Website RFP

3. Email Your Website RFP

Email your website RFP to the entire list of potential web designers you have shortlisted. Here is an easy way to do so:

1. Compose a new email address it to yourself.
2. Add all your potential web designers to the BCC field of your e-mail
3. Create a clear subject line, such as "XYZ Business is looking to have a website created (RFP attached)"
4. Write a brief introductory sentence describing your business and yourself
5. Attach your website RFP to the e-mail, send and then wait for feedback

4. Review, Negotiate and Get Comfy.

Next you'll be reviewing the feedback from you website RFP. There will likely be a mix of good, not-so-good and standout replies. If possible, call and make a one-on-one appointment with the candidates that stood out. Meeting the potential web designer is very important, especially since you will want to feel comfortable working together. Consider the following points when meeting a web designer:

• There is no need to pay for an initial meet and greet
• If you do not already have a domain name or web hosting, let the designer know you will still need to do so. It is ideal to have both registered in your business name
• Ask for references to websites that the designer created with similar requirements to your own needs
• It is okay to ask for a list of past clients to contact. If you do contact a reference, the only question that really matters is whether the client would work with the designer again. The only answer that matters is "Yes."
• It is not common that a quality web designer will develop a website mock-up for you as a free pitch to get the contract. This approach will often scare away quality talent
• A quality web designer will listen to your plan, assess your needs, and provide constructive feedback regarding any areas of your website plan that may need improvement

5. Get Everything in Writing

After picking a web designer, commit everything about the project to writing, including:
- Having everything in writing provides both parties with a clear blueprint of what is expected.
- Following this process will help to make the process of finding a web designer an easier task. The time spent planning your website needs will make for an organized, well-communicated working relationship between yourself and the designer you choose to create your website.

• Financial terms and payment schedules
• Any legal requirements that need signing off
• Itemized list of what and when deliverables will be provided to you by the web designer
• Itemized list of what and when deliverables will be provided by you to the web designer
• A project timeline outlining key milestone and final release dates