If you’re tired of cobbling together sales proposals with Word docs, PDFs, and endless email threads, you’re not alone. B2B sales teams need to move fast, look professional, and—let’s be honest—just get the deal done. Proposal software promises to fix all that, but most tools either overcomplicate things or nickel-and-dime you with features you’ll never use. This guide is for folks who want the truth about Bidsketch: what it actually does, where it shines, and where you’ll still bang your head against the desk.
What is Bidsketch? (And Who Actually Needs It)
Bidsketch is a proposal software tool designed for agencies, consultants, and B2B sales teams who want to create, send, and track proposals without reinventing the wheel every time. Instead of juggling templates and copy-paste jobs, you build reusable content blocks, customize proposals in minutes, and (in theory) get faster sign-offs.
Who benefits most: - Small to mid-sized agencies and consultancies with repeatable services - B2B sales teams that care about brand consistency and tracking proposal status - Teams sick of chasing clients for signatures and wondering what happens after “send”
Who might not need it: - Solo freelancers with only a few proposals a year (Google Docs is fine) - Enterprise sales teams with complex, multi-stakeholder deals (it’s not Salesforce) - Anyone looking for a do-it-all client portal or full-blown contract management
Key Features—What Matters and What’s Fluff
Let’s cut through the marketing copy. Here’s what Bidsketch actually delivers:
1. Proposal Templates & Content Reuse
You don’t want to start from scratch every time. Bidsketch lets you save sections (like About Us, Pricing, T&Cs) and mix-and-match them. You can create templates for different services or clients, then tweak as needed.
What’s good: - Real time-saver for teams with lots of similar proposals - Keeps your messaging consistent (no more rogue pricing tables) - Easy to update standard sections across all templates
Watch out for: - Template editor feels a bit dated—don’t expect Canva-level design - If your proposals are wildly different each time, the value drops fast
2. E-signatures and Client Interaction
Clients can view, accept, and e-sign proposals right from the browser. You get notified as soon as they open or accept it.
What’s good: - No more printing, scanning, or “can you please sign and fax this” emails - See when a client actually opens your proposal (handy for follow-ups) - Optional comments let clients ask questions directly
Could be better: - E-signature is basic—fine for simple agreements, but not legal-grade for complex contracts - No “version history” if you need to revise after sending (workaround: clone and resend)
3. Pricing Tables and Optional Fees
You can create dynamic pricing tables, let clients pick add-ons, and even show/hide fees.
What’s good: - Useful if you offer tiered services or upsells (e.g., “Add SEO Audit for $500”) - Reduces back-and-forth about what’s included
Annoyances: - Customization is limited; if you want fancy calculations or bundles, you’ll hit walls - No native tax calculation or recurring billing
4. Integrations
Works with tools like Zapier, FreshBooks, Harvest, and Salesforce (sort of).
What’s good: - Zapier opens up a lot of possibilities for automating workflows (e.g., create task in Asana when proposal is signed) - Decent for connecting to time tracking or invoicing tools
Reality check: - Integrations can be finicky, and some require a paid Zapier plan - Don’t expect deep CRM integration—it’s not a replacement for your sales pipeline
5. Analytics & Tracking
See who opened your proposal, when, and for how long.
What’s good: - Great for timing your follow-ups (“Hey, noticed you checked out the pricing page yesterday…”) - Basic stats, easy to use
What’s missing: - No granular analytics (e.g., which sections get the most attention) - No reporting dashboard for team-wide insights
The Bidsketch Workflow: What Using It Actually Looks Like
Here’s how a typical team uses Bidsketch, step-by-step:
- Set Up Your Templates
- Import your logo, company info, and standard sections.
- Build templates for your main services: e.g., Website Design, Marketing Retainer, Consulting.
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Save reusable blocks for bios, case studies, or testimonials.
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Create a Proposal
- Pick a template, fill in the client’s details.
- Add or remove sections as needed.
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Plug in pricing tables and any optional add-ons.
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Send It Off
- Email the proposal directly from Bidsketch, or generate a shareable link.
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Set up email notifications for when the client views or accepts the proposal.
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Track and Get Sign-off
- Get notified when the client opens, comments, or signs.
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If changes are needed, clone the proposal, edit, and resend.
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Handoff to Delivery/Finance
- Download the signed proposal as PDF for your records.
- (Optional) Push data to your invoicing tool via integration.
Pro tip: Keep proposal templates lean. The more you try to “personalize” every section, the slower your process gets.
What Bidsketch Does Well
- Speeds up repeatable proposals: If your sales team sends 10+ similar proposals a month, Bidsketch really pays off.
- Keeps things simple: You won’t get lost in a maze of settings. Focus is on fast, professional proposals—period.
- Makes you look legit: The end result is cleaner and more on-brand than a Google Doc or Word PDF.
Where Bidsketch Falls Short
- Limited design flexibility: If your brand lives or dies by visual polish, you may feel boxed in.
- Basic e-signatures: Fine for most deals, but won’t satisfy Legal if you’re dealing with big contracts.
- Not a full sales platform: There’s no built-in CRM, invoicing, or deep analytics. Think of it as “proposal glue,” not an all-in-one sales suite.
- Template management can get messy: After a few months, you’ll need to prune old templates or risk confusion.
Pricing: Worth It?
Bidsketch isn’t the cheapest out there, but it’s mid-range. Pricing is per user per month, with discounts for annual plans. No free tier, just a trial.
When it’s worth the spend: - Your team sends multiple proposals a week and time is money - Losing a deal due to a sloppy proposal costs you more than the subscription
When to skip it: - You’re just starting out or only send a few proposals a year - You need advanced contract management, payment processing, or deep CRM integration
Common Alternatives (and Why You Might Choose Bidsketch Anyway)
- Proposify: More design options, but pricier and more complex.
- PandaDoc: All-in-one docs and contracts, but can be overkill for simple needs.
- Better Proposals: Slicker interface, but some features locked behind higher tiers.
- Google Docs + e-sign tool: Free, but manual and less professional.
Pick Bidsketch if you want something that’s “just enough”—not too simple, not bloated.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast
Proposal software should make sales easier, not add busywork. Bidsketch nails the basics: reusable templates, fast sending, simple tracking. Don’t overthink your setup—start small, refine your templates as you go, and only automate what actually saves time. If you’re still fiddling with formatting or chasing signatures by this time next week, give Bidsketch a shot. If not, skip the software and get back to selling.