If you're sending proposals and sales documents but have no idea if your clients even open them, you're flying blind. Maybe you're tired of sending follow-up emails into the void, or you just want to know what works and what doesn't. This guide is for sales teams, account managers, and anyone who wants real answers—not just wishful thinking—about how proposals perform.
We'll walk through, step by step, how to track proposal analytics and client engagement inside Clientpoint, what to focus on, what data matters, and what’s frankly not worth your time. No jargon, no fluff—just practical advice.
1. Get the Basics Right: Setting Up Proposals for Tracking
Before you worry about analytics, make sure you’re actually using Clientpoint’s proposal features the right way. If you’re still sending PDFs as email attachments, stop right there—Clientpoint tracking only works if you send your proposals through their platform.
Here’s how to make sure you’re set up:
- Create your proposal inside Clientpoint – Upload your docs, use templates, or build from scratch.
- Add recipients – Make sure you’ve got the right emails for everyone involved. (If you send to a group email, you won’t know who’s really viewing.)
- Send from Clientpoint, not your inbox – All the tracking magic happens when proposals are sent via the platform.
Pro tip: If you’re worried about deliverability (proposals ending up in spam), do a test send to yourself and check where it lands.
2. Understanding What Clientpoint Tracks—And What It Doesn’t
Let’s be clear: Clientpoint isn’t reading minds. It tracks digital behavior, not client intentions. Here’s what you’ll see:
What You Get
- Open notifications – Date and time the proposal was first opened.
- Page-by-page analytics – Which sections were viewed, for how long, and in what order.
- Repeat visits – How many times the proposal was re-opened, and by whom.
- Forwarding activity – If someone else opens the link (e.g., forwarded to another stakeholder).
- Downloads and prints – If your proposal was downloaded or printed.
What You Don’t Get
- Offline activity – If someone prints it out and passes it around, you’re out of luck.
- Real intent – Just because someone spent 10 minutes on pricing doesn’t mean they’re ready to buy.
- Detailed identity – If a proposal is opened by someone not on your recipient list, you might see “Unknown Visitor.”
Bottom line: Treat the analytics as clues, not gospel.
3. Step-by-Step: Tracking Proposal Analytics in Clientpoint
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
Step 1: Send Your Proposal
- Use Clientpoint’s “Send” feature.
- Double-check recipient emails.
- Add any password protection or viewing restrictions if you want to limit who can access the proposal.
Step 2: Access the Analytics Dashboard
- Log in to your Clientpoint account.
- Find your proposal (usually under “Sent” or “Proposals”).
- Click into the proposal to access its analytics dashboard.
Step 3: Read the Engagement Data
You’ll see an overview of:
- Last opened – Useful for follow-ups (“I saw you read the proposal on Tuesday…”)
- Total views – Tells you how interested someone might be—or if it’s bouncing between stakeholders.
- Time spent per section – Pay special attention to areas like pricing, terms, or case studies.
What Actually Matters
- Multiple opens from the same person: They’re probably discussing or reviewing seriously.
- Multiple opens from different people: The proposal is being shared internally—good sign, usually.
- Long time on a page: Indicates interest, or maybe confusion. If they linger on “Pricing,” it might be a sticking point.
- Short, repeated opens: Could mean someone is skimming or just double-checking details.
Ignore: One-off, ultra-short opens (a few seconds) could just be someone clicking by accident.
Step 4: Set Up Notifications (Optional)
Clientpoint can send you alerts when someone opens the proposal or takes specific actions (like downloads). Decide if you want real-time pings, daily summaries, or just check in manually.
- Real-time notifications: Great if you want to follow up quickly, but can be distracting.
- Digest emails: Good for keeping tabs without constant interruptions.
4. Using the Data: What to Do (and What Not To)
Analytics are only useful if you act on them—but don’t overthink it. Here’s how to use what you see:
Good Moves
- Time your follow-ups: Reach out shortly after a proposal is opened or if there’s a spike in engagement. “Saw you had a chance to review the proposal—any questions?”
- Tweak your proposals: If everyone bounces after page 2, maybe your intro is too long. If pricing sections get tons of attention, try making them clearer or more compelling.
- Identify new stakeholders: If you see new viewers, ask your original contact if others need to be looped in.
What to Avoid
- Reading too much into one open: Not every “view” is a hot lead. Some people just click.
- Over-automating follow-ups: Personalized outreach beats generic “I saw you opened the proposal…” emails every time.
- Micromanaging based on every data blip: Patterns matter more than single actions.
Pro tip: Use analytics to start conversations, not close deals on the spot.
5. Common Pitfalls to Watch Out For
No tool is perfect, and Clientpoint is no exception. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Link forwarding: If your proposal bounces around an organization, you might see “Unknown Visitor” or multiple opens from new locations. That’s normal, but don’t assume every new view is a decision-maker.
- Analytics overload: It’s easy to get obsessed with every metric. Focus on trends and big signals, not every little detail.
- Assuming intent: Lots of views don’t always mean interest—sometimes it’s confusion, indecision, or bureaucracy.
- Privacy settings: Some clients might block tracking pixels or use browsers that limit analytics. If engagement looks oddly low, that could be why.
6. Advanced Tips (If You Really Want to Dig In)
If you’ve got the basics down and want to get more from Clientpoint analytics:
- Segment by proposal type: See if certain templates or document structures perform better.
- A/B test your content: Try small changes (e.g., different pricing layouts) and watch for patterns over time.
- Integrate with your CRM: Pipe engagement data into your CRM so it’s part of your overall sales workflow.
- Set up team alerts: If you’re working as a group, have key people notified of engagement spikes.
But honestly? Don’t get bogged down in endless tweaking. The goal is to get proposals read and deals closed, not to win at analytics.
7. What to Ignore (Seriously)
Not every “feature” is worth your time. Here’s what you can skip:
- Vanity metrics: “Total document downloads” means little if no one’s following up.
- Heatmaps of where the mouse hovered: Interesting, but rarely actionable.
- Obsessing over device types: Whether they opened on mobile or desktop doesn’t usually change your next step.
Stick to what helps you have better conversations and make smarter decisions.
Keep It Simple: Final Thoughts
Clientpoint’s analytics can be a game-changer—if you use them to guide real conversations and smarter follow-ups, not as an excuse to micromanage or overanalyze. Focus on the key signals: who’s opening, how often, and where they spend their time. Skip the vanity stats, don’t chase ghosts, and remember that no tool replaces good old-fashioned relationship-building.
Start with the basics, get a feel for what matters in your sales cycle, and tweak as you go. The goal isn’t to stalk your clients—it’s to understand what they care about, so you can close more deals with less guesswork.