First the concern – not the bill
Many providers sell accessibility with the phrase “compulsory for all websites since 2025”. That is Not correct. The BaFG covers certain services provided to consumers - especially Online shops, booking and contract routes – and Small businesses are excluded from services. A purely informational website is usually not mandatory.
That's why every project for us starts with one Scope assessment. If you are not affected, we will tell you - in writing and in a few sentences. If you wish, you will still receive a plan because accessibility reaches more people regardless of the obligation and is technically cleaner. But you don't pay for an audit for a problem you don't have.
- • You sell online to consumers (shop, checkout, payment route).
- • Consumers can book online or make binding requests.
- • You provide consumer banking, traffic, communications or media services.
- • You are above the micro-enterprise threshold with number of employees or turnover.
The three stages that have to work together
Automated analysis plus manual testing on key user journeys – product page, shopping cart, checkout, form, confirmation. We check keyboard operation, focus order, screen reader structure, form errors, contrast and comprehensibility. The result is a prioritized list of measures, not a 200-page list without any order.
The part that others ignore. We implement the findings – in code and in content. Because we build the design, frontend and backend ourselves, accessibility and implementation are on the same date instead of two trades blaming each other.
After the conversion, testing is carried out again and the result is documented. This is the only way to prove afterwards that checks were carried out and action was taken. A green scan from before proves nothing.
What We Examine Specifically
Every interactive element must be accessible and operable via keyboard, with visible focus.
Heading hierarchy, landmarks, captions, tables and alternative texts.
Text and operating contrasts according to WCAG thresholds - in addition to the free contrast checker, also in context.
Labels, mandatory fields, understandable error messages, no input only via color.
The most legally relevant paths: from selection to confirmation, including payment and identification steps.
Subtitles, alternatives, no automatically running content, consideration of motion sensitivity.
Technical benchmark is EN 301 549, which contains the WCAG criteria. A pure WCAG certification is not a legal license - the actual usability is checked.
Who this is for
The clearest case: concluding contracts with consumers via the website.
Hotels, practices, consultations, courses – wherever consumers make binding reservations online.
The WZG also applies here for public bodies; Accessibility is often an award criterion.
Even without obligation: Accessibility means better usability - and affects older target groups who would otherwise drop out.
Accessibility from the start is cheaper
A later conversion is significantly more complex than building barrier-free from the outset: the structure, focus logic and form behavior have to be subsequently implemented through existing code, often in a mature shop. If a new website, a relaunch or a shop renovation is planned anyway, accessibility should be part of the same planning - then there is no second appointment.
You can find the framework for costs and market orientation in the guide: there are the usual ranges for initial checks, audits and tests according to EN 301 549.