For the past 10 years, BusinessPlanTemplate.com has been the leading resource for business plan templates to help entrepreneurs start and/or grow their businesses. Founded and led by Dave Lavinsky, an internationally renowned expert in the field of business planning and new venture development, BusinessPlanTemplate.com has helped over 1 million entrepreneurs create business plans and achieve financial success.
We are passionate about business plans since there is considerable research showing that businesses that create formal business plans are much more likely to succeed in the long term. Plus, if you’re seeking funding, virtually all lenders and investors will require you to present them with the traditional business plan format.
With our business plan templates, you can save time and effort, as you don’t have to start from scratch when creating your own plan.
By using our simple business plan template, you can create a professional plan that is more likely to impress potential investors, lenders, and/or business partners.
A business plan template acts as a guide, giving you the proper format to ensure you include all essential elements of a professional business plan.
Having a business plan template tailored to your industry, like we offer makes it even easier for you to create your own business plan.
Our library includes over 250 business plan templates. Each business plan template has been uniquely prepared for a specific industry or sector so that entrepreneurs and business owners can use them to create business plans of their own.
Select Your Industry Template
The first step is to identify your industry and navigate to that template on our website. We have over 250 free business plan templates from which you can choose, each tailored to specific industries and business models, to help you with the writing process.
Customize Your Business Plan
Once you have selected the best business plan template for your business, copy and customize it to your specific business needs including your business concept, target customers, marketing strategy and financial data demonstrating that you can build a successful business.
Create Your Financial Projections
If you are seeking funding for your business, it is important to use accurate financial forecasts to convince potential investors that your business is a sound investment. Whether you are a new business or existing one, your Financial Plan should include an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
Review Your Business Plan
Review your plan to ensure it is professionally presented, free of spelling and grammatical errors, visually enticing, and in an easy-to-read format for your target audience. Once you are happy with your plan, save it to your computer for future updates.
The executive summary of a business plan is a concise overview of your entire plan. It provides a summary of the key points, including your business idea, business strategy, target market, management team, financial projections, and funding requirements. It should be clear, concise, and engaging, capturing the reader's attention and providing a strong foundation for understanding your entire business plan.
The company overview section of your business plan provides a comprehensive description of your company. It outlines your company's mission, goals, history, product or service offering, business structure, and target market. This section helps potential investors and stakeholders understand the company's purpose, its unique value proposition, and its growth potential.
The industry analysis section, also called the market analysis, provides an analysis of the specific industry in which your business operates. It delves into the industry's current state, growth potential, key trends, and competitive landscape. This section is supported by market research and typically includes a discussion of market size, target market demographics, and the major players within the industry.
The customer analysis section of your business plan provides a detailed overview of your target market. It includes a demographic profile of your target customers, identifying key characteristics like age, income, location, and lifestyle preferences. This analysis also includes customer segmentation, dividing your market into distinct groups based on shared needs, behaviors, or other criteria.
The competitive analysis is a crucial component of a business plan. It involves identifying and evaluating direct and indirect competitors, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and determining your company's unique competitive advantage. Showing your competitive advantages is crucial when seeking a business loan or equity funding for a new or existing business.
The marketing plan outlines the strategies and tactics your business will use to attract and retain customers. This includes identifying your target market and determining your marketing mix (product, price, place, promotions strategy). Here you will also detail your product or service strategy, mention your intellectual property (if that's what you're selling) and detail your sales strategies.
The operations plan outlines the day-to-day activities and processes required to run your business. It includes defining functional roles, allocating responsibilities, establishing operational procedures, and setting key performance indicators (KPIs). It also involves developing a timeline for milestones, such as hiring staff, launching operations, and reaching specific revenue goals.
The management team section of your plan outlines the key members responsible for leading and operating your business and the organizational structure. It details your team's qualifications, experience, roles, and responsibilities. It also highlights the team's strengths, expertise, and how their collective skills will contribute to the company's success.
The financial plan section shows your business' ability to generate revenues, manage expenses, and achieve profitability. If you need to secure funding, it also presents your funding requirements and how the funds will be used. Potential investors and lenders will scrutinize this section, particularly your projected income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheet.