When you send a quote through SemaQuote, your client gets a clear, professional view of your proposal. Understanding exactly what they see helps you craft quotes that win more business.
Let's walk through the quote viewing experience from your client's perspective.
Two Ways to Open a Quote
Your clients can access a quote through either of these paths:
- The direct link - Clicking the link in your email notification takes them straight to that specific quote
- From their portal dashboard - If they're already browsing their client portal, pending quotes appear in the "Quotes Awaiting Your Response" section
Either way, they land on a detailed view of your proposal.
The Quote Detail Page
When your client opens a quote, everything they need is laid out clearly. Here's what they'll see, section by section.
The Header: Key Information at a Glance
At the top of the page, your client immediately sees:
- Quote number (like Q-2024-0042)
- A description of the project or work
- The total amount - displayed prominently so there's no confusion
- Validity date - when the quote expires
This header gives them the essential details before they even start scrolling.
Status Indicators: What Stage Is This Quote In?
Clear visual cues tell your client exactly where things stand:
| Status | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Pending | No banner - awaiting their response |
| Viewed | A "Viewed" badge appears on the dashboard |
| Accepted | Green "Quote Accepted" banner |
| Rejected | Red "Quote Rejected" banner |
| Expired | Yellow warning banner with expiration date |
These status indicators prevent confusion and set clear expectations.
Line Items: The Heart of Your Quote
This is where your client sees exactly what they're paying for. Each line item displays:
- Item description - What the work or material is
- Category label - Shows "Labor," "Material," or "Service"
- Quantity and unit price - Formatted as "2 x $150.00"
- Line total - The calculated amount for that item
This transparency builds trust. When clients understand what they're getting, they feel more confident saying yes.
Pro tip: Write descriptions that make sense to your clients, not just to you. Instead of "Labor - Kitchen," try "Kitchen cabinet installation labor (8 hours estimated)."
Pricing Summary: The Bottom Line
Below the line items, a summary section brings it all together:
- Subtotal - All line items added up before tax
- Tax - If applicable, shown as a separate line
- Total - The final amount you're quoting
No hidden fees, no surprises - just straightforward pricing.
What Happens When They View a Quote
Here's something useful: the moment your client opens a quote for the first time, SemaQuote automatically:
- Updates the quote status from "Sent" to "Viewed"
- Records exactly when they looked at it
- Adds a "Viewed" badge next to that quote on their dashboard
Your client won't see any notification about this tracking - it happens seamlessly in the background. But in your SemaQuote dashboard, you can see that they've opened and reviewed your proposal.
This insight is gold. If a quote has been viewed but not responded to, you know it might be time for a friendly follow-up.
When a Quote Expires
If your client tries to view a quote after its validity date has passed, they'll see a yellow warning banner:
Quote Expired This quote expired on [date]. Please contact us for an updated quote.
When a quote is expired:
- The "Accept Quote" and "Decline" buttons disappear
- They can't respond to the quote
- A clear message prompts them to reach out for updated pricing
This protects you from clients accidentally accepting outdated pricing - especially important if material costs have changed.
Mobile-Friendly by Design
Your clients are busy. They might check your quote while waiting for an appointment or during lunch. The quote view works beautifully on mobile devices:
- Easy scrolling through line items
- Clearly formatted pricing
- Tap-friendly buttons to accept or decline
- Simple navigation back to the main portal
Everything is sized for thumbs, not just mouse clicks.
What Clients Don't See
The portal shows a clean, client-focused view. Here's what stays hidden:
- Internal notes you added to the quote
- Your profit margins or cost breakdowns
- Other clients' information - complete privacy
- Draft quotes - only quotes you've officially sent appear
Your internal business details stay internal.
Getting Around the Portal
From any quote detail page, your clients can:
- Click "Back to Portal" to return to their dashboard
- See your business name and contact information
- Navigate to other pending quotes or invoices
The navigation is intuitive - no training required.
Writing Quotes That Get Responses
Want to help your clients review quotes more effectively? Here are some practical tips:
Be specific with descriptions. "Labor - Kitchen" is vague. "Kitchen cabinet installation labor (8 hours estimated)" tells clients exactly what they're paying for.
Use categories consistently. Label each line item as Labor, Material, or Service. This helps clients understand the breakdown at a glance.
Set realistic validity periods. Give clients enough time to review and decide without feeling rushed - typically 14-30 days works well.
Include project context. Use the description field to summarize the overall scope. A little context goes a long way.
When your clients can quickly understand what they're reviewing, they make faster decisions. That means you get responses sooner and can get to work.
Next step: Learn how your clients accept quotes with electronic signatures or explore how to send and share quotes more effectively.