http://www.webdesigndocuments.com A few tips as to what you should consider when preparing a website proposal as a freelance web developer.

1. Documenting the
website proposal
How to prepare a website proposal
as a freelance web developer

2. Preparing a website
proposal
Writing a web site proposal can be a daunting task at
first, especially for those that are new to the freelance
industry and have yet had to compose one but are
keen to secure a potential web project. All the typical
questions come to mind.
 What do I put in it?
 How long should it be?
 Do I include my quote in it?
 What areas should I cover?
 What can I put in it to increase my chances to secure
the job?

3. Preparing a website
proposal
 I know when I was first approached by
a client who was seeking to have a
website done, I had absolutely no idea
where to start, and I too was asking
myself the very same questions.

4. Preparing a website
proposal
 I think while its important to ask
yourself these questions, it is also
important to be mindful of your clients
needs and how best to address them.
 Also, it is equally important to be able
to identify the nature of the project
itself and document your proposal
accordingly.

5. Preparing a website
proposal
 Firstly, by far the most important thing I
have learnt since having done numerous
web site proposals for dozens of clients
myself, is to keep your web site proposal
short, straight forward, to the point, and
most importantly - not full of technical
jargon.
 By keeping your proposal simple and to the
point, you are most likely going to find that
the client will be more responsive and you
will increase your chances of securing more
work.

6. Preparing a website
proposal
 Many make the unfortunate mistake of
overdoing it. Whilst writing a 500 page
proposal and packing it full of sales pitches
and technical jargon might seem
impressive, in most cases the client won't
even bother to read it.
 I mean, does a client who is running an
optometrist business really need to know
what version of IIS the web server will be
running? - highly unlikely.

7. Preparing a website
proposal
 Sure, touch on technical aspects of the job, but keep it
brief and to the point. If the client is unsure they will
usually ask, but always offer them further assistance.
Remember, a web proposal is simply that, a
"proposal".
 You should only begin to elaborate further and in more
detail once you know that the client is interested in
working with you. Typically I submit no more than 1 to
9 pages, project depending.
 Sometimes less, sometimes more. It depends on the
users requirements and the complexities of the task
ahead, however again, you want to be straight
forward, to the point and direct.

8. Preparing a website
proposal
 Secondly I have found that by following a
template strategy works very well also.
 What I have made common practice, is to
simply do up a web site proposal, save it as
a template and amend it where necessary
by 'filling in the blanks' so to speak, with
each clients details and technical
requirements as needed.

9. Preparing a website
proposal
 There are several advantages of doing this.
Obviously you will fast track the entire
process by not having to write up a new
proposal each time, but most importantly
you will begin to follow a methodical
approach and formalised work-flow strategy
with each client. This approach ensures that
you expedite the process dramatically and
streamline your business methods.

10. Preparing a website
proposal
 Thirdly, professionalism. This is a big one. You want to
really make an impression on the client and convey
yourself as a total professional in every sense.
 I have been complimented time and time again, by
numerous clients, on how well my proposals and other
documents have been presented and I certainly
believe it has been due to this that I have landed more
web development work and made more money.
 I now pride myself in this area and the continual
remarks made by clients assures me I am doing the
right thing!

11. Preparing a website
proposal
 Okay this should be the hard part – but with
the accompanying contracts and documents
provided with this business kit – you’ll have
your contracts and proposal done in no
time.
 However, the following pointers are all
important factors you should be aware of:
 Don’t fill your proposal with too much
technical jargon
 Try your best to avoid making it too long

12. Preparing a website
proposal
 Be sure to always use correctly
formatted and professional looking
web design documents whenever
working with clients. This will see you
securing more projects and
establishing better relationships with
your clientele.