So, I'm pretty excited because I've been asked to name my price for creating a new website for a community group. I would like to submit an official proposal that quotes a price and the deliverables.

This is my first proposal so I'm feeling a little lost. Would any of you mind sharing the specifics that you would include in a proposal for a website? How detailed should it be? What questions should I be sure to ask him before I create the proposal?

I figure this will parlay into a contract, which would be more detailed -- right? (or do I need to submit that up front, too?)

I've looked around VAF a bit and haven't been able to find an answer to this, but if I missed something please point me to it! I'm looking forward to your advice. Thank you!

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Liz
Blue Canary Design & Virtual Assistance

There are many things to consider, PM me and I will send you my Website Planner which reviews questions you should ask. but the basics parts of your development proposal are project schedule, quote and a description of stages and tasks.

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Hi Lilli,

I found this calculator to help you in your proposal. Good Luck

http://www.designquote.net/html/dq_estimate_wizard.cfm

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant

Liz - I think you might as well name a ballpark figure and stick with it for this one because it's your first client and it's a group that might lead to more lucrative jobs in the future.

So bid a fairly miscellaneous sum (one that seems reasonable, not cheap, not expensive) and take whatever time you need to deliver a fabulous product. In this case, you're doing it more for the exposure than the bucks.

Create a dynamite proposal, evidencing your creativity and care, but not promising anything more than you know you can deliver.

I would not ask for specifics from the group at this point, as the whole thing can get lost in debate. Just make a plan and tell em what you can do. As the process unfolds, you'll need to ask all those specific questions and make use of the responses. Using a website planner such as Bernice offers is your first step, once you've been hired.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Bernice & Mary Ruth, thank you so much for your wonderful advice! I do struggle with knowing how many questions to ask up front, and how much to figure out as-we-go. Bernice's website planner has been a fantastic resource. And Mary Ruth, I appreciate your advice on how to approach this project. I will try to think of it that way and be patient with myself as I work through the project! (hopefully I'll get it.

That calculator Bernice linked to above is also very interesting - it really gives me a sense for what I should consider when calculating how much time this will take. Though, in going through it, I feel like it overestimates the number of hours it takes to do some things. (Anyone else agree? I'm still learning how to not underestimate my time.)

Regardless of that questions, I'm feeling more confident in my ability to offer a solid proposal to this potential client. Thank you again for the tools and advice!

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Liz
Blue Canary Design & Virtual Assistance