How to Write an Ecommerce Web Site Design Proposal
A Home Business Article Contributed by Marsha Maung
How to Write an Ecommerce Web Site Design Proposal
The client has been found; and waiting for a proposal from you but you've been sitting on it because you don't really know what to include in your ecommerce web site design proposal. You could win or lose the whole web site design project just because of your proposal alone, so, do it well. Still stumped? Don't worry, we'll give you a few pointers on how to write a good ecommerce web site design proposal.
But remember, the ultimate aim of your proposal is to eliminate as many possibilities of misunderstandings as possible.
Start with Your Ecommerce Web Site Design History and Credentials.
You will need to tell your potential client that you're an experienced person for this job. You are good at what you do and have a good track record of producing fantastic ecommerce web site designs for your previous clients. Include samples of your previous web site designs for their perusal for they may want to check out your style and the feel of your work. They need to know that you are capable of designing their ecommerce web site for them and they also need to know that you have good taste.
Clients need to know, based on your previous work, that you have the kind of style that they are looking for. So, give them a good listing of your previous web design clients.
An Overview of the Ecommerce Web Site Design Project
In this part of the proposal, you need to show them that you understand their company, products/services, aim of the website, their target market, the competitors...etc. This part of the design proposal is fairly technical and analytical in nature.
You need to do a little digging and look for information regarding the industry that your client is in. You probably don't or can't know everything there is to know but it will impress your potential clients more if you could show them that you understand their industry and company. To them, this means that you're ready to help them design their ecommerce web site for them.
The Feel, the Design, the Style of the Ecommerce Web Site That You are Proposing to Them.
This part is mainly a simple description of the kind of feel and style that you would suggest they use for the web site.
Show Them How the Web Site Will Flow with a Simple Flow Chart
Use Microsoft word to draw out a simple flow chart of how the pages will link to each other, and of course, explain the navigational structure to them so that they can visualize the flow of the website.
Time Line
Don't forget this part of the proposal! It's just as important as the price estimate portion. It's important for your potential client to know how long you think this ecommerce website design project will take. Divide the project into several development stages and describe what you would be doing at each stage. Each stage should also have their own estimate completion date.
Estimated Cost for the Design of a Fantastic Web Site
Don't just pluck a figure and put it into the proposal. Give a rough estimate about how much the whole project will REALLY take. Normally, an up front payment for a percentage of the total price is required.
Terms and Conditions
Working on web sites is not like any other normal projects - for instance a brochure design project where everything is sealed when the source files are sent to the printer and color separator. For website designs, the project can go on and on, the changes never-ending if there are no terms and conditions. That's also why the timeline is so important to web designer.
Other Important Stuff
Don't forget to give the potential client a simple mock up design of the ecommerce website. Let them sit on the idea and see if they like the design that you have proposed to them. When giving samples and mockups, make sure you have protected your intellectual property with watermark. Also mention briefly about a possible maintenance service for the ecommerce web site.
With that, you're ready to send your proposal!
