Small businesses are on a rise today. According to a particular report by Forbes, 99.9% of businesses across the US are small businesses. So, you can only guess the competition in this race of capitalism. Taking this into consideration, we know that you don't want to lag in any possible way and therefore, you have to make an excellent first impression on your clients. One way to make a really good impression is to make a good proposal.
Now, building proposals can be a tedious task. Even after all the efforts, you might not be sure if it is professional or polished enough. In that case, for small businesses it makes sense to use a proposal generation software to make this task easy and efficient. These softwares have features and proposal management tools that help in customizing the best possible proposal for your small business.
Today, in this article we will list some of the best business proposal softwares for small businesses to floor the clients. Also, we will take you through the benefits and features of such business proposal apps to make the work easy for you.
Why Is it Important to have the Best Proposal Software For Small Businesses?
Proposal software for small businesses proves to be very helpful for small businesses as it enhances the proposal creation process and increases efficiency. Choosing the best proposal writing software impresses clients, attracts more clients and thus increases revenue which proves highly beneficial for small businesses. If you want to learn more about how to write a business proposal before using the best proposal software for small businesses, you can learn more about it here.
Using a proposal automation software, one can easily build a polished proposal while easily maintaining consistency. There are multiple tools available in such business proposal apps that allow better customization and collaboration options. With the help of such options, not only can small businesses enhance professionalism in their proposal but can also save time when doing so. Also, few of the best proposal software for small businesses also have invoicing integrated with proposal software, learn more about it here.
Having the best proposal software for Small businesses, therefore, proves to be crucial for contributing to a more competitive and organized approach to securing business opportunities.
Features To Look For In Best Proposal Software for Small Businesses
When choosing the best proposal software for small businesses, consider features like:
- Template Library: Access to customizable software proposal template.
- Tracking and Analytics: Ability to monitor proposal status and analyze engagement.
- Electronic Signatures: Capability for clients to sign proposals digitally.
- Customization: Flexibility to tailor proposals to specific client needs.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design for ease of use.
- Integration: Compatibility with other tools like CRM.
- Security: Robust data security and confidentiality features.
Bonus: Invoicing and payments features.
Selecting business proposal software that has these features enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of your proposal creation and management process.
Top 8 Best Proposal Software For Small Businesses
Cone - Modern experience, robust platform and huge cost savings!
Cone Proposal-to-Payment is a platform small businesses use to streamline and automate their entire sales process. From creating impressive proposals to seamless invoicing and secure payment collection, it makes the whole process efficient. This software reduces manual work. It thus saves businesses over 40 hours per month and boosts revenue by an impressive 27%. With the best features tailored for proposals, e-signatures, invoicing, payments, and contract renewals, Cone ensures a stress-free sales and payment collections cycle.
It is very robust in terms of features and fits well with all the needs of a small business from selling and collecting money in a single platform. At the same time, it’s also cost-effective with prices starting at 10$ /user per month which makes it one of the best proposal software for small businesses.
Best Features:
Flexible Proposal Editor
Cone's standout feature lies in its customization options with the flexible editor, offering users a wealth of tools to tailor proposals precisely to their brand and client needs. It's a comprehensive editor that allows you to tweak logos, attach videos and PDFs, and add testimonials. Be creative and deliver your proposal the way you want. Move, edit, or delete sections and customize the proposals.
Template Library
Cone's Template Library stands out with its vast selection of over 100 professionally designed templates like Freelance Graphic Design Proposal Template, Bookkeeping Contract Template, Accounting and Tax Services Proposal etc. Sign up today!
Automated Invoicing
Mitigate the risk of overlooked invoices through Cone's automated invoicing feature. Integrated seamlessly into your CRM, this functionality ensures that each signed proposal triggers an automatic invoice generation, streamlining the invoicing process within your sales pipeline.
While others might handle basic invoicing, Cone’s proposal software for business automates the entire invoicing cycle, from proposal to payment. Its emphasis on seamless billing and diverse payment options gives Cone an edge, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and ease throughout the invoicing process, making it a standout choice for businesses seeking efficient office management software. Sign up today!
Billing and Payments
It provides clients with a seamless payment experience. It uses a variety of payment options. From direct debits to credit/debit cards and ACH methods, Cone's payment options are a game-changer, offering a versatile choice to suit diverse preferences. By accommodating multiple payment methods, Cone ensures convenience for both businesses and clients. This diverse payment approach, setting Cone apart as the best proposal software for small businesses, ultimately simplifies the invoicing and payment processes, making it a standout choice in the realm of office management software.
Automated Renewal Processes:
Streamline contract renewals effortlessly with Cone's automated processes. Initiate timely reminders, generate fresh proposals for approval, and secure prompt signatures.
Integration with Accounting Software:
Seamlessly integrate Cone with popular accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks Online (QBO), and Zoho Books. This integration ensures smooth coordination between your CRM, sales pipeline, and accounting processes, providing a unified and efficient business management solution.
Pricing:
Paid plans start at 10$ per user/month. Additional user add-on: 5$. Try for free.
It's the best choice when it comes to the price and value it offers.
Plans:
Essential
10$ per user/month
Growth
8$ per user/month(5 users minimum)
6$ per user/month(10 users minimum)
PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a leading proposal software. It has garnered positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and efficient customer support. This software is designed to simplify the entire proposal process. For this, it offers a comprehensive platform that combines various tools into one cohesive solution. It also has the ability to import a variety of file formats, including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, JPG, and PNG. In turn, ensures fast document distribution and seamless e-signature requests.
Best Features:
Fast Document Distribution and E-signature Requests: PandaDoc excels in expediting the distribution of documents. It facilitates quick e-signature requests and enables users to ease the proposal workflow.
CRM Integration: The software seamlessly integrates with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. It enhances collaboration and ensures a smooth transition of data between platforms.
User-Friendly: It stands out for its user-friendly interface. This feature makes it accessible to a wide range of users without sacrificing functionality.
Quick Customer Service: The platform offers prompt customer service. It provides users with the support they need to navigate the software effectively.
Key Offerings:
- Cloud, SaaS, Web-based implementation
- Compatibility with On-Premise Windows and On-Premise Linux
- Support through Email/Help Desk, Phone, FAQs/Forum, Live Chat, and a comprehensive Knowledge Base
- Unlimited document uploads and e-signatures
- Advanced quotes
- Smart content
- SSO support and custom user roles
- Unlimited number of team workspaces
- User performance and content reporting
- Real-time tracking and notifications
- Rich media drag-and-drop document editor
Pricing:
Panda doc offers 3 types of monthly and yearly plans.
- The essentials plan starts at $35 per month per seat.
- The business plan starts at $65 per month per seat.
- The enterprise plan is customizable.
The software offers a free 14-day trial to explore its capabilities before committing to a subscription.
Proposify
Proposify, another widely acclaimed business proposal app, is for growing small businesses seeking an intuitive and efficient solution. Popularly known for its straightforward design editor and the seamless embedding of visual content like images and videos.
Best Features:
Roles and Permissions Settings: It has great user role and permission functionality making it perfect for companies looking to streamline the approval process in relation to their sales processes.
Interactive Pricing and Upsell Opportunities: Proposify improves the sales process by providing interactive pricing which allows businesses to take advantage of upsell opportunities and write proposals that are specifically tailored according to a client’s needs.
Content Library and Document Tracking: Proposify supports document tracking insights, allowing users to monitor client interactions with the document in real-time. Additionally, the tool enables the creation of a content library for quick access to essential descriptions, fees, images, and more during document creation.
Key Offerings:
- Unlimited templates and documents for diverse proposal needs
- Roles and permissions settings for optimized workflow management
- Secure, legally-binding e-signatures to streamline approval processes
- Payment integration using Stripe for added convenience
- Email and chat support
Pricing:
Proposify offers a model that is great for small or growing businesses starting from $49/month.
