Accessible Websites Audit | Enhance Compliance and User Experience

An accessibility audit (also referred to as an accessibility review or accessibility status analysis) is a systematic evaluation of a website or app to determine its compliance with recognized accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The goal of such an audit is to identify all barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from fully accessing the digital content or functionality. Various aspects of the website are examined – from design and code to user flow – in order to uncover weak points where users with limitations may encounter difficulties.

An accessibility audit serves as a foundation to specifically address these issues and to ensure that as many users as possible – regardless of physical or cognitive ability – can effectively access the website..

Core components of an audit

A professional accessibility evaluation includes both automated tests and manual reviews. Automated tools can, for example, scan the source code for WCAG compliance and flag common issues (such as missing alternative texts or inadequate color contrast). However, manual testing by experts is essential for identifying context-related issues and assessing the actual user experience – such as using screen readers or keyboard-only navigation.

Typically, a representative selection of pages and functions is tested (the scope of testing should be methodologically transparent and relevantly chosen). An audit covers all four principles of accessibility (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and includes topics such as semantic HTML, correct form labeling, navigation structure, media alternatives, error handling, and technical compatibility with assistive technologies.

In short: an accessibility audit examines everything that ensures all users – regardless of disabilities – can navigate and interact efficiently.

Ensure legal compliance

In many countries – including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – stricter digital accessibility laws will come into effect in 2025. In particular, Germany’s Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) requires many private companies to offer barrier-free websites and mobile applications starting June 28, 2025.

Businesses operating in the B2C sector and exceeding certain employee or revenue thresholds will be required to comply with the European standard EN 301 549 (WCAG 2.1 AA). Non-compliance can result in significant consequences – from warnings and claims for damages to fines of up to €100,000 or even an official order to take the website offline. An audit helps you take the necessary compliance measures early on and avoid legal and financial risks. (For details on legal requirements, visit our page “Deadlines & Obligations.”)

Promote inclusion and prevent discrimination

A barrier-free website allows people with disabilities equal access to information and services. It promotes social participation and prevents the exclusion of a significant part of the population. Around 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability – in Germany, around 8 million people (9% of the population) are severely disabled.

By removing barriers, you contribute to the inclusion of these individuals. An audit systematically reveals where your site still contains discriminatory obstacles and paves the way for their removal.

Greater reach & new target groups:

Accessibility also pays off in terms of more users and customers. An accessible website appeals to a large potential customer base. People with disabilities – over 1 billion worldwide – and their families possess substantial purchasing power. Studies show that over 70% of affected users leave websites that don’t meet their needs.

With an accessible design, you avoid losing this share of the market and increase your reach. In addition, users without permanent disabilities also benefit: for instance, older users with declining vision or hearing, or people with temporary or situational limitations (e.g., injury or noisy environments), appreciate accessible websites.

Improved user experience for all

Measures taken as part of an accessibility audit often lead to general usability improvements. Clear structure, good readability, intuitive forms, and navigation benefit all users. Especially in light of an aging online population, accessibility means better usability and broader customer satisfaction.

In short: an accessible website offers a better overall user experience, which can result in longer session durations and higher conversion rates.

Strengthen brand image and trust

Proactively committing to accessibility enhances your company’s reputation. It shows that you take social responsibility (CSR) seriously and value all customer groups. Companies that invest early in digital inclusion are perceived as progressive and values-driven – a competitive advantage in terms of image.

A strong brand image, in turn, boosts customer loyalty. Customers who have a seamless experience on an accessible website are more likely to return and stay loyal to your brand.

SEO and technical advantages

Many accessibility best practices (semantic HTML structures, alt texts, clean heading hierarchies, etc.) also help search engines crawl and interpret your pages. Search engines reward well-structured, user-friendly sites – accessible websites often rank better in search results.

One study estimated that accessibility improvements can increase organic traffic by up to 50%. Furthermore, a standards-compliant, accessible website often reduces technical debt and is more future-proof for new devices or browsers.

How does an accessibility audit work?

Many providers offer accessibility audits – but with significant differences in depth, methodology, and result quality. At InboundLabs, the audit follows a clearly defined testing concept that includes automated tools, manual review procedures, user testing with assistive technologies, and cross-device checks.

The entire process is designed to be completed within 1–3 working days (pure working time) for a typical medium-complexity website (e.g., a corporate site using reusable templates). For larger or technically more demanding websites, the audit is carried out modularly or in stages. The goal is always to deliver a reliable status analysis as quickly as possible – not a tool dump, but a solid basis for decision-making.

