*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
Kintone is widely promoted as an app creation platform accessible to those without programming knowledge. However, when creating an app that considers design aesthetics and web accessibility, beginners may encounter significant obstacles. This article explores the challenges of creating apps in Kintone with an emphasis on design and web accessibility, offering tips on managing expectations for “anyone can create an app.”
Design Considerations: More Complex than It Seems
Kintone’s drag-and-drop form creation is appealing for beginners. Still, when aiming for a refined design and smooth user experience, beginners may face some difficulties, including:
-
Limited Customization
Kintone’s standard templates provide limited design freedom, often falling short for companies that prioritize brand colors, custom layouts, or specific usability needs. Customizing beyond these defaults typically requires knowledge of CSS or JavaScript, making advanced customization difficult for beginners. -
Adjusting for Intuitive Usability
A well-designed app allows users to navigate with ease. Yet Kintone’s standard interface can limit the customizations needed to improve user experience (UX). For apps integrating multiple functions, fine-tuning the user interface to make it user-friendly can be challenging without a deep understanding of UX principles.
Challenges in Addressing Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is essential for creating an inclusive internet, ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities or age-related limitations, can interact with web content. However, incorporating accessibility features into Kintone apps can be a significant hurdle.
-
Insufficient Standard Accessibility Features
While Kintone provides basic accessibility features, fully accommodating accessibility often requires more specific adjustments, such as color schemes that consider color vision deficiency, accessible labeling for screen readers, and keyboard-only navigation capabilities. Unfortunately, the built-in tools often do not cover these requirements. -
Meeting WCAG Standards
For apps requiring compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), achieving accessibility can be even more challenging. Implementing WCAG compliance includes basics such as screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and text sizing, as well as more complex adjustments like dynamic content operability and keyboard navigability. Achieving full compliance typically requires specialized knowledge. -
Importance of Accessibility Testing
To ensure apps meet accessibility standards, testing with real users who rely on these features is essential. Since Kintone does not include built-in accessibility testing tools, external tools or professional consultations are required, adding both time and cost.
Key Points for Creating Accessible Apps in Kintone
For beginners working with Kintone to create accessible apps, here are some essential tips:
-
Aim for Simplicity in Design
Rather than focusing on complex features, start by prioritizing simplicity and intuitive navigation. Avoid excessive design elements or complicated navigation, and use straightforward layouts that all users can easily understand, helping improve accessibility from the start. -
Refer to Accessibility Guidelines
Familiarize yourself with basic accessibility guidelines and WCAG standards. Incorporate accessible color schemes, font sizes, and alternative text elements. This helps create apps that are more usable for people with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. -
Consult with Accessibility Experts
If accessibility challenges arise, consider consulting web accessibility specialists or consultants. Their support can ensure more effective and appropriate adjustments, ultimately resulting in an app that all users can access comfortably.
Conclusion: Making Accessibility Achievable with Thoughtful Efforts
While creating a Kintone app that addresses detailed design and accessibility isn’t always “easy” for beginners, learning basic knowledge and utilizing external resources can make it achievable. Accessibility requires extra attention to ensure all users have fair access to your app. Understanding the complexities of design and accessibility in Kintone allows you to effectively use the platform to create an app that’s accessible to a wider audience.
Thank you for reading this article.
At Greeden, we support your ideas and help bring them to life. From system development to software design, we provide flexible, reliable solutions to help solve challenges and grow your business.
For system development inquiries or if you have ideas you’d like to explore, please feel free to contact us. Let’s realize your vision together.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.