Design Proposal on Speckyboy Design Magazine https://speckyboy.com/topic/design-proposal/ Resources & Inspiration for Creatives Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:20:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://speckyboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-sdm-favicon-32x32.png Design Proposal on Speckyboy Design Magazine https://speckyboy.com/topic/design-proposal/ 32 32 20+ Best Project Proposal Templates for InDesign in 2025 https://speckyboy.com/proposal-print-templates-mockups/ https://speckyboy.com/proposal-print-templates-mockups/#respond Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:26:50 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=105150 A collection of free and premium Adobe InDesign business proposal templates that will help get your project noticed and approved!

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Bringing a new business idea to life requires a great deal of planning and preparation. One of the first and most crucial steps is to create a persuasive business or project proposal. However, creating a proposal from scratch can be time-consuming, especially for those new to entrepreneurship. That’s where proposal templates come in.

These business proposal templates for InDesign (both free and premium) have been designed to simplify the proposal creation process. With a wide range of options, you will find the perfect template to suit your specific needs. Whether starting a new venture, looking for investors, or pitching a project to potential clients, these templates offer a professional foundation for your proposal.

With their user-friendly layouts and customizable designs, these INDD templates offer the perfect balance of structure and flexibility. Using a template can save you significant time and energy, allowing you to focus on refining and perfecting your proposal’s content.

Don’t let the prospect of proposal creation hold you back – use these InDesign templates to bring your business idea to life.


If you’re new to the application, you might like to take a look at our collections of InDesign tutorials.

Top Business & Project Proposal InDesign Templates


Minimalist Proposal Template for InDesign

The first proposal template in this collection features a modern and fresh design. The template includes 14 Indesign templates, including a cover letter and resume, proposals, estimates, and invoice templates.

 proposal print business template format

Business Proposal InDesign Template

Free to Download

This business proposal template is fairly simple, but don’t let that put you off. Its simplicity is its strength. This 20 page template makes it easy to present your proposal logically without too much clutter and overwhelming the reader.

Business Proposal InDesign Template

Proposal Template

This proposal template features a minimalist design and includes 20 different layout files. The files have been designed in A4 and US letter sizes, and they are easy to tweak and customize to reflect your brand.

 proposal print business template format

Business Proposal Presentation Template

Free to Download

This free business presentation template is ideal for construction and renovation businesses. It has a 20-page layout that offers ample space for detailing your business plan. It includes free fonts and is print-ready in U.S. Letter and A4 sizes.

Business Proposal Presentation Template

Brand Proposal InDesign Template

This minimal proposal template includes over 40 layered pages, perfect for designing any type of proposal. The template comes with defined character and paragraph styles, and you can easily change the colors and other styles by editing master files.

 proposal print business template format

Floret Business Proposal Template

Free to Download

This template lives up to its name. ‘Floret’ features beautiful floral elements and offers a robust 44-page layout worthy of the most complex company proposals.

Floret Business Proposal Template

Overlay Proposal InDesign Template

This colorful proposal template has everything you need to design a beautiful proposal for your next project. The template includes 28 pages, as well as unique character and paragraph styles.

 proposal print business template format

Olive Free Presentation IndDesign Template

Free to Download

What a breath of fresh air this template is! ‘Olive offers a stunning layout with plenty of whitespace to ensure your proposal content stands out. Thanks to well-organized layers, this InDesign template is super easy to customize.

Olive Free Presentation IndDesign Template

Quote & Presentation Templates for InDesign

Free to Download

Sometimes, all you need is something super simple to get the point across. The Quote and Presentation Template is perfect for giving an estimate on a project or presenting a new business idea in a streamlined, no-fuss way.

Quote Presentation Templates for InDesign

Universal InDesign Project Proposal Template

Consider this project proposal if you need a template that you can reuse for multiple projects. With a multipurpose design and style, this template is a perfect choice. It also includes various infographics, editable shapes, two project timeline options, and is compatible with MS Word.

 proposal print business template format

Clean & Professional InDesign Proposal Template

Free to Download

This proposal template is super clean and stylish, reminiscent of numerous minimal designs while still maintaining a sense of originality. This template comes with a 24-page print-ready layout in both A4 and U.S. Letter sizes.

