Introduction
A business plan template gives structure to your ideas and turns fuzzy goals into a clear roadmap. New founders and small business owners often struggle to organize market research, financial projections, and execution steps. This guide supplies a ready-to-use template, concise examples, and practical tips so you can build an investor-ready plan or a focused internal guide.
Read on for a simple layout, fill-in prompts, a short comparison of template types, and a sample for a coffee shop and a SaaS startup.
Why a Business Plan Matters
A solid plan clarifies priorities, tests assumptions, and helps secure funding. Use it to:
- Communicate your idea to partners or investors.
- Validate market demand and pricing.
- Forecast revenue and cash needs with financial projections.
How to Use This Business Plan Template
Copy the sections below into a document or a slide deck. Keep answers short and evidence-based. Use numbers where possible.
Template Structure (High Level)
- Executive Summary
- Company Description
- Market Analysis
- Competitive Analysis / SWOT
- Products & Services
- Marketing & Sales Plan
- Operations Plan
- Management Team
- Financial Projections
- Appendix & Supporting Docs
Detailed Template Sections
Executive Summary
One page that captures the core idea. Include:
- Business name and location
- Mission statement
- What you sell and the target customer
- Funding ask and use of funds
- High-level financial snapshot (revenue, profit, break-even)
Tip: Write this last but present it first in the document.
Company Description
Explain your model in plain terms: legal structure, history, and the problem you solve. Add milestones and traction metrics like customers, pilots, or revenue to show momentum.
Market Analysis
Use data to define your target market and size. Include:
- Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM)
- Customer personas and top needs
- Pricing structure and demand signals
Real-world example: a neighborhood coffee shop might use foot-traffic counts, competitor prices, and local population to estimate monthly demand.
Competitive Analysis & SWOT
List direct and indirect competitors. Add a simple SWOT table to highlight strengths and gaps.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Strength | Proprietary recipe, loyal customers |
| Weakness | Limited marketing budget |
| Opportunity | Local office growth |
| Threat | Large chain opening nearby |
Products & Services
Describe each product or service, pricing, margins, and benefits. For software, include key features and subscription tiers. For physical goods, include unit cost and markup.
Marketing & Sales Plan
Outline channels, budget, and customer acquisition cost (CAC). Use this short checklist:
- Top channels (SEO, paid ads, referrals)
- Sales process steps
- Retention and upsell tactics
Operations Plan
Explain day-to-day logistics: suppliers, production, fulfillment, and location needs. Add timelines for launches and key milestones.
Management Team
List founders and core hires with short bios and responsibilities. Use this to show capability to execute.
Financial Projections
Include a 3-year forecast with revenue, cost of goods sold, gross margin, operating expenses, EBITDA, and cash flow. Add assumptions in bullet form.
- Sales forecast (units or subscriptions)
- Direct costs and gross margin
- Fixed costs and staffing
- Break-even month
Example: A SaaS startup projects 200 customers at $20/month in year one, $50K monthly revenue by year three, and a 70% gross margin.
Appendix
Add supporting tables, CVs, contracts, sample marketing creative, or detailed market research.
Free vs Paid Templates (Quick Comparison)
| Feature | Free Template | Paid Template |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Ranges $10–$200 |
| Customization | Basic | Advanced, branded |
| Financial Models | Simple | Robust & linked sheets |
| Support | None | Templates with guidance or coach reviews |
Sample Business Plan Snapshots
Coffee Shop (Local)
Problem: Limited high-quality coffee near office buildings. Solution: Fast service, quality beans, and light food. Key metrics: 150 daily customers, average ticket $6, break-even 10 months.
SaaS Product (B2B)
Problem: Small teams lack simple project reporting. Solution: Lightweight reporting tool with tiered pricing. Key metrics: try-to-paid conversion 5%, CAC $120, LTV $600.
Practical Tips to Improve Your Plan
- Use clear numbers and cite sources (surveys, public reports).
- Keep sections concise—investors scan for traction and unit economics.
- Use visuals for financials and customer funnels.
- Adjust tone: formal for investors, practical for internal use.
Where to Find Reliable Data
Use official resources for market figures and benchmarks. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides guides and data, and SCORE offers templates and mentoring.
Visit SBA and SCORE for vetted resources and templates.
Conclusion
Use the template sections to build a concise, evidence-backed plan. Start with the executive summary, validate market assumptions, and include clear financial projections. Update the plan as you test the market and track real results. Next step: pick a template, fill the key sections, and run the numbers for your first 12 months.