For larger teams, businesses can contact Proposify's sales department for customized plans that meet their specific requirements.
A 14-day free trial is also offered for the users.
Venngage
Venngage is a trusted infographics design tool. It has expanded its offerings to include a powerful proposal maker. It aims to revolutionize proposal creation. The software integrates thousands of professionally produced template options along with a comprehensive drag-and-drop editor. Being an easy-to-use software with 24/7 customer support, the Venngage proposal writing software is a great choice for creating professional proposals.
Best Features:
Extensive Library of Templates: Venngage provides access to a diverse range of professionally designed proposal templates. It enables users to create visually appealing proposals in minutes.
Drag-and-Drop Design Editor: The powerful drag-and-drop editor allows users to customize their proposals with ease. It makes the design process seamless and efficient.
Real-time Collaboration: Venngage facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing teams to edit documents, access files, and maintain branding consistency seamlessly.
Key offering:
- Dedicated Account Manager
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Live Onboarding & Team Training Sessions
- Custom Built Features* (API, Custom MSLA, Integrations)
- Organize with Folders
- Share Designs with the Team
- Priority Email & Chat Support
- My Brand Kit
- Phone Support
- 500 Image Uploads
- PNG & Hi-Res PNG Exporting
Pricing:
- Premium Plan: Priced at $19/month per user.
- Business Plan: $49/month, the Business Plan caters to more extensive needs.
- Enterprise Plan: For larger enterprises, the Enterprise Plan is available at $499/month.
Users can try the business proposal software for free before committing to a paid plan.
Loopio
Loopio stands out as a premier choice for sales teams specializing in solicited proposals, particularly those responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). While versatile enough for unsolicited proposals, Loopio's feature set is strategically designed to streamline and enhance the RFP response process.
Best Features:
AI-Generated RFP Responses: Leveraging artificial intelligence, Loopio's unique "magic response" feature learns from your company's content, ensuring on-brand and accurate responses to frequently encountered RFP questions.
Dynamic RFP Templates: The platform offers dynamic RFP templates that adapt to the specific requirements of each proposal, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in response creation.
Project Tracking and Proposal Analytics: Loopio provides project tracking capabilities, allowing teams to assign questions, set deadlines, and leave comments for efficient collaboration. Proposal analytics offer insights into content, project, and usage statistics, enhancing the understanding of the RFP response process.
Key Offerings:
- Seamless integrations with CRM, file drives, web browsers, and Google accounts
- Comprehensive content, project, and usage statistics
- Project management features, including assignment of questions, comments, and deadlines
- Auto-filling answers using a library of pre-approved content in Loopio's DDQ software
- Unlimited Projects, Library Entries, and Reviews
- Intelligent Automation
- Customizable Project Export Themes
- 10 Standard Users With Customizable Permissions
- Single Sign-On
- Guaranteed Uptime
- Multi-Language Library
- Advanced Collaboration Tools
Pricing:
Loopio follows a custom enterprise pricing model, creating plans for the specific needs of each client. Interested parties can fill out the forms and get in touch with Loopio directly for a personalized quote based on their requirements.
Getaccept
GetAccept is a dynamic e-signature and document-tracking proposal for small business.
Transforming the proposal and e-signing workflow, GetAccept engages recipients with intelligent and personalized documents that facilitate instant signatures. This innovative proposal writing software includes features such as live chat, personalized videos, CRM integrations, and a comprehensive suite of proposal and contract management capabilities.
Best Features:
Proposal Templates and Quote Builder: GetAccept equips users with the tools to create stunning proposals and quotes using a content library with templates or by starting from scratch with an intuitive editor.
E-Signatures and Contract Rooms: Facilitating an 8x faster signing process, GetAccept integrates e-signatures seamlessly and offers dedicated contract rooms for each buyer, enhancing collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
CRM Integrations and Payment Processing: Seamless integration with CRM systems and payment processing functionalities ensures a connected workflow and added convenience.
Key Offerings:
- Upload sales collateral, create mutual action plans, and engage in real-time chat with buyers.
