web design project layout

I know this is a little off. This is the first time ever that I have had a customer ask to have a layout as whats going to be done. Most of the time we just say build you a custom web design x number of pages this and that.

Well this customer wants a full layout. I would just pass this project over if it was not a big deal.

So my question is does anyone have a layout that they use to let the customer know what all your going to do based off what there needs are.

Thanks and rep will be given for help

There are a couple of quick things you can do. I had a customer ask me once, in that case I just sketched out a basic design on a piece of paper. It was sufficient, since I had not gotten and images or text from them yet. Ultimately, when the site was complete, it looked NOTHING like what I drew on the sheet of paper.

Anyway, on to another option, if yo have some screenshots of of sites you have designed before, or some wp themes laying around, most of them have screens in them. Find one that is close to what you are looking for. Pop it into your image editor, change where appropriate, save, print, done. I had to do this for another potential client, it looked good. to bad the person didn't even see it in the proposal I drew up.

When I talk to a client, I tell them that the design is subject to change at anytime, be it a whim from me, of imagery doesn't match the design (layout, Colors, Etc.).

Hope you get it figured out.

They are not wanting a mock up but rather a list.
home
about us
products
set up api with world ship
set up api with merchant account

and so on

How detail should i get or is there a good template that will cover most of the stuff without getting into all the api and so on

A list? Well you can always make a mind map (you know, the web diagrams). Have the central circle be their business name. Then the first layer could be the individual pages, and the second layer could be the pages linked to from the first layer, and so on.

You can have the API on the first layer, then have the API options on the second layer. After that, make a separate mind map for the API so it can be easily referenced. It will help both you and them to have the mind maps, especially the separate API mind map.

I find Freemind is a good program for making mind maps. Or you can always do pencil and paper. People just find graphical things to be more professional.

If they ever do want a layout, however, I would recommend Balsamiq Mockups, unless you do pencil and paper on that as well.