Developing a Web Design Proposal is in fact difficult, so how can one explain creativity, work done, and quantifiable benefit? It becomes quite challenging for designers to evidence to stakeholders how a specific design makes users happy, increases conversion rates, and is consistent with the brand image.
In practical terms, a web design proposal is not just a list of services but your chance to close the gap between you and your client. With more than 28% of companies conducting online activities and over 43% of small businesses planning to invest in their website performance, it’s clear that a strong digital presence is essential for success.
What is a Web Design Proposal?
A web design proposal is a formal document that outlines a web designer's services, expectations, project timelines, and costs. Unlike a contract, it is a detailed roadmap that helps both the designer and the client align on project expectations. It explains what the client can expect, what the designer will deliver, and how much it will cost. In addition to creating stunning proposals, it's essential to use the best proposal software available.
FREE Web Design Proposal Template
If you want to write your proposal, you can start with this free web design proposal template. This web design agreement template is highly flexible allowing to edit the document with respect to the necessity of the clients.
Also, look into other proposal templates, like:
- Marketing Consulting Proposal Template
- Digital Marketing Proposal Template
- Social Media Management Template
- Free SEO Proposal Template
- Graphic Design Template
Things To Consider Before You Write a Proposal
Understanding the difference between a proposal vs contract is crucial before starting any project. A proposal is created before you convert the client and outlines the project scope, while a contract lays down the terms of engagement after both parties have reached an agreement.
As you are introducing the proposal, ensure that you prepare a clear proposal with your client. A proposal is a document which revises objectives of a specific project, expectations of the client and the area to be covered. This initial document will guide your proposal and it will assist you and the client in aligning to appropriate expectations..
What to Include in a Web Design Proposal?
Some of the areas that should be highlighted in a web design proposal include aspects that relate the proposed solution to the needs of the client and define the framework for the job.
1. Problem Overview
Start by addressing the client's problem or opportunity. This section should prove that you read and analyzed their business, existing challenges, and potential issues in their industry.
For instance, if the client’s website is outdated or not mobile-friendly, highlight how this impacts their sales, customer experience, or search engine rankings.
2. Proposed Solution
After you have hooked the client with the problem, call their attention to your solution. This is where you describe what will be provided, including the website architecture, UX and what it needs to contain; simple features like an ecommerce feature or a blog.
Include a list of project deliverables to set clear expectations. Specify the number of web pages, design iterations, and any special features or tools (like content management systems or plugins) you plan to use.
To keep everything on track and organized, consider using marketing project management tools to streamline communication and task management throughout the project.
3. Project Timeline
Clients seek to know when they will receive the return of investment. In the following part, the stages of the project are described, including drafts, sketches, and the final preparation for the project’s launch. Break down the timeline into key milestones, such as:
- Initial design mockups
- Prototype reviews
- Testing and debugging
- Final delivery
4. Pricing Breakdown
Pricing is actually one of the fundamentals when preparing your proposal. Instead of presenting the expenses in a single amount, segment it into categories such as design, development, or special services such as search engine optimization services.
Probably the most important question which needs to be addressed to the client – is the budget question.
5. Call to Action
The proposal should not present its main ideas in an open-ended manner. Always provide a clear and powerful CTA that informs the client what step to take next. Whether it’s digitally signing a PDF or clicking an ‘Accept’ button in an online proposal tool, make it easy for them to say “yes.”
Also Read: To make the process even simpler, here’s a quick guide on how to digitally sign a PDF and move forward with your project.
6. About Us and Contact Information
The last step should be a short message that will signal the client about your experience and why the client should hire you for the work. Clients should be able to reach you easily through provided contacts and where possible, links to your portfolio or samples from clients you have worked with.
Additional Tips for an Outstanding Proposal
To make your proposal stand out, consider these additional tips that will enhance your chances of securing the project.
1. Ask Key Questions
When preparing your proposal, ask the client critical questions such as:
- What are their business goals for the website?
- How does the website fit into their marketing strategy?
- Who are their main competitors, and what web features do they value?
Understanding their expectations and competitive landscape will help you tailor your solution and deliver a more compelling proposal.
2. Evaluate Your Resources
Check the resources that your team has and see if you’ll be able to address the client’s needs. Do you require a developer or a graphic designer? Do you require other software or hardware for the completion of such a project? Estimating the necessary resources helps avoid underpricing and ensures that you’re fully prepared to deliver high-quality results.
3. Set Up a Reliable Pricing System
Coming up with an appropriate pricing model is very important. You can categorize websites into three tiers:
- Standard: A home page, about page, contact page and 3-4 other pages for the purpose of having a simple website.
- Standard + Blog: Includes all the standard pages plus blog functionality with a single post template and an archive page.
- Standard + Online Store: Includes standard pages plus ecommerce features such as product pages, a cart, and a checkout system.
By evaluating how long it will take to build the homepage—the foundation of the design—you can set a fair price for the entire website.
Cone Proposal Software for crafting an impressive Web Design Proposal
If you are working on proposals, then Cone Proposal Software can be a real life-saver for you. This software is one for all seasons of the proposal process, and thus it is the best tool that web designers could get as they seek to do more of designing.
Best Features:
- Cone integrates an automated billing system, payment, and proposals into one efficient platform.
- It allows unlimited proposals and clients, ideal for business growth.
- The flexible editor lets you create branded, customized proposals.
- Invoice automation eliminates manual entry after proposal acceptance.
- Seamlessly integrates with Stripe and GoCardless for easy payments.
- E-signature functionality speeds up client approvals with a few clicks.
- Advanced analytics help track client engagement for better proposals.
- The user-friendly interface ensures easy use across teams.
- Sales pipeline management helps track leads and client opportunities.
- Cone is affordable, starting at £6.50 or $8 per user.
Pricing:
Annual Plan:
- Essentials: £6.41 or $8 per month per user.
- Growth: £8.83 or $11 per month per user.
Monthly Plan:
- Essentials: £9 or $11 per month per user.
- Growth: £12 or $15 per month per user.
Final Thoughts
It is important to understand that when making a persuasive proposal, you should do it in a way that will help you to win clients’ trust. Cone Proposal Software is designed to assist web designers to develop neat and attractive web design services proposals that reflect the distinct needs of the clients. With features like automated invoicing, e-signature capabilities, and integration with payment gateways, Cone streamlines the entire process, saving you time and making your proposals more impactful. Start your free trial with Cone today!