Daniel Dulake Shares How to Write an RFP for Web Design
Welcome to the Daniel Dulake blog. Daniel Dulake is a well-known web developer and runs web design agency Web Digital. In today's blog we share with you how to create a request proposal (RFP) for your website design services. Let's get started!
So what makes a good RFP?
When you need a website, the first thing you do is put together a web redesign request for proposal. Submitting your RFP to multiple agencies is common and always a good idea — it’s how you get an idea of what it will really take to bring your project and vision to life.
Think of your RFP as a first impression to potential agency partners. A great RFP sets the stage for a great partnership. A great RFP is clear, concise and gets straight to the point. You don’t have to have the technical know-how to create an RFP. In fact, most of the best RFPs we receive have no mention of code or technical jargon (we hear enough developer talk on a daily basis). If you know what integrations you want to use (MailChimp, HubSpot, Marketo) then list them in your RFP email to vendors. If not, forget it. You don’t have to have all of the answers. After all, that’s why you’re hiring an agency in the first place, so leave it to the pros to figure it out.
Here’s what an RFP outline should include:
- Summary
- Company Background
- Core Objectives
- Project Scope and Delivery
- Sitemap
- Timeline & Milestones
- Functional/Technical Requirements
- Budget
- Criteria for Selection
1. Summary. If you’re unsure of what to write, the first thing you should start with is your project summary. It should give an introduction to your company and the reason for submitting your RFP. Tell your potential vendor what it is you hope for them to accomplish and lay out any problems you or your users face with your current site.
2. Company background. Provide a brief history on your organization. (Special emphasis on brief). Tell your vendor who you are, what industry you operate in and describe your typical audience or customer. Whether you’re an older, more established company or an emerging startup, the key here is to let potential vendors know who you are and what you’re all about.
3. Core Objectives. Great RFPs are authentic. Be concise and clear about the problems you and your users face. Focus on what you hope to accomplish with your new website. If you can, try to narrow it down to one or two sentences, then expand from there. A good place to start is problem recognition.
4. Project Scope and Deliverables. At this point in writing your RFP, you should be thinking about what specific services you’re looking for. Below are just a few examples of what you can expect to see when engaging with your vendor:
- Project Management
- UX/UI Planning
- Graphic Design
- Frontend development
- Backend development
- On-site SEO
- Content strategy
- Quality Assurance and Testing
- Content Migration
- PPC Campaigns
- Content Management System Training
- Copywriting/Content
- Visual Identity
- Brand Positioning
- Marketing
- Video Production
- Photography
5. Sitemap. The way your website is organized will influence how your users find what it is they’re looking for. Your sitemap is basically a table of contents for your website.
Example:
- Homepage
- About Us
- Services
- Shop
- Blog
- Contact
6. Timeline & Milestones. The timeline section of your RFP should answer the question of when you would like your project to go live. If there is a specific date as to when your website or branding project must be completed by, this is the place to list it. Any important milestones in your project should be listed here as well, such as a new product launch or ad campaign.
7. Functional Requirements. This will likely be the most detailed portion of your website’s RFP. List any technical requirements your website must have such as: payment processing, career integrations, or user logins.
8. Budget. Yes, your request letter should include a budget. Withholding your budget for a project is bit like trying to buy a home without providing your broker an idea of what you’re willing to pay. If you’d like to buy a house and your budget is $150k, your broker can then locate several homes that provide you the most value within your budget.
9.Criteria for Selection. Here, you simply decide the criteria you’ll use when choosing your vendor. Things to consider here are: agency expertise, capabilities, portfolio, relevant projects, in house services, etc.
That’s it. We’ve equipped you with what you need to write a stellar RFP. It’s not as hard as it sounds, once you know what you’re doing. Just remember to keep it brief, honest and fun.
Daniel Dulake builds interactive, scalable websites. Daniel works with enterprise, startup, and small business clients. Find out more about Daniel Dulake here. You can also follow Daniel Dulake on Twitter for his latest industry updates and ueful tips to help you create good habits as a web developer. You might also like to read the Daniel Dulake news here. You can also contact Web Digital for a free quote today.
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