- Utilize templates from the content library or create customized, mobile-responsive contracts from scratch.
- Seamless integration with favourite tools for automated sales processes.
- Real-time tracking of prospects' engagement with documents, including unique views, time spent, and comments.
- Unlimited electronic signatures
- Unlimited active rooms
- Advanced tracking & insights
- Branding & templates
- Seamless integrations
- Contract management
- CPQ & Product Library
- Single sign-on (SSO)
Pricing:
- The proposal writing software offers a 14-day free trial.
- Professional: This most popular plan costs $49 per user per month and provides access to proposal features and contract rooms.
- Enterprise: For CRM integrations, users are advised to contact GetAccept directly for a custom quote.
RFPIO
RFPIO is a best proposal software for small businesses offering AI-powered automation for response management, specifically for RFPs and security questionnaires. With a focus on streamlining content creation, opportunity response, and customer expectations, RFPIO's AI leverages historical RFP responses to automate the generation of responses for new opportunities. This versatile tool is not only beneficial for sales teams but also provides efficiency for cybersecurity teams in responding to security questionnaires.
Best Features:
Automated Responses to RFPs and Security Questionnaires: The AI-enabled software from RFPIO automates responses to RFPs and security questionnaires using historical data that assists in developing efficient and accurate answers.
Proposal Creation and Sending: Apart from automation, RFPIO allows for proposal creation and shipping while maintaining the smooth operation of sales teams.
E-signatures: The inclusion of e-signatures streamlines the approval process, allowing for secure and efficient document signing.
Key Offerings:
- Streamlined proposal composition using the best content and AI-driven recommendations.
- Efficient population of first drafts with data-driven recommendations from the Content Library.
- RFPIO LookUp allows access to the RFPIO Content Library from various applications and browsers.
- Time-saving features to enhance proposals with tables, images, and rich text, with options to export into source files or branded templates.
Pricing:
To use this software, interested parties can directly get in touch with RFPIO directly for custom pricing. The platform offers a free demo to showcase its capabilities.
Qwilr
Qwilr stands as the best business proposal software to enhance revenue generation through comprehensive insights into buyer engagement during crucial deal stages. With a focus on facilitating streamlined payment processing, reducing average payment time, and increasing close rates, Qwilr introduces interactive sales material creation, global payment processing, and efficient deal tracking. This tool proves beneficial not only for sales teams but also contributes to efficient collaboration and engagement during the sales process.
Best Features:
Instant Payment Options: Qwilr enables customers to pay instantly using various methods, including credit cards (EMV three – Europay, Mastercard, Visa), debit cards, bank transfers, merchant accounts, PayPal, and more. This feature accelerates payment processing and reduces the average payment time to just 2 days.
Custom and InteractiveProposals: Users can create custom and interactive proposals for small businesses that leave a lasting impression. Instead of traditional attachments, Qwilr allows teams to send a URL, providing a dynamic and engaging experience.
Sign, Pay, and Upsell on One Interactive Page: Qwilr empowers buyers to sign contracts, make payments, and explore upsell opportunities – all through a single interactive page. This streamlined approach enhances deal closure with efficiency.
Key Offerings:
- Accelerated payment processing with multiple instant payment options.
- Dynamic and interactive sales material creation to impress buyers.
- All-in-one interactive pages for signing, payment, and upselling opportunities.
- Template and asset libraries for automated sales material generation from CRM.
- Content Editor
- e-signature and payments
- Dynamic pricing table
- Page analytics
- HubSpot CRM
- Account manager (10+ seats only)
- Salesforce integration
- Custom domain
- Team permissions
- Add on API
Pricing:
Pricing for the Qwilr Business plan starts from $35 per month per user. The platform offers flexibility in pricing to cater to the varying needs of users.
A 14-day free trial can be used to understand the features offered by the proposal writing software.
How To Use The Best Proposal Software For Small Businesses To Floor Clients?
