PIPELINEGuide
Accessible website: compare providers — what really matters
Quotes for accessible websites are hard to compare because everyone includes something different. The questions that reveal the differences — and the warning signs.
When comparing providers for an accessible website, the quoted price matters less than the question of what happens afterward: who maintains the system after launch, and what does a later change cost. That's the difference that only shows up after a few months.
01 — Criteria
How quotes differ
- What exactly is included. Two quotes with the same total can cover completely different deliverables. Ask for scope as a list, not as running text.
- Who delivers what. Content, images, data, access — if it's not specified, it becomes a point of conflict later.
- What operation costs. Calculated over three years, including licenses, hosting, and support.
- What happens if you want to switch. Do you get access, data, and documentation? The answer to this question says more about a provider than any reference.
- Who actually does the work. With small providers this matters: who sits in the meeting, and who then does it.
02 — Questions
Questions you should ask
- What happens if the project becomes more expensive than estimated — who bears that?
- Who owns data, access, and, if developed, the source code?
- What does operation cost in the second and third year?
- What does the documentation we receive at the end look like?
- How would you measure whether the project was successful?
- Is there a case in which you would advise us against this?
03 — Warning signs
When to be skeptical
- Guaranteed results. Anyone promising top Google ranking or a specific revenue increase is selling something they can't deliver.
- No pushback. A provider who thinks every project is a good idea has either not listened or is only selling.
- Time pressure. Limited-time discounts on project prices are a sales tool, not an offer.
- Unclear ownership. Anyone who won't clearly say who owns data and access doesn't have your interests at heart.
- No contact with technical expertise. If only sales sits in the first meeting, that's where misunderstandings arise.
04 — Scope
What's included
- Testing against WCAG 2.1 Level AA, automated and manual
- Keyboard operability throughout the entire flow, including forms
- Contrast, font sizes, and focus indication
- Meaningful alt text and correct heading structure
- Forms with labels and clear error messages
- Audit report and accessibility statement as documentation
05 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Are we affected by the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz?
The Austrian Accessibility Act has been in force since June 28, 2025, and primarily applies to online services in the consumer sector: online shops, bookings, e-ticketing, banking services. Microenterprises with fewer than ten employees and less than two million euros in revenue are exempt for services — but not for the sale of products. A purely informational site without sales is generally not covered.
Is an accessibility overlay sufficient?
No. These overlays do not fix the underlying problems and are largely rejected by disability advocacy groups. They can even create additional barriers. Accessibility is created in the markup, not in a layer on top.
What happens in case of violations?
The Sozialministeriumservice is responsible. Administrative penalties of up to 80,000 euros are provided for. In the initial phase, the focus was mainly on advice rather than penalties, but that's no guarantee for the future — proceedings are already underway.
What is the most common error?
Forms without linked labels and controls that cannot be reached with the keyboard. Both go unnoticed by anyone working with a mouse — and make the site unusable for others.
Does this also apply to PDF documents on the website?
Yes, if they contain essential information — such as price lists or downloadable forms. PDFs must also be structured with alternative texts.
Can we implement this step by step?
Yes, by priority: first the defects that completely block usage, then those that make it difficult. This can be spread across several stages without taking the site offline in the meantime.
How long does a complete audit take?
For a medium-sized website, one to two weeks, depending on the number of different page types and interactive elements such as forms or filters.
06 — Next
Related pages
- Accessible Website — Overview
- Accessible Website — Small Businesses
- Accessible Website — Privacy
- Accessible Website — Pros and Cons
- Accessible Website — Checklist
- Accessible Website — Where to Start
- Accessible Website — Requirements
- Accessible Website — How It Works
- Have a website created
- Web design
- Website relaunch
- All guides
Accessible Website by Region
Next step
Let's talk briefly about whether this makes sense for you.
A twenty-minute conversation is usually enough to clarify whether a project makes sense. If not, we'll say so — that's cheaper for both sides than an offer nobody needs.