Professional InDesign Proposal Template

Clean Web Proposal Project InDesign Template

Try this clean web proposal project template if you’re looking for one to help you create a professional proposal for a web design project. This templating features a minimal style and comes with 28 pre-designed pages that include everything from proposals to estimates and invoicing.

 proposal print business template format

Stylish Business Proposal InDesign Template

Free to Download

This stylish business proposal template has been designed with creatives in mind. It offers a bold geometric design, large color blocks, and bold typography. Due to its modern design aesthetic, this template is perfect for use by colleges and universities.

Stylish Business Proposal InDesign Template

Rigel Clean & Stylish InDesign Proposal Template

This stylish InDesign proposal template includes 34 pages and comes in A4 and us letter sizes, and you can easily customize the colors and the fonts to match your brand.

 proposal print business template format

Advertising Proposal InDesign Template

Free to Download

Use it for a business proposal or as a website media kit. Either way, the InDesign Proposal Template includes eight eye-catching layouts, perfect for filling in with company info, custom graphics, graphics, statistics, and more.

Advertising Proposal InDesign Template

Creative Multipurpose InDesign Proposal Template

The proposal template has a fresh and modern design with 24 pages. The template was designed in A4 and US letter sizes. It features a grid-based layout to help you align your elements and create a stunning proposal.

 proposal print business template format

Web Design Proposal Template for InDesign

This colorful and modern web design proposal template is perfect for any web design project. The template comes with 28 easy-to-edit pages and master pages.

 proposal print business template format

Proposal & Portfolio InDesign Template

Try this one if you need an InDesign proposal and portfolio template to present your project. This template’s standout feature is that it also comes in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Word formats, so you can easily edit it in whatever program you’re most comfortable with.

 proposal print business template format

The Proposal Template for InDesign

The Proposal Template lives up to its name – it’s the only template you’d ever need, thanks to its understated design and compelling, full-page layout. Customize the color scheme, add personalized text and images, and change character styles, all within 28 pages of full-color, print-ready convenience.

The Proposal Template

InDesign Proposal Template FAQs

  • Are These Templates Customizable to Fit My Business’s Brand?
    You can customize colors, fonts, and layouts to align with your business’s branding and the specific needs of your proposal.
  • Do I Need a Special Version of InDesign to Use These Proposal Templates?
    Generally, the latest versions of Adobe InDesign should be compatible with these templates, but always check the template’s requirements.
  • What Elements Should a Good Business Proposal Include?
    A comprehensive business proposal should include an executive summary, problem statement, solution, budget, timeline, and company overview.
  • Can I Export These Proposals for Digital or Print Use?
    InDesign allows you to export your finished proposal in various formats suitable for both digital sharing and high-quality printing.
  • How Can Using a Template Benefit My Business Proposal?
    A template ensures a polished and cohesive design, allowing you to focus more on the content and less on layout concerns, adding to the professionalism of your proposal.
  • Are InDesign Templates for Business Proposals Suitable for All Industries?
    These versatile templates can be adapted for various industries by customizing the content and design elements.
  • How Do I Choose the Right Template for My Proposal?
    Select a template that meets the tone and complexity of your proposal, considering factors like industry, audience, and the type of information you need to convey.

Proposals That Stand Out

Hopefully, this collection of InDesign business proposal templates will make it easier for you to push forward a new business idea and present all the information you need to captivate your target demographic.

These templates are easy to customize and designed to help your proposals stand out. With various styles to choose from, you will find the perfect template for your business needs.


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10 Best PowerPoint Templates for Business Proposal Presentations in 2025 https://speckyboy.com/business-proposal-powerpoint-templates/ https://speckyboy.com/business-proposal-powerpoint-templates/#respond Sun, 06 Oct 2024 19:28:08 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=160926 A collection of versatile PowerPoint templates for creating impactful business proposals. Engage your audience with professional presentations.

