# Upwork Proposal: Website Redesign Project

**JOB POST:**
"Looking for an experienced web designer to redesign our outdated e-commerce website. We sell handmade jewelry and need a modern, mobile-friendly design that showcases our products beautifully. Current site is on Shopify. Budget: $2,000-3,500. Please share relevant portfolio examples."

**YOUR PROFILE:**
Web Designer specializing in Shopify e-commerce

---

## YOUR PROPOSAL

### Opening Hook (Client sees this in preview)
```
Your jewelry deserves better than a template that looks like every other Shopify store. I just looked at your current site—the pieces are stunning, but the design is hiding them instead of showcasing them.
```

### Full Proposal
```
Your jewelry deserves better than a template that looks like every other Shopify store. I just looked at your current site—the pieces are stunning, but the design is hiding them instead of showcasing them.

Three things I would fix immediately:

1. **Product photography layout** - Your pieces need breathing room. I would create a gallery-style layout that lets each item shine, similar to what I did for [Client Name] (link in portfolio).

2. **Mobile experience** - 70%+ of jewelry shoppers browse on mobile. Your current site requires pinching and zooming. I would make every product tap-friendly and beautiful on any screen.

3. **Trust signals** - Handmade jewelry buyers need reassurance. I would add subtle elements like artisan story sections, material sourcing info, and customer photo galleries.

I have redesigned 12 Shopify stores in the jewelry/accessories space over the past 2 years. Average result: 35% increase in mobile conversion rate.

Relevant examples in my portfolio:
- [Artisan Silver Co.] - Similar handmade aesthetic
- [Luna Gems] - Product-focused redesign
- [Coastal Jewelry] - Mobile-first approach

**My process:**
- Week 1: Wireframes + mood board for your approval
- Week 2-3: Full design + revisions
- Week 4: Development + testing + launch

I have a few questions to make sure I scope this correctly:
- Do you want to keep your current Shopify theme as a base, or start fresh?
- Are new product photos part of this project, or will you provide updated images?
- Any specific competitor sites you love the look of?

Happy to jump on a quick call to discuss. What does your availability look like this week?

Best,
[Your Name]
```

---

## PROPOSAL BREAKDOWN

| Section | Purpose | Length |
|---------|---------|--------|
| Hook (first 2 lines) | Stop the scroll, show you researched | 1-2 sentences |
| Problem Identification | Prove you understand their situation | 3 bullet points |
| Relevant Experience | Build credibility with specifics | 2-3 sentences + links |
| Process/Timeline | Reduce uncertainty | 3-4 bullet points |
| Questions | Show strategic thinking | 2-3 questions |
| Call to Action | Create next step | 1 sentence |

---

## WHAT MAKES THIS PROPOSAL WIN

### It Does Right:
- **Specific hook** - Mentions THEIR jewelry, THEIR current site
- **Shows the work** - Already analyzed their problem
- **Numbered solutions** - Easy to scan, shows expertise
- **Social proof** - 12 stores, 35% conversion lift (specific!)
- **Relevant portfolio** - Not just "check my work" but specific examples
- **Clear timeline** - Reduces client anxiety
- **Smart questions** - Shows strategic thinking, starts conversation
- **Easy CTA** - "What does your availability look like?" (low friction)

### It Avoids:
- "I am very interested in your project" (generic)
- "I have 5 years of experience" (about you, not them)
- "I am the best designer" (empty claim)
- "Please check my portfolio" (lazy)
- "Looking forward to hearing from you" (passive)
- Wall of text with no structure (hard to read)

---

## ALTERNATIVE HOOKS

Depending on the job, try these opening styles:

### Hook Style 1: Problem-Focused
```
Your current site is costing you sales. I counted 7 friction points in the checkout flow alone—here is how I would fix them.
```

### Hook Style 2: Result-Focused
```
I helped [Similar Client] increase their Shopify conversion rate by 42% with a redesign like this. Here is what I would do for you.
```

### Hook Style 3: Question-Based
```
Quick question: Are you looking for a fresh design within Shopify, or are you open to migrating? My recommendation depends on your answer.
```

### Hook Style 4: Insight-Based
```
I noticed you are targeting the bridal market but your site does not have a gift registry or wishlist feature. That is a missed opportunity I would prioritize.
```

---

## ANSWERING SCREENING QUESTIONS

If the client asks screening questions, answer them FIRST, then add your proposal.

**Example Question:** "What is your experience with Shopify?"

**Strong Answer:**
```
I have built or redesigned 23 Shopify stores over 4 years, including 12 in the jewelry/accessories space. I am comfortable with:
- Theme customization (Dawn, Debut, custom themes)
- Liquid templating for custom functionality
- App integrations (Klaviyo, Judge.me, ReCharge)
- Performance optimization (my stores average 85+ PageSpeed scores)

Most relevant to your project: I redesigned [Artisan Silver Co.] from a basic Debut theme to a custom design that increased their average order value by 28%.
```

---

## PROPOSAL TEMPLATES BY JOB TYPE

### For Fixed-Price Projects:
```
Based on your requirements, I estimate this at [X hours] of work. My fixed price would be $[amount], which includes:
- [Deliverable 1]
- [Deliverable 2]
- [Number] rounds of revisions
- [Timeline]

If the scope changes, I will flag it before doing any additional work.
```

### For Hourly Projects:
```
For a project like this, I typically work [X-Y] hours per week and provide:
- Weekly progress updates every [day]
- Time tracking via Upwork with detailed notes
- Estimated total: [X-Y] hours over [timeframe]

I am happy to start with a small paid test task if you want to evaluate my work first.
```

### For Ongoing/Retainer Work:
```
I have [X] hours available weekly for ongoing clients. My current retainer clients include [type of company] where I handle [type of work].

Happy to start with a trial month to make sure we are a good fit before committing to a longer engagement.
```

---

## PRO TIPS

| Tip | Why It Works |
|-----|-------------|
| Research their business first | 5 minutes of research beats 50 generic proposals |
| Mention something specific | Shows you are not copy-pasting |
| Use their language | Mirror words from their job post |
| Keep it scannable | Bullet points, short paragraphs, bold key points |
| Ask smart questions | Starts a conversation, shows expertise |
| Propose a quick call | Moves relationship forward faster |
| Include a timeline | Reduces client uncertainty |
| End with a question | Gets higher response rates than statements |

---

## CONNECT USAGE STRATEGY

| Job Type | Connects to Use | Why |
|----------|-----------------|-----|
| Perfect fit, high budget | 6 (boosted) | Worth the investment |
| Good fit, decent budget | 2-4 | Standard application |
| Maybe fit, learning | 2 | Test the waters |
| Long shot | 0 | Do not waste Connects |

**Rule:** Only apply to jobs where you can write a specific, personalized hook. If you cannot, skip it.