free business plan template pages

Powerful business plan templates

Plan for the future, no matter what your business plans are or the size of your business with these designs and templates. whether it's just one big project or an entire organization's worth of dreams, these templates will keep you and your company on track from ideation to completion..

Put your ideas to work with simple templates for every business plan

Every successful business took a lot of planning to get there, and these templates will be cornerstones of your future success. Whether you're looking to attract new business, pitch your services or reimagine your company, with these simple, customizable templates at your fingertips you can turn complexity into something tangible. These templates can become marketing assets or simply remain internal touchpoints for your team. And as your dreams change, you'll always have this template to refer to – it's easy to change what exists on paper. If you're a small business, focusing on your niche can help you dominate in your field, and you can forge a plan to figure out exactly what that niche might be and how to target your ideal customer . When it's time to share your vision with stakeholders, craft a presentation that outlines your plan succinctly and with style. Let these templates from Microsoft Designer be your partner in business strategy for years to come.

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Business plan templates

From competitive analysis to financial projections, business plans give your new business a roadmap for success. Download one of our free business plan templates and take your company to the next level.

Big Data Startup Business Plan Template

Create a professional Big Data Startup business plan with our customizable Startup Business Plan Template.

Virtual Assistant Business Plan

Strategize your way to success with this customizable AI virtual assistant business plan template.

Virtual Reality (VR) Business Plan

Our free virtual reality (VR) business plan helps you customize your document and create a winning strategy to land investors.

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Laundromat Business Plan

Create your success roadmap with a laundromat business plan template, designed to arrange the essentials of the laundry business.

5-Year Business Plan Template

Empower your path to long-term success with our 5-year business plan template.

Car Wash Business Plan Template

Launch and grow your car wash business with our customizable plan template.

Airbnb Business Plan Template

Unlock your path to success with our Airbnb business plan template, made to guide you in structuring the fundamental aspects of your Airbnb business.

Clothing Line Business Plan

Use this free and customizable clothing line business plan to appeal to investors and set up your fashion brand.

Gym Business Plan Template 

The Panda tips in this gym business plan template guide you through the process of researching and presenting information necessary to secure funding and partners for your business.

Handyman Business Plan Template

Start a new handyman business using a well-researched handyman business plan template to meet your goals faster.

Vending Machine Business Plan Template

If you’re starting a new vending machine business, a well-rounded vending machine business plan can improve your chances of success.

Bar Business Plan Template

Create your path to success with our bar business plan template, designed as a valuable tool to help entrepreneurs organize the bar business.

Massage Therapy Business Plan

This massage therapy business plan template helps you cover the basics of starting or expanding a massage business.

Bed and Breakfast Business Plan Template

Use a complete bed and breakfast business plan template to set up your business for growth and success.

Catering Business Plan

Chart your path to success with our catering business plan template designed to help entrepreneurs organize their catering business.

Event Venue Business Plan Template

Launch and grow your event venue with our customizable business plan template.

Event Planning Business Plan 

Prepare your event planning business for success with our ready-to-fill and easily downloadable event planning business plan template.

Rental Property Business Plan

Develop a rental property business plan tailored to serve as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs to organize their rental business.

Coaching Business Plan Template

If you want to grow your new or existing coaching business, use our free coaching business plan template as a roadmap to success.

Lawn Care Business Plan

Use a comprehensive lawn care business plan template that includes guidance and all critical information.

T-shirt Business Plan Template 

Craft a winning T-shirt business plan in a structured business format that attracts investors and funding.

Candle-Making Business Plan Template

Use a candle-making business plan template to get together all of the information you need to ensure that your candle business succeeds.

SBA Business Plan Template

Use our free and fully customizable SBA business plan template to get started when writing a successful proposal for an SBA loan.

Cleaning Business Plan Template

Discover a hassle-free way to document a roadmap for your cleaning business with this free business plan template.

Real Estate Business Plan Template

Start off your new real estate business on the right foot by using a real estate business plan template to ensure your goals, visions, and finances are sorted.

Trucking Business Plan Template

Empower your journey to success with our trucking business plan template, designed as a valuable tool to organize the essentials of your trucking business.

Food Truck Business Plan Template

Find a fully customizable, free food truck business plan template that helps you create an effective proposal for interested investors.

Simple Business Plan Template

This simple business plan template walks you through the stages of establishing a successful business or seeking funding.

Solar Farm Business Plan

Give your solar farm business the best start by creating a professional business plan to keep your company on the right track.

Ecommerce Business Plan Template

This Ecommerce Business Plan Template is tailored particularly to e-commerce companies, and all you require to do is add the elements related to your business.

Accounting Firm Business Plan

Use this Accounting Firm Business Plan to achieve your goals. Accounting firms are comparable to other industries and need the Business Plan to help their development.

Campground Business Plan Template

This PandaDoc Campground Business Plan Template has all the essential information to help you develop a successful business strategy.

Firewood Business Plan

This Firewood Business Plan Template perfectly outlines the company structure of a probable firewood venture. It highlights the budgets needed to start and manage the unique business.

Funeral Home Business Plan

A Funeral Home Business Plan covers detailed data on the courtesies offered by the company, market analysis, administration strategies, personnel procedures, budget and financing plans, and other applicable topics.

Community Center Business Plan

You can use this Community Center Business Plan Template, it is perfect for anyone desiring to open and run a society center. It gives the center’s owner an outline of areas that must be disseminated with the investors to earn an acquisition.

Gas Station Business Plan

Take the first step towards success in the fuel industry with our professionally crafted Gas Station Business Plan template.

Beauty Supply Store Business Plan

This Beauty Supply Store Business Plan Template covers all the appropriate sections needed to invest in a beauty supply store. The template will help you to raise money for your business.

Flower Shop Business Plan Template

The Flower Shop Business Plan Template is organized to help you achieve the awareness of various investors to invest in your company.

Electrical Contractor Business Plan

This Electrical Contractor Business Plan template include information about the services you offer, who your target consumers are, why they should prefer you over your opponents and how much capital you require to get started.

Car Dealership Business Plan

A Car Dealership Business Plan is a detailed plan that will help you take your business to the next level. Use this template to create your plan.

Farm Business Plan

Farm Business Plan gives an overview of the company, including corporation history, owner backgrounds, creations and more. Use this template to quickly develop your farm company plan.

Consultant Business Plan Template

An example of a document outlining your strategy for launching or expanding your consulting firm is a Consultant Business Plan Template. The essential elements include a summary of the company, team, sector, rivals, target audience, and an operations and marketing strategy.

Construction Company Business Plan

The objectives and tactics of a construction company are described in a business plan for a construction company. For the creation of your business plan, use this Construction Company Business Plan Template.

Fashion Business Plan Template

Structural and action plans for a fashion firm are laid out in the fashion business plan template.

Daycare Business Plan

The creation of a business strategy is the first step in starting a daycare. Use this Daycare Business Plan Template to describe your company’s objectives, as well as your target market, potential rivals, and your financing strategy.

Convenience Store Business Plan

Do you need a Convenience Store Business Plan Template? This plan includes all the details and information needed to secure funding for a convenience store.

Startup Business Plan Template

We offer you the steps and the tools to create a fantastic business plan. Attract investors with this sleek and free startup business plan template.

Business Plan Template

This business plan template is a great tool for your startup to customize to reflect your strong qualifications, experienced team, and marketable business idea.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that helps small business owners determine the viability of their business idea. Combining market research and financial analysis, a professional business plan helps startup CEOs and potential investors determine if the company can compete in the target market.

Typically, a good business plan consists of the following:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Mission statement
• Product and services
• Marketing plan
• Operations plan
• Management organization
• Financial plan
• Conclusion & appendix

Every section involved in a business plan is designed to help startup businesses reach their target market.

A business plan asks founders and entrepreneurs to detail their business strategy in a step-by-step process that makes sense from an operational perspective. This is essential if a startup is seeking a business loan or an investment from a venture capital firm.

However, even small businesses that are already economically viable can benefit from creating a business plan, since it encourages business owners and their management teams to examine their business model and reevaluate the best ways to reach their target customers.

Should I use a business plan template?

Yes.  If you’ve never written one, a business plan can be challenging to write.

Creating a successful plan that you can use to grow your small business can require weeks of market analysis and financial preparation. You may spend time using Microsoft Excel or Powerpoint in order to create documentation which better supports our operational decisions.

However, almost every professional business plan is structured in the same way and most ask for the same information. Because of this, using a business plan template is advisable to save time, money, and effort.

Business plan templates for free

Rather than spending time trying to figure out how to write a business plan , use a free template as a guide to completion.

Business plan templates from PandaDoc can help you reach an effective go-to-market strategy even faster by asking you to provide all the relevant information you need when creating an effective business plan.