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In business, proposals are crucial for communicating ideas, strategies, and offers. The quality of a proposal can significantly influence decision-making, so it’s important to present information clearly and professionally.

PowerPoint templates play a key role in improving the quality of a proposal. They offer a structured platform for communicating your message.

This collection features the top PowerPoint templates for creating business proposals. Whether pitching to a client, presenting a project, or proposing a new business strategy, choosing the perfect PowerPoint template can make a significant impact.


1. Minimal Multipurpose Proposal Template for PowerPoint

This business proposal template has been designed for professionals looking for a clean and minimalistic presentation style. It includes 30 slides in both PPTX and PPT formats. The template has beautiful typography and a spacious layout, making it perfect for delivering business proposals.

Minimal Multipurpose Proposal Template business presentation template

2. Contemporary Business Proposal PowerPoint Template

This elegant PowerPoint template has been designed for contemporary business proposals. It includes 30 PPTX slides and has creative photo layouts, detailed infographics, tables, vector icons, and various diagrams. This template offers a mix of creativity and practicality, which is ideal for business proposals.

Contemporary powerpoint business proposal presentation template

3. Clean & Modern Business Proposal Presentation Template

This business proposal presentation template is ideal for anyone looking for an easy way to present business ideas. It has 41 slides in PPTX format and includes various infographic elements, tables, charts, graphs, maps, icons, and much more.

clean modern powerpoint business proposal presentation template

4. Dark & Clean Proposal PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template is a sophisticated choice for presenting business proposals. It includes 50 slides in PPTX format and features a dark and clean design. This template is perfect for anyone looking to use a contemporary aesthetic in their presentations.

Dark & Clean Proposal PowerPoint Template

5. Startup & Business Pitch Deck Template for PowerPoint

This template is perfect for startups and established businesses to pitch their ideas to clients. It is cross-platform compatible, including PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides, for your ease of use.

Startup Pitch Deck PowerPoint business proposal presentation template

6. Professional PowerPoint Business Proposal Template

This PowerPoint template has over 35 editable slides, each designed in a classic 4:3 format. This time-saving template is ideal for professionals looking to present their ideas clearly without getting bogged down in design details.

powerpoint business proposal presentation template

7. Multi-Purpose Proposal PowerPoint Presentation

This business proposal template offers 52 unique slides and comes with silky-smooth animations for slide transitions. This PPT and PPTX template is excellent for creating professional business proposals.

Multipurpose powerpoint business proposal presentation template

8. Clean Proposal PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template, available in both PPT and PPTX formats, offers 24 unique slides in full HD 16:9 quality. The design is clean and colorful, with scalable features, making it versatile for various business uses. It’s suitable not only for creating business proposals but also for eCommerce and product presentations.

clean PowerPoint business proposal presentation template

9. Creative Proposal PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template has been tailor-made for design proposals, including specific slides for communicating creative concepts. It includes specialized slide templates for various design aspects, such as the scope of work, creative strategy, usage rights, and more.

Creative PowerPoint business proposal presentation template

10. Business Proposal Presentation Template

This multi-purpose proposal template offers 30 unique slides that can be customized to suit any project. This template is available to download for both PowerPoint and Google Slides, allowing you to choose your favorite platform.

