10 Best Free Business Plan Templates for Small Businesses
Starting a new business is never easy, especially when it comes to crafting a business plan. A business plan is the foundation of any new venture and serves as a roadmap for success. However, creating a business plan from scratch can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and costly. Fortunately, there are plenty of free business plan templates available online that can help small businesses get off the ground. In this article, we will explore the 10 best free business plan templates for small businesses.
1. SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping small businesses start and grow. Their business plan template is available for free download on their website and is designed for startups and established businesses alike. With sections for executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, products and services, marketing and sales, and financial projections, SCORE’s template covers all the necessary components of a comprehensive business plan.
2. U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a free business plan template that is easy to use and customizable. The template includes step-by-step instructions and helpful tips on how to fill out each section. It also includes a section specifically for financial projections, which is essential for securing funding from investors or lenders.
3. Bplans
Bplans offers a library of free business plan templates covering a range of industries, including retail, healthcare, and technology. Their templates include prompts for each section, along with instructions on what to include. Bplans also provides additional resources and tools for small businesses, such as a business planning guide and financial calculators.
4. HubSpot
HubSpot’s business plan template is designed for startups and small businesses looking to expand. It includes sections for executive summary, problem and solution, market analysis, target market and buyer personas, competitive analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, and financial plan. The template also comes with a handy guide explaining the purpose of each section and how to fill it out.
5. Palo Alto Software
Palo Alto Software offers a variety of free and paid business plan templates, including a one-page pitch template and a lean planning template. Their flagship product, LivePlan, is a cloud-based software that includes a business plan template and other helpful features such as financial forecasting and performance tracking.
6. Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office provides a free business plan template for Word that can be customized to fit your needs. The template includes sections for executive summary, company overview, market analysis, product or service offerings, marketing and sales plan, and financial projections. Microsoft Office also offers other useful tools for small businesses, such as Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.
7. Business.gov.au
Business.gov.au is a government website that provides resources and tools for small businesses in Australia. Their business plan template includes sections for executive summary, business overview, marketing strategy, operational plan, and financial plan. The template is easy to use and comes with helpful tips and examples for each section.
8. Invoiceberry
Invoiceberry offers a free business plan template that is ideal for freelancers, consultants, and small businesses. The template includes sections for executive summary, company description, target market, marketing and sales, financial projections, and appendix. Invoiceberry also provides other helpful tools for small businesses such as invoicing software and time tracking apps.
9. Business Plan Template Generator
The Business Plan Template Generator is an online tool that helps small businesses create a custom business plan in minutes. The tool asks a series of questions about your business, and then generates a professional-looking business plan based on your answers. The tool is free to use, but you will need to create an account to save and download your plan.
10. Upmetrics
Upmetrics is a cloud-based business planning and performance tracking software that offers a free business plan template. The template includes sections for executive summary, company overview, market analysis, target market, marketing and sales, operations plan, and financial plan. Upmetrics also provides other useful features such as financial forecasting and performance tracking.
In conclusion, a well-crafted business plan is essential for the success of any new business. Fortunately, there are plenty of free business plan templates available online that can help small businesses get started. From SCORE to Upmetrics, these templates cover all the necessary components of a comprehensive business plan and can save small businesses time and money in the planning process.
