Business Plan Template for Small Businesses

Business planning can feel complicated. It doesn't have to be. Start putting pen to paper today with your free business plan template download.

Our free template includes:

Detailed instructions

More than just a template of a business plan, you'll learn how to write a winning business plan.

SBA-lender approved format

Your plan is formatted the way lenders and investors expect.

Fill-in-the-blanks simplicity

You don't need to be an expert. This business plan template makes business planning easy.

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Why you need a business plan template

Writing a business plan can seem like a big task, especially if you’re starting a business for the first time and don’t have a financial background. After all, business plans have changed over the years, and what lenders and investors expect now is different than it was even just 10 years ago.

But using a business plan template will help you:

• Develop a strategy for success
• Reduce the risk of starting a business
• Explore new business ideas
• Attract investors and get funding

What is included in this free business plan template?

This template includes definitions, guidance, and examples for every business plan component needed to start, fund, and grow your business. Here are the sections covered in this template.

Executive summary

The brief summary of your business plan introduces everyone to your business, the problem you solve, and what you’re asking from your readers. It’s the first chapter of your business plan and the last thing you write once you have the details from your full plan.

• Company Purpose / Mission Statement: Briefly describe the business purpose or mission.
• Problem We Solve: Summarize the market need or problem addressed.
• Our Solution: Describe the product or service offered.
• Target Market: Identify the primary customer base.
• Team: Outline key team members.
• Financial Summary: Provide a brief overview of financial goals.
• *Optional Sections:
  • Traction: Highlight initial sales or milestones.
  • Funding Needed: Specify capital requirements if seeking funding.

  Problem & solution

  More than a simple description of your products and services – here you define the problem you’re solving and the value you provide. It’s also your chance to showcase any initial traction that shows you’re on the right track.

  • Problem Worth Solving: Detailed description of the customer problem.
  • Our Solution: Detailed description of the product or service.
  • *Optional Sections:
    • Traction: Evidence of market interest, such as sales or contracts.
    • Intellectual Property/Patents: Outline any relevant IP or patents.
    • Regulatory Requirements: Details on necessary government approvals.
    • Future Products and Services: Potential future offerings.

    Market analysis and target market

    A detailed assessment of the market you intend to enter, including the size and value of the market, potential customer segments, and their buying patterns.

    • Market Size & Segments: Define the size and characteristics of your target market.
    • *Optional Sections:
      • Market Trends: Consumer behavior and financial trends.
      • Market Growth: Potential market size changes.
      • Industry Analysis: Describe industry changes or trends.
      • Key Customers: Identify any major customers.
      • Future Markets: Potential market opportunities and strategy.

      Competition

      Show that you know who your competitors are, what advantages you have, and how you’re positioning your business to be competitive.

      • Current Alternatives: Identify competitors in the market.
      • Our Advantages: Describe strategic advantages over competitors.
      • *Barriers to Entry (Optional): Discuss any barriers preventing new competition.

      Marketing & sales

      Describe how you’ll reach and sell to potential customers with a detailed sales plan and chosen marketing channels.

      • Market Positioning: Define where your product or service fits in the market.
      • Marketing Plan: Outline the strategy for reaching your target market.
      • Sales Plan: Explain the sales strategy.
      • *Optional Sections:
        • Unique Value Proposition: What makes your offering unique.
        • Pricing Strategy: Pricing compared to market alternatives.
        • Distribution: How your product/service will reach customers.
        • SWOT Analysis: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

        Operations

        What makes your business run? Outline the day-to-day workflows and what needs to be set up for your business to deliver a product or service.

        • Location & Facilities: Describe physical locations and facilities.
        • Technology: Key technology crucial for the business.
        • Equipment & Tools: Special equipment or tools required.
        • *Optional Sections:
          • Sourcing and Fulfillment: Description of sourcing and supply chain.
          • Partners and Resources: Key partners and their contributions.

          Milestones & metrics

          Set goals for your business that include the dates and people responsible for accomplishing them. This is what you’ll use to manage responsibilities, track growth, and execute your larger strategy.

          • Milestones: Specific goals and objectives with a timeline.
          • Key Metrics: Performance indicators to gauge business health.

          Company overview and team

          Provide a brief rundown of the legal and structural components of your company, including your history, current team, and gaps you need to fill.

          • Organizational Structure: Overview of the legal structure.
          • Company History and Ownership: Brief history and ownership details.
          • Management Team: Key team members and their qualifications.
          • Management Team Gaps: Key positions needed for success.

          Financial plan

          Create well-structured and accurate financial statements to help you pitch to investors, land funding, and achieve long-term success. All without the help of a financial advisor or a degree in accounting.

          • Projected Profit and Loss: Expected revenue, costs, and profitability.
          • Projected Cash Flow: Cash inflows, outflows, and overall position.
          • Projected Balance Sheet: Expected assets, liabilities, and equity balances.
          • Use of Funds: Allocation of funds if raising capital.
          • Exit Strategy: Plan for eventual business exit.

          Appendix

          While not required, this last section of your business plan is a great place to drop in additional documents that support and strengthen the rest of your plan.

          How do you write a simple business plan?

          If you’re exploring a business idea and don’t plan to pursue funding, then you actually don’t need to write a traditional business plan. Instead, opt for a one-page plan, which is far easier to create but just as effective.

          To write a simple one-page business plan, follow the same core sections as a traditional plan. But instead of lengthy paragraphs and multiple pages covering each area of your business, stick with single sentences and bulleted lists.

          If a one-page plan sounds like a better option, download our free simple one-page business plan template to get started.

          Start your business plan today

          Whether you're writing a business plan to validate your business idea, secure funding, or grow your existing business – our free business plan template will help you achieve your goals.