powerpoint business proposal presentation template

Business Proposal PowerPoint Template FAQs

  • What are PPT and PPTX Files?
    Microsoft PowerPoint used the PPT file format up until 2003. It’s a binary file format. PPTX, introduced in PowerPoint 2007, is the newer file format based on XML and is part of the Office Open XML specification. PPTX files are smaller, more robust, and offer better data recovery.
  • Are These Proposal Templates Suitable for All Industries?
    All of the templates are versatile enough for various industries. Choose the template that best fits your industry’s style.
  • Can I Customize These Proposal Templates to Fit My Brand?
    Yes, they all allow quick and easy customization of layout, colors, and fonts to match your brand identity.
  • Do I Need Advanced PowerPoint Skills to Use These Templates?
    Not necessarily. These templates are designed with ease of use in mind, suitable for users with basic PowerPoint knowledge.
  • How Important is Creativity in a Business Proposal Template?
    While professionalism is key, adding creative elements can make your proposal more engaging and memorable.
  • Can These Templates Be Used for Digital and Print Proposals?
    Most templates are optimized for digital presentations, but many can be easily adapted for print.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect proposal template is important for presenting your business ideas. A well-chosen template will improve the design of your proposal and help structure your content for maximum impact.

Customizing these templates to suit your needs can significantly improve the professionalism and persuasiveness of your proposals. The right template can be the key factor in winning over your audience and achieving your business goals.


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Should You Charge for Website Project Estimates? https://speckyboy.com/charge-website-project-estimates/ https://speckyboy.com/charge-website-project-estimates/#respond Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:27:23 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=133818 We discuss the pros and cons of freelance designers charging a fee for project estimates. In many cases, it does make sense to do.

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Creating project estimates can be difficult. Because no two websites are the same, web designers need to understand a client’s specific needs. That often requires a lot of digging.

It includes asking a lot of probing questions about what the client is hoping to accomplish. From there, it’s time to research competitors and the technologies that will power the website.

And time is the keyword, as the estimation process will take up a lot of it. That may not be a huge deal if you end up booking the project. But if not, it can feel like a massive waste.

That’s why some web designers have transitioned to charging potential clients for project estimates. In some ways, it goes against the grain of the industry norm. But it may also make a lot of sense in certain situations.

Should you start charging for estimates? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of doing so.

Websites Are Increasingly Complex; So Are Estimates

Building a modern website requires a lot of moving parts. And we’re not talking about animation (although that’s a nice touch). No, we’re talking about the various pieces that comprise a website.

Consider content management systems (CMS), static site generators, themes, and plugins. And that’s only scratching the surface. A website may also need to interface with various third-party APIs and cloud services.

Figuring out the logistics of how this all fits together is a challenge. That’s particularly difficult if you haven’t worked with a specific technology before.

Once that’s all squared away, you’ll have to think about the actual design and content portions. Taken together, these are no small tasks.

Harder still is determining an accurate price for these various components. There’s nothing simple about this process.

A spider web.

How Charging for Project Estimates Gives Designers More Freedom

The more project estimates you create over time, the more likely it is that you’ll sour on the practice. You can put in a lot of work, only to have a prospective client say “Thanks, but no thanks.” The feeling of giving away your precious time can be demoralizing.

Charging a fee for this work accomplishes a few things:

1. More Enthusiasm, Less Guilt

Part of the challenge in writing proposals is that they are time-consuming. Thus, you may start to feel a sense of guilt when it takes you away from your paid work. There’s a certain pressure to get back to the other projects on your plate.

Being paid a fee eliminates (or greatly reduces) this pressure. You can now give the task proper attention without worrying so much about the other things you need to get done.

This also affords you the freedom to dig deeper into the project requirements than you otherwise might. Theoretically, you’ll be less likely to miss those little details that can impact the overall cost. That’s better for both you and your client.

2. It Filters Out Less-Desirable Clients

Have you ever felt compelled to provide an estimate for a project you aren’t interested in? That may be the biggest of all time-wasters.

The mere fact that you’re charging for your time will act as a repellant to some clients (more on this in a moment). Particularly those with very low budgets and those who don’t value your expertise.

Meanwhile, clients who don’t mind paying for top-notch service likely won’t blink an eye at your fee.

A smiling woman.

Determining a Fair Price for Estimates

It’s important to find a balance between being fairly compensated and helping potential clients see the value. Price your project estimates too high and the value proposition is a hard sell.

There are many ways to calculate a price. For example, you could go with a standard hourly rate and charge based on the actual time spent researching, meeting, and discussing the project. But the drawback there is uncertainty.

