The verdict in three sentences
Acceptance testing is the moment your organisation legally accepts the website: once the acceptance report is signed without reservations, fixes become billable maintenance. For a 40-page FR/AR/EN corporate site with RTL display, plan 2 to 4 weeks and a grid of 80 to 150 test points covering accessibility, forms, SEO, security and performance. Classifying each defect as blocking, major or minor and signing a report with dated reservations lets you launch on time without giving up on fixes.
The 6 test areas and their weight
Structured acceptance testing is split by area, with one owner per block. For a public body or large company in Rabat, the Arabic version and RTL account for a large, often underestimated, share of defects.
| Area | Test points | Concrete examples | Share of defects observed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content and multilingual | 20 to 35 | Complete translations, FR/AR/EN switch, dates and numbers in the right format | 25% |
| RTL display | 10 to 20 | Mirrored menus, oriented icons, right-aligned tables and forms | 18% |
| Forms and user journeys | 12 to 25 | Submission, acknowledgement, required fields, captcha, data storage | 15% |
| Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) | 15 to 30 | 4.5:1 contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text, heading hierarchy | 17% |
| Technical SEO | 10 to 20 | Title tags, fr/ar/en hreflang, sitemap, 301 redirects from the old site | 12% |
| Security and performance | 13 to 20 | HTTPS, CSP headers, updates, LCP under 2.5 s on 4G mobile | 13% |
For compliance in Morocco, also check the notices required by Law 09-08 on personal data protection: purpose of forms, retention period and, where applicable, the declaration or authorisation with the CNDP.
Classifying defects and stating reservations
Without a shared classification, every exchange becomes a negotiation. The contract must define these levels before testing starts.
| Level | Definition | Example | Usual fix time | Effect on acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blocking | Prevents use or creates legal exposure | Complaint form that sends nothing, empty Arabic version | 24 to 72 h | Acceptance impossible |
| Major | Degraded feature, workaround possible | Search returns no results in Arabic | 5 to 10 working days | Acceptance with reservations |
| Minor | Visual or editorial defect | Wrong spacing in RTL, typo | 15 to 30 days | Acceptance with reservations |
| Enhancement | Not in the specification | Adding a regional news page | Priced change order | Outside acceptance |
The report with reservations lists each major and minor defect, its deadline and the associated retention, often 5 to 10% of the balance until fully cleared. Never sign a report "without reservations" while a major defect is still open.
In-house or outsourced: what acceptance testing costs
| Option | Indicative 2026 cost | Duration | Benefits | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-house testing only | MAD 0 direct, 15 to 25 person-days | 3 to 4 weeks | Business knowledge | Little accessibility and security expertise |
| Testing by the agency | Included in the quote | 1 to 2 weeks | Fast | Judge and party |
| Standard outsourced testing | MAD 25,000 to 40,000 (EUR 2,300 to 3,700) | 2 weeks | Neutral view, formal report | Less business context |
| Outsourced testing with WCAG audit and penetration test | MAD 45,000 to 60,000 (EUR 4,200 to 5,500) | 3 weeks | Covers accessibility and security | Must be budgeted at tender stage |
| Accessibility audit only | MAD 12,000 to 25,000 (EUR 1,100 to 2,300) | 1 week | Useful for a public body | Does not cover features |
For a public body, the most common approach combines in-house business testing with a targeted external accessibility and security audit.
Mini case study
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Nadia, digital manager at a public institution in Rabat, must sign off a 40-page FR/AR/EN site invoiced MAD 480,000. She assigns 3 internal staff for 2 weeks of business testing, about 18 person-days, and orders an external accessibility and security audit for MAD 38,000. Outcome: 112 points tested, 7 blocking defects fixed before signing, 14 major and 31 minor listed as reservations, with an 8% retention on the MAD 144,000 balance, i.e. MAD 11,520. The site goes live on schedule and all reservations are cleared within 4 weeks, with no maintenance billed.
FAQ
How long should acceptance testing take for a 40-page trilingual site?
Allow 2 to 4 weeks, including about one week for the Arabic version and RTL. Add 1 week if an external accessibility audit is planned.
Does client silence count as acceptance?
Many contracts provide tacit acceptance after 10 to 15 working days without feedback. Check this clause, as it can turn unreported defects into billable maintenance.
Should we test on real devices?
Yes, at minimum 2 entry-level Android phones, one iPhone and 3 desktop browsers. In Morocco, over 70% of institutional traffic comes from mobile.
What retention should apply when there are reservations?
A retention of 5 to 10% of the balance, released when reservations are cleared, is common practice. It stays proportionate and pushes the agency to fix quickly.
Are redirects from the old site part of acceptance?
Yes, check a sample of at least 50 old URLs. A migration without 301 redirects can lose 30 to 60% of organic traffic within weeks.
Let's scope your project. Kolonell delivers FR/AR/EN corporate websites with a 100+ point acceptance grid, a WCAG 2.1 AA audit included and a structured reservations process, for budgets from MAD 300,000 (about EUR 27,500) and timelines of 10 to 16 weeks. 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.