Grab a free template to get started!

Frequently asked questions

How many pages should my business plan be.

This depends on the kind of business plan you need to write and how you intend to use the plan that you create.

For example, a plan for a small business seeking potential investors or a business loan will need to provide income statements, cash flow statements, and a balance sheet (usually for a three-year or five-year forecast period).

These financial statements can be omitted if a small business owner isn’t seeking funding and is instead planning to use their business plan as a guiding document for themselves and their management team members.

Some business plans may only run a few pages. Fully-developed business plans can be as long as 50 pages. Much of this depends on the type of business, the operational strategy, and the level of detail that goes into developing the business plan.

Who needs a business plan?

Every business should have a business plan. This is an essential guidance document for any founder or CEO.

Good business plans help a company determine the viability of its place in the market and can help the business develop better strategies for differentiating itself from its competitors.

Business planning also forces business owners to evaluate their marketing strategy, the cost of customer acquisition and retention, and how they plan to grow their business over time.

What is the best business plan template?

Business plans come in all shapes and sizes. The best business plan template for your business is one that you understand and that matches the size and legal structure of your operation.

If you’re a sole proprietor, a business plan template designed for a big corporation probably doesn’t make sense. However, a business plan that helps you build an effective roadmap to grow your business while protecting your intellectual property is a good starting point.

PandaDoc offers specialized business plan templates for common industries along with tips to help you get started with business planning.

Should I hire someone to write my business plan for me?

No. You’ll find freelance writers and business strategy companies out there who are happy to write your business plan for a fee.  These resources can guide you through the process, but you should write (or be heavily involved in) the creation of your business plan.

The reason for this is simple: You know the most about your business, and your business needs you to succeed.

A writer can work with you to make your business plan sound better to investors, and a consultant can help you fill in knowledge gaps — like how to conduct a SWOT analysis — and point out weaknesses in your plan. But, at the end of the day, you need to use the business plan to pitch investors and run your business.

Those ideas and guiding principles aren’t something you can outsource.

Should I use business planning software?

Software isn’t required when creating an effective business plan. Most business planning software is designed to help you navigate the outlining and writing process more effectively.

You don’t need software to write a professional business plan, but a solid template can help you get started. Download a free template from PandaDoc today and take your business to the next level.

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Business Plan Templates in Google Docs and Word

Choose the best business plan templates in google docs, google slides, google sheets, and other formats. we provide you with startup, botanical business, coffee shop business plan forms, and more. find your blank in white or dark colors and with trendy designs.

Futuristic Yellow Startup Business Plan

Dark Modern Business Plan

Amazing Startup Business Plan

Business Startup Costs

Trendy Business Plan

Professional Business Startup Costs

Modern Blue Business Plan

Green Business Plan Rubric

Pastel Modern Business Plan

Fabulous Startup Business Plan

Yearly Business Plan

Architecture Project Business Plan

Gray Accent Business Plan

Bright Business Plan

White Modern Business Plan

Coffee Shop Business Plan

Black Contemporary Business Plan

Financial Advisor Business Plan

Nature Business Plan

Elegant Green Botanical Business Plan

Blue Corporate Business Plan

Modeling Agency Business Plan

Creative Violet Business Plans

Exclusive Startup Business Plan

Black Effective Business Plan 2023

Partners Platform Business Plan

One-List Coffee Business Plan

Black and White Business Plan

One-Page IT Company Business Plan

Green Lemon Business Plan

Flowers Shop Business Plan

Financial Business Plan

Easy Business Plan with Timeline

Black Start Up Business Plan

Economic Windmills Business Plan

Great Modern Business Plan

Business Plan for Startup

Simple Colorful Business Plan

Beauty Salon Business Plan

Basic Business Plan

Green Business Plan

Orange Market Business Plan

Simple Business Plan

Aroma Mocha Cafe Business Plan

Elegant Business Plan

Coffee Business Plan

Stylish Business Plan

Professional Marketing Business Plan

Do you need to pick the right editable business plan template? Our options have an exceptional design yet comprehensible concept. Keep in mind that you can edit and customize these samples using Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. You can find options for any startup idea on our website. Our samples are 100% unique. Designers are creating free business plan templates from scratch.

Business plans on the website draw attention immediately. They have a memorable design that is easy to remember. You can edit, adjust, download, and publish our templates for free. No hidden fees, no additional payments.

There are 50+ business plan templates now, and you can opt for other categories of free templates. Our website has hundreds of designer options to offer. Just saying, keep that in mind.

Customize and print our free and ready-to-use layouts using Google Docs. It doesn’t require much time or effort. The majority of users say that they can edit the template unaided in just a few minutes. We are analyzing your feedback and making new templates with outstanding designs. Feel free to give us any feedback or recommendations.

Each of our unique spreadsheets is editable, customizable, and completely free. Therefore, we do not expect to get anything in return. If you like our free business plans, subscribe to our social media and stay tuned for the latest updates.

Business plans template FAQs

One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide

By Joe Weller | April 6, 2020

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In this article, we’ve gathered a variety of free, one-page business plan templates for you to download in Excel, Word, and PDF formats. 

Included on this page, you’ll find a one-page business plan template for a service business , business plan template for a product business , business plan for a real estate agent , a Lean business plan template , and more. To help get you started, we’ve also included an example of a one-page business plan , and  a quick guide on how to create your one-page business plan .

One-Page Business Plan Template

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

Excel  | Word  |  PDF | Smartsheet

Use this one-page business plan template — designed to be simple, organized, and easy to use — to immediately get started on your plan. Write down your thoughts and key ideas as you decide if your business concept is viable, and adjust it as circumstances change. You can also use this template as a basis to build a more detailed and elaborate plan.

One-Page Business Plan for a Service Business Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for a Service Business Template

Excel | Word | PDF

This business plan template is designed specifically for businesses that provide a service. The one-page plan provides space to list the essential information about your strategy, including the service you offer, the problem you are solving for customers, your mission and vision statements, target audience, staffing requirements, key objectives, and much more. This template also includes a timeline at the bottom for you to add key milestones.

One-Page Business Plan for a Product Business Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for a Product Business Template

Use this one-page template to develop a strategic roadmap for your organization’s product offerings. This template provides space for you to include a business overview, a description of your target market, your competitive advantage, a list of marketing channels and materials you plan to utilize, as well as your pricing strategy, distribution channels, and success metrics. You can also use the visual timeline of milestones at the bottom to enter key dates and events.

One-Page Business Plan for Real Estate Agents Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for Real Estate Agents Template

This one-page business plan template is created for real estate agents to set objectives and put together an action plan. Enter your overarching goal at the top of the template, and establish three high-level activities you need to complete to achieve the goal. The template also includes a strategic action plan that breaks down each high-level activity into tasks and deadlines, with an accompanying visual timeline to ensure you stay on track.

One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization Template

This one-page business plan is designed for a nonprofit organization, with space to detail your mission, vision, and purpose statements, as well as who you serve, the problem(s) you solve, and programs and resources you offer. Additionally, the template includes space to detail your financial plan, marketing activities, costs, and more.

One-Page Business Plan for Startup Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for Startup Template

This one-page business plan template is intended for an entrepreneur or a small startup business to document a plan as they determine if an idea is feasible. This template provides space to describe the problem and solution, the product or service, the target customer, existing alternatives, the unique value proposition, a marketing and sales plan, success metrics, and other information. You’ll also find room to detail sources of funding and how the funds will be used.

One-Page Business Plan for Small Business Template

Download One-Page Business Plan for Small Business

Use this one-page small business plan template to outline the essential aspects of your business strategy. Provide details on your organization’s vision, mission, product or service offering, and management team. Then identify the target audience, market size, competitor offerings, and your competitive advantage. This plan also includes room to detail your marketing and sales strategy, key objectives, and financial plan.

One-Page Lean Business Plan Template

Download One-Page Lean Business Plan Template

This one-page template uses a Lean approach to develop your business plan. Use this customizable template to detail the crucial elements of your strategy, including a brief business and industry overview, your product or service offering, options from your competitors, and your competitive advantage. Plus, this template includes room to detail your marketing plan, success metrics, financial plan, and a visual timeline of milestones.

One-Page Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download One-Page Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel | Smartsheet

Use this business planning template to organize and schedule key activities for your business. Fill in the cells according to the due dates, and color-code the cells by phase, owner, or category to provide a visual timeline of progress.

One-Page Business Plan Example

This one-page business plan covers all the essential elements and offers a visually appealing presentation. Information for each aspect of the plan is concise, with details about the business mission, management team, product offerings, key marketing activities, competitors, and financial projections. This plan also provides links to additional resources so that stakeholders can easily find information to support the specifics of the plan.

