How To Write A Website Design RFP (With Free Template)

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                "value": "\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you\u2019re in the market for a new or updated website, you may wonder exactly how to proceed. Depending on the age of your website, it may have been a decade or longer since you had a contract with a website design and development agency - and a lot has changed in the technology world over the past decade! In this situation, drafting a request for proposal (RFP) can help you better understand what various vendors can do for your organization.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA website RFP is a document that outlines the details and scope of your project. Ideally, it will get into the specifics of what you are hoping to achieve with a new site, what you don\u2019t love about your current site, and what functions you absolutely want to include. It should also include details on the proposal process, deadlines, and budget.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt Inclind, our website design and development team responds to formal website RFPs and more informal requests to talk about our services. We take a collaborative approach to website design, which allows us to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome for their website projects. Reach out today to learn more about our\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ewebsite design\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/services\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eweb development\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/support\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Esupport and maintenance services\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat Is An RFP?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA request for proposal - commonly referred to as an\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/information-technology\/glossary\/request-proposal-rfp\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERFP\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E - is a document that businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations use to announce a project and solicit bids for the work. In fact, many government entities are required to publish an RFP to obtain bids before awarding a contract.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn RFP can contain many different elements. Typically, it includes:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA short overview of the project\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAdministrative details of the project, such as its name, submission details, criteria used for selection, and contact details\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn overview of the company or organization, which can help in getting more accurate, personalized proposals\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProject objectives and timeline to help potential vendors understand exactly what the organization is trying to achieve\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProject scope and specifications, including a more detailed outline of resources, timelines, deliverables, requirements, and project boundaries\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProposed outcome\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA well-written RFP should have enough details in it to ensure that proposals are accurate. Think of it this way: if you were seeking bids on a home improvement project for your house, you would include details like the type of work you want done, the size of the project, etc. If you leave it vague, it will be hard for vendors to submit a bid that reflects the amount of work involved. This can often lead to difficulties down the line, such as the organization being upset that certain work isn\u2019t included as part of the bid.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt the same time, too many details can make it hard for vendors to parse. Try to keep your RFP as straightforward as possible. In the home improvement example above, you might ask for quotes on painting the exterior of your house - without getting into granular detail about the colors you\u2019d like, why you prefer those colors, and so on.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn RFP can be written for almost any project, including a website design or\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eredesign\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. As described in greater detail below, a website RFP should include information about what you want for your website, including goals you would like to achieve and issues you\u2019d like to minimize, plus branding and creative guidance. A good website RFP will empower you to compare website design and development agencies and make a more informed decision about which company will best fit your project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThrough the website RFP process, you will also get a better idea of what each agency is like as a working partner - which is incredibly important given that you will be collaborating with them for months or even years in the future if they provide website\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/support\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Esupport and maintenance\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. The submitted bids will allow you to look at more than just cost, as you will be able to evaluate the content of the proposals themselves. For example, if one agency proposes to use a content management system like\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wordpress.com\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWordPress\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E and explains why, that can give you an idea of what they will do with the details of your website.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EKeep in mind that for a lot of companies and agencies, website RFPs are not required. While they can be a good way to get bids and more information from various companies, they also need a fair amount of work on the front end. If you simply want to meet with a few website design agencies to get a feel for what they can do and their pricing structure, that can also be incredibly helpful.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHow to Write a Website RFP\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you want to write a great website RFP, it\u2019s important to take some time upfront to think about your goals before drafting the document. A great RFP will be clear about the website design or redesign goals, explain the criteria for vendor selection, and spell out details like how the selection process will work, deadlines, and contact information. It is always a good idea to remember that you aren\u2019t just trying to pick a vendor - you are also hoping that a top-notch website design and development agency will choose to work with you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA website RFP should contain 10 sections:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntroduction:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E This section should provide basic information about the project so that potential vendors can decide right off the bat whether it is a project that they are interested in working on with you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOrganization overview:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp; In this section, you will explain more about your company or organization in a few paragraphs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite audience:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E This section should describe who you anticipate will be using your website. This section is crucial, as website designers must consider the audience when building your site. For example, if you expect visitors to be people from around the world, then the design team may want to add translation features to the site.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite objectives:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will identify your website\u0027s primary and other goals. For example, if you run a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/clients\/non-profit-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Enonprofit organization\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, your main goal might be to get more people to donate to support your work, with secondary objectives such as getting more volunteers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECurrent website information:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E If you have a website already, you can use this section to describe what is and is not working with it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERequirements for the new website:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will lay out what functionality you require for the new site. For example, if you have an online shop, you may want e-commerce functionality.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite wish list:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E In this section, you can list any features or functions that you would like to see - which may or may not be possible based on cost. Think of this section as \u201cwants\u201d rather than \u201cneeds.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBudget:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will specify your budget and include any details about payment. The budget should also be included at the top with the project overview.