Custom Website Design RFP Template

1. Company background

Two paragraphs: what your business does, who you serve, what makes you different. Add one sentence about company size and stage (e.g., '12-person bootstrapped agency, 6 years old').

2. Project goal

One sentence on the primary goal of the new site. Examples: 'Generate 50 qualified inbound leads per month,' or 'Replace our outdated Wix site with a custom design our team can edit.'

Then list 2-3 success metrics with current baseline.

3. Scope

Number of pages. Required integrations (CRM, payment, scheduling, analytics). Multi-language requirements. Accessibility requirements (WCAG level).

If you do not know, write 'guidance welcome' — good providers will help you scope.

4. Inspiration

List 3-5 sites you admire and one sentence per site on what specifically you like. This is the most useful section — it tells designers what you actually want without 50 pages of prose.

5. Timeline + budget

Hard launch date if you have one. Realistic budget range — yes, share the range, even if loosely. Providers cannot match the wrong scope to the wrong budget without it.

6. Required deliverables

Source code, design files, documentation, post-launch support window, training. Be explicit. Vague deliverables become disputes.

7. Evaluation criteria

Tell providers how you will choose. Examples: 'Weighted: 40% portfolio fit, 30% process clarity, 20% post-launch support, 10% price.' This filters out providers who only compete on price.

8. Submission instructions + deadline

Email address, deadline, response format (PDF, max 10 pages). State that you will respond to all submissions within 5 business days, even with a no.