Detailed Business Plan Template for Small Business

Our free template is available to download in many common file formats including Google Docs, Microsoft Word (docx), or as a free business plan PDF.

This is a printable template—whether you download it as a pdf or word document, or access it 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.

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 in as little as 30-minutes.

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 or dedicated business plan builder 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.

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. 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 want to learn more about the process, go ahead and schedule a consultation with a LivePlan-approved professional business plan writer.