{"schemaVersion":"1.0","title":"2026 Accounting Firm Digital Front Door Benchmark","publicationDate":"2026-08-31","methodologyVersion":"afdfb-2026-v1","rubricVersion":"rubric.v1.1","sample":{"frozenCandidates":240,"accessibleSites":160,"eligibleSites":118,"unitedStates":85,"canada":33,"pagesObserved":816},"limitation":"Convenience sample of observed public sites; not nationally representative.","metrics":[{"id":"services-explicit","label":"Services are explicit","dimension":"Clarity","numerator":118,"denominator":118,"percentage":100,"interval95":{"low":96.8,"high":100},"definition":"A collected public page names at least one concrete accounting service."},{"id":"accountable-people","label":"Accountable people are visible","dimension":"Trust","numerator":93,"denominator":118,"percentage":78.8,"interval95":{"low":70.6,"high":85.2},"definition":"A public page names a principal, partner, owner, or client-facing professional."},{"id":"credentials-visible","label":"Professional credentials are visible","dimension":"Trust","numerator":83,"denominator":118,"percentage":70.3,"interval95":{"low":61.6,"high":77.8},"definition":"CPA, CA, EA, bookkeeping certification, or relevant professional standing is visibly tied to the firm or a person."},{"id":"proof-visible","label":"Specific public proof is visible","dimension":"Trust","numerator":80,"denominator":118,"percentage":67.8,"interval95":{"low":58.9,"high":75.6},"definition":"A testimonial, case example, review reference, quantified tenure, association membership, or dated insight is visible."},{"id":"privacy-reassurance","label":"Privacy reassurance is visible","dimension":"Trust","numerator":74,"denominator":118,"percentage":62.7,"interval95":{"low":53.7,"high":70.9},"definition":"A privacy notice or clear confidentiality or security reassurance is linked or stated."},{"id":"public-phone-path","label":"Public phone path","dimension":"Access","numerator":64,"denominator":118,"percentage":54.2,"interval95":{"low":45.3,"high":63},"definition":"A telephone link or visibly labeled phone route is present."},{"id":"written-contact-path","label":"Public written-contact path","dimension":"Access","numerator":96,"denominator":118,"percentage":81.4,"interval95":{"low":73.4,"high":87.4},"definition":"A visible email or contact form destination is present; the form is observed but never submitted."},{"id":"contact-destination","label":"Dedicated contact destination","dimension":"Access","numerator":102,"denominator":118,"percentage":86.4,"interval95":{"low":79.1,"high":91.5},"definition":"Navigation or page content exposes a dedicated contact route."},{"id":"new-client-route","label":"New-client route is explicit","dimension":"Prospect routing","numerator":20,"denominator":118,"percentage":16.9,"interval95":{"low":11.2,"high":24.7},"definition":"A visible label or instruction identifies a route for prospective or new clients."},{"id":"service-specific-paths","label":"Service-specific paths are visible","dimension":"Prospect routing","numerator":102,"denominator":118,"percentage":86.4,"interval95":{"low":79.1,"high":91.5},"definition":"A services destination or distinct service paths with explanatory content are visible."},{"id":"prospect-client-separation","label":"Prospect and existing-client paths are separated","dimension":"Prospect routing","numerator":3,"denominator":118,"percentage":2.5,"interval95":{"low":0.9,"high":7.2},"definition":"The public interface distinguishes new-client action from portal or existing-client action."},{"id":"consultation-path","label":"Consultation path is visible","dimension":"Booking","numerator":98,"denominator":118,"percentage":83.1,"interval95":{"low":75.3,"high":88.8},"definition":"A visible consultation, appointment, or scheduling path exists; it is not activated."},{"id":"booking-next-step","label":"Booking next step is explained","dimension":"Booking","numerator":16,"denominator":118,"percentage":13.6,"interval95":{"low":8.5,"high":20.9},"definition":"The page indicates what the meeting is for, who it is with, timing, or what follows."},{"id":"new-client-intake","label":"New-client intake is visible","dimension":"Intake and secure handoff","numerator":13,"denominator":118,"percentage":11,"interval95":{"low":6.6,"high":17.9},"definition":"A public route or explanation identifies how a new client begins intake."},{"id":"secure-document-route","label":"Secure document route is visible","dimension":"Intake and secure handoff","numerator":22,"denominator":118,"percentage":18.6,"interval95":{"low":12.6,"high":26.6},"definition":"A secure upload or document portal route is visibly identified without entering it."},{"id":"sensitive-document-boundary","label":"Sensitive-document boundary is explained","dimension":"Intake and secure handoff","numerator":0,"denominator":118,"percentage":0,"interval95":{"low":0,"high":3.2},"definition":"Visible copy tells prospects where sensitive documents should or should not be sent."},{"id":"availability-hours","label":"Office or availability hours are visible","dimension":"Response readiness","numerator":40,"denominator":118,"percentage":33.9,"interval95":{"low":26,"high":42.8},"definition":"Hours or a clear availability window appear publicly."},{"id":"response-expectation","label":"Response expectation is visible","dimension":"Response readiness","numerator":17,"denominator":118,"percentage":14.4,"interval95":{"low":9.2,"high":21.9},"definition":"Visible copy states when or how a prospect should expect a reply."},{"id":"after-hours-expectation","label":"After-hours expectation is clear","dimension":"Response readiness","numerator":2,"denominator":118,"percentage":1.7,"interval95":{"low":0.5,"high":6},"definition":"The site explains after-hours handling, next-business-day response, or emergency limitations."},{"id":"human-route","label":"A human route is explicit","dimension":"Human escalation","numerator":70,"denominator":118,"percentage":59.3,"interval95":{"low":50.3,"high":67.8},"definition":"A visible route reaches a named person, office team, or staff-assisted channel."},{"id":"https-transport","label":"HTTPS transport","dimension":"Mobile and technical","numerator":102,"denominator":118,"percentage":86.4,"interval95":{"low":79.1,"high":91.5},"definition":"The final collected homepage uses HTTPS."},{"id":"mobile-viewport","label":"Mobile viewport metadata","dimension":"Mobile and technical","numerator":99,"denominator":118,"percentage":83.9,"interval95":{"low":76.2,"high":89.4},"definition":"The homepage declares a viewport meta element suitable for responsive layout."},{"id":"useful-metadata","label":"Useful title and description","dimension":"Mobile and technical","numerator":114,"denominator":118,"percentage":96.6,"interval95":{"low":91.6,"high":98.7},"definition":"A descriptive title and a non-empty meta description are present."},{"id":"canonical-schema","label":"Canonical or organization schema","dimension":"Mobile and technical","numerator":77,"denominator":118,"percentage":65.3,"interval95":{"low":56.3,"high":73.2},"definition":"A canonical URL or relevant Organization or ProfessionalService schema type is present."}],"journeyMaturity":[{"id":"no-clear-contact-path","label":"No clear contact path","count":9,"percentage":7.6},{"id":"contactable-only","label":"Contactable only","count":61,"percentage":51.7},{"id":"partly-guided","label":"Partly guided","count":45,"percentage":38.1},{"id":"connected-journey","label":"Connected journey","count":3,"percentage":2.5}],"qualitativeMethod":{"calibrationSampleSize":20,"reviewMethod":"MODEL_ASSISTED_REVIEW","retainedSignals":["public contactability","prospect routing","booking explanation","intake visibility","response expectation","human route"],"excludedClaims":["differentiation quality","value proposition quality","mobile experience quality"],"maturityDefinition":"Mutually exclusive descriptive stages derived from seven directly observed journey signals; not a quality score or national estimate."}}