A flat fee might be more desirable, as all parties will be on the same page from the start. The challenge is in determining a price that will cover you in most scenarios.

Here’s a potential solution: Take a look back at some recent proposals and think about the time you put into them. Try to find the median time spent and charge based on that.

Let’s say you charge $50 per hour, and it generally takes you around two hours to create a project estimate. Using this formula, the flat fee would be $100.

If that’s not the best fit for your business, then don’t be afraid to get creative in how you structure things. Just remember that simple is often better.

An antique cash register.

Potential Pitfalls

Depending on your situation, there can be some downsides to charging for website estimates. The biggest might be that you risk missing out on projects.

Some clients will undoubtedly be turned off by paying for an estimate. As we mentioned, this can help you weed out the undesirables. But there could be times when a legitimately interesting project slips through your fingers.

Much also depends on your typical clientele. If you focus on smaller projects, then a significant portion of a client’s budget could be spent on an estimate. While you could apply some or all of your fees towards the actual project, it’s still a risk.

In addition, this practice may not be well-suited for those who are just starting out in web design. When your business is at its most vulnerable, limiting your possibilities too much isn’t advisable. In general, waiting until you have an established presence in the market is a better bet. That’s when you can afford to be a bit choosier.

So, while this may seem like a no-brainer, there are some important considerations. Implementing a policy like this can have unintended consequences.

A "Wrong Way" traffic sign.

Regardless of the Task, Your Time Is Valuable

The promise of “free estimates” is common throughout a lot of industries. And while that can certainly draw in potential clients, it can also be abused. A long, arduous process means time taken away from other important tasks.

For freelancers, this can be draining – both financially and mentally. You might be thrilled that people are interested in hiring you. On the other hand, you’re sacrificing time for paying customers to serve those who haven’t paid you a thing.

Charging a fee for project estimates is one way to recoup some of the value you bring to the table. It means not being bothered by cheapskates or those who aren’t serious about their project. And it compensates you for the time you’ve put in.

Only you can determine whether or not it’s the right fit for your business. But it’s worth consideration.

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How to Create Proposals Your Clients Will Not Refuse https://speckyboy.com/art-of-creating-proposals/ https://speckyboy.com/art-of-creating-proposals/#comments Sat, 17 Nov 2018 10:14:11 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=86736 Mastering the art of creating proposals that win clients by clearly communicating value and understanding needs.

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Imagine that you have been building up a pre-sale relationship with a client for some time and you need to make the final move and present your proposal. Although, very few manage to hit the perfect strike with the first ball and meet all of the client’s expectations. The goal is that you do, or at least come pretty close.

Having a well-structured and detailed proposal which leaves no room for ambiguous interpretation of its clauses usually gets the contract or unlocks the door to further negotiation, leaving your competitors well behind.

This is exactly why your proposals should be prompt and well-rounded, and if you work at a design agency, every person on your team should follow this rule. Your can achieve this goal with efficient communications, thorough analysis of requirements and a detailed presentation of your ideas. If you think you score high on these requirements, ask yourself this question:

Do I send prospective clients proposals that really stand out from the crowd?

If you paused for more than a couple of seconds, the answer is most likely no.

The Proposal Solution

Follow these recommendations to create a high converting, aesthetically pleasing and easy to interpret web design proposal:

Problem Solve

Address the problems identified by the client in your document and describe how the proposed solution will solve them. Any project or effort must solve a problem or even several problems at once – otherwise, it not worth starting altogether.

The value of your proposal lies in its problem-solving power and transparency, not in a perfect description of a complex system with a vague purpose.

Be Very Clear

Be very clear about the things you’re quoting on. Don’t let vague definitions appear on your list. The fewer questions the client has about your initial cost breakdown, the better. If you can’t explain the scope or meaning of a proposal item on the spot, you may lose what little credibility and trust you’ve managed to win so far.