A professional audit follows a clearly structured process, which experienced agencies or auditors typically handle in a similar way. The process usually includes the following steps:

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Defining Objectives and Scope

At the outset, it is determined which parts of the website are to be tested and what goals you are pursuing with the audit. Selecting a representative sample of pages, functions, and content is crucial – depending on the size of the site, this is often a sampling that covers all page types.

The selection must not be arbitrary but should be methodically justified and relevant to the application. This phase also includes determining whether certain legal standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA as required by BFSG) are to be the focus.

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Automated Test Run

Now, testing tools are used. With specialized accessibility scanners, the website is automatically analyzed (similar to an SEO crawl, but based on accessibility rules). These tools – such as Axe, Wave, the BITV-Test assistant, or solutions like SiteCockpit easyMonitoring – report HTML and CSS issues that indicate accessibility barriers (missing alt texts, incorrect heading structures, form fields without labels, etc.). An automated test can identify many simple issues quickly. However, it covers only part of the picture: only around 30–40% of WCAG criteria can be fully tested automatically. That’s why this step is just the beginning.

At InboundLabs, we use standardized tools such as Axe, WAVE, and Lighthouse. Additionally, we use a proprietary, documented testing workflow to validate results and avoid duplicate error detections. Unlike many “audit scanners” that rely solely on tool outputs, this step is a starting point – never the final result.

Audit Criteria & Common Barriers

In an accessibility audit, your website is assessed based on a set of defined evaluation criteria – typically aligned with the WCAG success criteria (currently version 2.1, soon 2.2) and relevant legal requirements (e.g., BITV 2.0 or EN 301 549 in Germany). WCAG organizes accessibility under four principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and a total of 50 success criteria (WCAG 2.1, Level A and AA).

The following areas are especially important and are commonly evaluated in audits:

Perceivability of content

Are text and interface elements clearly visible? For example, is there sufficient color contrast between text and background? A common finding in audits is low-contrast text, which is difficult to read for users with visual impairments or color blindness. It is also assessed whether images and graphics include alternative text.

Missing or inadequate alt texts are among the most frequent accessibility issues, as screen reader users otherwise have no idea what the image contains. Audiovisual content is also reviewed: videos require subtitles or transcripts for deaf users; audio content may need audio descriptions for blind users. If these alternatives are missing, it creates a barrier.

Operability and navigation

A key criterion is whether the website can be fully operated using just the keyboard. Many users with motor impairments or screen readers rely on keyboard navigation – missing focus indicators or interactive controls (e.g., menus, dropdowns) that are not reachable via keyboard create a barrier. Audits often identify problems in navigation structure: cluttered menus, insufficient link descriptions (“Click here” instead of meaningful text), or illogical skip links are typical examples. Pop-ups and overlays can also be problematic if they are not announced to assistive technologies or cannot receive keyboard focus.

Understandability of content

This concerns whether information and interactions are simple and understandable. This includes a clear and consistent heading structure, understandable form labels and buttons, and error messages that clearly explain what went wrong and how to fix it. Language should be as simple as possible (optionally offering Easy Language for important explanations). Other checklist items include whether abbreviations are explained and whether multilingual content is correctly marked with language attributes.

Common issues

Despite increasing awareness, the same accessibility problems keep appearing in practice. An analysis by WebAIM illustrates this clearly: in a review of 1,000,000 homepages, nearly 50 million individual accessibility issues were found – an average of 50 per page. The most common problems in this study were missing alt texts, low contrast, missing form labels, and empty links. Most audits confirm this pattern: contrast, alternative texts, form accessibility, keyboard operability, and page structure are the most frequent areas for improvement. An accessibility audit systematically uncovers such issues so they can be resolved.

Robustness and technology

A frequently underestimated area is the technical robustness of the frontend. Auditors check whether the HTML is valid and semantically correct – e.g., whether headings are properly marked as <h1>…<h6>, forms have correct <label> associations, and ARIA roles are used appropriately and only where necessary. Errors here can prevent assistive technologies from interpreting the page correctly. It’s also checked whether ARIA landmarks (for header, navigation, main content, etc.) are present and meaningfully placed.

Furthermore, compatibility with various devices and assistive technologies is assessed: does the site scale on mobile devices (responsive design)? Do basic interactions work with screen readers or magnification software? Forms receive particular attention: missing field labels, unclear input guidance, or inaccessible CAPTCHAs are frequent sources of barriers.

