Why Your Client Estimate Shouldn't Sound Like a Dev Meeting
If your estimate is filled with terms like 'Google SSO' or 'Stripe API' and clients go silent - the problem isn't your skills, it's the language. Here's how to fix it.
The Problem: Tech-Speak Kills Clarity
When you’re a developer or PM, your brain naturally breaks scope into terms like “auth flow,” “CRUD operations,” or “AWS setup.” But most clients don’t think that way, especially if they’re non-technical.
You’re speaking different languages.
| You say | Client hears |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Sign up / login |
| Google SSO | Sign in with Google |
| Stripe integration | Payments |
| CRUD for users | Manage users |
| AWS setup | Hosting |
When your quote uses your language instead of theirs, here’s what happens:
- They don’t understand what’s included
- They lose attention halfway through
- They don’t ask questions, even when they’re unsure
- And your chances of closing the deal drop
The Fix: Speak Their Language
You don’t need to “dumb it down”, just make it client-aligned.
Here’s how:
✅ Translate developer-speak
You’re not just a messenger, you’re a consultant. Turn dev estimates into language your client understands.
✅ Use their own words
Look at their brief, emails, or SOW. Mirror their language so they instantly see “this covers exactly what I asked for.”
✅ Describe each item clearly
Don’t just write “User CRUD - 12h”. Say “Ability to create, edit and manage user profiles - 12h.”
Why This Matters for Your Proposal Success
When your proposal speaks the client’s language:
- It shows you understand their needs
- It increases attention and engagement
- It sparks more useful questions
- It builds trust and leads to more closed deals
If you stick to dev lingo, you risk losing your client’s interest and missing the opportunity to win the project.
The Result?
Clearer understanding → more involvement → more trust → higher chance of winning the project. Simple as that.
⚡ Want to make this easier?
That's where devtimate comes in. It helps turn developer estimates into clean, client-ready proposals in minutes, no spreadsheet chaos, no dev-speak confusion.
Try it out for free and give your clients a proposal they’ll actually read.