How to Write a One-Page Business Plan (with Sample Outline)

A one-page business plan takes a standard business plan and extracts the fundamental aspects, then condenses the essential information down to one page. To determine the key elements to emphasize in your one-page plan, consider the type of business you operate, as well as the financial (and other resources) needs of your business.

To streamline your business plan into a one-page document, follow the steps below.

• Create a simple outline for your plan using bullet points. Below, you’ll find an example of an outline for a one-page business plan. You can add or remove sections according to the needs of your business. 
• Business mission
• Problem you are solving
• Funds needed (if applicable)
• Product or service positioning statement
• Unique value proposition
• Target customers
• Market size
• SWOT analysis
• Direct competitors
• Existing alternatives
• Competitive advantage
• Key marketing strategy (e.g., channel or method that will yield the best results)
• Key sales strategy
• Specialized equipment or facilities
• Staffing requirements (e.g., key personnel, skills, and training needs)
• Distribution method
• Sales projection
• Profit and loss projection 
• Gather all your findings on your business and industry.

Compile all the current information you have gleaned from market research, interviews, surveys, and various teams in your business (e.g., the marketing and finance teams). Comb through each document and extract the information that is fundamental to your business’s operation and relevant to the bullet points on your outline.

• Write two to three brief sentences for each main bullet point.

Once you create your outline and gather information, write two to three sentences for each main bullet point that expands on and summarizes the sub-bullet points for that section. For example, the plan summary section could say the following:

Donny’s Food Truck will offer a variety of fresh food at an affordable price in a convenient location. Increased traffic in the Hungry Town area, combined with severely limited dining options, provides an opportunity to offer customers a quick, nutritious meal at a competitive price. A food truck with the necessary equipment has already been acquired, so we are seeking $200,000 to cover wages, emergency repairs, and licenses needed to fund our first year of operations.

• Ensure you are able to support all the information provided in your plan.

Since a one-page plan omits many of the details provided in a traditional business plan, be sure you have market research and other supporting documentation on hand to show stakeholders in case they have questions as they review your plan. In addition, make sure you thoroughly understand the supporting information and know how to restate it in your own words before you disburse the plan. 

• Ensure your plan answers all the vital questions .

At a minimum, an effective one-page business plan should answer the following questions:

• What product or service do we offer?
• Who will use the product or service?
• What problem does our offering solve?
• How will the product or service get to our customers?
• What alternatives do our customers use, and why are we superior?
• What is our unique value proposition?
• What strengths and opportunities can we use to our advantage?
• What resources do we need to get up and running?
• What will our sales look like for the first few years?
• When do we expect to be profitable?

In addition to the steps provided above, you can save time and get started on your plan by downloading one of the templates provided on this page. You can also check out “ Free Executive Summary Templates ,” which can serve the same purpose as a one-page business plan.

Benefits of a One-Page Business Plan

Organizations and stakeholders can unite behind a strategic direction when they have a business plan in place. Developing a traditional business plan can be a daunting task, so many entrepreneurs, small startups, graphic designers, freelancers, and consultants find a one-page business plan a less intimidating place to start. 

Creating a one-page business plan benefits your organization in the following ways:

• Push you to prioritize and focus on key ideas.
• Enable your audience to quickly scan and grasp the core concepts of your plan.
• Allow you to easily share and pitch your business idea to prospective investors and stakeholders (e.g., email attachment, single piece of paper).
• Accelerate business setup, especially businesses that don’t need a loan or investment to get going.
• Provide a solid starting point to expand upon at a later time.
• Enable you to document your thoughts and ideas to see if you have a feasible plan.

Tips for Creating a One-Page Business Plan

Now that you know how to create a one-page plan and the benefits in doing so, here are some tips to get you started:

• Set a time limit (up to one hour) to focus and work on your plan.
• Use a one-page business plan template (you can choose from the options above), or refer to the sample outline provided on this page.
• Ensure your plan details only the core aspects that are fundamental to running and operating your business. 
• Remember that this is a living document — continue to revisit and adjust it as strategies and objectives change.
• Expand on your plan as your business size and needs grow. 

When the time comes that you need more space to lay out your goals and strategies, choose from our variety of free simple business plan templates . You can learn how to write a successful simple business plan here . 

Visit this free non-profit business plan template roundup  or download a  fill-in-the-blank business plan template  to make things easy. If you are looking for a business plan template by file type, visit our pages dedicated specifically to  Microsoft Excel ,  Microsoft Word , and  Adobe PDF  business plan templates. Read our articles offering  startup business plan templates  or  free 30-60-90-day business plan templates  to find more tailored options.

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Business Plan Templates

Free Download

2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business. Available as an interactive PDF or a Google Docs template.

With this business plan template, you'll be able to:

• Write a company description that sells your story
• Plan for the future: lay out goals and metrics for success
• Describe your product line in detail and plan for how to stand out from competitors
• Consider any legal formalities that require attention when starting your business
• Put together necessary financial projections to make a strong start
• Create your buyer persona and determine your product/marketing fit

Build A Business Plan That Works

Available as a one-page interactive PDF and a full template on both Google Docs and Microsoft Word!

Whether you’re starting a business or drafting a formalized document with  your current business goals, it’s important to clearly defi ne the scope of all aspects of the venture — from mission, to target customers, to fi nances, and beyond.

When just starting out, it can be tempting to think of a business plan as simply your company’s name and a description of your product or service. But in reality, planning a business involves thinking through a lot more details.

In this business plan template we’ll guide you through the steps of writing company and product descriptions, setting sales and marketing goals and plans, and thinking through legal and fi nancial logistics. We've included a  plain text, designed , and  completed example version of this template. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you write a business plan.

A business plan is a formal written document that you can use to identify the purpose of your company, make important decisions about your future and help grow your company. HubSpot's free business plan templates provides guidance to establishing your company mission, customer research, competition, and a business strategy to profitability.

Why do I need to fill out the information requested?

We will always keep your personal information safe..

We ask for your information in exchange for a valuable resource in order to (a) improve your browsing experience by personalizing the HubSpot site to your needs; (b) send information to you that we think may be of interest to you by email or other means; (c) send you marketing communications that we think may be of value to you. You can read more about our privacy policy here .

Where can I get a free business plan template?

HubSpot's Free Business Plan Templates are the best way to create a professional, thorough business plan. The templates include instructions and everything you need to know about starting your company.

Is this really free?

Absolutely.

Just sharing some free knowledge that we hope you’ll find useful. Keep us in mind next time you have marketing questions!

What are the basic format of a business plan?

A business plan is a written document that outlines the company's goals, strategy and implementation. The format of the plan varies depending on the type of organization (e.g., for-profit or nonprofit) and size, but most plans share some common features such as an overview, executive summary, and financial information.

What is the best business plan template?

A great business plan template clearly defines the scope of the venture -- from mission, to target customers, to finances, and beyond. HubSpot's business plan template will guide you through the steps of writing company and product descriptions, setting sales and marketing goals and plans, and thinking through legal and financial logistics.

What is needed to start a business?

If you're thinking about starting a business, you'll need to do some research first. You can't just start a business without doing any market research. Market research will tell you if there's an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business. After that, write your business plan so that you know how much money and time it will take for the project to succeed. Use HubSpot's free business plan template today!

Set yourself up for success with this business plan template

Download the free business plan template.

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Free Simple Business Plan Templates

Are you a business startup and want to get a free business plan template for your business? If yes, then you are at the right place. As a business plan writing company , we list out professional business plan templates for you so you can write your business plan easily. We have shared a wide range of templates for diversified business needs. You can choose one that suits your requirements

Free One Page Business Plan Template

Utilize this concise Free one-page business plan to systematically record your essential concepts. This template assists in constructing a simplified overview of your business plan, making it easily digestible for stakeholders. Consider this one-page plan as a starting point, serving as a reference for developing a more comprehensive business blueprint.

Simple Business Plan Template

This template guides you step by step through all the elements of a small business plan , covering areas like the company’s history, introducing the management team, conducting market analysis, presenting product or service details, outlining financial projections, and more. Additionally, it includes a pre-built table of contents to maintain the structure of your plan, and it’s fully adaptable to suit your specific needs.

Lean Startup Business Plan Template

The lean business plan template offers a simplified alternative to the traditional business plan Template. It includes concise sections for your company’s overview, industry context, problem-solving approach, unique value proposition, target market, and essential performance metrics. Additionally, there’s space to map out a timeline of crucial activities.

Free Business Plan Template

Boost your business with our collection of easy-to-use templates designed just for you.

Business Plan Templates By Business Category​

Potential Issues with Business Plan Templates & How to Address Them

Generic templates vs. industry specificity.