A thorough audit documents every identified barrier in detail – including references to the corresponding WCAG criterion or legal requirement. This allows you to see exactly which rule is not met. Ideally, audit results distinguish between hard violations of minimum standards and best-practice recommendations for further improvement.

Results and Recommendations

The outcome of the status analysis is a detailed audit report. This report is of immense value, as it documents – in black and white – how accessible your website currently is and what needs to be done. While the structure and quality of reports may vary depending on the provider, since 2025 there are official guidelines in Germany on what a good audit report should look like. The Federal Monitoring Body (BFIT-Bund) has defined minimum standards for accessibility assessments to ensure clarity and comparability.

A professional audit report should include the following:

Transparency about the scope of testing

At the beginning of the report, it should clearly state what exactly was tested – including a list of the pages/subpages reviewed, the testing period, the tools used, and the auditors involved. This defines the scope and makes it transparent for third parties.

Clear summary

A management-ready summary (Executive Summary) outlines the key findings in clear, non-technical language – stating plainly whether the website meets the requirements or not. It may also include a compliance level (e.g., “70% of WCAG 2.1 AA criteria met”) and identify which critical issues need to be prioritized.

Detailed list of issues

The core of the report is a structured list of all identified barriers. Each issue should include a description of what is non-compliant and why this is problematic – ideally with reference to recognized standards (e.g., specific WCAG criteria, EN 301 549 section, etc.). The report should also provide practical context: helpful information includes which user group is affected (e.g., “Screen reader users cannot complete field X”) and which assistive technology was used during testing. For more complex issues, screenshots or code samples increase clarity.

Clear mapping to requirements

A high-quality audit report does not stop at listing problems – it also provides specific solutions. Each issue should be accompanied by practical recommendations, such as “Add a meaningful alt text for image X” or “Allow the pop-up to be closed using the Escape key.” These recommendations must be actionable and clearly phrased – ideally directed at developers or designers (including both technical and design-related suggestions). Often, a separate action plan or task list is included or appended, listing all required fixes. Netspirits, for example, states that their reports include clear, actionable recommendations as well as a file listing all affected elements/pages to simplify processing.

Prioritization and effort estimation:

Since not everything can be fixed at once, the report should indicate which issues should be addressed first. A classification into “critical,” “moderate,” “minor,” or a numerical priority system can help your team plan effectively. Where appropriate, the report may also include estimated effort or technical complexity – helping you determine whether external support is needed.

Accessible formatting of the report

The report itself should, of course, be a model of accessibility. BFIT-Bund recommends that assessments be delivered in accessible formats – such as PDF/UA (universally accessible PDF) or alternatively available in HTML. This ensures that clients with disabilities can also read the report. Machine-readable formats (e.g., structured CSV/XML data) may also be helpful to import findings into ticketing systems or issue trackers.

When commissioning an audit, the quality of the report is a clear indicator of how seriously the provider takes the subject. Unfortunately, there have also been cases of “token audits” in the past – consisting merely of automated tool outputs or unannotated checklists. Make sure your audit meets the above quality criteria – only then does it deliver real value. Thanks to the new BFIT guideline “Quality Criteria for Accessibility Assessments,” there is now a reliable benchmark. A good report provides transparent, reliable findings and a clear roadmap for next steps.

Unfortunately, there have been “token audits” in the past – merely consisting of automated tool output or an uncommented checklist. Be sure that your audit meets the quality standards outlined above – only then will it offer true value.

Thanks to the new BFIT guideline “Quality Criteria for Accessibility Assessments,” there is now a clear benchmark you can use for orientation. A good assessment provides transparent, verifiable insights and a clear roadmap for the next steps.

After the Audit: Fixing Barriers and Follow-up

The real work begins after the audit: implementing the recommended actions. The audit report serves as a to-do list. Depending on your internal resources, your developers and designers can carry out the tasks themselves, or you may choose to work with specialized accessibility agencies. Many accessibility-focused service providers offer to create an action plan based on the audit and even take care of the implementation. Either way, the following steps should be followed:

Root cause analysis & solution design

For each identified barrier, it’s important to determine why it exists and how to fix it. Often, the required adjustments are in the code – e.g., adding missing alt attributes, correcting ARIA roles, adjusting form markup, improving contrast in CSS, etc. Some issues require design changes (e.g., color schemes, button sizes), or even conceptual adjustments (e.g., an alternative CAPTCHA method). At this stage, it can be helpful to have the audit experts assist with interpretation – many providers offer consulting to help your development team identify the right solution paths.

