Don’t write an RFP: Why Request for Proposals (RFPs) Aren’t the Answer for Your eCommerce Development Projects

Why RFPs Aren’t the Answer for Your eCommerce Development Projects

At InteractOne, we’ve learned that RFPs aren’t the best way to approach eCommerce projects. They often lead to more headaches than solutions. If you’re a merchant grappling with the decision of how to hire an agency for your project, you’re not alone. The cumbersome RFP process often leads to frustration, delays, and mediocre results delivered by sub-par service in the RFP response. 

But there’s a better way. Instead of getting bogged down in the wasteful RFP process, try a direct approach. At InteractOne, we specialize in cutting through the noise to deliver tailored solutions promptly and effectively, bypassing the inefficiencies of traditional RFPs. 

Interested in finding the solution to your eCommerce projects? Contact Us.

In this blog post, we’ll debunk the RFP efficiency myth and showcase the advantages of a direct approach. Discover why RFPs fall short and how choosing the right agency is the key to success. Plus, we’ll delve into what sets InteractOne’s approach apart from the rest.

• What is an RFP? What is the purpose of an RFP Template?
• Why the RFP (Request for Proposal) Falls short for eCommerce
• Don’t Write an RFP: Why You Should Interview and Hire an Agency Directly
• Benefits of Hiring an Agency Directly VS Using and RFP Template
• How to Vet and Hire an Agency Without an RFP
• How InteractOne Works with Prospective Clients

What is an RFP? What is the purpose of an RFP Template?

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a formal document that businesses use to solicit bids from potential vendors for a specific project or service. For eCommerce businesses seeking assistance from digital agencies, an RFP typically outlines the scope of work, project requirements, timeline, budget constraints, and evaluation criteria.

Traditionally, the RFP process unfolds like this: a merchant identifies a need for marketing or development services, writes an RFP detailing their requirements, and distributes it to a list of potential vendors. These vendors then respond with proposals outlining how they would address the merchant’s needs, including pricing, timelines, and proposed strategies.

On the surface, the RFP process seems like a structured and systematic way to evaluate vendors and select the best fit for a project. However, in practice, it often falls short of expectations for several reasons, which we’ll talk about next.

Why the RFP (Request for Proposal) Falls Short for eCommerce

The RFP process has its problems. It is time-consuming for both merchants and vendors. Receiving numerous responses might seem advantageous, but it can actually make decisions harder. Creating a thorough RFP demands a lot of time and effort from the merchant, who likely lacks the experience and expertise to thoroughly document what they need to the bidders. The formal nature of the process can stifle creativity, leading to cookie-cutter, low-quality solutions rather than innovative ideas. Misunderstandings and communication issues are common, as written words often fail to convey nuanced details effectively. Moreover, there’s no assurance that responders who submit a proposal will have the necessary technical expertise to do the project right. Overemphasizing price may lead to picking a vendor just because they’re cheap, even if they’re not the best choice overall.

At InteractOne, we’ve pinpointed specific challenges with using RFPs in eCommerce development bidding process, underscoring the complexities of this specialized industry.

Waterfall Project Management

Using RFPs often means following waterfall project management methods, where tasks are completed in a strict sequence, akin to water flowing down steps. Each step must be finished before moving to the next one, with little room for changes once the plan is set. This approach might seem organized, but it often leads to problems in eCommerce development. eCommerce projects need flexibility to adapt as they progress, which waterfall methods don’t allow. This rigidity can cause projects to fail because they can’t adjust to new needs or problems that come up along the way.

Inefficiency in Vendor Selection

Top-tier agencies with established clientele often steer clear of responding to RFPs because of the significant time investment and low success rate associated with them. As a result, RFPs are more likely to attract lower-tier agencies seeking work than those with superior talent, which means the quality of vendors chosen in this procurement process isn’t always the best.

Lack of Specificity and Customization

RFP templates often contain generic requirements that fail to fully capture the unique needs and goals of eCommerce businesses. It’s important to understand that marketing plans must be customized to fit each eCommerce company’s niche, target customers, and competition. Just writing down what the current system does and expecting a new one to be exactly the same doesn’t work for software.

Think of it like trying to make a new Tesla car work like an old Ford. If you’re getting a new Tesla for all its latest features, you wouldn’t try to make it act like your old Ford—it just wouldn’t make sense or be helpful.