Avoid terms like “miscellaneous,” “other” and – God forbid! – “etc.” Lack of clarity creates understandable suspicion and can also be used against you later on with references to these vaguely described items.

Details, Details, Details

Be sufficiently detailed. A very general quote means clients will ask for more details. However, a highly detailed breakdown may also raise questions (e.g., “how come this will take you 2 hours? I can easily do it on my own in half this time!”) and leave no room for a risk buffer.

So the rule of thumb here is to provide customers with just enough information for them to be happy and ask a minimum amount of questions (if at all). So unless your potential client is a technical person (and you are OK dealing with such an inquisitive and all-doubting client-to-be), try keeping things on a layman’s level to prevent unnecessary and time-consuming negotiations.

Eliminate Math Errors

Do your math homework. Always check and double-check numbers. Miscalculations tend to create a bad impression with customers who look for perfect accuracy from Eliminate day one.

Utilize an Excel spreadsheet to eliminate errors, or you can use = anyone if the many online proposal management services to create mathematically sound proposals.

Perfect Timing

Keep the timing right. Being the first one to submit a proposal does not necessarily mean you are going to win the bid. Sending your proposal too soon is risky if it is not yet a high-quality document, so take your time and do your best work possible – but keep in mind that time is of the essence.

Be Creative

Lightly customize your proposals. A document with a nice header, footer, proper formatting and a clickable table of contents will definitely perform better than a lackluster list of items that is hard to navigate, so do your best to make your proposal aesthetically pleasing, or at the very least, well-formatted.

If you are a design company, make the proposal a demonstration of your skills and ensure that the client sees how good you are at interpreting high-level business requirements into specific tasks. Be professional and creative – and rest assured that your client will notice your efforts.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is this: don’t rush and don’t be late with your proposals, suggest possible solutions of the client’s problems and be creative.

If you do everything right, there is a pretty good chance that your client will give your proposal the green light and your pre-sale relationship will finally turn into a successful commercial marriage.

Good luck!

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Guidelines to Writing an Effective Web Design Proposal https://speckyboy.com/guidelines-to-writing-an-effective-web-design-proposal/ https://speckyboy.com/guidelines-to-writing-an-effective-web-design-proposal/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:43:45 +0000 http://speckyboy.com/?p=56829 Writing website proposals is boring. There are no two ways about it, but they’re a necessary evil. The proposal is the final push before our client signs on the dotted...

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Writing website proposals is boring. There are no two ways about it, but they’re a necessary evil. The proposal is the final push before our client signs on the dotted line. We need to make sure we have all our bases covered and that we project, as always, an image of professionalism.

Whether you intend to create your website proposals in Word, Indesign, or use an online service to help you out, it is important that you know what you’re doing.

Flat design modern vector illustration icons set proposal
Image Source: Proposal via Shutterstock.

Company Information

This refers as much to your company as to theirs. Include your contact information in a concise, unobtrusive manner. This can be placed in the footer if you like, but I also recommend that you include it in full on the front page. Make sure your proposal is made out to a specific person, with a name. A proposal to “The Marketing Department” is more of a long shot than a proposal.

Project Overview: Research your client

The hopes and dreams of your client. What does your client expect to get from this website, what are their objectives and goals? Here is where we let the client know that we understand what they need, and where they want to go with this project. This can be a brief paragraph setting the scene.

The Client’s Problem

Usually a client comes to you with a problem. Whether that problem is the lack of a website, or that their landing page has a bounce rate of 90%. We need to identify their problem and address it. Here we make a list of all the problems our client is facing. Explain to them that they can find your killer solutions below the list. Short and sweet.

  • Site design is outdated.
  • Contact form no longer works.
  • Gallery is impractical both to use and update.
  • Site was designed using tables and has no CMS.
  • Home page has a bounce rate of 90%
  • Etc.