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProposal requirements:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E In this section, you should clearly outline what responding agencies should include in their responses. This will help you receive more standardized responses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERFP Deadline and Project Timeline:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Finally, you will again note the deadline for submitting an RFP. You should also specify when you would like the new website to be launched (which should be a realistic date and may need to be revised if your desired start date isn\u2019t possible).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERemember: spending time thinking about your goals before you begin to write your RFP will be a tremendous help. You should also dig into your current website to get honest about what isn\u2019t working with it - such as being difficult to navigate, out of date technically, or not getting enough traffic. During these brainstorming sessions, your team should also think hard about core functionality requirements and how that differs from \u201cwish list\u201d items.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFinally, including a budget may seem strange - as though you might not get a \u201cdeal\u201d by stating upfront what you\u2019re willing to spend. You might also be uncertain as to what a budget for this type of project even is! Giving a ballpark range is a good way to ensure that you get proposals that meet your needs. For example, if your budget is $50,000, you won\u2019t get proposals that include $100,000 worth of work - which would waste both your and the vendor\u2019s time!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDownload Our Free Website Design RFP Template\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOver the years, Inclind has reviewed many website RFPs as both a website vendor and a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/services\/website-development-consulting\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ewebsite development consultant\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. We\u2019ve used our experience to create a free template that can easily be reworked and applied to any business in any industry. You can view the template and download it using the link below.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-center\u0022 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-JvgFuziSigYkrOqXC5jRLdZ1zt-lHUKitBW0uAdsPE\/edit?usp=sharing\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDownload Our Free RFP Template\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHow Inclind Can Help\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you\u2019re in the market for a new or updated website, an RFP can be a good way to get bids and proposals on the work. You can also set up meetings with website design and development firms to talk more informally about your goals and what they can help you achieve. For both options, you should spend some time thinking about what you hope to accomplish with a new website before getting started.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EInclind provides\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/services\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eweb development\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Edesign\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E services to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/clients\/healthcare-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehealthcare organizations\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/clients\/membership-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Emembership organizations\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. We work with our clients to (1) understand their needs, (2) figure out a budget, and (3) design and build a highly effective website. Our services include everything from initial website design to site\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eredesigns\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, technical SEO, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.inclind.com\/solutions\/conversion-optimization\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Econversion optimization\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWe\u0027re available if you\u2019d like to learn more about our website design and development services. You can fill out our online contact form and we\u2019ll get an opportunity lined up to talk with our experts about your website.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E",
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                "processed": "\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you\u2019re in the market for a new or updated website, you may wonder exactly how to proceed. Depending on the age of your website, it may have been a decade or longer since you had a contract with a website design and development agency - and a lot has changed in the technology world over the past decade! In this situation, drafting a request for proposal (RFP) can help you better understand what various vendors can do for your organization.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA website RFP is a document that outlines the details and scope of your project. Ideally, it will get into the specifics of what you are hoping to achieve with a new site, what you don\u2019t love about your current site, and what functions you absolutely want to include. It should also include details on the proposal process, deadlines, and budget.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt Inclind, our website design and development team responds to formal website RFPs and more informal requests to talk about our services. We take a collaborative approach to website design, which allows us to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome for their website projects. Reach out today to learn more about our\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ewebsite design\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/services\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eweb development\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/support\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Esupport and maintenance services\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhat Is An RFP?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA request for proposal - commonly referred to as an\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/information-technology\/glossary\/request-proposal-rfp\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERFP\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E - is a document that businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations use to announce a project and solicit bids for the work. In fact, many government entities are required to publish an RFP to obtain bids before awarding a contract.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn RFP can contain many different elements. Typically, it includes:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA short overview of the project\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAdministrative details of the project, such as its name, submission details, criteria used for selection, and contact details\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn overview of the company or organization, which can help in getting more accurate, personalized proposals\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProject objectives and timeline to help potential vendors understand exactly what the organization is trying to achieve\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProject scope and specifications, including a more detailed outline of resources, timelines, deliverables, requirements, and project boundaries\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EProposed outcome\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA well-written RFP should have enough details in it to ensure that proposals are accurate. Think of it this way: if you were seeking bids on a home improvement project for your house, you would include details like the type of work you want done, the size of the project, etc. If you leave it vague, it will be hard for vendors to submit a bid that reflects the amount of work involved. This can often lead to difficulties down the line, such as the organization being upset that certain work isn\u2019t included as part of the bid.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAt the same time, too many details can make it hard for vendors to parse. Try to keep your RFP as straightforward as possible. In the home improvement example above, you might ask for quotes on painting the exterior of your house - without getting into granular detail about the colors you\u2019d like, why you prefer those colors, and so on.