To impress clients by using the best proposal software for small businesses, use these steps:
- Professional Templates: Utilize polished and well-designed software proposal templates to create visually appealing proposals.
- Personalization: Tailor each proposal to address the specific needs and concerns of the client.
- Clear Communication: Ensure your software business proposal communicates the value your business brings and how it addresses the client's requirements.
- Visuals and Multimedia: Include visuals, charts, and multimedia elements. It will make your proposal engaging and easy to understand.
- Timely Delivery: Submit proposals promptly to show your commitment and responsiveness.
- Collaboration: Leverage collaboration proposal management tools within the software to gather input from team members and ensure a comprehensive proposal.
- Follow-up: Use tracking features to monitor client interactions with the proposal and follow up accordingly.
- Electronic Signatures: Simplify the approval process with digital signatures for a quicker turnaround.
- Detailed Analytics: Analyze proposal engagement data to refine future proposals and understand client interests.
By combining these strategies with the capabilities of the best proposal software for small businesses, you can create compelling proposals that stand out and increase your chances of winning clients.
Get Set, Propose!
In this world of competition, it is important to shine out and establish your place. Making a good first impression is one important step to do that and therefore, best proposal software for small businesses hold great significance in the workplace.
Small businesses need to step up their proposal game and we understood the ways to generate software business proposals to floor the clients. There are features and one can use any software proposal template to create the best proposal according to their needs. These software formulate a professional and polished proposal to you.
Using these tools, especially the best proposal software like Cone you can shine out and become confident of your proposal. So why wait?
Try Cone for FREE today.
Frequently asked questions
Let us look at the answers to some of the commonly asked questions about the best proposal software for small businesses.
- What Is The Best Software For Small Business?
The best software for small businesses depends on needs. Popular options include QuickBooks, Microsoft 365 for productivity, and Salesforce for customer relationship management.
- What App Can I Use to Write a Business Proposal?
You can use apps like Microsoft Word, Google Docs to create and manage business proposals. Alternatively, you can use proposal software to write and manage business proposals. These platforms offer templates and editors for effective proposal creation.
- How Do I Write A Business Proposal For A Small Business?
First, when writing a business proposal outline objectives, provide solutions that you can offer and include pricing details. Use a straightforward structure, focusing on the customer needs and unique selling points.
- What Is Proposal Management Software?
Proposal management software helps to simplify the processes of proposal generation, tracking and collaboration. It helps in control of the entire proposal life cycle. It, thus, improves efficiency and organization.
- What Is the Best Business Proposal Format?
The best formatting of business proposals encompasses the cover, executive summary, problem statement, and suggested solution with mentioning costs and call to action. Make sure that clarity and conciseness are maintained as well as professionalism throughout.
- Why Do Small Businesses Need Proposal Management Software?
Small businesses need proposal software to improve proposal creation efficiency and avoid manual errors. It ensures consistency, professionalism and enhances collaboration among team members.
- Can Proposal Software Be Customized For Specific Client Needs?
Yes, many proposal software solutions offer customization options. Businesses can tailor proposals to meet specific client needs, ensuring a personalized and impactful presentation.
- Is Proposal Software User-Friendly For Small Business Teams?
Yes, many proposal software options are designed with user-friendly interfaces. They cater to the needs of small business teams. In turn, offers features for efficient proposal creation and collaboration.
- How Do I Choose The Best Proposal Software For My Small Business?
Choose proposal software based on your business needs. Consider factors like customization, collaboration features, and ease of use for optimal suitability.
- What Should A Good Proposal Include?
A good proposal includes a clear problem statement, a proposed solution, pricing details, a timeline, and a clear call to action. It addresses client-specific needs.
- Should You Follow Up After Submitting A Proposal?
Yes, following up after submitting a proposal is crucial. It shows commitment. It allows for clarification of any queries and increases the chances of securing the business.
- Are Proposals And Business Plans The Same?
No, proposals and business plans serve different purposes. Proposals outline specific solutions for a client. Business plans offer a broad overview of a company's goals, strategies, and operations.