Proposal Strategy
May 23, 2025

More Choices, More Closes: The Psychology Behind Optional Pricing

Joe Ardeeser
Founder & CEO, Smart Pricing Table

Want to close more deals? Try giving your clients a little more control.

It sounds simple—almost too simple—but it works.
Because there’s a quiet power in letting clients choose how much they want to buy.

We call it optional pricing, and it’s one of the most underrated strategies in service sales.

Why the one-size-fits-all proposal doesn't fit anyone

Most proposals go like this:

  • You try to guess what the client wants
  • You include just enough to stay in budget
  • You leave out the extras because you don’t want to “scare them off”

And what happens?
You send a slimmed-down proposal, they accept it, and a few weeks later, they ask for something you left out… and now you’re negotiating add-ons mid-project.

Or worse: they say no because it didn’t feel complete.

The better way: Give them options upfront

Instead of guessing what the client wants, give them clear, defined options in your proposal.

Not vague phrases like “available upon request.”
We’re talking real line items with:

  • A name
  • A price
  • A description of what’s included

Like a menu. Or a shopping cart. Or a build-your-own adventure.

Want strategy? Add it.
Want ongoing support? Click.
Want the works? It’s all there.

You stop pushing. They start choosing. And that’s the shift.

Why this works: The psychology behind the click

Optional pricing works because it taps into real behavioral triggers:

1. Control = Comfort
Buyers feel more confident when they’re in control.
Letting them choose creates ownership and reduces decision anxiety.

2. Transparency builds trust
Instead of hiding upgrades or “surprise costs,” you show your full hand.
That makes you look more experienced, not more expensive.

3. Anchoring increases value perception
When they see the base option next to premium ones, they naturally compare and often choose middle or higher tiers.

4. People like to customize
Modern buyers are used to tailoring everything—meals, subscriptions, car features.
Why would proposals be any different?

What it looks like in practice

Let’s say you’re a branding agency. Instead of one big number, your proposal might include:

  • Brand Strategy – $4,000
  • Logo Design – $3,000
  • Style Guide – $1,200 (Optional)
  • Website Planning Add-On – $1,500 (Optional)
  • Ongoing Consultation (3 months) – $1,800 (Optional)

They can select what they want. No pressure.
Just visibility. And ownership.

Bigger deals, fewer regrets

Here’s what we’ve seen when agencies use optional pricing:

  • 💰 Higher deal size – Clients often upsell themselves
  • 🧘 Less buyer’s remorse – They chose their package
  • 📞 Fewer follow-ups – Less “Can we add this?” mid-project
  • 🧠 More strategic conversations – You move from pricing to value

And when they say yes to something they picked?
They’re more invested from day one.

Optionality isn’t a gimmick—it’s respect

This isn’t about tricking clients into buying more.
It’s about saying:

“Here’s everything we offer. You tell us what you need.”
That shows confidence. That shows experience. That builds trust.

Smart Pricing Table was built to make this effortless.
Checkboxes. Add-ons. Line item control. Optional pricing isn’t a feature—it’s a philosophy.

👉 Learn more or book a no-obligation demo

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