• Issue: One-size-fits-all business plan templates might not capture industry-specific details crucial for investors.
• Solution: Look for templates with industry-tailored sections or customize existing ones to highlight your industry’s nuances.

Lack of Financial Expertise

• Issue: Users might struggle with financial projections or terminology.
• Solution: Include clear instructions and financial guidance within the simple business plan template.. Users can also consult free online resources or financial advisors.

Data Accuracy and Consistency

• Issue: Inaccurate or inconsistent data can mislead investors.
• Solution: Double-check all data entries and ensure consistency across the plan. Consider using real financial data from your business (if applicable).

Overreliance on Templates

• Issue: Business Plan Templates shouldn’t replace critical thinking and analysis specific to your business.
• Solution: Use the template as a framework, but personalize it with your unique value proposition, competitive landscape analysis, and strategic goals.

Formatting and Readability

• Issue: Poor formatting can make your plan look unprofessional.
• Solution: Pay attention to formatting elements like fonts, spacing, and visuals. Ensure the plan is clear, concise, and easy to read.

Remember: Our Page includes 45 different kinds of business plan templates tailored for specific industries, So you can choose any format that suits your business with your ease.

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Essential elements of a business plan.

• Executive Summary
• Business Description
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing and Sales Strategy
• Organization and Management
• Product or Service Line
• Financial Projections
• Funding Request
• Appendix (optional)

Tips for Creating a Business Plan

Creating a business plan can seem like a daunting task, but the following tips aim to simplify the process as you develop your plan:

• Utilize a business plan template (choose from the options above) or refer to the previous section to establish a standard outline for your plan.
• Adapt your outline to suit the specific needs of your business. If you’re using a standard business plan outline, remove any sections that don’t apply to your situation or aren’t vital for running your business.
• Begin by gathering all the information you currently have about your business. Then, use this information to complete each section in your plan outline.
• Leverage available resources and conduct additional research to fill in any remaining gaps. (Note: You don’t have to fill out your plan in sequence, but remember that the executive summary, which summarizes key points, should be completed last.)
• Ensure your plan effectively conveys the interplay between your marketing, sales, and financial objectives.
• Include details in your plan that outline your strategic course of action, looking ahead three to five years.
• Regularly revisit your plan as strategies and objectives evolve.

At the very least, ensure your business plan addresses the following questions:

• What product or service are we offering?
• Who is the product or service for?
• What problem does our product or service solve?
• How will we deliver the product or service to our target customers?
• What makes our product or service superior to alternatives?
• How can we surpass our competitors?
• What is our unique value proposition?
• When will tasks be completed, and who is responsible for them?
• If funding is needed, how will it be utilized?
• When are payments due, and when will income be received?
• What is the ultimate purpose of your business?

To determine the type of business plan that suits your needs and for more helpful guidance, consult our guide on crafting a concise business plan.

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Template

Developing a business plan can be a time-consuming task, particularly if you’re unsure how to get started. However, utilizing the right template tailored to your business needs can prove highly advantageous. Here’s how using a business plan template, as opposed to starting from scratch, can be particularly helpful:

Facilitates Organized Planning

A template allows you to promptly jot down your thoughts and ideas in an orderly fashion. It provides a structured framework that simplifies the planning process.

Provides Clarity and Structure

Using a template gives your plan a clear structure, helping you outline your business objectives, strategies, and goals with greater precision.

Time and Resource Efficiency

Templates save you precious time and resources. They eliminate the need to create every section from the ground up, enabling you to focus on the content and strategy, rather than the format.

Prevents Oversight

Templates serve as comprehensive guides, helping you cover all the essential details your business plan should encompass. This reduces the risk of omitting crucial elements vital to your business’s success.

In essence, a well-designed business plan template streamlines the planning process, making it more efficient and ensuring that your plan is both thorough and well-organized.

Restrictions of Business Plan Templates

While a business plan template can be a helpful starting point, it comes with certain limitations, particularly if the template doesn’t align precisely with your business’s unique requirements. Here are some drawbacks to consider:

Lack of Customization

Every business is distinct, and your business plan should reflect that individuality. A template may not adequately cater to your specific needs, potentially resulting in an ill-fitting plan.

Impaired Collaboration

Using a template may hinder effective collaboration among different teams involved in the plan’s development, such as sales, marketing, and accounting teams. It might not be conducive to seamless teamwork.

Data Dispersal

Templates can lead to the creation of multiple files stored in various locations. This can make it challenging to maintain a centralized and up-to-date plan.

Chart and Graph Creation

Templates often require you to manually generate charts and graphs to support your strategic points. This adds an extra layer of work and complexity.

Multiple Updates

Keeping your plan, spreadsheets, and supporting documents synchronized can be cumbersome when using a template. Changes made may not automatically update across all documents, potentially causing version control issues.

In summary, while business plan templates can be a useful starting point, it’s essential to be aware of their limitations, especially when your business has specific requirements that may not be accommodated by a generic template.

A business plan template is a pre-written document that provides a structure and outline for writing a business plan. It can help businesses of all sizes save time and effort, ensure completeness, improve consistency, and make a better impression on potential investors and lenders.

To write a business plan using a template, simply follow the structure and outline provided. Fill in the blanks with information about your company, its products or services, its target market, its financial projections, and its marketing and sales strategies. Be sure to customize the template to fit the specific needs of your business.

The best business plan templates for small businesses are those that are tailored to the specific needs of small businesses. Some popular options include:

• Lean Startup Canvas
• Business Model Canvas
• One-Page Business Plan
• SBA Business Plan Template
• SCORE Business Plan Template

To customize a business plan template, simply add or remove sections as needed to fit the specific needs of your business. You can also change the wording and formatting of the template to match your company’s brand voice.

Here are a few tips for writing a successful business plan using a template:

• Be honest and realistic in your projections.
• Be clear and concise in your writing.
• Be specific about your goals and objectives.
• Tailor your plan to your target audience.
• Proofread your plan carefully before submitting it to potential investors or lenders.

Here are a few examples of good business plans written using templates:

• Tesla Business Plan
• Airbnb Business Plan
• Warby Parker Business Plan
• Glossier Business Plan
• Spotify Business Plan

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Simple Business Plan Template (2024)

Updated: May 4, 2024, 4:37pm

Table of Contents

Why business plans are vital, get your free simple business plan template, how to write an effective business plan in 6 steps, frequently asked questions.

While taking many forms and serving many purposes, they all have one thing in common: business plans help you establish your goals and define the means for achieving them. Our simple business plan template covers everything you need to consider when launching a side gig, solo operation or small business. By following this step-by-step process, you might even uncover a few alternate routes to success.

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Whether you’re a first-time solopreneur or a seasoned business owner, the planning process challenges you to examine the costs and tasks involved in bringing a product or service to market. The process can also help you spot new income opportunities and hone in on the most profitable business models.

Though vital, business planning doesn’t have to be a chore. Business plans for lean startups and solopreneurs can simply outline the business concept, sales proposition, target customers and sketch out a plan of action to bring the product or service to market. However, if you’re seeking startup funding or partnership opportunities, you’ll need a write a business plan that details market research, operating costs and revenue forecasting. Whichever startup category you fall into, if you’re at square one, our simple business plan template will point you down the right path.

Copy our free simple business plan template so you can fill in the blanks as we explore each element of your business plan. Need help getting your ideas flowing? You’ll also find several startup scenario examples below.

Download free template as .docx

Whether you need a quick-launch overview or an in-depth plan for investors, any business plan should cover the six key elements outlined in our free template and explained below. The main difference in starting a small business versus an investor-funded business is the market research and operational and financial details needed to support the concept.

1. Your Mission or Vision

Start by declaring a “dream statement” for your business. You can call this your executive summary, vision statement or mission. Whatever the name, the first part of your business plan summarizes your idea by answering five questions. Keep it brief, such as an elevator pitch. You’ll expand these answers in the following sections of the simple business plan template.

• What does your business do? Are you selling products, services, information or a combination?
• Where does this happen? Will you conduct business online, in-store, via mobile means or in a specific location or environment?
• Who does your business benefit? Who is your target market and ideal customer for your concept?
• Why would potential customers care? What would make your ideal customers take notice of your business?
• How do your products and/or services outshine the competition? What would make your ideal customers choose you over a competitor?

These answers come easily if you have a solid concept for your business, but don’t worry if you get stuck. Use the rest of your plan template to brainstorm ideas and tactics. You’ll quickly find these answers and possibly new directions as you explore your ideas and options.

2. Offer and Value Proposition

This is where you detail your offer, such as selling products, providing services or both, and why anyone would care. That’s the value proposition. Specifically, you’ll expand on your answers to the first and fourth bullets from your mission/vision.

