Accessibility Audit For A More Inclusive Web
If your website is not accessible, it is not working for everyone. An accessibility audit is the first step in identifying the barriers that stop disabled users from accessing your digital content. Whether you run a small online shop or manage a large corporate platform, a website accessibility audit or web accessibility audit can reveal the unseen issues that automated tools simply do not detect. Our approach goes far beyond checklists, combining lived experience, assistive technology, and detailed manual testing to give you a roadmap to full inclusion.
What Is An Accessibility Audit?
An accessibility audit is a detailed, human-led assessment of your digital content against recognised accessibility standards. It evaluates how your website performs for people who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, magnification tools and other assistive technologies. Unlike automated scans, a website accessibility audit includes real-world testing by disabled users to expose barriers that standard tools cannot detect. This kind of web accessibility audit provides clarity, context and solutions—empowering you to make your website usable for everyone.
A thorough accessibility audit will examine every page template, content type, menu structure and form. The result is a clear report showing which elements meet the WCAG 2.2 AA standard and which fall short. With this insight, you can prioritise changes, protect your business from legal complaints, and serve a wider audience with confidence.
Why A Website Accessibility Audit Matters
A website accessibility audit matters because exclusion is invisible. Most business owners have no idea how their website appears to someone using a screen reader or trying to navigate without a mouse. A web accessibility audit shows you what is broken, what is confusing, and what prevents access entirely. In many cases, users are being excluded from submitting forms, reading content or even navigating your main menu—without you ever realising it.
Legal compliance is also a growing concern. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against disabled people. In the EU, the European Accessibility Act 2025 enforces clear digital standards for all businesses offering products or services online. A professional accessibility audit helps ensure you are not in breach of these laws. Beyond compliance, it sends a clear message: that you care about inclusion and are willing to take action to get it right.
What A Web Accessibility Audit Includes
Every accessibility audit we deliver begins with a clear scope and ends with a plain-English report. We begin with automated scanning to highlight the most common code-level issues. Then we move into manual testing, covering:
- Screen reader compatibility across all major platforms
- Keyboard-only navigation and focus order
- Link clarity, heading structure and semantic HTML
- Form accessibility including labels, error messages and validation
- Colour contrast, text scaling and magnifier behaviour
- Mobile responsiveness and dynamic content loading
Throughout this process, disabled testers interact with your site exactly as your users do. They provide screen recordings and verbal feedback that show how accessible your content really is. This kind of website accessibility audit creates not only a list of problems, but a deep understanding of what those problems mean for real people.
The Real Cost Of Inaccessible Websites
An inaccessible website is not just a missed opportunity—it is a liability. If disabled visitors cannot use your site, they may take their business elsewhere, leave negative reviews, or escalate complaints to regulators. Lawsuits for inaccessibility are on the rise across the UK, EU and United States. Even if your business is small, the risks are real. A web accessibility audit provides the evidence and action plan you need to demonstrate due diligence and ongoing improvement.
There are also commercial losses to consider. Poor accessibility means poor usability. If your navigation is unclear, forms do not work properly, or mobile users cannot interact with your content, you will lose conversions. Search engines also take accessibility into account. Sites that are easier to navigate and read tend to rank better and attract more organic traffic. A proper accessibility audit supports both compliance and performance.
Overlays Are Not Accessibility
Many website owners try to solve accessibility problems by installing overlay tools. These promise a quick fix by adding visual enhancements or automated remediations. Unfortunately, overlays do not make your site compliant. They cannot fix underlying code issues, and they often interfere with assistive technologies rather than help them. A website accessibility audit exposes the limits of these tools and explains what real accessibility looks like—built into the design, not layered over the top.
If you rely on an overlay, you are likely still in breach of accessibility laws. Worse still, you may be giving users a false sense of support. Only a manual web accessibility audit will uncover the actual barriers faced by real users, with clear guidance on how to remove them at the source.
Accessibility In Ecommerce And Booking Systems
For ecommerce platforms and booking tools, accessibility is critical. A missed label, inaccessible calendar picker or broken form submission can mean lost sales and frustrated customers. A detailed accessibility audit tests these journeys from start to finish—on desktop, tablet and mobile. A proper website accessibility audit ensures that users can:
- Browse product or service pages clearly and consistently
- Add items to carts or booking schedules with keyboard access
- Receive confirmation of actions taken
- Use payment gateways or checkout forms independently
We test these processes with real assistive technology to make sure every user can complete their task. If you operate an online shop or appointment system, a web accessibility audit is essential to ensure equity, usability and compliance.
The ROI Of An Accessibility Audit
It is tempting to view an accessibility audit as a cost. In truth, it is an investment. An inclusive website performs better in search, engages more users, and converts more reliably. It also reduces support requests, since users are less likely to get stuck or confused. Perhaps most importantly, it builds trust. Customers and stakeholders are increasingly aware of digital inclusion. A website accessibility audit sends the message that your organisation listens, learns and acts on its values.
