The verdict in three sentences
Accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have: it gates access to public tenders and has become a brand-image criterion. A full WCAG audit costs EUR 2,500 to 6,000, and reaching WCAG 2.1 level AA adds 8 to 15 % to the build budget. As a bonus, an accessible site gains SEO and widens its audience by around 15 % (people with disabilities, seniors, mobile users).
WCAG levels and what they imply
The practical target for a B2B site is level AA, required for public-sector actors and strongly recommended for everyone.
| Level | What it covers | Effort | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (minimal) | Basics: text alternatives, keyboard navigation | Low | No serious site stops here |
| AA (standard) | Contrast, resizing, labels, visible focus | +8 to 15 % of build | All B2B sites |
| AAA (enhanced) | High contrast, sign language, ultra-legibility | +25 to 40 % | Specialised institutions |
Level AA is the cost/compliance sweet spot: it covers most disability situations without the AAA premium, rarely required in full.
Key criteria, costs and gains
| Item | Detail | 2026 cost | Associated gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| WCAG audit | Manual + tooled testing | EUR 2,500 – 6,000 | Clear roadmap |
| AA remediation | Contrast, alt text, focus, ARIA | +8 to 15 % of build | Audience +15 % |
| Accessibility statement | Mandatory published document | EUR 300 – 700 | Proof of compliance |
| Content team training | Edit without breaking accessibility | EUR 600 – 1,200 | Lasting compliance |
| Annual review audit | Post-change verification | EUR 1,000 – 2,500/year | Maintains the level |
Internationally, the European Accessibility Act, in force since June 2025, extends accessibility obligations to many private-sector digital services, not just the public sector.
Why an inaccessible site costs more
- Exclusion from tenders: a non-compliant site can disqualify a public-tender bid.
- Sanction risk and formal notices for covered actors.
- Lost audience: around 15 % of the population lives with a disability; an inaccessible site turns them and seniors away.
- Degraded SEO: accessibility best practices (heading structure, alternatives, semantics) are also quality signals for Google.
Mini case study
Sarah, digital manager at a mid-sized industrial firm in Berlin, wants to bid on public tenders requiring an accessible site. She commissions a WCAG audit at EUR 4,200, then AA remediation on a EUR 12,000 build, i.e. +EUR 1,500 (12.5 %), plus the accessibility statement at EUR 500. Total investment: EUR 6,200. By making her site eligible for public tenders and widening her audience by 15 %, she secures an EUR 85,000 tender previously closed to her. The ratio speaks for itself.
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FAQ
Is accessibility mandatory for a private company?
Increasingly so. The European Accessibility Act (June 2025) extends obligations to many private digital services. For a B2B firm facing the public, it is unavoidable.
How much is a full WCAG audit?
Between EUR 2,500 and 6,000 for a marketing site, depending on the number of page templates. An express audit on a sample costs less but stays indicative.
Can an existing site be made accessible?
Yes, but it is often costlier than building it in from the start. Budget an audit then a correction phase whose price depends on accumulated technical debt.
Does accessibility really help SEO?
Yes. Semantic structure, alt text, heading hierarchy and contrast improve the experience and are valued by Google. Accessibility and SEO share 40 to 50 % of their best practices.
Do I need to re-audit every year?
An annual review (EUR 1,000–2,500) is recommended, especially after content or feature changes, since a single update can break a criterion.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of page templates and tender deadlines: we quote WCAG audit + AA remediation + statement. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