As you complete this section, you might find that exploring value propositions uncovers marketable business opportunities that you hadn’t yet considered. So spend some time brainstorming the possibilities in this section.

For example, a cottage baker startup specializing in gluten-free or keto-friendly products might be a value proposition that certain audiences care deeply about. Plus, you could expand on that value proposition by offering wedding and other special-occasion cakes that incorporate gluten-free, keto-friendly and traditional cake elements that all guests can enjoy.

3. Audience and Ideal Customer

Here is where you explore bullet point number three, who your business will benefit. Identifying your ideal customer and exploring a broader audience for your goods or services is essential in defining your sales and marketing strategies, plus it helps fine-tune what you offer.

There are many ways to research potential audiences, but a shortcut is to simply identify a problem that people have that your product or service can solve. If you start from the position of being a problem solver, it’s easy to define your audience and describe the wants and needs of your ideal customer for marketing efforts.

Using the cottage baker startup example, a problem people might have is finding fresh-baked gluten-free or keto-friendly sweets. Examining the wants and needs of these people might reveal a target audience that is health-conscious or possibly dealing with health issues and willing to spend more for hard-to-find items.

However, it’s essential to have a customer base that can support your business. You can be too specialized. For example, our baker startup can attract a broader audience and boost revenue by offering a wider selection of traditional baked goods alongside its gluten-free and keto-focused specialties.

4. Revenue Streams, Sales Channels and Marketing

Thanks to our internet-driven economy, startups have many revenue opportunities and can connect with target audiences through various channels. Revenue streams and sales channels also serve as marketing vehicles, so you can cover all three in this section.

Revenue Streams

Revenue streams are the many ways you can make money in your business. In your plan template, list how you’ll make money upon launch, plus include ideas for future expansion. The income possibilities just might surprise you.

For example, our cottage baker startup might consider these revenue streams:

• Product sales : Online, pop-up shops , wholesale and (future) in-store sales
• Affiliate income : Monetize blog and social media posts with affiliate links
• Advertising income : Reserve website space for advertising
• E-book sales : (future) Publish recipe e-books targeting gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Video income : (future) Monetize a YouTube channel featuring how-to videos for the gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Webinars and online classes : (future) Monetize coaching-style webinars and online classes covering specialty baking tips and techniques
• Members-only content : (future) Monetize a members-only section of the website for specialty content to complement webinars and online classes
• Franchise : (future) Monetize a specialty cottage bakery concept and sell to franchise entrepreneurs

Sales Channels

Sales channels put your revenue streams into action. This section also answers the “where will this happen” question in the second bullet of your vision.

The product sales channels for our cottage bakery example can include:

• Mobile point-of-sale (POS) : A mobile platform such as Shopify or Square POS for managing in-person sales at local farmers’ markets, fairs and festivals
• E-commerce platform : An online store such as Shopify, Square or WooCommerce for online retail sales and wholesale sales orders
• Social media channels : Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest shoppable posts and pins for online sales via social media channels
• Brick-and-mortar location : For in-store sales , once the business has grown to a point that it can support a physical location

Channels that support other income streams might include:

• Affiliate income : Blog section on the e-commerce website and affiliate partner accounts
• Advertising income : Reserved advertising spaces on the e-commerce website
• E-book sales : Amazon e-book sales via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
• Video income : YouTube channel with ad monetization
• Webinars and online classes : Online class and webinar platforms that support member accounts, recordings and playback
• Members-only content : Password-protected website content using membership apps such as MemberPress

Nowadays, the line between marketing and sales channels is blurred. Social media outlets, e-books, websites, blogs and videos serve as both marketing tools and income opportunities. Since most are free and those with advertising options are extremely economical, these are ideal marketing outlets for lean startups.

However, many businesses still find value in traditional advertising such as local radio, television, direct mail, newspapers and magazines. You can include these advertising costs in your simple business plan template to help build a marketing plan and budget.

5. Structure, Suppliers and Operations

This section of your simple business plan template explores how to structure and operate your business. Details include the type of business organization your startup will take, roles and responsibilities, supplier logistics and day-to-day operations. Also, include any certifications or permits needed to launch your enterprise in this section.

Our cottage baker example might use a structure and startup plan such as this:

• Business structure : Sole proprietorship with a “doing business as” (DBA) .
• Permits and certifications : County-issued food handling permit and state cottage food certification for home-based food production. Option, check into certified commercial kitchen rentals.
• Roles and responsibilities : Solopreneur, all roles and responsibilities with the owner.
• Supply chain : Bulk ingredients and food packaging via Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon Prime with annual membership costs. Uline for shipping supplies; no membership needed.
• Day-to-day operations : Source ingredients and bake three days per week to fulfill local and online orders. Reserve time for specialty sales, wholesale partner orders and market events as needed. Ship online orders on alternating days. Update website and create marketing and affiliate blog posts on non-shipping days.

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6. Financial Forecasts

Your final task is to list forecasted business startup and ongoing costs and profit projections in your simple business plan template. Thanks to free business tools such as Square and free marketing on social media, lean startups can launch with few upfront costs. In many cases, cost of goods, shipping and packaging, business permits and printing for business cards are your only out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost Forecast

Our cottage baker’s forecasted lean startup costs might include:

Gross Profit Projections

This helps you determine the retail prices and sales volume required to keep your business running and, hopefully, earn income for yourself. Use product research to spot target retail prices for your goods, then subtract your cost of goods, such as hourly rate, raw goods and supplier costs. The total amount is your gross profit per item or service.

Here are some examples of projected gross profits for our cottage baker:

Bottom Line

Putting careful thought and detail in a business plan is always beneficial, but don’t get so bogged down in planning that you never hit the start button to launch your business . Also, remember that business plans aren’t set in stone. Markets, audiences and technologies change, and so will your goals and means of achieving them. Think of your business plan as a living document and regularly revisit, expand and restructure it as market opportunities and business growth demand.

Is there a template for a business plan?

You can copy our free business plan template and fill in the blanks or customize it in Google Docs, Microsoft Word or another word processing app. This free business plan template includes the six key elements that any entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a new business.

What does a simple business plan include?

A simple business plan is a one- to two-page overview covering six key elements that any budding entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a startup. These include your vision or mission, product or service offering, target audience, revenue streams and sales channels, structure and operations, and financial forecasts.

How can I create a free business plan template?

Start with our free business plan template that covers the six essential elements of a startup. Once downloaded, you can edit this document in Google Docs or another word processing app and add new sections or subsections to your plan template to meet your specific business plan needs.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Krista Fabregas is a seasoned eCommerce and online content pro sharing more than 20 years of hands-on know-how with those looking to launch and grow tech-forward businesses. Her expertise includes eCommerce startups and growth, SMB operations and logistics, website platforms, payment systems, side-gig and affiliate income, and multichannel marketing. Krista holds a bachelor's degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin and held senior positions at NASA, a Fortune 100 company, and several online startups.

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7 of the Best Business Plan Templates You Can Download for Free Right Now

A little guidance from one or more of these templates will help transform your business idea into a concrete plan that can attract investors..

Your business plan serves as the roadmap for your company. It helps you iron out details like your marketing plan, target market, financial projections, and more. Plus, if you're seeking any sort of venture capital investment , you'll need a professional business plan as part of your slide deck.

Writing a good business plan takes some thought and time. Working off of a template can make the process easier and ensure you don't leave out anything important. Luckily, there are some top-notch business plan templates available for free to help you get started.

1. Oprah.com's One-Page Templates

Sometimes, a simple one-page business plan template is the best. Oprah.com offers three sample templates already filled in for different businesses. You can get ideas from these completed models and easily adapt them to suit your business.

Oprah's site doesn't offer quite enough variety of business types or templates here for my taste. But, with all your plan's details on one page, these provide a more manageable way to get started outlining your small business. That's especially true if longer, multi-page business plans look a little too overwhelming right now.

2. My Own Business Institute's Comprehensive Plan Template

My Own Business Institute offers a comprehensive template broken down into 15 different sections. This template covers everything from your vision for your new business, to acquisitions, cash flow, and more.

The formatting is basic and easy to edit, refine, and make your own. The sections and prompts do get you actively thinking about business components you may not have planned out yet. This particular template may be a bit too detailed for some startup founders, but that could make it a better candidate for taking portions and combining them with other templates.

3. BizGym Funding Plan Templates

If you already know you'll be reaching out to potential investors, the BizGym free business plan template may be an ideal choice. This template is designed specifically to help you pitch your startup business. You can access one-page plans, executive summary versions, and full business plans.

You can even invite teammates to work on and edit the plan online, allowing for a collaborative effort. One of the cons with this template is that you have to sign up for a free BizGym membership to gain access.

