You need a website. Either a brand new one or an overhaul of your current one. You walk into a web design firm and they ask you what you're looking for and you have no idea... just a new website. To make the most out of your conversation with your potential design firm, put some ideas down so they don't have to start with the absolute basic questions.
Writing an RFP (Request for Proposal) can be daunting for any company. To get started on a website, the firm you choose will need to know a lot about your company, your likes/dislikes, your needs and wants and your budget. Making sure that firm fits your design style, your communication style and your budget are the three keys to success with your new web project.
Here's a quick and dirty guide of what you'll need to bring with you to your initial conversation.
BACKGROUND
Give background of company: history, mission, vision, and reason your company is looking for a website.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Give a general scope of the types of things your company is looking for in your website. If you are doing a redesign of your current site, list all things you like and don’t like about your site. Give a bulleted list of what you expect the website to accomplish.
BRANDING
If you already have branding set up, show your identity requirements & colors. If you don't and expect the web firm to help you with this, explain what you are looking for. Many web firms contract this portion out so many sure you request their experience.
SPECIFICS
List specific details of the type of website your company is looking for. Research websites you like & list them. Also explain why you like them and what pieces about them you are interested in seeing in your new website. Give approximate number of pages.
FEATURES
List features you wish for the website to have. If you’re unsure what features you need, explain what you expect the features to do. (see CMS Modules for ideas)
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
Any additional information that your website needs should be listed here. Include questions about maintenance and long-term costs.
HOSTING & TECHNOLOGY
If you require hosting, explain what you expect. Not all web companies provide hosting but can refer a company that does. If you require a specific technology for your website due to other programs that will need to interact with it, state that. If you aren’t absolutely positive, leave it up to the firm’s expertise.
PROPOSAL PREPARATION
Explain how you expect to receive the proposal. Give name & email address of contact along with date of deadline. Make sure you indicate all the items you expect to receive.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Explain how you plan to evaluate the proposal, how long you expect to take, what criteria you plan to rate the proposal on. Include all information you expect to see in the proposal including examples along with an approximate timeline.
SIMPLE WEBSITE RFP (.doc) <- click to download
Once you've finished putting this together, make sure to send it to the web firm ahead of time for their review. Otherwise, take it with you when you interview potential firms.
Happy RFP'ing!
