Doesn’t Shopify (or WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Weebly, etc.) already take care of this for me?

The quick answer to this is “no, not really”. While these website builder services typically have accessibility built into many of their template blocks, the onus is on the user to make sure that the website itself is compliant with accessibility guidelines: images need alt text, text sizes and color contrast ratios need to be compliant, clickable links need to be a certain size, etc.. There are many ways to make an out-of-the-box website from one of the above website builders non-compliant without even realizing it and Shopify (et al) provides no legal protection nor do they take any responsibility for compliance litigation against “your” website. There are MANY cases in particular of Shopify and Squarespace websites being served with accessibility non-compliance lawsuits within the last few years and some of them have come to ADAWebExpert.com for help in meeting compliance regulations as a result of settlement agreements.

Here’s an interesting article from Shopify that talks about this, and the danger of “ADA shakedown lawsuits”, in more detail: “The small business shakedown: Why thousands of entrepreneurs are getting buried in lawsuits” [offsite link]

How much does an audit cost?

An accessibility compliance audit and report from ADAWebExpert.com typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the size and complexity of your website. Smaller sites with just a few pages fall on the lower end of this range, while larger websites featuring multiple templates and various post types are priced at the higher end.

Every audit is unique, and we have extensive experience handling all types of budgets. Our goal is to make the web more accessible for everyone—not to burden small businesses. Contact us at info@adawebexpert.com or call (707) 621-8666 to start with a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation.

How much will it cost to bring my website into ADA/WCAG compliance?

It depends: development to bring your website into compliance is based on how large/complex your website is (how many templates/pages and content there is), how many issues of non-compliance are present in the audit report, and the different types of content your website serves to users. We charge an hourly rate for our work that is competitive with specialized web development rates in the United States.

A small business website with only a handful of pages (and with only basic compliance issues) may cost $1000-$2000 to bring into compliance; a bargain when compared to the 5-figure settlements that are routinely paid out in California.

Please bear in mind that web accessibility is our mission; if you choose to take the audit report to another (cheaper or foreign-based) web developer to fix the compliance issues, we understand. But beware that it may cost more to fix in the end if you have to hire us to fix their mistakes; we understand the desire to save money but as my father used to say “you get what you pay for”.

How long does the website accessibility compliance audit take?

Audits are generally completed within 5 to 15 business days, depending on the complexity of the site. If we have a full schedule of audits and development projects, your compliance report and testing may be scheduled for a later date. In cases of potential litigation or ADA complaints, a rush fee may apply for expedited service. 50% of the audit estimate is required to secure your

In all cases, 50% of the audit estimate is required to secure your position in our work queue, with the other 50% due on completion of the audit report (as a PDF document sent to your email address).

Is it too late for an audit if I’ve already been served a notice of claim?

If you receive a notice of claim alleging ADA non-compliance on your website, you might have a “cure period” to address and fix the issues. Read more about this in the answer below or contact us today by email or phone to learn more and take proactive steps that could save you significant time and expense in court.

How long do I have to comply with a notice of claim against my website?

In California, there is no single fixed time to comply; however, businesses with 50 or fewer employees can avoid statutory damages and attorney fees if they correct all cited violations within 120 days of receiving a formal notice. For all other businesses, there is no specific deadline to become compliant to prevent a lawsuit, and failure to meet the standards can lead to legal action at any time. California law aligns with federal ADA requirements, meaning websites should be accessible according to standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at Level AA. 

Do I really need to comply with ADA guidelines? I don’t even have a storefront.

ADA regulations apply to both physical and virtual locations. Even if your website only contains basic business and contact information, it must comply with ADA standards. Increasingly, businesses face lawsuits or complaints for ADA violations, particularly in California, where compliance requirements are more stringent.

Aside from legal compliance, is there any other reason to get a website accessibility compliance audit and report?

Absolutely! Beyond enhancing usability for people of all abilities, accessibility has become a crucial factor that Google and other search engines use to rank websites in search results. Sites that are not accessible tend to rank lower for the same keywords and related topics compared to those that are fully accessible. Which makes a lot of sense when you consider it.

Can you guarantee that I if I use your services I can never be sued for ADA non-compliance?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide this guarantee due to several factors.

• Website users can submit non-compliance claims within 180 days of using your site. Even if your website meets current standards, it may still be subject to claims for previous violations.
• A claim of non-compliance can be made against a website with a minimal burden of proof. While such complaints may not hold up under legal scrutiny, they can be used to pressure a business into a settlement—particularly if the business has not taken steps to ensure their website is ADA compliant.
• The presence of “serial filers” complicates providing such a guarantee. Some plaintiffs and their law firms are accused of repeatedly filing lawsuits for financial gain, often without giving prior notice to the business, according to the Institute for Legal Reform and the California Dental Association (CDA).
• After fully utilizing our services, you and your employees (or any authorized personnel) are responsible for any subsequent website changes that may compromise ADA compliance, which makes a guarantee of accessibility compliance problematic.

If you cannot guarantee that we will not be sued or have a claim filed against us, why should spend money to correct our ADA compliance issues?

There are two main reasons we can provide:

1. In court cases where a plaintiff claims a website has discriminated against them, demonstrating a “good-faith effort” to address accessibility issues can significantly improve the outcome. Although no ADA compliance service can fully protect you from lawsuits, the laws surrounding compliance contain some ambiguities that allow for interpretation. Taking proactive steps to resolve accessibility concerns before litigation arises can strengthen your defense and may help avoid fines alongside legal damages.
2. If a complaint alleges that your website violates ADA regulations, settling out of court or winning the case does not relieve you of the legal obligation to fix any ADA non-compliance issues discovered during the review of your site. Imagine settling a case, thinking the matter is resolved, only to face another complaint or lawsuit because your website remains out of compliance with accessibility standards.