4. The Balance's Business Plan Template

If you're new to writing a business plan, The Balance's template is one of the most user-friendly options you'll find. This template is the most helpful one on the list in my opinion because it's such a comprehensive and well written guide and helps you through every section.

One of the cons here is that there's a lot to sift through that many entrepreneurs may not need. However, the template has an advantage in that you can copy and paste it into a Word document, giving you flexibility for editing.

5. BPlans' Modern, Professional Template

The BPlans template incorporates everything you'll want if you plan to approach investors or secure a loan for your business. Students at universities like Princeton and Babson have used this one as they learn how to start a business.

This template digs into the details that matter to investors and banks, which may not be a fit for new founders who just want to get the basics of their business on paper. It will get more advanced founders to think like an investor though. If you're not sure how to get started, BPlans' library offers more than 500 sample business plans for inspiration.

6. Business.Govt.Nz's Template

The Business.Govt.Nz business plan template includes guides and prompts to help you think about the details of your business, from company description to competitive analysis. It outlines steps you'll need to take for marketing strategy, funding, and more. The site does offers a couple of thorough plans, but there isn't as much variety to pick from here compared to other resources. 

7. Plan Buildr's Step-By-Step Plan

The Plan Buildr template is a more brief, less overwhelming template and can be completed in just 10 minutes. It's broken down into simple steps and it will even calculate financials for you. One of the cons here is that it's just not as comprehensive as others on my list. It can, however, be an ideal choice for your first draft, especially as you're still ironing out details of your financial plan.

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Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from "I should" to "I did"

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One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

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How to Craft a Winning Business Plan for Your Startup Company

Mackenzie Carter

Published on Aug 07, 2024, updated on Aug 08, 2024

Starting a new business is an exciting journey, but without a well-crafted business plan, your startup may struggle to find its footing. A solid business plan for start up company serves as a roadmap, guiding your decisions and helping to secure funding. In this article, we will explore the key elements of a successful business plan, discuss the importance of using the right business plan software, and how tools like Boardmix can simplify the process.

Why is a Business Plan Crucial for a Startup Company?

A business plan for start up company is essential for a startup company for several reasons:

Strategic Direction : It provides a clear vision and strategic direction, helping you stay focused on your goals.

Funding and Investment : Investors and lenders often require a detailed business plan before they will provide capital. It demonstrates your commitment and the viability of your business.

Operational Guide : A well-drafted business plan serves as a guide for your daily operations, helping you allocate resources effectively and make informed decisions.

Risk Management : Identifying potential risks and challenges in advance allows you to develop strategies to mitigate them.

For a startup, a business plan for start up company is not just a document; it's a tool that shapes your business's future, making it crucial to spend time crafting a thorough plan.

What Should Be Included in Your Startup Business Plan?

Creating a comprehensive business plan for a start up company involves including the following key sections:

Executive Summary : This is a snapshot of your business, highlighting your mission statement, product or service, and basic information about your company’s leadership, employees, and location.

Company Description : Provide detailed information about your company, including the problems your business solves, your target market, and the competitive landscape.

Market Analysis : Research your industry, market size, and expected growth. Identify your target audience and analyze competitors.

Organization and Management : Outline your business’s organizational structure, including details about the ownership, management team, and board of directors.

Product Line or Services : Describe the products or services you offer, their life cycle, and your plans for research and development.

Marketing and Sales Strategy : Discuss your strategies for attracting and retaining customers, as well as your sales process.

Funding Request : If you are seeking funding, include your funding requirements, potential future funding requirements, and how you plan to use the funds.

Financial Projections : Provide financial forecasts for the next three to five years, including income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets.

Appendix : This section includes additional information like resumes, permits, lease agreements, and any other relevant documents.

Incorporating these elements into your business plan for startup company ensures that all critical aspects are covered, making it a comprehensive tool for guiding your business.

How to Choose the Right Business Plan Software?

Choosing the right business plan software is essential for simplifying the process of creating a comprehensive and professional business plan for start up company. Here's how to evaluate your options:

Evaluating 5 Business Plan Software Options

Boardmix stands out as an all-in-one solution, offering a versatile platform not only for business planning but also for team collaboration. Its intuitive interface and customizable templates make it ideal for startups looking to build a plan from scratch or adapt an existing one.

Known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, LivePlan offers step-by-step instructions and hundreds of business plan templates. It also provides financial forecasting tools, which are crucial for startups looking to project future growth.

Bizplan offers a drag-and-drop builder, making it easy to create a plan without prior experience. It integrates with financial tools and allows real-time collaboration, making it ideal for team-based startups.

Enloop automates the writing process with a focus on financial projections. It generates a performance score for your plan, helping you improve weak areas before finalizing it.

PlanGuru specializes in financial forecasting, budgeting, and performance review. It is particularly useful for startups that need to delve deep into financial analytics.

Features to Look for in Business Plan Software

When choosing business plan software, consider the following features:

User-Friendly Interface : The software should be easy to navigate, with a clean and intuitive design.

Customizable Templates : Look for a variety of start up business plan templates that can be customized to fit your specific needs.

Financial Forecasting Tools : These tools are crucial for creating accurate financial projections, which are often required by investors and lenders.

Collaboration Capabilities : The ability to collaborate in real-time with team members can streamline the planning process and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Integration with Other Tools : Seamless integration with tools like accounting software, CRMs, and project management systems can enhance efficiency.

Customer Support and Resources : Reliable customer support and a wealth of resources like tutorials and guides can help you get the most out of your business plan software.

By evaluating these factors, you can choose the right business plan software that will streamline the process and help you create a robust plan for your startup.

How Can Boardmix Help You Build Your Business Plan?

Boardmix is a versatile tool that can revolutionize the way you approach business planning. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Boardmix to build your business plan for start up company:

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Business Plan with Boardmix

Start with a Template : Boardmix offers a variety of customizable start up business plan templates. Choose a template that fits your business type and industry, and use it as a starting point.

Customize the Template : Tailor the template to your needs by adding or removing sections. Boardmix’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to rearrange elements and add custom content.

Collaborate with Your Team : Invite team members to collaborate in real-time. Boardmix allows you to assign tasks, leave comments, and track changes, ensuring that everyone is aligned and contributing to the plan.

Incorporate Financial Projections : Use Boardmix’s integration with financial tools to input your financial data. Boardmix supports the insertion of documents in a variety of formats, including pdf, word, excel, etc.

Refine Your Plan with Visual Tools : Enhance your business plan for start up company with visuals like flowcharts, graphs, and diagrams. Boardmix’s whiteboard features allow you to brainstorm ideas and visually organize your plan.

Finalize and Export : Once your plan is complete, use Boardmix to export it in various formats, including PDF and png. You can also use the Boardmix AI feature to convert the plan into presentation form for easier presentation. This flexibility ensures that you can present your business plan in the most effective way possible.

Use Templates for Start up Business Plan

One of the key advantages of using Boardmix is its extensive library of start up business plan templates. These templates are designed to meet the needs of various industries and business types, providing a solid foundation for your plan. By starting with a template, you can save time and ensure that all essential components are included in your plan.

By following the above steps, Boardmix can help you create a professional, comprehensive business plan that is tailored to your startup's needs.

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Startup Business Plan?

Creating a business plan for start up company can be challenging, and it's easy to make mistakes that could hinder your success. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

Lack of Research : Insufficient market research can lead to unrealistic assumptions about your target audience and competition. Make sure to back up your plan with solid data.

Overly Optimistic Projections : While it's important to be positive, overly optimistic financial projections can raise red flags with investors. Aim for realistic and attainable goals.

Ignoring Potential Risks : Failing to identify and plan for potential risks can leave your business vulnerable. Address potential challenges and outline strategies to mitigate them.

Inconsistent or Vague Information : Ensure that your business plan for start up company is consistent, clear, and free of contradictions. Vague information can confuse readers and weaken your plan.

Neglecting the Executive Summary : The executive summary is often the first section investors read, so it should be compelling and concise. Don't neglect this crucial part of your business plan.

Crafting a winning business plan for your startup company is a critical step in your entrepreneurial journey. By understanding what to include in your plan, choosing the right business plan software, and leveraging tools like Boardmix , you can create a comprehensive and professional plan that will set your startup on the path to success. Remember to avoid common mistakes, stay realistic in your projections, and continuously refine your plan as your business evolves. With the right approach and tools, your business plan for start up company can become a powerful tool for achieving your startup's goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the initial steps to start a construction business.

Initiating a construction business in the US necessitates compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, obtaining the right licenses, and securing adequate insurance. It's also essential to develop relationships with suppliers, subcontractors, and potential clients. Formulating a robust business strategy is the backbone of this venture. Leveraging ready-made business templates can accelerate the setup process and ensure compliance from the outset.