Project Solutions: Research your solutions

All the above negativity has to be counter balanced with blinding positivity and clear solutions. For example our client has a very old website that is in desperate need of an overhaul…so instead of saying:

Macintosh Clothing needs their website redesigned. It’s 6 years old, looks very old school, and not in a good way. It needs something funky for todays youthful market…

Try a different approach. The fact that the site is 6 years old makes for many problems, that should be addressed individually. What will a redesign do for Macintosh Clothing? Apart form aesthetics, why should they update their site? Try something along the lines of:

Macintosh Clothing is finding that technology has passed them by, and with it the search engines. The website was built using technologies no longer relevant to today’s modern broswers. The Macintosh Clothing site was built using tables. This creates problems with search engines, while also making updates a laborious task. Any updates to such an antiquated system can be a long, costly affair. Google reads web sites in the order in which the HTML is written, therefore tables can result in…

You could, and probably should, spend a good few paragraphs outlining your solutions. It’s a pain but we can’t afford to be wishy washy. This is where our previous client research pays off. Let’s not forget, all that information we got from our project planner wasn’t just to make us appear conscientious.

Other Considerations

Sometimes there are items that are not necessarily requested but are good to mention anyway. You may even make an extra sale! For example if you offer hosting, now is the time to mention it. If you offer logo design, now is the time to mention it. It’s up to you if you want to discuss pricing here, or save it until the final costing estimate.

I offer maintenance plans to all my customers, some take it, some don’t. I let them know what the package includes, and inform them that they can find prices at the end of my proposal.

Development Timeline

How long will everything take? There’s a lot to take into account: Research, Wireframes, Sitemap design, Initial Designs, Design Revision, Design Approval, Coded, CMS and configuration, Testing & Debugging, Client Testing, Setup, We’re live!

Life Cycle icon collection
Image Source: Life Cycle Icon Collection via Shutterstock.

How you lay this out is up to you. Some use graphs, some text, but make it easy to read and don’t forget to inform the client that all times are approximate. It takes two to tango, if your client isn’t fulfilling their side of the deal then it’s impossible for you to deliver on time. Make sure you have this stipulated in your agreement/contract.

Costing Estimate

Ideally this should be laid out in table format, making it easy to scan. The client can see what each item costs without the need to dig. Let them know why they’re paying 3.000€, tell them what’s involved etc. It’s also handy to add any common items that haven’t been requested…just incase.

The client should know, that if further down the road they decide to ask for extras then it will cost them X. Again, we need to be clear with our pricing structure. There can be no room for misunderstandings.

It’s also a good thing to include your pricing schedule. Most designers use a milestone system. I usually request 30% upon the signing of our agreement, another 30% upon approval of the initial designs, and the remaining 40% before handing the site over to the client. Some people ask for 50% up front. Go with what feels comfortable. Make sure you do get a deposit. Any client who refuses to pay upfront for your services is not worth working with. You can almost guarantee problems.

Again you can use a graph, illustration or simple plain text to let your client know your payment schedule. Make sure they are aware of how you work. After all it’s not like going to a shop where you pay for the product at the till. We as designers invest a lot of time in our projects, and there is always a risk that some people will decide not to pay on time. Get it up front and get it in writing.

Conditions & Contracts

Here’s where you lay down the law. State what you expect from your client and what they can expect from you. Only recently Include your work agreement (contract) within the proposal. If the client is happy with everything, they can sign off that very day, get your transfer done and you can begin. Before, I would send the proposal, wait for the OK and then send the work agreement. This way I save time and kill two birds with one stone.

Writing a contract is for another article and can be a bit of a pain, but it’s your only back-up, so make sure it’s air tight.

What’s Next?

Be sure to let your client know what comes next. If they agree to the proposal, what should they do? Do they need to sign a print off and email it back to you, or simply respond by way of email? Let them know. Don’t make them guess.

Once last thing I would suggest, even after spell checking your proposal. Get someone to read it through. It’s very rare if something hasn’t slipped through the net.

How do you create your proposals, what do you include? Everyone has their preferred method. If you have any ideas or comments, jump right in.

The post Guidelines to Writing an Effective Web Design Proposal appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

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