If you've requested quotes for a WCAG accessibility audit, you've probably noticed that prices vary significantly between providers.

Some audits cost a few hundred dollars, while others cost several thousand. So why is there such a difference?

The answer lies in the scope, methodology, and quality of the audit, not just the size of the website.

At GetWCAG, we believe it's important to understand what you're paying for before comparing proposals. A lower price doesn't necessarily mean better value, just as a higher price doesn't automatically guarantee a better audit.

In this article, we'll explain the factors that influence accessibility audit pricing and, more importantly, what a professional manual WCAG audit should include.

The Scope Matters More Than the Number of Pages

One of the biggest misconceptions is that accessibility audits are priced based on the total number of pages on a website.

In reality, professional audits are typically based on unique templates and functionality, not every individual URL.

For example, an e-commerce website may contain hundreds or even thousands of product pages, but if they all use the same product template, auditing every single page would provide little additional value.

Instead, accessibility specialists evaluate representative templates that cover the website's primary user journeys and components. This follows the representative sampling approach recommended by the W3C's Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM).

Manual Audit vs. Automated Scan

Perhaps the biggest factor affecting cost is whether the provider performs a manual accessibility audit or primarily relies on automated scanning tools.

Automated tools are valuable and should absolutely be part of an accessibility workflow. They quickly identify common issues such as missing alternative text, color contrast failures, or certain ARIA errors.

However, automated tools cannot determine whether a website is WCAG compliant.

They cannot reliably evaluate:

• Keyboard usability
• Focus management
• Logical focus order
• Screen reader usability
• Meaningful alternative text
• Accessible error handling
• Many interactive components

Industry guidance consistently recommends combining automated testing with manual evaluation because automation alone only identifies a subset of accessibility issues. 

What Should Be Included in a Manual WCAG Audit?

When comparing proposals, don't just compare the price.

Compare the methodology.

A professional manual accessibility audit should typically include:

• Manual WCAG evaluation
• Automated accessibility scanning
• Keyboard-only testing
• Screen reader testing (such as NVDA and JAWS)
• Review of interactive components
• WCAG Success Criterion mapping
• Severity prioritization
• A detailed accessibility report

Choosing the Right Accessibility Partner

Accessibility isn't just about identifying WCAG violations.

It's about understanding how real people interact with your website and providing practical recommendations that help your team improve accessibility over time.

At GetWCAG, every audit is performed using a combination of automated tools and manual testing. We evaluate websites against the WCAG standard using keyboard navigation, screen readers, and expert manual review to provide actionable findings, not just automated reports.

Whether you're preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA), improving your customer experience, or responding to accessibility requirements from clients, a thorough manual audit provides a solid foundation for meaningful improvements.

Need a WCAG Accessibility Audit?

Every website is different, which is why we scope our audits based on templates, functionality, and complexity rather than simply counting pages.

If you're planning an accessibility audit, we'd be happy to review your website and provide a transparent proposal tailored to your specific project.