A new reinforcement scheme to improve the ductility of common low shear-span ratio shear wall was put forward. In order to reveal the advantage of the new reinforcement scheme, an experimental study of the seismic performance of two different types of shear walls under cyclic loading was carried out, and their bearing capacity, hysteresis property, ductility and failure phenomena under reciprocating load were investigated. Based on the experimental study and ABAQUS software, the nonlinear performances of four shear walls with different reinforcement types were compared and analyzed systematically, and the locations of vertical seams were studied in the same method. The test results and finite element analysis have indicated that improving the ductility and deformation capacity of common low shear-span ratio shear wall by means of configuring concealed bracings or slotting and configuring steel plate are feasible. It has also shown that, compared with the low-rise shear wall with a common reinforcement scheme, the new type of low-rise shear wall shows greatly improved ductility, energy dissipation capacity and better seismic performance, and has multiple seismic fortification lines.