Business Proposal Templates

What is a business proposal template?

A business proposal template is an editable proposal with all of the essential elements, such as the executive summary and scope of services. By using a template, you save time creating your proposal because you don’t have to start from scratch. You can update the design of the template to match your branding and then change the text and imagery to fit your pitch.

Main elements of a business proposal

A great project or business proposal should contain everything you need to show your client that your company is the best fit for the job—whether that’s event catering, architecture, or accounting.

1. Cover page

The cover page is pretty simple. It should include your company name and your client’s company name. You might also put the date and the title of your pitch, such as “Civil Engineering for the Allen Street Development.” You can upload a photo background or use a block of color for a bold, simple look.

2. Executive summary

This section is sometimes called the cover letter. Here, you write a 100 - 200 word summary of the clients’ problems or needs, the approach you’re pitching, and your company’s relevant experience, achievements, or accolades.

3. Approach or solution

Use this section to go deeper into the approach you touched upon in your executive summary. Describe what types of products or services you’ll offer, why you recommend them, and what the result will be.

4. About the company

Here, you’ll offer relevant company information that will impress clients, such as a company bio with your mission statement and average client results. You might also include photos and titles of all of your employees, or just the ones who will manage this new account.

5. Deliverables

This section is your opportunity to really spell out what the client will get. Clarify the deliverables, such as a logo and brand guide for branding services or a report and recommendations for a business audit. If you don’t offer concrete deliverables, create a project timeline section instead and include the 4 - 7 main steps in the process.

6. Pricing

In this section, you’ll break down the recommended investment. For example, an interior designer might include a flat fee for the design work (ex: $3,000) an estimate for the room furnishings (ex: $30,000), and an estimate of the hourly work needed for installation (ex: 10 hours @ $200/hr = $2,000). Breaking down your pricing into its parts will increase your chances of success compared to just pitching a $35,000 estimate. Clients want to know what they’re paying for.

7. Terms and conditions

A great business proposal should include the business contract so that if a client says yes, they can sign that document to initiate the project. Your terms and conditions should include your master service agreement and any important elements of the project scope not mentioned elsewhere in the proposal, such as the number of revisions included. Make sure to have your legal team help you with this section

8. Social proof

Every great business proposal offers some form of social proof like case studies, testimonials, reviews, or star rating averages. These things help your clients trust you and envision their own future success after partnering with you.

Check out our proposal writing examples to see all of these sections in action.

The best proposal template format

For best results, use a proposal template that’s inside of proposal software instead of a PDF or DOCX template. This way, you get additional features such as esignatures, dynamic pricing, email templates, automated email notifications, and proposal viewing analytics—all of which make it easier to send and close your proposals.

How to create a business proposal

Create your own project or business proposal in 5 easy steps:

1. Choose a template with the right elements

Start by choosing a business proposal template with all or most of the elements you need, such as a pricing table, deliverables section, and approach section. This will save you time when you’re adapting it to fit your pitch.

2. Decide on the best approach for the client

Before you start writing your business proposal, make sure you take a step back and consider what the client really needs. Talk with the client to discover their main problems, concerns, and goals. Then, repeat them back to the client to get their confirmation that you’ve understood and synthesized their issues well.

3. Update the business proposal with your branding and pitch

Now it’s time to edit your business proposal template. Update the fonts, colors, and layouts to reflect your unique brand. Add your company bio, write the executive summary, and detail the process and deliverables.

4. Use advanced tricks to increase the chances it will close

We’ve analyzed over 1 million proposals to discover what makes them more likely to close. We found that you’ll increase your chances for success if you add esignatures and sign before you send. If possible, you should also offer optional pricing like editable quantities and add-ons so clients can customize the final amount. And be sure to set up prescheduled email reminders too.

5. Send your business proposal and proactively address concerns

Now that you’ve updated the proposal template and utilized some advanced strategies to increase your chances of success, it’s time to send that proposal. Check your business proposal analytics to see how many times your client has viewed it. This way, you can send follow-ups that are relevant to their activity.

Get started with Business Proposal Templates

A great business proposal template does the heavy lifting for you, so you don’t have to guess what to put in your proposal. It can save you time in creating the proposal while also educating you on best practices and current trends on what clients expect to see.

And with the right strategies, you can ramp up your closing rate.

Proposify offers beautiful, effective business proposal templates plus smart features that make your proposals more likely to close—like esignatures, pricing options, and more. Request a demo to learn how we can power up your sales team, or start your free trial today.