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What factors should be considered when setting long-term goals in a construction business plan?

When setting long-term goals, consider market trends, emerging technologies, sustainability practices, and anticipated industry growth. It's also pivotal to evaluate company strengths, potential risks, and competitive positioning. Using a business template can provide a structured approach to integrate these factors into a strategic business plan.

How do construction-specific accounting practices differ from traditional accounting?

Construction-specific accounting often involves practices like job costing, percentage-of-completion method, and retainage management. These practices cater to the unique payment structures, project timelines, and progress benchmarks inherent to construction projects. Employing specialized business templates ensures accurate financial tracking tailored to the construction industry.

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What are common legal disputes in the construction industry, and how can they be mitigated?

Common disputes involve contract breaches, delays, payment issues, and construction defects. To mitigate these, clear contracts, comprehensive documentation, regular communication, and proactive issue resolution are vital. Employing business templates can aid in drafting clear contracts and maintaining meticulous records to prevent potential disputes.

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Effective procurement involves strategic vendor selection, bulk purchasing discounts, early supplier involvement for design feedback, and efficient inventory management. These practices can lead to reduced material costs, timely deliveries, and minimized wastage. Utilizing procurement templates can help in devising and executing cost-effective purchasing strategies.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor in construction project and operations management?

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What is a Project Management Plan?

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This is why you can now access project management plan templates. But before we talk about templates, it's important that you understand what a project management plan is in the first place.

As you can easily understand and tell by its name, a project management plan is a complete document where you add all the details about a project. This document should state how this initiative will be executed, and monitored, who will control it, and finally, close it.

As a PM, it's important to have all these details on your hands to ensure that you can complete all the processes in time. With this plan, it will be easier to set goals, define tasks, determine the costs and time each task will take, and even measure the risk.

While in the old days, most PMs used a project management plan doc, this is no longer the truth. You now rely on apps, PCs, or Flowlu to get things done the best way. There’s no need to download anything.

What is a Project Management Plan Used For?

As we already mentioned above, a project management plan is a comprehensive document where a manager can see all the details about it. So, as you can easily understand, a project management plan serves as a guide for each one of your projects. As you already know, it covers every single detail about the initiave itself, including the more generic aspects to the most specific ones such as timelines, resourcing, budget, and deliverables, among others. Overall speaking, a project management plan provides you with all the information you need about the initiative each step of the way.

The Most Important Elements a Project Management Plan Must Include

There are some elements that all project management plans need to include. While some specific campaigns may not need all these elements, others may need more. However, in most cases, these are the main elements your project management plan needs to include:

Goals or objectives

The complete scope of work

Detailed calendar or schedule of the main tasks

Detailed costs

The resources it will need

How the communication will be done

Management of the stakeholders

Management of the procurement

How to tell the project is complete

Detailed organization of the project.

If you're just starting as a PM, you may be wondering how to even start writing your first plan. After all, it needs to include so many different pieces of information and it needs to be thorough.

While it may seem confusing and even overwhelming at first, just take a deep breath. Now, keep reading and discover the 5 must-have aspects you need to include in your project management plan:

#1: Your Project's Baselines:

Before you even start writing your project management plan, you need to have the basics in your head already. This means that you'll need to begin by identifying the scope of your initiative and determining its cost and schedule. If you think about it, the rest of the information will go around these barriers. So, think about these three aspects before you start with the writing.

Remember that your plan needs to be accurate. This means that you need to find ways to deliver good expectations regarding its cost and schedule.

#2: The Dependencies of your Project:

As you already know, specific tasks can only be done when others are already complete. Or some may only be completed when a specific person has the time to do it.

At this point, it's time to define not only the main tasks of your project but also the subtasks. But more importantly, you need to identify the dependencies and adjust what needs to be adjusted to meet the cost and deadlines that you already defined.

#3: The Stakeholders of the Project:

Dealing with stakeholders isn't always easy. Some may be more understanding while others may be incredibly demanding. However, as a PM, it is a part of your job to maintain the stakeholders informed about the project.

Notice that you may not need to inform all the stakeholders about an initiative as well as you may only need to inform some stakeholders at a specific part of the project. This is the time to determine the type of information you will disclose, how you will disclose it, to who, and when.

#4: Don't Forget About Milestones:

Defining milestones is incredibly important and it's even more important when you are dealing with a big project.

Overall speaking, you can see milestones as key markers of the progress of your project. This means you need to take a deep look at your project and everything you have defined so far and set milestones.

#5: Responsibilities:

Each task needs to have someone in charge; someone responsible for it to be complete. While it is your job as a PM to ensure that all the tasks are complete and goals are met on time, it's important to have people in charge of each task to ensure you meet the deadlines. Transparency and accountability are a must for each project to be completed on schedule.

Now that you already understand what a project management plan is, what it is for, and how you can create one, it's time to take a look at plan templates.

Well, a PM plan template is simply a document where you can find all the information about a specific project but one document that was created using a specific template. Instead of starting writing your plan from scratch, on a white piece of paper or PC word or excel document, you start with a project management plan template doc.

The main goal of using PM plan templates is that they allow you to save a lot of time. Besides, they look a lot more professional and you can be sure you won't miss any important piece of information.

One of the things you need to keep in mind about a PM plan is that it doesn't go to the archive as soon as the project is approved. You will need to keep it next to you while the project is being done. After all, it serves as a guideline.

Who Uses a Project Management Plan Template?

Even though the PM is the one responsible and in charge of creating a project management plan, the work is done with his or her team.

As you can easily understand, a project will be made by a team of individuals, each one with specific skills. Their skills and efforts are also necessary to define the project deadlines, tasks, subtasks, scope, and everything related to the project itself. Without the team's skills, the project manager won't be accurate in his project management plan.

Using the Best Project Management Plan Templates With Flowlu

Flowlu is the perfect PM software you need. With it, you may also take advantage of the different project management plan templates that help you save time and improve productivity at the same time.

Flowlu's project management plan templates are categorized by type which will make it easier for you to choose the right one for each one of your projects. All you need to do is to look at the example of a project management plan template and pick the best one for your project.

Step #1: Choose the right template for you:

The first thing you will need to do is to choose the right template for your project. Just check a sample or two. Within Flowlu you can find 6 different template themes to choose from. Just sign up from the appropriate template page and go to Projects and then click on Project Workflows.

Step #2: Take a look at the features of the PM plan template you picked:

Getting to know the template you'll be using inside out is a crucial step you shouldn't skip. Make sure to check the task management with the checklists included, the tracking of the milestones, the different stages of the project, and the different automation tools . By checking all these tools beforehand will allow you to save a lot of time.

Step #3: Make the necessary customizations:

All events and projects are different. So, it's normal that you need to make customizations and changes.

Take some time to think about the project you'll be managing and make the necessary adjustments to the stages, deadlines, milestones, tasks, and checklists.

Step #4: Begin your project:

Now it's finally the time to begin your project. Just click on New Project inside Flowlu and add the information that is asked about your project. Just start with the project management plan template title and go from there.

Step #5: Don't forget about your team:

Working with your team is very important. Remember that some members of your team possess the skills you need to ensure that you are accurate with your project management plan. You may also take the time during this step to assign tasks to each member of your team, add instructions to tasks, and set deadlines.

Step #6: Keep an eye on your project:

Monitoring the progress of your initiative is extremely important. You want to ensure that your deadlines are being met and that everyone is complying with their responsibilities. In case you notice some things may be missing, make the necessary adjustments to ensure that you stay on track.

As we already told you, inside Flowlu, you'll find the following 5 PM plan templates:

When your project is related to event management, you want to make sure that your event goes on wheels, without any faults. You want to make it memorable.

No matter if you're organizing a gathering, a wedding, or a business conference, you need to find the right project management plan template like an IT project management plan template, for example. With this specific template to organize any event, you will have at your disposal multiple elements:

Different Stages of the Event: Each event has its own stages and you can easily incorporate these stages in this template.

Manage Milestones: As we already mentioned above, using milestones is crucial to ensure that you're on the right track to complete your project on time. With Flowlu's template, you can set your milestones easily.

Define Tasks & Use Checklists: Planning tasks is ideal to ensure that your event is a success. So, nothing better than using checklists for each main task. You can even prioritize them according to your needs.

Use Automation: Automation is here to help you be more efficient. You can, for example, use automation to follow up with some vendors. This will allow you to have more time to dedicate to more important things.

Define the Scope of Work: With this template, you can easily come up with the event scope. This way, everyone will be on the same page, all the time.

If you work on the design or creative areas, you should consider taking a look at this specific template. For example, if you're a photographer, you know there is a lot to do when you accept a project. Just think about all the things you need to do and have before the actual photo shoot until the photoshoot and the moment when you deliver the final images to your client.