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn RFP can be written for almost any project, including a website design or\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eredesign\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. As described in greater detail below, a website RFP should include information about what you want for your website, including goals you would like to achieve and issues you\u2019d like to minimize, plus branding and creative guidance. A good website RFP will empower you to compare website design and development agencies and make a more informed decision about which company will best fit your project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThrough the website RFP process, you will also get a better idea of what each agency is like as a working partner - which is incredibly important given that you will be collaborating with them for months or even years in the future if they provide website\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/support\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Esupport and maintenance\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. The submitted bids will allow you to look at more than just cost, as you will be able to evaluate the content of the proposals themselves. For example, if one agency proposes to use a content management system like\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wordpress.com\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWordPress\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E and explains why, that can give you an idea of what they will do with the details of your website.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EKeep in mind that for a lot of companies and agencies, website RFPs are not required. While they can be a good way to get bids and more information from various companies, they also need a fair amount of work on the front end. If you simply want to meet with a few website design agencies to get a feel for what they can do and their pricing structure, that can also be incredibly helpful.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHow to Write a Website RFP\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you want to write a great website RFP, it\u2019s important to take some time upfront to think about your goals before drafting the document. A great RFP will be clear about the website design or redesign goals, explain the criteria for vendor selection, and spell out details like how the selection process will work, deadlines, and contact information. It is always a good idea to remember that you aren\u2019t just trying to pick a vendor - you are also hoping that a top-notch website design and development agency will choose to work with you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA website RFP should contain 10 sections:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntroduction:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E This section should provide basic information about the project so that potential vendors can decide right off the bat whether it is a project that they are interested in working on with you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOrganization overview:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp; In this section, you will explain more about your company or organization in a few paragraphs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite audience:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E This section should describe who you anticipate will be using your website. This section is crucial, as website designers must consider the audience when building your site. For example, if you expect visitors to be people from around the world, then the design team may want to add translation features to the site.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite objectives:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will identify your website\u0027s primary and other goals. For example, if you run a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/clients\/non-profit-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Enonprofit organization\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, your main goal might be to get more people to donate to support your work, with secondary objectives such as getting more volunteers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECurrent website information:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E If you have a website already, you can use this section to describe what is and is not working with it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERequirements for the new website:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will lay out what functionality you require for the new site. For example, if you have an online shop, you may want e-commerce functionality.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWebsite wish list:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E In this section, you can list any features or functions that you would like to see - which may or may not be possible based on cost. Think of this section as \u201cwants\u201d rather than \u201cneeds.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBudget:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Here, you will specify your budget and include any details about payment. The budget should also be included at the top with the project overview.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProposal requirements:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E In this section, you should clearly outline what responding agencies should include in their responses. This will help you receive more standardized responses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003Cli dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERFP Deadline and Project Timeline:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E Finally, you will again note the deadline for submitting an RFP. You should also specify when you would like the new website to be launched (which should be a realistic date and may need to be revised if your desired start date isn\u2019t possible).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ERemember: spending time thinking about your goals before you begin to write your RFP will be a tremendous help. You should also dig into your current website to get honest about what isn\u2019t working with it - such as being difficult to navigate, out of date technically, or not getting enough traffic. During these brainstorming sessions, your team should also think hard about core functionality requirements and how that differs from \u201cwish list\u201d items.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFinally, including a budget may seem strange - as though you might not get a \u201cdeal\u201d by stating upfront what you\u2019re willing to spend. You might also be uncertain as to what a budget for this type of project even is! Giving a ballpark range is a good way to ensure that you get proposals that meet your needs. For example, if your budget is $50,000, you won\u2019t get proposals that include $100,000 worth of work - which would waste both your and the vendor\u2019s time!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDownload Our Free Website Design RFP Template\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOver the years, Inclind has reviewed many website RFPs as both a website vendor and a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/services\/website-development-consulting\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ewebsite development consultant\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. We\u2019ve used our experience to create a free template that can easily be reworked and applied to any business in any industry. You can view the template and download it using the link below.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022text-align-center\u0022 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1-JvgFuziSigYkrOqXC5jRLdZ1zt-lHUKitBW0uAdsPE\/edit?usp=sharing\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDownload Our Free RFP Template\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Ch2 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHow Inclind Can Help\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIf you\u2019re in the market for a new or updated website, an RFP can be a good way to get bids and proposals on the work. You can also set up meetings with website design and development firms to talk more informally about your goals and what they can help you achieve. For both options, you should spend some time thinking about what you hope to accomplish with a new website before getting started.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EInclind provides\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/services\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eweb development\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Edesign\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E services to\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/clients\/healthcare-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehealthcare organizations\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/clients\/membership-organizations\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Emembership organizations\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E. We work with our clients to (1) understand their needs, (2) figure out a budget, and (3) design and build a highly effective website. Our services include everything from initial website design to site\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/solutions\/website-redesigns\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eredesigns\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E, technical SEO, and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/solutions\/conversion-optimization\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Econversion optimization\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWe\u0027re available if you\u2019d like to learn more about our website design and development services. You can fill out our online contact form and we\u2019ll get an opportunity lined up to talk with our experts about your website.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n",
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