PIPELINEGuide
Accessible Website: Measure Success, Don't Estimate
Without a predefined metric, you cannot say afterwards whether an accessible website was worthwhile. Which numbers work, which mislead, and when to collect them.
The success of an accessible website can only be measured if the baseline was recorded beforehand — two weeks of tracking is enough. Useful metrics are processing time per transaction, proportion of cases that run through without intervention, and response time to external parties. Team satisfaction in the first two weeks is not a useful benchmark.
01 — Measurement
How you measure success
- Define the one number beforehand. Without a baseline value, nothing can be proven afterward. Two weeks of tracking is enough for a reliable reference point.
- Processing time per case. The most direct metric: How long does the affected process take today, how long afterward.
- Percentage of cases that complete without intervention. This ratio typically rises significantly in the first weeks when refinements are made — it's the best early indicator.
- External response time. How quickly does someone who inquires receive an initial binding answer.
- What you should not measure: Team satisfaction in the first two weeks. Every transition feels worse initially than it actually is.
02 — Calculation
How to calculate it
Four numbers are enough: How often does the process occur? How long does it take? What does an hour cost internally? And what does the solution cost — one-time plus operation over three years?
An example: A process that occurs twice a week and takes 40 minutes each time ties up around 69 hours per year. At an internal hourly rate of 45 euros, that's roughly 3,100 euros per year locked in there. If a solution reduces this effort by two-thirds, it often pays for itself — depending on the actual quote — within one to two years. We'll give you the exact figure for your case after the initial meeting.
This calculation is deliberately conservative: it only accounts for the time saved, not the errors avoided or the orders that come through due to faster response. In practice, the benefit is usually higher — but you shouldn't count on it before you've measured it.
03 — Context
What experience shows
Automated testing tools only find part of the barriers; the rest only shows up when operating with keyboard and screen reader.
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
How much work is involved for an existing site?
It varies widely. A well-built site often only needs contrast corrections, alternative texts, and focus indicators. A site with custom-built controls without keyboard support can be more work than building from scratch.
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.
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.
05 — Next
Related pages
- Accessible Website — Overview
- Accessible Website — Duration
- Accessible Website — Provider Comparison
- Accessible Website — Privacy
- Accessible Website — Ongoing Operations
- Accessible Website — Alternatives
- Accessible Website — Funding
- Accessible Website — Team and Adoption
- 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.