a footer sitemap)If you only have a menu and no search, adding search (or a sitemap) covers it.
Where we can help
Most stores already pass this, but it is worth confirming search works and is reachable by keyboard and screen reader. We verify the routes are genuinely usable, not just present. It sits with other navigation checks on the common failures list.