Scope & Structure
June 5, 2025

Don’t Make Clients Guess What They’re Buying

Joe Ardeeser
Founder & CEO, Smart Pricing Table

The Proposal Isn’t the Time to Be Vague

We’ve all done it. You write a proposal, send it off, and get one of these responses:

  • “Is X included?”
  • “Wait, what exactly are we getting?”
  • “Can we clarify the scope?”

Translation? You weren’t clear. And when you’re not clear, you erode trust.

If the client has to guess, they’ll assume the best for them—and the worst for your margin.

Vague Scope Leads to Real Consequences

Here’s what happens when your proposal is too loose:

  • Scope creep: Clients keep asking for “small” changes that weren’t in the plan
  • Discount pressure: If they don’t understand the value, they push back on price
  • Delivery stress: Your team builds something the client didn’t expect—or didn’t want
  • Client frustration: They feel like they’ve been bait-and-switched, even if your intentions were good

This isn’t just about clarity—it’s about positioning.
Smart Pricing Table was built to make every line item transparent, clickable, and unambiguous. That’s what closes deals and protects delivery.

Make Scope So Clear It’s Boring

You don’t need legalese. You don’t need 14 bullet points per item.
You just need defined components with consistent language.

Try this structure:

  • A clear name (“Homepage Design – up to 5 sections”)
  • A short description of what’s included
  • Optional items with pricing and detail
  • Notes for what’s not included, if relevant

If it’s in the proposal, the client should understand it at a glance. No clarifying call needed. No assumptions baked in.

Clarity doesn’t kill creativity—it builds confidence.

Bottom Line: Precision Wins

Clients love confidence. And confidence comes from structure.

So don’t let your proposal become a choose-your-own-misunderstanding.
Define your scope. Protect your time. Build trust.

👉 Learn more or book a no-obligation demo

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