Don’t Write an RFP: Why You Should Interview and Hire an Agency Directly

As we’ve explained, an RFP creates more problems than it solves. Opting out of the RFP process and going straight to hiring can be a smart move. It allows for stronger relationships, faster decision-making, deeper collaboration, and tailored agreements.

Benefits of Hiring an Agency Directly VS Using and RFP Template

• Ensures Experience: Hiring directly means you can pick an agency with the exact experience, skills, and selection criteria to meet your project needs. You don’t have to sort through generic proposals—instead, you can find a partner who has a proven history in your industry.
• Reliable Information: Dealing directly with agencies gives you trustworthy details about what they can do, their past work, and how they work with clients. This firsthand info helps you decide which agency fits your needs best.
• Efficient Focus: Direct hiring lets you concentrate better on what you need for your project. Instead of sifting through lots of proposals, you can spend your time and energy finding agencies that closely match your goals and ideas.
• Faster Start: With the RFP process out of the equation, you can get going on your project faster. Talking directly to agencies speeds up hiring, so you can start with confidence and move forward swiftly.
• Better Finished Product: A great agency of eCommerce experts will help you consider the big picture and create a software solution that is the right fit and tailored to grow your business instead.

How to Vet and Hire an Agency Without an RFP

To choose the right agency without using the typical RFP route, treat it like hiring a key management employee. Invest time and care into thorough research and meticulous candidate evaluation.

1. Prepare Documentation: Clearly define what qualities you’re looking for in an agency and document your high-level requirements. Be specific about the skills and qualities you need, matching them to what your eCommerce business needs.

2. Conduct In-Depth Interviews: Set up face-to-face meetings with agencies you’re interested in. This lets you see if they’re a good match for your eCommerce business. Talking directly helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures everyone’s on the same page.

3. Assess Compatibility: During the meetings, see if the agency not only has the technical skills you need but also fits well with your business culture. Make sure their ideas, abilities, creativity, and prices match what you want.

4. Comprehensive Evaluation: Take a holistic approach to evaluating agencies, considering factors beyond just technical skills. Look at their strategic thinking, communication style, project management capabilities, and overall fit with your business objectives.

By following these steps, you can confidently navigate the agency hiring process and find the perfect partner to bring your eCommerce vision to life.

How InteractOne Works with Prospective Clients

InteractOne’s way of initially engaging focuses on what really matters: making your eCommerce business successful. We know that each eCommerce project is different, so we don’t use the same solutions or deliverable RFP template for every merchant. Instead, we concentrate on what’s important: your eCommerce success. We put our clients first and adapt to make sure every project succeeds.

Listening to You

We start by listening carefully to your business needs. We look at your current website, understand your goals, and set clear targets for the project. By working closely with you, we build trust and teamwork right from the start.

Finding the Right Solutions

We use our years of experience and expertise in the eCommerce industry to help you find the best solutions for your needs. We don’t believe in using the same plan for everyone; instead, we learn about your business and make personalized suggestions to help you reach your goals.

Supporting You Now and Later

Our support doesn’t stop when the project is finished. We’re here to help, improve, and grow with you as your business evolves. Whether launching a new website or updating an existing one, we’ll be by your side, ensuring your eCommerce business keeps growing and succeeding.

It’s Time to Ditch the RFP Process and Hire Directly

To sum up, bypassing the traditional RFP process and directly hiring an agency has many advantages for eCommerce businesses:

Efficiency: Direct hiring speeds things up so you can find the right partner for your project faster.

Quality: Dealing directly with agencies gives you the opportunity to hire premier agencies with a record of doing great work. And a top agency will do a much better job of architecting a solution than an RFP process.

Success: Working with an experienced digital agency that understands development and marketing to architect and create a best-fit solution dramatically increases your chances of seeing a great result from your eCommerce project.

At InteractOne, we’re dedicated to getting great results for our clients. Our client-centric approach, combined with our expertise and adaptability, makes us stand out in eCommerce development compared to other potential bidders.

So, if you’re ready to take your eCommerce project to the next level, consider forgoing the usual RFP process and interview agencies like us instead. Let us show you why hiring directly is the smarter choice for your business. Get in touch with us today to submit a request for information and let’s bring your eCommerce vision to life together.