Your Free Web Development Proposal Template (and Free Sample)

General Instructions: Follow the italicized instructions for each section below to create your own persuasive web development proposal. Do your best to limit your proposal to 4-5 pages or less, as this should be all you need to identify the client’s problem, propose your services as the solution to that problem, and help the client understand all the ways your services will benefit the client. Common client concerns are using the new functionality without compromising the rest of their website, the possibility of upgrading/changing the functionality going forward, and technical support in case there are problems; persuasive proposals will anticipate and address these concerns.

Goals and Objectives

Instructions: Use the first paragraph to identify the problem or frustration that led the prospective client to offer the web development project in the first place. Then use 3-4 bullet points to break down different services you’ll provide to help the client overcome that problem or frustration. Begin each bullet point with an “action word.” Finally, use the paragraph after the bullet points to talk about the negative consequences that will happen if the client doesn’t fix the problem.

{client_name} offers unique value to its customers, and it needs special capabilities to offer the full extent of that value to its customers via its website. Standardized development options won’t do; {client_name} needs attentive web development services that:

• Deliver a 100% customized, hand-coded solution
• Integrate the desired functionality seamlessly into {client_name}’s website
• Provide ongoing maintenance and technical support

If {client_name} relies on a prepackaged solution and tries to tweak it to suit its unique functionality needs, it will be forced to compromise on aesthetics, website performance, and the ability to customize that functionality into the future.

Recommendations For Your Company

Instructions: Use this section to talk about the specific combination of services you believe will solve the client’s problem. Under each recommendation, talk about: 1) what actions you will take to execute it; and 2) how those actions will benefit the client. You can also recommend related services (like hosting or technical support) if you believe they will help the client solve their problem.

Allowing {my_company} to develop a customized solution will give {client_name} the unique functionality it needs, and it’s the best option to achieve the objectives described above. If hired, our project will be broken down into the following web development services:

• Coding of Customized Solution to Meet {client_name}’s Functionality Needs – We’ll meet with you so we can figure out everything we need to know about your functionality requirements. Then our developers will get to work coding a custom solution that gives you exactly what you need.
• Integration of Customized Solution into {client_name}’s Existing Website – We’ll go beyond giving you the functionality you need. An obsession with figuring out how to work well within your existing framework guides our entire development process. Our developers will add the feature we create for you in a way that complements your vision.
• Ongoing Customization, Upgrades, and Technical Support – We’ll stick around for when you need us, whether it’s tweaking the functionality we created for you or correcting a bug. Our familiarity with your code will give us a big advantage in making these changes as fast and painless for you as possible.

Delivering Results

Instructions: Use 3-4 bulleted sections to describe positive results your services will create for the client. Focus on major results you think the client will value the most. Spend a few lines after each result you list to 1) describe why the result is helpful to the client’s business; and 2) break down the actions you’ll take to create that result for the client.

Here’s what {my_company}’s web developers will do to assure {client_name} meets its goals:

• Develop a customized solution that delivers your desired functionality – All of our projects are specifically designed to meet your unique requirements. Because we code everything by hand, we’ll give you exactly what you need – efficient and wrinkle-free – without trying to force things to fit.
• Integrate the functionality without impairing website performance or aesthetics –Our developers obsess over how to make our project fit within your existing structure, and this obsession informs every aspect of the development process. It pays off for you in the end, when we’ll drop our feature into your website for a seamless upgrade.
• Offer the assistance you need to customize and grow – Having the functionality you need is great, but what happens when you need to make an adjustment? We’ll be right there with you, offering ongoing technical support. Our developers will be familiar with the code, which helps them work quickly to help with upgrades, customizations, and troubleshooting. The result: everything keeps running smoothly.

Instructions: Estimate the price for your service package and come up with a label for it that describes a clear benefit to the client. Breaking down your service package into 3 or 4 chronological phases (if applicable) will help the client understand what will happen when, as well as make your solution appear valuable. But keep the breakdown at a high level and don’t break down your price; it’s crucial your price is easy to understand.

Project Timeline

Instructions: Use this chart to break down your development services into chronological phases. Describe what each phase entails in the “activities” section and give an estimated completion date for each phase. You’ll have to modify this slightly if you’re offering ongoing services such as maintenance, upgrades, or technical support.

If {client_name} chooses {my_company} to provide the comprehensive web development solution described, our timeline would proceed as follows:

Next Steps

Instructions: This is your “call to action” section. Make a limited offer that expires on a certain date, which motivates the client to act. Use bullet points to specify exactly what the client has to do to accept your offer. Finally, tell the client what will happen immediately after they accept the offer to set expectations.

To take advantage of this proposal and proceed with the project as outlined, {client_name}’s next steps must be to:

• Accept the proposal as-is
• Discuss desired changes with {my_company}
• Finalize and sign the contract
• Submit an initial payment of 50 percent of total project fee

Once completed, {my_company} will contact {client_name} to schedule a project launch meeting to make introductions and gather information before beginning the work.

We’re happy to make changes to project scope on {client_name}’s request at any time, but may be subject to additional billing.

Why Choose {my_company}?

Instructions: Use this section to talk about the special value you can add to the client’s business that no other web developer can. In the first paragraph, describe what the client will save or get (seamless integration within their existing website, better visitor experience, and worry-free support/maintenance are all good options) if they hire you. Break down your company’s most compelling assets into bullet points and emphasize why those assets are important for the client’s business.

{client_name} is a unique company with unique functionality needs. It should choose a web developer that treats them as such. {my_company} is that developer. Here why we’ll be able to do those things and help {client_name} meet its unique functionality needs:

• {my_company}’s developers optimize performance throughout the entire development process – Most developers don’t consider performance after they finish coding; it’s an afterthought. Our developers think about it constantly from the initial consulting phase to the end of the project. We’ll make sure the solution we create doesn’t slow page load times or squander server resources.
• {my_company} can develop any custom features you need – Our team has the experience needed to create a solution for you, no matter how basic or complex your functionality needs. Usability studies, e-commerce, intranet development, and custom web apps are just a sample of the many things we can do for you.
• {my_company}’s code is 100% hand-coded –We don’t take shortcuts because we understand you have a specialized need. Hand-coding takes longer, but it keeps things lightweight and bug-free. It also makes us intimately familiar with your features, which simplifies troubleshooting and backend support.

Terms and Conditions

Instructions: Use this chart to break down your development services into chronological phases. Describe what each phase entails in the “activities” section and give an estimated completion date for each phase. You’ll have to modify this slightly if you’re offering ongoing services such as maintenance, upgrades, or technical support.

Once the project fee is paid in full to {my_company}, any elements of text, graphics, photos, contents, trademarks, or other artwork furnished to {client_name} for inclusion in the website are owned by {client_name}.

{my_company} assumes {client_name} has permission from the rightful owner to use any code, scripts, data, and reports provided by {client_name} for inclusion in its materials, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend {my_company} from any claim or suit arising from the use of such work.

{my_company} retains the right to display graphics and other web content elements as examples of their work in their portfolio and as content features in other projects.

This agreement becomes effective only when signed by agents of {client_name} and {my_company}. Regardless of the place of signing of this agreement, {client_name} agrees that for purposes of venue, this contract was entered into in [STATE] and any dispute will be litigated or arbitrated in [STATE].

The agreement contained in this contract constitutes the sole agreement between {client_name} and the {my_company} regarding all items included in this agreement.