On this page
- 01Key takeaways
- 02How much does website accessibility cost?
- 03What does an accessibility audit cost and include?
- 04Why is building it in cheaper than fixing later?
- 05What are the quick, low-cost wins?
- 06When is a full audit not needed?
- 07What does this look like in practice?
- 08Accessibility cost checklist
- 09Next step
- 10Sources and further reading
- 11Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
Making a small business website accessible typically costs 5% to 15% more when built in from the start, or £500 to £3,000 for an audit plus fixes on an existing site. Building to WCAG 2.2 AA from day one is far cheaper than retrofitting. Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses must make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers, including online.
- Built in from the start: about 5% to 15% extra.
- Accessibility audit: about £500 to £3,000.
- Fixes: from a few hundred pounds to a rebuild.
- Standard to aim for: WCAG 2.2 AA.
Want an accessibility cost estimate for your site? Message us on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp →How much does website accessibility cost?
Website accessibility costs about 5% to 15% extra on a new build designed to WCAG 2.2 AA from the start, or £500 to £3,000 for an audit of an existing small business site, plus fixes, based on typical UK quotes. Fix costs depend on what the audit finds.
What does an accessibility audit cost and include?
An accessibility audit typically costs £500 to £3,000 for a small business site. It should test key pages and journeys against WCAG 2.2 AA with automated tools and manual checks, including keyboard use and screen readers, and give a prioritised list of fixes.
- Automated scans of key pages.
- Manual keyboard and screen reader tests.
- Colour contrast and form checks.
- A prioritised fix list.
Want an audit scoped for your site? Message us on WhatsApp and we will discuss your requirements.
Chat on WhatsApp →Why is building it in cheaper than fixing later?
Building accessibility in is cheaper because choices about colours, layouts, forms and components are made once. Fixing later can mean redesigning components, rewriting content and retesting every page. Some old sites cost more to fix than to rebuild properly.
What are the quick, low-cost wins?
Low-cost wins include adding meaningful alt text, fixing colour contrast, labelling form fields, making links descriptive and checking keyboard navigation. W3C's easy checks show owners how to spot many issues without paying for a tool.
When is a full audit not needed?
A full audit may not be needed for a very small, simple site built on an accessible theme. Run the free easy checks and fix what you find. Commission a full audit for sites with forms, bookings, payments or many users.
What does this look like in practice?
At Global Bridge Labs (GBL), a UK optician's site failed keyboard tests on its booking form. Fixing the form and contrast issues cost about £900. Building the same features accessibly at the start would have added a few hundred pounds to the original project.
Accessibility cost checklist
- Ask suppliers to build to WCAG 2.2 AA.
- Run free easy checks on your current site.
- Price an audit for forms and bookings.
- Fix contrast, labels and alt text first.
- Test with a keyboard.
- Retest after major changes.
Next step
Try to book or enquire on your site using only a keyboard. If you get stuck, accessibility fixes belong in your budget.
Message us on WhatsApp for an accessibility checklist, or book a 30-minute consultation.
Chat on WhatsApp →Sources and further reading
- Equality Act 2010 · legislation.gov.uk
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 · W3C
- Easy checks: a first review of web accessibility · W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accessibility audit cost in the UK?
An accessibility audit for a small business website typically costs £500 to £3,000, depending on the number of pages and journeys tested and how much manual testing is included. Larger sites cost more. Fixes are priced separately and depend on what the audit finds.
Is website accessibility a legal requirement for small businesses?
Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses providing services must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, which can include websites. Private businesses are not bound by the specific public sector regulations, but WCAG 2.2 AA is the standard most use to show their site is accessible.
Does making a website accessible cost a lot?
Not if it is built in from the start, when it typically adds 5% to 15% to the build. Retrofitting an existing site costs more, sometimes as much as a rebuild for older sites. Many quick wins, such as alt text, labels and contrast fixes, cost very little.
Written by
Global Bridge Labs (GBL) is a UK–Sri Lanka partner for social media, websites and BPO. Everything here comes from client delivery, not theory.
