UK firms risk losing 5% of web traffic due to poor accessibility

Many UK organisations are facing significant risks and financial losses due to insufficient digital accessibility on their websites and apps, particularly as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is now enforceable.

Recent analysis by Source Code Control, a consultancy working with managed service providers (MSPs), shows that more than half of UK organisations failed to meet basic digital accessibility standards, highlighting ongoing issues in awareness and implementation.

Source Code Control has found that 1 in 20 users in the UK are unable to properly access digital services, amounting to as much as 5% in lost web traffic and conversions.

The company's Accessibility Audit examines digital materials, including websites, Word and PowerPoint templates, and other interfaces, to consider accessibility for individuals with epilepsy, visual impairments, dyslexia, ADHD, and colour blindness.

Regulatory landscape

With the EAA now in effect, any organisation offering digital services in the EU must ensure their offerings are accessible and compliant with the WCAG 2.1 AA standard. Non-compliance puts businesses at risk of fines, reputational damage, and restrictions on trading within the EU.

Paul McAdam, Director at Source Code Control, said, "Despite the equivalent UK accessibility legislation being enforced in 2018, many businesses still don't realise that 1 in 20 UK users aren't able to access their websites and apps properly. That's a potential 5% loss of traffic, conversions, and customer trust in the UK alone. This increases significantly as a proportion of the population across Europe, and MSPs are in a prime position to support businesses to boost revenues around accessibility."

From 28 June 2025, requirements are fully enforceable across the EU. All digital services must be accessible, impacting organisations with customer-facing platforms as well as internal applications. The risk to businesses includes more than regulatory penalties: inaccessible services can alienate users, silently reducing engagement and potentially resulting in lost revenue.

Role of MSPs

Source Code Control's findings suggest a strong opportunity for MSPs to expand their service portfolios by providing digital accessibility solutions. The company offers an Accessibility Assessment Toolkit, allowing MSPs to address client needs without developing in-depth internal expertise.

The audit process reviews a range of digital user experiences beyond visual accessibility, focusing on cognitive factors, navigation, animation control, and colour contrasts. According to McAdam, "The first iteration of a website may pass the WCAG 2.1 standard, but as it evolves, businesses drift away from compliance due to ad-hoc changes, content updates, and an internal lack of knowledge. This is where MSPs can step in as Accessibility Partners."

Source Code Control works with MSPs on a white label basis, supporting the delivery of specialist accessibility assessments and solutions as an external partner.

The updated regulatory context and the findings of Source Code Control's UK audit point to a shift in how accessibility is prioritised by both businesses and their IT providers. For commercial, legal, and reputational reasons, digital accessibility is now a critical factor for organisations with exposure to the EU market or with significant public-facing digital assets.