blank business plan template

Free 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..

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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 free 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

Learn more about how you can get value out of your business plan and click the link above to download your free template.

What is included in this free business plan template?

This downloadable business plan 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 download .

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

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 planning template will help you achieve your goals.

Business plan template FAQ

What file formats are available for this business plan template?

Our business plan template can be downloaded in a number of common file formats including Google Docs, Microsoft Word (doc.x), or as a free business plan PDF .

Can you print out this template for a business plan?

This is a printable template—no matter if you download it as a pdf or word document, or access via Google Docs. The business plan template is pre-formatted and structured to fit lender and investor standards, but can be edited and adjusted to suite your needs before printing. Just be aware that any changes may unintentionally break the template, so make sure to review before printing.

Why should I start with a business plan template?

You should start with a good business plan template (like this one) to avoid having to make guesses about what to include in your business plan and how to structure the document. This template helps you organize your thoughts, and provides guidance, instructions, and examples to create an investor-ready and SBA-approved business plan format. It really speeds up the planning process. Oh, and it's 100% free!

Can I write a business plan myself?

You can absolutely write a business plan by yourself. Millions of entrepreneurs have been in your exact situation and have been able to write complete, detailed, and useful business plans. By using a template, you can speed up the writing process, avoid costly mistakes, and write your business plan without having to pay for additional support.

What are the steps to write a business plan?

The steps to write a business plan include:

• Defining the opportunity: Explain the problem your business solves, the solution you offer, your target market, and the competitive landscape.
• Describing how you'll execute: Outline your marketing and sales strategies, operational plan, milestones, and success metrics.
• Adding company details: Provide information about your business structure, ownership, and team.
• Creating a financial plan and forecasts: Include detailed financial statements, forecasts, and funding requirements.
• Adding supplementary info to your appendix: Add any additional information, such as resumes, permits, and other relevant documents.
• Summarizing your plan: While it may be first, do your executive summary last. In it, you'll briefly summarize your business, highlighting key points such as mission, product/service, and basic financial information.

For additional information, check out our full step-by-step guide to write a business plan .

How many hours does it take to write a business plan?

It can take as little as 30-minutes to write a fully functioning business plan. However, if you need to create a more detailed business plan it can take multiple hours to actually write the full document. To save yourself time, be sure to pick an appropriate plan type for your intended use case. Additionally, do any necessary research and collect your notes and other documentation beforehand so that you can focus all your effort on writing your business plan.

How can I write a simple business plan?

To write a simple business plan it's best to use a one-page business plan format. A one-page business plan includes all of the same components as a more detailed business plan but is designed to fit on a single page—making it more useful as an internal planning tool. If you still want to use a traditional business plan template, just focus on using bulleted lists and short sentences while writing to create a simpler business plan.

Is writing a business plan easy?

Writing a business plan can be easy if you use the right tools, understand your business, and come in prepared to write your business plan. Using a template can make writing a business plan easier. Additionally, if you focus on just getting your information down quickly, with the expectation that you'll revisit and revise your plan, you can speed up and simplify the process .

Can someone else write my business plan for me?

Yes, you can hire a professional business plan writer to write your business plan for you. Working with a professional can be especially useful if you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template for your business plan. Just be prepared to talk about your business, provide the appropriate details, and review the finished plan to be sure it actually reflects your business. If you need help vetting professional business plan writers, check out our free resource to help you ask just the right questions  of potential plan writers.

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Powerful business plan templates

Plan for the future, no matter what your business plans are or the size of your business with these designs and templates. whether it's just one big project or an entire organization's worth of dreams, these templates will keep you and your company on track from ideation to completion..

Put your ideas to work with simple templates for every business plan

Every successful business took a lot of planning to get there, and these templates will be cornerstones of your future success. Whether you're looking to attract new business, pitch your services or reimagine your company, with these simple, customizable templates at your fingertips you can turn complexity into something tangible. These templates can become marketing assets or simply remain internal touchpoints for your team. And as your dreams change, you'll always have this template to refer to – it's easy to change what exists on paper. If you're a small business, focusing on your niche can help you dominate in your field, and you can forge a plan to figure out exactly what that niche might be and how to target your ideal customer . When it's time to share your vision with stakeholders, craft a presentation that outlines your plan succinctly and with style. Let these templates from Microsoft Designer be your partner in business strategy for years to come.

Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates

By Joe Weller | April 22, 2020

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In this article, we’ve compiled the most useful fill-in-the-blank business plan templates for you to download for free in Word, PDF, and Excel formats.

Included on this page, you’ll find a simple fill-in-the-blank business plan template , a fill-in-the-blank nonprofit business plan template , and a fill-in-the-blank Lean business plan template , as well as a 5-step how-to for filling out your business plan .

Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template

This fill-in-the-blank business plan template is easy to use and will help guide you as you write your business plan. It comes with all the standard components of a business plan and allows you to customize content that’s relevant to your product or service. 

Download Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Word | PDF  | Smartsheet

Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template for Startups

This fill-in-the-blank business plan template is designed for the startup business that needs funding and resources to get up and running. Use this template to provide your potential investors and stakeholders with information on your product and service offerings, timeline of milestones, financial requirements, marketing efforts, market analysis, and other key details.

‌Download Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template for Startups

Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank small business plan template to guide you through each part of your business strategy — whether you have an established business or plan to start at a future date. This business plan comes with a title page and includes ready-to-fill content in each section to keep your plan thorough and organized. 

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template

Fill-In-the-Blank Nonprofit Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank nonprofit business plan template to convey your nonprofit organization’s purpose and objectives to stakeholders. This template includes space for information about your nonprofit’s background, key personnel, program offerings, market analysis, marketing activities, fundraising methods, and much more. 

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Nonprofit Business Plan Template

Fill-In-the-Blank Lean Business Plan Template

This fill-in-the-blank lean business plan template enables you to highlight the key details of your plan on a single page. The template also gives you room to add the following: the names of your management team members; a visual timeline of your milestones; your unique value proposition, target customers, marketing activities, cost structure, and revenue streams; and the details about the problem you’re solving. 

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Lean Business Plan Template

Excel | Word | PDF

For additional resources related to a lean business plan, check out “One-Page Business Plan Templates.”

How Do You Fill Out a Business Plan?

How you write your business plan depends on the size and nature of your business. Below, we outline five simple steps you can take to prepare and fill out your business plan.

• Determine the Purpose of Your Business Plan: Are you creating a strategic roadmap for your business? Are you seeing if your business idea is feasible? Are you trying to attract investors? When you understand the goals of your plan, you can tailor it to your specific needs. For example, if the goal of your plan is to persuade investors to take a chance on your business, you should include sections that discuss your funding goals, how you plan to use any investment funds, what investors will receive in exchange for their investment, and what key milestones you plan to achieve with the funds. Once you determine the purpose of your plan, you will have a better idea of what information to convey and highlight in your plan. 
• Executive Summary
• Company Overview
• Market Analysis
• Organization Structure
• Service or Product Offerings
• Marketing Plan
• Sales and Operations Plan
• Financial Plan
• Financial Projections
• Conduct Research: Gather and analyze all the information you can about your business, including market and industry trends, target customers, competitors, and product or service offerings. To write a thorough and effective plan, you must have a keen understanding of your organization, your market, and the industry in which you operate. Some effective ways to conduct research include looking at your historical sales records, interviewing customers, sending surveys to your target audience, and looking at direct competitors in your industry.
• Fill In Each Section of Your Business Plan Outline: Use the research you gathered in the last step to fill out the relevant sections of your business plan outline. Only include information that is essential to the operation of your business, and keep the outline concise in order to make sure that the pertinent details don’t get lost in a sea of information. Be sure that each section of your outline focuses on and aligns with the purpose of your business plan.
• Organize and File Away All Documentation That Pertains to Your Business: File away all the information you compile about your business in an accessible location, and make sure that this information is well organized. Have a system in place to quickly locate any information that investors and stakeholders need, such as licensing agreements, patents, or other vital documentation. In addition, add some of this supporting documentation to the appendix section of your business plan and make sure you can easily locate and update it as your strategies and objectives change.

Find additional business plan templates, including a customizable business plan outline template, by visiting “Simple Business Plan Templates.”  You can learn how to write a successful simple business plan here . Visit this free non-profit business plan template roundup  or if you are looking for a business plan template by file type, visit our pages dedicated specifically to  Microsoft Excel ,  Microsoft Word , and  Adobe PDF  business plan templates. Read our articles offering  startup business plan templates  or  free 30-60-90-day business plan templates  to find more tailored options.

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