That kind of credibility pays off. Whether you are a startup, established business, public body or charity, an accessibility audit will support your mission, improve your digital presence, and help you build a more loyal and diverse user base.
What Happens After The Audit?
Once your accessibility audit is complete, we remain available to support you. We offer:
- Post-audit feedback sessions with your team
- Ongoing consultation for developers, designers and content editors
- Optional retesting after changes are implemented
- A compliant accessibility statement outlining your roadmap
Accessibility is not a one-time task. It is a long-term commitment to doing things properly. Our web accessibility audit process gives you the tools and knowledge to move forward with confidence. We are here to help you grow, adapt and maintain your progress—no matter where you are starting from.
Who We Work With
We work with clients across every sector, from ecommerce to education, healthcare to hospitality. Whether your audience is local, national or international, a website accessibility audit helps you meet the needs of every visitor. If you serve customers in the EU, you must comply with the European Accessibility Act. If you serve customers in the UK, you must comply with the Equality Act. A web accessibility audit helps you meet both obligations with clarity and care.
We are proud to work with small businesses, independent consultants, charities, national brands and government bodies. Every project we take on begins with listening. Our accessibility audit is not off-the-shelf—it is tailored to your real-world users and challenges.
Want to learn more? Check out our Accessibility Statement Service or read about our Audit Methodology to see how we work.
Start Your Accessibility Audit Today
Your website is the front door to your organisation. If it is not accessible, millions of people may find it closed. An accessibility audit is the first and most effective way to open that door. It will show you what works, what does not, and what needs to change. We make it easy to begin.
- Book a free 30-minute consultation
- Email us at help@accessibilityaudit.co.uk
- Call us any time on +44-1243-776399 (24 hrs)
You will speak to an experienced accessibility consultant, not a sales team. We will explain what your website needs, what your legal obligations are, and how to move forward. There is no jargon, no pressure, just clarity and support.
How To Prepare For A Website Accessibility Audit
Getting ready for your accessibility audit is simple. If your site is already live, we will test the version your users see today. If your site is in development, we can test a staging site before it goes public. All we need is access to your website and a short briefing on your audience and goals. From there, we will create a tailored audit plan that reflects your priorities and challenges.
To help you get the most from the process, we also recommend you:
- Nominate one or two points of contact for communication
- Gather any known accessibility feedback or complaints from users
- Provide a sitemap or list of key pages to review
- Tell us if there are any specific tasks or user journeys to prioritise
The more we know about your website and your users, the more valuable your accessibility audit will be.
Accessibility Audit FAQs
How long does an audit take?
Most accessibility audits take two to four weeks depending on the size and complexity of your site. We provide a timeline up front and keep you updated throughout.
Do I need to fix everything at once?
No. Legislation requires that you have a plan and are working towards accessibility. Our audit report shows you which issues are urgent and which can wait. We help you prioritise improvements.
Will the audit include documents or videos?
We can include PDFs and multimedia where needed. If you have complex documents or videos, we offer additional testing or transcription advice to support you.
Is this suitable for agencies or developers?
Yes. We regularly work with agencies, internal teams and developers who need an expert accessibility audit to guide their implementation work. We are happy to speak directly with your team.
Why Choose Us For Your Accessibility Audit
We are not a checklist. We are not a plugin. We are not a generic agency that dabbles in accessibility. This is our focus. Our team includes experienced auditors and disabled testers with lived experience. Every website accessibility audit we deliver is independent, thorough and human-led. We take time to explain what matters, why it matters, and how to make it better.
Our process is proven. Our reports are clear. Our guidance is actionable. Our support is personal. Whether this is your first accessibility audit or your tenth, we will meet you where you are and help you move forward.
You can also explore our Website Accessibility Training if you want to build long-term skills within your team.
What Makes A Good Accessibility Audit?
There is a difference between ticking boxes and making real improvements. A good accessibility audit gives you more than a list of problems. It shows you how those problems affect people and what to do about them. It provides clear recommendations, realistic priorities and optional follow-up support. It includes real-user testing, not just robots. It is based on understanding and communication—not just compliance.
When you book an accessibility audit with us, you get a complete picture of where you are and how to get where you need to be. You get honesty, expertise and encouragement. And you get a digital partner who wants your website to succeed—for everyone who visits it.
Begin Your Web Accessibility Audit Now
The best time to make your website accessible is now. Whether you are facing legal deadlines, planning a redesign or simply want to do the right thing, we are here to help. A web accessibility audit is the fastest way to see where you stand and what steps to take next.
Let us show you how an accessibility audit can unlock your site’s full potential. Book a call, send us a message, or give us a ring. We are ready when you are.