If you send a lot of proposals, you know the pain: Did they even open it? Are they stalling? Did they get hung up on the pricing page? This guide is for sales teams, freelancers, agencies—basically anyone who needs real answers from proposal analytics, not just a pile of unread notifications. If you’re using Proposable, here’s how to actually get useful client engagement data, and what’s just noise.
1. Understand What Proposable Tracks (and What It Doesn’t)
Before you start chasing numbers, get clear about what Proposable actually tracks, and what’s just wishful thinking. Here’s what you’ll get out of the box:
Proposable tracks: - When a client opens your proposal (with a timestamp) - How many times they viewed it - Which sections/pages they spent time on - When (and if) the proposal was signed - Client comments or questions on the proposal
But Proposable does NOT track: - Time spent on individual line items (unless you set up sections that way) - Email opens (that’s your email service, not Proposable) - What your client thought about your pricing (no mind-reading here) - Who forwarded the proposal (unless they add their name during viewing or signing)
Pro tip: Don’t get obsessed with “perfect” data. Even with analytics, you’re reading tea leaves. Use it as a conversation starter, not an end-all-be-all.
2. Set Up Your Proposals for Trackable Engagement
The way you build your proposals matters. If you want meaningful analytics, set things up so you can actually know what’s working.
Break Proposals Into Clear Sections
- Use separate sections for each major part: Intro, scope, pricing, terms, etc.
- This way, analytics show you which sections clients are lingering on, not just that they glanced at the doc.
Add Interactive Elements (If They Make Sense)
- Proposable lets you add comment fields, optional selections, and e-signatures.
- Use them sparingly—don’t clutter your proposal just for the sake of clicks.
- Comments are gold: they show not just engagement, but specific questions or hesitations.
Name Your Proposals and Sections Clearly
- Use client names, project titles, or dates in your proposal names.
- Label sections in human language (“Timeline,” “Our Fees,” etc.), so analytics actually mean something.
What to skip: Don’t try to track every possible action—keep it focused on the sections that drive decisions.
3. Sending Proposals—Get the Basics Right
You can’t track what they never open. Pay attention to the basics:
- Double-check recipient emails before sending.
- Always send proposals through Proposable, not as a PDF attachment. The analytics only work if they use the provided link.
- If you want to track who is viewing (if multiple stakeholders), use Proposable’s “Add Recipient” feature for each person.
Heads up: If your client forwards the proposal link to someone else, Proposable can’t always tell you exactly who’s viewing. You’ll see activity, but not names unless they interact (like commenting or signing).
4. Reading the Analytics Dashboard: What Matters, What Doesn’t
Once sent, Proposable will start logging client activity. Here’s how to actually use the dashboard, not just stare at graphs:
Key Metrics to Watch
- Views: Did they open it? How many times?
- Section Activity: Where do they spend the most time? If someone’s stuck on “Pricing” for 10 minutes, that’s a clue.
- Last Viewed: Is the proposal gathering dust, or are they coming back to it?
- Comments/Questions: Are they asking about details, or going silent?
- Signature Activity: Did they sign, decline, or just leave it hanging?
Red Herrings: What Not to Stress Over
- Tiny differences in “time spent”: Someone might have just left the tab open.
- Multiple views in a row: Could be them, or their boss, or someone who clicked by mistake.
- Analytics lag: Sometimes there’s a slight delay before activity shows up. Don’t panic.
Pro tip: Don’t read too much into a single metric. Look for patterns—like lots of views but no questions—before jumping to conclusions.
5. Follow Up Based on Actual Engagement
This is where analytics become useful—not for “big data,” but for real-world sales follow-up.
If They Opened (But Didn’t Respond)
- Follow up quickly: “Saw you had a chance to review the proposal. Any questions on the timeline or scope?”
- Mention the section they lingered on, if relevant: “Noticed you spent some time on the pricing section. Want to chat through options?”
If They Haven’t Opened It
- Don’t overthink it. Resend with a short note: “Just making sure this landed in your inbox.”
- Sometimes proposals get stuck in spam or buried. It’s not always about you.
If There Are Comments or Questions
- Respond fast—engaged clients are hot leads.
- Use their questions to refine your proposals over time. If everyone asks about the same thing, clarify that section for future proposals.
If They Keep Re-Opening It
- This usually means it’s being passed around internally. Good sign—be patient, but check in after a few days.
- Don’t pester with “I see you looked at the proposal again…” (Nobody likes a stalker.)
6. Export or Integrate Analytics (If You Need to Go Deeper)
Some teams want to pull analytics into a CRM or spreadsheet.
- Proposable lets you export proposal activity as a CSV. It’s basic, but good for tracking follow-ups.
- There are integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. This can help keep your pipeline up to date, but don’t expect magic—data quality depends on how well you set things up.
- If you’re not already using a CRM, don’t start just for analytics. Use Proposable’s built-in dashboard. More tools = more headaches.
7. Common Pitfalls and What to Ignore
Let’s be real—analytics aren’t a silver bullet. Here’s what trips most people up:
- Paralysis by analysis: Don’t obsess over every click or view. Use the data to guide conversations, not replace them.
- Assuming “no activity” means “no interest”: Some clients are just slow. Or busy. Or bad at email. Sometimes a quick phone call works better than another follow-up email.
- Trying to “game” the analytics: Clients can tell if you’re over-personalizing based on every move they make. Be helpful, not creepy.
8. Real-World Uses That Actually Work
- Spotting silent deals: If you see a proposal hasn’t been opened in days, you know to move on or check in.
- Finding sticking points: Lots of time spent on the “Terms” section? Maybe your contract’s too long or confusing.
- Improving future proposals: Use trends from multiple deals to see which sections get the most (or least) love, and adjust your templates.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Bottom line: Use Proposable’s analytics as a conversation tool, not a crystal ball. Track the basics, watch for patterns, tweak your proposals, and don’t let the software get in the way of actual selling. Start simple, learn what matters for your clients, and adjust as you go. The best analytics are the ones that help you take action—not the ones that keep you glued to your dashboard.