Simple Business Plan Templates – Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but with a simple business plan template, you can turn your ideas into an actionable roadmap. A straightforward business plan not only organizes your goals but also makes it easier to secure funding and stay on track. Here, we’ll cover the best simple business plan templates to help you start strong. We’ll look at both free and paid options, exploring their features, benefits, pricing, and step-by-step purchasing options to get you set up for success.
Why Use a Simple Business Plan Template?
Using a simple business plan template brings several key advantages:
- Easy to Use: Most templates are plug-and-play, allowing you to simply fill in your information.
- Saves Time: Ready-made templates streamline the process, saving you hours on formatting and organization.
- Investor Ready: Templates are typically designed to be professional and comprehensive, ensuring they appeal to potential investors or lenders.
- Keeps You Organized: Templates often include key sections for tracking milestones, financial goals, and action items.
Top 5 Simple Business Plan Templates for 2024
Here’s a detailed look at the best simple business plan templates available, covering a variety of free and paid options to fit different business needs.
1. LivePlan Business Plan Template
LivePlan offers a flexible, easy-to-follow business plan template that includes a variety of industry-specific formats and guidance throughout each step.
- Cost: $15/month (billed annually)
- Features: Over 500 templates, step-by-step guidance, financial forecasting, integration with accounting software.
- Best For: Small businesses and startups looking for a user-friendly interface.
- Benefits: Provides robust financial forecasting tools that simplify planning and enhance investor presentations.
2. Canva Business Plan Templates
Canva is known for its beautiful designs and customization options. With Canva, you can find business plan templates that are both visually appealing and easy to use.
- Cost: Free with optional paid features (starting at $12.95/month for Canva Pro)
- Features: Drag-and-drop design, hundreds of customizable templates, collaborative features.
- Best For: Small businesses and creative entrepreneurs who want a visually appealing plan.
- Benefits: Canva’s templates can help your business plan stand out visually, which is great for presentations or branding purposes.
3. Score Business Plan Template
Score is a nonprofit organization that offers a free, comprehensive business plan template that covers all essential areas.
- Cost: Free
- Features: Simple, easy-to-follow format, guidance from business mentors, print-ready.
- Best For: Entrepreneurs looking for a no-cost solution.
- Benefits: Ideal for business owners on a budget, with added support from SCORE mentors for personalized guidance.
4. BizPlanBuilder
BizPlanBuilder provides a simple, step-by-step approach to creating a business plan, with professional templates tailored for securing financing.
- Cost: $97 (one-time fee)
- Features: Financial forecasting, investor pitch templates, collaboration tools.
- Best For: Established businesses needing a straightforward planning tool.
- Benefits: Designed to meet investor expectations with detailed forecasting tools, making it great for securing loans.
5. Microsoft Office Business Plan Template
Microsoft Office offers a basic yet effective business plan template that’s available to all Microsoft Office users.
- Cost: Free with Microsoft Office subscription
- Features: Simple layout, customizable sections, integrated with Microsoft Word or Excel.
- Best For: Small businesses looking for an easy-to-use, accessible template.
- Benefits: Familiar layout, accessible for anyone with Office software, allowing for customization without learning new tools.
Comparison Table of Simple Business Plan Templates
| Template Name | Price | Key Features | Ideal For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LivePlan | $15/month | Step-by-step guidance, financial forecasting | Small businesses, startups | User-friendly, excellent support | Paid subscription required |
| Canva | Free – $12.95/month | Drag-and-drop, collaborative templates | Creative businesses | Visually appealing, customizable | Limited financial planning tools |
| Score | Free | Comprehensive, mentor support | Budget-conscious entrepreneurs | Free, print-ready | Limited customization |
| BizPlanBuilder | $97 one-time | Investor pitch templates, collaboration | Established businesses | One-time payment, detailed templates | No free trial |
| Microsoft Office | Free with Office | Simple, accessible layout | General small businesses | Familiar interface, easy to access | Lacks specialized guidance |
Detailed Use Cases: How Simple Business Plan Templates Solve Problems
1. Quick Start for Beginners
- Tools like Score offer ready-made sections, making it easy for first-time entrepreneurs to organize their ideas without starting from scratch.
2. Investor-Ready Proposals
- For securing funding, LivePlan provides professional layouts that appeal to investors, enhancing your chances of attracting funds.
3. Collaborative Planning for Creative Teams
- Canva allows multiple users to collaborate on a visually attractive business plan, perfect for companies that value aesthetics and branding.
4. Detailed Financial Forecasting
- BizPlanBuilder offers robust financial forecasting tools, ideal for businesses that need comprehensive financial analysis and detailed projections.
5. Simple, Budget-Friendly Planning
- Microsoft Office Templates provide a no-cost option that’s simple to use and ideal for small businesses looking for a basic plan layout.
How to Buy & Get Started with Your Business Plan Template
- Choose Your Template: Select the template that best fits your needs from the options listed above.
- Sign Up for Access: Many options, like Canva and LivePlan, offer trials or require a subscription.
- Download or Customize: Download a free template (like Score or Microsoft Office) or customize a paid version.
- Start Filling Out Sections: Begin by filling out the basic information and key sections of the plan.
- Finalize and Print: Once completed, save and print your plan or present it digitally to potential investors.
Start with LivePlan | Try Canva Pro | Download Free Score Template | Get BizPlanBuilder | Use Microsoft Office Template
FAQs
1. What is the best business plan template for beginners?
The Score template is a great beginner option because it’s free and includes a comprehensive layout with mentor support.
2. Are there free business plan templates available?
Yes! Score and Microsoft Office both offer free templates that are suitable for creating a basic business plan.
3. Which template is best for attracting investors?
LivePlan offers a professional, investor-ready layout with detailed financial forecasting, making it a strong choice for pitches.
4. Can I customize these templates?
Yes, most templates are highly customizable. Options like Canva and Microsoft Office make it easy to modify the layout, colors, and sections to fit your brand.
5. Do I need special software to use these templates?
No, most templates are accessible online or can be downloaded as PDFs or Word documents. Microsoft Office templates will require Word or Excel.
This guide should help you select the best simple business plan template tailored to your business needs, saving you time and making the process smoother. Get started today and move closer to achieving your business dreams!