Implementation of measures

The planned changes are now implemented – in the code, the CMS or shop system, the design style guide, etc. This step should ideally be iterative: fix the most critical issues first (pay attention to priorities!) and roll out improvements step by step. For large websites, it may be beneficial to work in sprints, each of which addresses accessibility for a specific area. Many improvements – such as semantically correct HTML or better keyboard operability – can be implemented without negative impact on appearance or user experience. On the contrary, most users will simply notice that “everything feels smoother.”

It’s crucial that no new barriers are introduced during implementation – so developers should test carefully whether changes achieve the intended effect and do not negatively impact other functionality.

Quality assurance & re-audit

Once the fixes have been implemented, it is highly recommended to conduct a second round of testing. This doesn’t need to be as extensive as the initial audit but should confirm that all listed issues have indeed been resolved. Usually, the original auditor is brought back in – good providers offer a follow-up review or verification pass to validate implementation. This ensures that all previously identified barriers have been removed and that no new ones have emerged (regression testing).
In this phase, any residual issues that may have been overlooked during the initial audit can also be identified. Ideally, the re-test confirms that your site now meets the desired level of conformance – whether that’s WCAG 2.1 AA or the BFSG requirements. This phase is critical for long-term success: it ensures that your investment leads to real, lasting improvements.

Creating an accessibility statement

Once your site is largely accessible, the law requires (for public institutions already, and soon for many private providers) an official accessibility statement published on your site. In this statement, you explain how well your site complies with the requirements, which parts may still be inaccessible, and how users can report barriers. Many agencies assist with drafting this statement as the final project step.
What matters here is to formulate realistic goals – no one expects perfection from day one, but you should document your ongoing commitment. A feedback mechanism must also be provided (e.g., an email address or form for accessibility issues), and you should ensure that incoming reports are taken seriously and used for continuous improvement.  Ideally, the accessibility statement is updated regularly as further improvements are implemented.

Continuous improvement

Accessibility is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. Websites evolve – new content, features, or even full redesigns are introduced. Therefore, it’s important to keep accessibility on your radar: conduct regular audits or reviews, especially after major updates or relaunches. New standards (such as WCAG 2.2) or emerging best practices may also require future adjustments.
By integrating accessibility into your quality assurance processes, you ensure that your website remains inclusive and doesn’t lose accessibility over time. Some organizations set up continuous monitoring – partly through automated background scanning tools – to identify issues early on.

Final note

Don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals. The requirements of digital accessibility can be complex, but there are specialized agencies (especially in the DACH region) with years of experience in this field. They can support you with consulting, training, and technical implementation – from initial advice to full execution. Often, interdisciplinary teams of developers, designers, and accessibility consultants work together to find tailored solutions for your website.
With the right partner and a solid audit as the starting point, your “accessible website” project is well on its way to successful and timely completion.

How much does an accessibility audit cost?

As of June 2025, InboundLabs offers the Full Accessibility Audit at a flat rate of €480 for standard websites – this represents a 50% discount on the regular rate of €960 (valid from June 28, 2025, the effective date of the new legal requirements). The price covers the full process described above: automated and manual testing, user-flow checks with screen readers, responsive design review, and document analysis. For particularly large or technically complex websites, pricing is based on effort (at the standard hourly rate). This ensures you always receive a fair, scalable offer – and gain planning certainty for your next steps.

It’s important to understand the value of an audit: it’s a one-time investment that provides a clear action plan and protects you from costly legal risks. You can also use the audit results to allocate resources strategically for fixing accessibility issues. Many providers also offer packages – for example, a free quick check followed by an in-depth audit, or discounts when combined with training sessions. If in doubt, get several quotes and compare – but always evaluate them based on the audit quality criteria outlined above.

An accessibility audit is the first step toward a barrier-free website. It gives you clarity on your current state and provides a concrete roadmap for removing digital barriers. In light of upcoming legal obligations and the many advantages of accessibility – from broader reach to improved UX – audits should not be delayed. In fact, the earlier you begin, the more time buffer you’ll have before 2025, and the sooner your users will benefit from the improvements. Use the status analysis as an opportunity to make your website future-proof, user-friendly, and inclusive – to the benefit of all.

Audit & Status Analysis

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Why should you conduct an accessibility status analysis?