The verdict in three sentences
A structured 60-point acceptance test prevents most of the bad surprises that follow a B2B website launch: silent forms, broken redirects, a non-compliant consent banner. The right move is to require a signed acceptance report from your agency based on measurable criteria (Lighthouse above 90, LCP under 2.5 s, 100 % of 301 redirects live). In Toronto, an external acceptance test costs 1,200 to 3,800 CAD in 2026 for 3 to 5 days of work, a fraction of the cost of a failed relaunch.
The 60 points grouped in 6 blocks
Acceptance testing is not a quick browse of the site the night before launch. It splits into blocks you can assign to different people: marketing, IT, legal. Here is the breakdown we recommend for an industrial services SME.
| Block | Number of points | 2026 acceptance criterion | Owner on the client side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 10 | Mobile Lighthouse above 90, LCP under 2.5 s, CLS under 0.1 | Marketing + agency |
| Forms and conversions | 12 | 5 browsers tested (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Samsung Internet), email received within 2 min | Sales |
| Technical SEO | 12 | 100 % of old URLs 301-redirected, valid XML sitemap, unique title tags | Marketing |
| Privacy and cookies | 8 | PIPEDA-compliant consent and privacy policy, Quebec visitors handled under Law 25, no trackers before consent | Legal or privacy officer |
| Accessibility | 10 | AODA: WCAG 2.0 AA for organizations with 50+ employees, contrast 4.5:1, keyboard navigation, alt text | Marketing |
| Content and security | 8 | Zero broken links, HTTPS enforced, security headers, tested backup | IT |
The forms block deserves the most attention. On a B2B site, one lost quote request often means several thousand dollars of potential revenue. Test every form with an external address (Gmail, Outlook), check that it lands in the CRM and that the prospect receives a confirmation.
What acceptance testing costs, and who should run it
There are three options. The agency runs its own internal test, which is normal but insufficient since it is grading its own work. The client can run it with a checklist. Or you hire an independent provider.
| Testing option | 2026 ballpark cost (Toronto) | Duration | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agency internal test only | Included in quote | 1 to 2 days | Fast | No outside view |
| Client test with checklist | 0 CAD external, 2 to 4 internal days | 2 to 4 days | Business knowledge | Limited technical tools |
| Light external test | 1,200 to 1,800 CAD | 3 days | Scored report | Narrow scope |
| Full external test | 2,200 to 3,800 CAD | 4 to 5 days | AODA and privacy audit included | Needs early booking |
| Standalone WCAG audit | 3,000 to 7,500 CAD | 5 to 10 days | Formal accessibility report | Excludes performance and SEO |
For an SME, the most efficient combination is a tooled client test (PageSpeed Insights, Screaming Frog, WAVE extension) plus a light external test on the legal and accessibility blocks.
The acceptance report: what it must contain
The acceptance report often triggers the final payment and starts the warranty period. It should list defects in three levels: blocking (prevents launch), major (fixed within 10 business days), minor (fixed within 30 days). Require screenshots, the affected URL and the browser. Keep a payment holdback of 10 to 20 % until major defects are cleared. Finally, record the Lighthouse scores on launch day: they become the baseline if performance degrades during the warranty.
Mini case study
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Sarah, marketing manager at a 45-employee industrial maintenance SME in Toronto, receives her new 25-page site. She runs a 3-day internal test and orders a light external test at 1,500 CAD. Result: 14 defects, 2 of them blocking (quote form not connected to the CRM on Safari, 38 old URLs without redirects). Her site generated about 12 quote requests a month, with an average deal of 9,000 CAD and a 20 % close rate. One month of a broken form on Safari (about 30 % of traffic) would have cost roughly 4 requests, an estimated 7,200 CAD in lost revenue. The test pays for itself almost 5 times.
FAQ
How long should acceptance testing take for a B2B website?
Plan 3 to 5 business days for a 15 to 40 page site, plus 5 to 10 days of fixes. Build those 2 weeks into the schedule at signature, or testing gets sacrificed.
What Lighthouse score should the contract require?
A mobile score above 90 for performance and accessibility is a realistic 2026 target for a corporate site. Measure it on 3 template pages (home, service, contact) and average 3 runs.
Is AODA compliance mandatory for my company?
In Ontario, private and non-profit organizations with 50 or more employees must meet WCAG 2.0 AA on their public websites, and file compliance reports every 3 years. Smaller firms are not bound by this rule but benefit from the same practices, including better SEO.
What if the agency refuses an external test?
That is a red flag. A serious agency accepts third-party review and responds to defects within 10 business days. Write this right into the contract before signing.
Do I need to retest after every update?
A light 15 to 20 point test is enough for a minor change. For a template overhaul or a CMS change, run all 60 points again.
Let's scope your project. We deliver every site with documented acceptance testing, a scored report and contractual performance criteria, with scope and timeline fixed in the quote. 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.
