Key Takeaways
- A good RFP describes goals and requirements, not just a list of pages.
- Include budget range and evaluation criteria to get realistic proposals.
- Ask vendors for approach, team, timeline and references, not only price.
Vague briefs produce wildly different quotes that are impossible to compare. A structured RFP saves time for both you and agencies.
RFP structure
- Company overview and brand
- Project goals (leads, recruitment, investor trust, brand)
- Target audiences
- Current website issues and analytics highlights
- Scope: sitemap, page types, languages
- Features: forms, search, careers, integrations
- Content: who writes, translates, provides images/video
- Technical: CMS preference, hosting, security, accessibility, SEO migration
- Timeline and key dates
- Budget range
- Proposal requirements and evaluation criteria
- Submission deadline and contact
Evaluation criteria example
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Relevant experience & portfolio | 25% |
| Approach & understanding | 25% |
| Team & process | 15% |
| Timeline | 10% |
| Cost | 25% |
Questions to ask vendors
- Who will work on the project?
- How do you handle SEO during migration?
- What is included in post-launch support?
- Who owns code, design files and accounts?
Use with how to choose a website development company.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a website RFP?
A Request for Proposal document that describes your website project so agencies can submit comparable proposals and quotes.
Should I include a budget in the RFP?
Yes. A budget range helps agencies propose realistic solutions and saves time.
How many agencies should receive the RFP?
Typically 3–6 shortlisted agencies.
How long should a website RFP be?
Usually 4–10 pages, enough to be clear without overwhelming.
