Let’s get one thing out of the way: making your website accessible does not mean doubling your budget or dragging out your timeline. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from clients is that accessible websites are more expensive to build. But when done right, accessibility isn’t some extra layer you slap on later—it’s a smarter way to build from the beginning.
Accessibility isn’t about adding bells and whistles. It’s about giving everyone a fair shot at using your site—no matter how they access it. And when accessibility is baked into your planning, design, and development phases, it actually saves you money. On the flip side, skipping it now often leads to expensive fixes, rework, or even legal issues later.
Bottom line: accessible websites aren’t more expensive to develop—inaccessible ones are.
What Accessibility Actually Requires
If you’re picturing accessibility as a mountain of custom features and complicated coding, let’s pump the brakes. Most accessibility best practices are about making smarter choices early in the process, not reinventing the wheel.
Let’s look at a few low-effort, high-impact things your team can do:
- Add alternative (alt) text as you upload images. It takes seconds and provides screen readers with essential context.
- Use semantic HTML (like proper headings, lists, and buttons) instead of just styling with divs and spans.
- Structure navigation so users can tab through with a keyboard.
- Check your color contrast in early design stages—this small choice determines readability for millions of users.
Accessibility isn’t about building entirely new tools. It’s about ensuring your site plays nicely with existing assistive technologies—like screen readers, screen magnifiers, or voice navigation tools.
That means you don’t have to build special versions of your site for users with disabilities. You just need to support the way they already navigate the web.
Building Accessibility from the Ground Up Saves Time and Money
Now here’s where the real costs come in: retrofitting. When accessibility isn’t part of the original plan, fixing issues after launch becomes much more expensive.
Let’s say you skipped writing alt text during image uploads. Going back to write descriptions for 1,000+ images after the fact? That’s hours—if not weeks—of work.
Or maybe you used complex JavaScript widgets without thinking about keyboard access. Retrofitting those components to be screen reader-friendly may mean rewriting large sections of your code.
In other words, fixing inaccessible websites costs more than doing it right the first time. And those fixes often introduce technical debt—clunky workarounds, inconsistent updates, and ongoing maintenance headaches.
Accessible websites, when built with care from the start, are easier to update, scale, and maintain. They’re leaner, cleaner, and future-proof.
Accessibility Supports Other Core Business Goals
Accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also good business.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engines love accessible sites. Why? Because many accessibility best practices—like using descriptive alt text, heading tags, and semantic HTML—also help search engines understand and index your content.
Performance and Usability
Accessible websites tend to have faster load times and cleaner code, which improves the overall user experience. Mobile users, for example, benefit from accessible design as much as someone using a screen reader.
Security and Stability
Accessible forms often rely on well-structured HTML and simple interactions rather than fragile JavaScript plugins. This makes your site more stable and secure, reducing the likelihood of bugs or failures.
In short, accessibility supports the same goals that developers, designers, marketers, and business owners already care about: visibility, usability, and reliability.
The Real Risk: Legal Liability and Missed Market Potential
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room: lawsuits.
Accessibility-related lawsuits have been on the rise for years—especially under ADA Title III, which covers websites as places of public accommodation. And it’s not just the big guys being targeted. Small and midsize businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs.
Worse, many businesses try to cut corners with accessibility overlays or plugins. These tools promise instant compliance but often fall short of legal standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). Relying on them can actually increase your legal risk.
And beyond compliance? Let’s not ignore the massive untapped audience:
- 1 in 4 U.S. adults lives with a disability.
- Older adults, one of the fastest-growing groups of online shoppers, benefit from larger text, clearer navigation, and reduced motion.
- Consumers care—more people are making buying decisions based on brand values like inclusivity and social responsibility.
An accessible website isn’t just a shield against lawsuits. It’s a magnet for customers you might otherwise miss entirely.
Smart Accessibility Decisions by Role
No matter your role on a digital team, you can make choices that support accessible websites from the beginning.
For Designers
- Choose high-contrast color schemes.
- Use legible fonts with scalable sizes.
- Structure content with a clear visual hierarchy.
- Design for flexibility—not everyone uses a mouse or touchscreen.
For Developers
Use semantic HTML for structure.
- Make sure all interactive elements work with a keyboard.
- Don’t overuse ARIA—follow best practices and use it only when necessary.
For Content Creators
- Write in plain, easy-to-understand language.
- Make sure your links say where they go (“Read our pricing guide,” not just “Click here”).
- Use headings and lists to break up content.
For Project Managers
- Treat accessibility like you would security or performance. It’s not optional—it’s critical.
- Schedule accessibility testing early and often, not just at the end.
- Work accessibility into every sprint, deliverable, and stakeholder review.
Accessibility is everyone’s job—and it’s much easier when it’s a shared priority from the beginning.
Accessibility as an Investment, Not a Line Item
Let’s reframe the conversation.
Accessibility isn’t just a cost on your project spreadsheet. It’s a long-term investment in your brand, your user experience, and your operational efficiency.
Here’s what you gain:
- Simpler redesigns: Sites built on semantic, accessible foundations are easier to rebuild or re-theme.
- Better customer experiences: More people can use your site with ease—and they’ll remember it.
- Improved trust: Customers, partners, and regulators alike see accessible websites as a sign of responsibility and care.
Even the W3C, the global standards organization behind WCAG, notes that accessible websites “often work better for everyone” and “improve the user experience across devices.”
At 216digital, we’ve seen it firsthand—companies that build accessibly from the start end up with stronger, leaner, and more successful digital platforms.
Make Accessibility a Strategic Priority
So, are accessible websites more expensive to develop?
Not if you do it right.
Integrating accessibility from the beginning is faster, cheaper, and more effective than fixing it later. It supports your other business goals, opens up new markets, and protects you from legal risk.
Inaccessible websites may cost less upfront—but they cost far more in the long run.
If you’re planning a redesign or wondering where your current site stands, scheduling an ADA accessibility briefing with 216digital is a smart, low-commitment first step. We’ll help you assess your current risk, prioritize improvements, and put you on the path to building more inclusive digital experiences.
Because accessibility isn’t an extra—it’s just smart business.