Dubsado Proposal vs. Contract vs. Invoice: When To Skip The Proposal
One of the features that draws people to Dubsado is the proposal tool — and for good reason. It’s sleek, on-brand, and makes it super easy to showcase your offers and get a client booked in one smooth flow.
But here’s the truth most people don’t tell you:
You don’t always need a proposal.
Yup, I said it. 😅 Let’s break down what each form is for — and when it’s okay (even better) to skip the fuss and get straight to booking.
📄 The Proposal: What It Actually Does
A Dubsado proposal is a dynamic form where clients can:
- View your services
- Select a package
- Provide key information
- And (when used with the right workflow) move right into contract + invoice
They’re ideal for:
- Clients who haven’t picked a package yet
- Businesses offering multiple customizable services
- Selling visually — especially when design matters (hello photographers, designers, and coaches!)
But here’s the catch: if your client already knows what they’re booking, the proposal becomes extra noise.
✍️ The Contract: The Real MVP
The contract is where your terms live. This is the legal agreement between you and your client, and Dubsado makes it easy to send and collect digital signatures.
You should always use a contract — whether it’s part of a proposal or sent on its own.
Pro Tip: Dubsado lets you insert smart fields into contracts to auto-fill client names, project details, and service info — no extra editing required.
💰 The Invoice: Let’s Get Paid
Your invoice handles the money side — whether it’s a one-time payment, a deposit, or a full-blown payment plan.
You can:
- Set due dates
- Automate reminders
- Accept payments through Stripe, Square, or PayPal
- Combine it with the contract to streamline the booking process
🎯 When to Skip the Proposal
Here’s where things get spicy 🌶️
If you’ve already had a discovery call and the client:
- Knows exactly what service they’re booking
- Has reviewed the details
- Is ready to move forward…
There’s no need to rehash it all in a proposal. Skip it. Send the contract and invoice directly and make it easy for them to book you faster.
This is especially helpful if:
- You’re in a corporate or B2B setting (hello, procurement process 😵💫)
- Your client needs to forward documents for approval
- You want to minimize friction and shorten your sales cycle
Proposals are beautiful — but beauty doesn’t always equal better. Sometimes, skipping the proposal is the most streamlined, client-friendly move you can make.
🧠 TL;DR: What Goes Where?
| Form | Purpose | Use It When… |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal | Showcases packages + collects selections | The client hasn’t chosen a service yet |
| Contract | Legal agreement signed by both parties | Always ✔️ |
| Invoice | Shows total due + processes payment | Always ✔️ — combine with contract for fast booking |
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — and that’s the beauty of Dubsado.
You can build a system that works for your business, your clients, and your process.
So yes, use proposals when they make sense.
But also? Give yourself permission to skip them when they don’t.
And here’s the best part:
You can still automate everything — even without a proposal.
✅ Send the contract and invoice directly via your workflow
✅ Add contract + payment reminders using a secondary “nudges” workflow
✅ Set expiration dates or due dates to keep the process moving
✅ Make sure your contract clearly outlines the service details — so even without a proposal, the client is approving what they’re signing up for
Whether you’re booking dreamy creatives or navigating a corporate org chart, Dubsado gives you flexibility to build a streamlined, client-friendly flow — with or without the pretty visuals.
