Insider’s View: Sending RFPs To Web Design Companies

A request for proposal (RFP) is a formal document and a convenient way to provide a lot of web design companies your site's requirements. Just be aware that some companies will ignore you — unless you spend quality time discussing the project with them as well.  That's not a problem if most shops will fit your needs, but if you really want proposals from a handful of great companies eliminate the upfront and lengthy RFP.  Just talk with web design companies first and provide them a basic outline of your needs. Then, follow up with a formal RFP document later on, if needed.

RFPs often have an impersonal feeling and they are usually passed out like business cards.  Project proposals are time-intensive for web shops, so their sales departments focus their attention on the most promising leads first.  Unlike the lotto, 1 in 25 odds of winning a mass-distrubuted RFP isn't great.  Especially when 1 in 3 is much more common without one.

If your web project requires a formal RFP, these tips are critical:

1. Spend quality time talking with each web design company about your project.
2. Tell them you are interested in getting their proposal.
3. Learn both the company and sales person's name.
4. Require only what you truly know is the best route.  Ask questions, get feedback — then revise your requirements.

While these tips are always important, omitting them comes across horribly when you're blasting out RFPs.  If you want your web design or web development project to be great, invest time upfront working with the companies — instead of just shooting out requests and waiting for proposals to pour in.  You will likely get the attention of the best web design companies available and ensure your project is a success.

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