How to Write a Price List

Whether you sell online, in a local store or through large distributors, it is important to know how to write a price list that clearly lists your items and pricing details.

Although it seems simple enough to write a price list, you have to be careful to include enough relevant information to maximize your price list's usability.

Instructions

1. ** Create a spreadsheet or table **

   To write a price list, you will need to create a price list table or spreadsheet. Price lists can be written in a simple word processing program, Excel, or even as a webpage.

   You will need to create a table with one column per piece of information and one row per item you are pricing.

2. ** Create a column for each piece of pricing information **

   Decide what information you will need on the price list and create a column for each. Each column should have a clear column heading that is bold or slightly larger font to stand out from the rest of the table.

   While the columns for each price list will be slightly different, use the steps below to find out what standard price list columns are included.

   Note: The steps labelled "optional" describe columns that do not need to be included. Include these only if appropriate.

3. ** Include an "Item" column **

   An "item" column in the price list a basic price list component. You can call this column "item", "item number" or "item no.". You can also call this column "Product". The "item" or "product" column should contain a unique name or number for each item.

   If you want to be user friendly, you can include an "item description" column next to the "item" column. The item number gives a unique qualifier for the product while the description column will give a user friendly name to the product.

4. ** Include a "Price" column **

   The next basic entry in a price list is the "Price" column.
   You can include a simple singular "price" column where the price for each item is listed. If prices vary based on quantity, you should include several price columns - one for each quantity possibility.

   For example, if you sell widgets in packages of 5, 10 and 20, you should have 3 price columns. "Price - pack of 5", "Price - pack of 10" and "Price - pack of 20".

5. ** Include URL link (optional) **

   If your price list will be read on the computer or integrated with your website, it is a good idea to link each item on the price list with the webpage URL for detailed information about that item.

6. ** Add a dealer discount column (optional) **

   If you want to write a price list for dealers or distributors, you should include a column for distributor discounts. This column can either list the dealer/distributor price per item or the percentage discount that the dealer will receive for each item.

7. ** Include a shipping price or weight column (optional) **

   If your product will be shipped to customers and your shipping price varies based on each product shipped, you can include shipping costs for each item on the price list. You can either include a shipping cost column that lists how much extra it will cost to ship each product. Alternatively, you can include a weight column where the customer adds up the weights of products to determine total shipping weight which shipping cost will be based on. You might also include a separate shipping column for each shipping destination. For example, you can include one column for "USA shipping" and one column for "International".

8. ** Fill in the price list table with data **

   Once you set up your columns correctly, it is now time to fill in the actual items and prices. Include one row per item. Fill in the price list as completely as possible. If there is a column that is not appropriate for all items, fill the appropriate cell with "n/a" or "---".

9. ** Add a clear heading on the top of the price list **

   Write a clear product list heading on the top of the price list. Include your company name and types of products listed. For example, "XYZ Corporation Summer 2009 Widgets Price List".

10. ** Include notes on the bottom of the price list **

    Underneath the price list you should include general notes such as ordering instructions, standard shipping procedures, and how long orders take to process. You should also include a short disclaimer such as "prices are subject to change without notice" to make sure you are not legally bound to these prices.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to use a clear font so that numbers on the price list are easily readable