Winning More Deals
Best practices for creating quotes that convert, from timing to presentation.
Creating a quote is easy. Creating a quote that wins the deal takes a bit more thought. This guide covers proven practices for improving your win rate.
Speed Wins Deals
The 24-Hour Rule
In B2B equipment sales, the first quote often wins. Customers have momentum when they request a quote — capitalize on it.
Target response times:
| Request Type | Target Response |
|---|---|
| Email inquiry | Same day |
| Phone request | Within 2 hours |
| Urgent project | Within 1 hour |
WellQuote helps here: with your catalog pre-built, quotes take minutes instead of hours.
Acknowledge Immediately
If you can’t quote immediately, acknowledge the request:
“Got your request for the Johnson project. I’ll have a quote to you by end of day.”
This buys you time while showing you’re on it.
Professional Presentation
Your Quote Is Your First Impression
Many customers judge your company by your quote before they meet you. A professional quote says:
- “We’re organized”
- “We pay attention to detail”
- “We’re serious about this business”
Branding Matters
In WellQuote, customize:
- Logo — High-resolution, prominent placement
- Colors — Match your brand
- Footer — Include contact info and certifications
Clarity Over Cleverness
Your quote should be scannable. Customers should find:
- What they’re getting (products, specs)
- How much it costs (clear line items)
- What happens next (payment terms, validity)
Avoid jargon. If your customer doesn’t know what “XYZ-200-A” means, add a description.
Strategic Pricing
Show Your Value
Don’t just list prices — show what customers get:
- Include specifications — Makes comparison harder
- Bundle strategically — Kits feel like better value than parts lists
- Highlight inclusions — “Price includes installation materials and 2-year warranty”
Discount Psychology
When discounting:
- Round numbers feel arbitrary — “15% off” feels made up
- Specific numbers feel calculated — “12.3% off” feels like you ran the numbers
- Explain the discount — “Volume discount for 10+ units” justifies the price
Competitive Awareness
If you’re using WellQuote’s project tracking:
- Check if you’re high or low before finalizing
- Adjust your discount if you’re significantly off-market
- Document your reasoning for future reference
Follow-Up Strategy
The View Notification
WellQuote tells you when a customer views your quote. Use this:
| Behavior | What It Means | Your Action |
|---|---|---|
| Viewed once, quickly | Scanning, not ready | Wait 2-3 days |
| Viewed multiple times | Seriously considering | Follow up today |
| Viewed, then nothing | Comparing options | Follow up with value-add |
| Never viewed | Didn’t receive or lost interest | Re-send, try phone |
Timing Your Follow-Up
Don’t be pushy, but do be present:
- Day 1-2: No follow-up unless they viewed multiple times
- Day 3: Soft check-in (“Just making sure you received…”)
- Day 7: More direct (“Any questions I can answer?”)
- Day 14: Final push or move on
Add Value, Not Pressure
Follow-ups should offer something:
- “I noticed the system we quoted has a new efficiency rating…”
- “Just wanted to share a case study from a similar project…”
- “Happy to schedule a quick call if you have questions…”
Handling Objections
Price Objection
When they say “too expensive”:
- Understand the comparison — “Compared to what?”
- Reframe value — “This includes X, Y, Z which others quote separately”
- Offer alternatives — “I can quote a smaller system that fits your budget”
Timing Objection
When they say “not right now”:
- Set a future date — “When would be a better time to revisit?”
- Stay in touch — Add to your follow-up calendar
- Extend validity — “I’ll keep this quote valid for 60 days”
Comparison Objection
When they’re shopping around:
- Highlight differentiators — What makes your offer unique?
- Offer to match — If you can, match on the important items
- Ask for the opportunity — “If I can match the other quote, would you go with us?”
Using Projects to Win
WellQuote’s project tracking gives you visibility others don’t have:
Know Your Position
Before finalizing your quote:
- How many competitors are bidding?
- Are you high, low, or in the middle?
- What’s the typical margin for this project type?
Strategic Adjustments
If you’re significantly high:
- Consider a volume discount
- Offer extended payment terms
- Include something extra (extended warranty, installation support)
If you’re significantly low:
- Double-check your costs
- Consider holding margin — you might be leaving money on the table
- Document why you’re competitive (efficiency, volume purchasing)
Conversion Metrics
Track these in WellQuote:
| Metric | What to Watch |
|---|---|
| Win Rate | % of quotes that become orders |
| Response Time | Average time to quote after request |
| View-to-Decision | Time from first view to accept/reject |
| Average Discount | Are you giving away too much margin? |
Review monthly. Look for patterns:
- Which product categories convert best?
- Which customers have highest win rates?
- Does response time correlate with wins?
Quick Wins Checklist
- Respond to quote requests within 24 hours
- Use professional branding on all quotes
- Include product specs, not just model numbers
- Set up view notifications
- Follow up when customers view multiple times
- Check project status before finalizing pricing
- Review win rate monthly
Need help improving your win rate? Contact our team for a quote review.