With this specific template, you will have at your disposal multiple elements:

The Workflow: Just as we mentioned above, you need to set up the different stages of the photoshoot. From the pre-production to adding the necessary elements to the shoot, and then the people. Finally, you'll need to edit the photos and deliver them to your client.

Setting Milestones: Again, milestones are crucial. You should come up with ones that make sense to you. Make sure that you listen to your clients to define the best ones.

Define Tasks & Use Checklists: Plan every task to detail and create different checklists.

Use Automation: Be more efficient by using automation rules. You can use reminders or follow-ups, for example.

Define the Scope of Work: With this template, you can easily come up with the scope of your photography project. Put everyone on the same page, all the time.

There are many people who need templates for their marketing projects. From content creation to social media management or SEO, there are many marketing campaigns you can create using this marketing template.

No matter if you're doing some branding, a product launch, or simply promoting an event, you can use Flowlu's marketing template.

Set The Different Stages: No matter the type of your marketing campaign , you want to make sure that you start by defining the different stages of your project.

Setting Milestones: Make sure that you create milestones that make sense to the campaign you're coming up with.

Define Tasks & Use Checklists: In order to comply with your goals for the marketing campaign, you need to create tasks. However, since these involve so many things to do, it's better to use checklists for each task.

Use Automation: With Flowlu's templates, you can easily get scheduled reports, for example. Save time with automation and focus on more important things.

Define the Scope of Work: With this template, you can easily come up with the scope of your marketing project. Don't forget to include all the details.

Perfect for projects when you need to hire someone new for the company, this template can be used in a very effective way. After all, you want to ensure that the new hire enters the company with the right foot.

Set The Different Stages Of The Onboarding Process: Organize the process in the simplest way possible and outlines the different stages.

Setting Milestones: Make sure that you create milestones that allow you to monitor the progress of the new hire.

Define Tasks & Use Checklists: To meet your goals and objectives, define tasks and checklists to make things easier.

Use Automation: With this template, you can easily automate some tasks to save time.

Define the Scope Work: Write a complete description of your project.

When you're managing a legal case, you want to ensure that you establish a good connection and communication with your client. No matter if you're dealing with a consultation or contract, you want to make sure that you don't forget about any details.

With this specific plan template, you will have at your disposal multiple elements:

Set The Different Stages Of The Legal Case: Organize the process in the simplest way possible and set the different stages with this process management plan template.

Setting Milestones: Make sure that you create milestones that allow you to monitor the progress of the case as well as the contact with your client.

Use Automation: With this template, you can easily automate some tasks to save time. Deadline reminders or document filing are some of the tasks you can automate.

Define the Scope of Work: Write a complete description of your case.

As you can see, it's easy to work with Flowlu's project management plan templates to ensure that you have everything you need within your plan. Try it for free for yourself.

Instead of wasting time and starting from scratch, you can simply pick the best template for your project and adjust it to your own needs.

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A project management plan is a comprehensive document detailing how an initiative will be executed, monitored, controlled, and closed. It includes information on goals, tasks, costs, schedules, and risk assessments.

A project management plan serves as a guide for managing a project, covering all aspects from timelines and resourcing to budget and deliverables. It ensures that all project details are documented and easily accessible.

Key elements include goals, scope, task schedules, cost estimates, resource management, communication plans, stakeholder management, procurement management, and completion criteria.

A project management plan template is a pre-designed document that helps you structure your campaign plan efficiently. It saves time and ensures you don't miss any critical details.

Project management plan templates are used by PMs and their teams to streamline the planning process, ensuring all project details are organized and accessible.

Flowlu's templates are categorized by project type, making it easy to choose the right one. They come with features like task management, milestone tracking, automation tools, and customizable stages.

Flowlu offers plan templates for various types, including event management, design, marketing, HR & recruiting, consulting and legal projects.

Yes, Flowlu’s plan templates are fully customizable. You can adjust stages, deadlines, tasks, checklists, and other elements to fit the specific needs of your initiative.

Flowlu offers a range of plan templates that can be accessed for free. Additional features and advanced templates may be available with paid plans.

Sign up for a Flowlu account, navigate to the Projects section, select Project Workflows, and click on the template that you chose when signing up. Customize and start planning!

Flowlu offers a user-friendly interface, robust PM features, customizable templates, and efficient automation tools, making it an excellent choice for managing both personal and professional projects.

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A website project plan template is a document you can use to roadmap a website design and development project.

You can use this for end-to-end project management, from idea through to launch.

With a website project plan template, you can:

• Better manage time and resources
• Keep track of tasks and deliverables
• Communicate with stakeholders throughout the project

This makes completing website projects faster and more straightforward.

Simplify your client website projects with this free project plan template for agencies.

Website Project Plan Template

A website project plan organizes, tracks, and executes web design and development projects for clients.

Download your website project plan template here (Google Docs) .

Using a template helps a busy agency in several ways:

• It outlines the project's scope , timeline, milestones, dependencies, resources, and client communication points
• Project managers can plan the budget, time, and resources needed, including team skills and tools
• It ensures you have all necessary resources from the client or third parties , like graphics, documents, images, videos, and web copy
• It clarifies when client input or feedback is needed on design, beta testing, and final testing before launch

In this template, we include:

• A Project Overview
• Scope of Work
• Design & Branding Guidelines
• SEO & Content Strategy (Web Copy)
• Timeline and Project Milestones
• Budget, Time & Resource Allocation
• Internal & Client Communication Plan

Let's explore these components.

1. Website Development Project Overview

Every web project starts with a brief description of objectives, such as why the website is being built, and a list of stakeholders/team members.

The first step is the onboarding or discovery phase. Here, you need to understand:

• The target audience (personas) and purpose of the website
• The Jobs to be Done (JTBD) by the client's products/services and how these are reflected in the website's design
• The client's competitors and what makes them unique

With this information, you can plan the project and timeline and gather everything needed for the web design or redesign.

‍ A new client commissioned you to design and build a website for them.

It’s a website overhaul project (also known as a redesign), so you’ve already got something to work with.

In most cases, the discovery process starts before a client gives the go-ahead.

Whether you’ve pitched cold or they’ve come to you, the aim during this phase of the project is to understand:

• What a client wants from a new website
• The features and functionality needed to achieve their website/marketing goals: a B2B SaaS website requires different features than an eCommerce site
• How to make this website stand out against their competitors
• What the clients already have vs. what they need and/or who’s delivering aspects of the project.

Until you’re clear on every element of the project and expected timelines, it’s impossible to give them an accurate price for the work.

That’s the aim at this stage of any website project.

For most web dev and design agencies, the best way to scope out a new client project is by using an onboarding questionnaire and a discovery call.

It’s helpful to do both: a questionnaire first, if possible, and then a discovery call to collect further details from a client.

With this information, you can map out the scope of work (SoW) and give the client a final price and timescale for the website project.

2. Scope of Work (SoW)

The scope of work (SoW) outlines the project details, including:

• A list of deliverables like web pages, features, and functionalities
• The technologies used to develop the website e.g., WordPress, Drupal, Webflow, or static coding
• Hosting solutions you want to use

Document everything in the SoW to refer back to during revisions and ensure client requests fit within the project scope.

‍ With all the information collected from calls with the client and the onboarding questionnaire, you can map out the scope of work (SoW).

Don’t leave anything out. This should include a detailed list of every element of the website project and who’s delivering them.

Also include delivery end dates and deadlines. So, if a client has hosting and needs to get you logins, this needs to be provided at project kick-off, not three weeks later.

The same applies to any design assets such as logos, fonts, color schemes, etc.

Your team needs them at the start of a project, not after several annoying weeks of chasing for the relevant assets.

Being clear on all of this in the SoW avoids mission and scope creep or a client complaining about delays.

‍ A Scope of Work is based on all the information a client provides in onboarding and discovery calls and questionnaires.

It should outline everything your agency is delivering, with a price, timescales, and intermediate milestones.

An effective SoW should also include deadlines for when a client or another agency or freelancer is delivering elements of the project, e.g., SEO and web copy, or design assets.

If your agency is doing these then they need to be included in timescales and costings.

You can use this SoW to map out individual tasks within your PM suite and notify the client of when they can expect to review elements for feedback.

3. Design & Branding Guidelines

Website design requires clear design and brand guidelines. These can come from the client or be created by your team, depending on the project scope.

• Client’s branding guidelines (colors, logo, fonts, etc.)
• Design preferences and inspirations
• UX/UI considerations for the website based on the audience and goals

‍ Ask your client whether they’ve already got design and brand guidelines, logo design files, color schemes, and fonts.

If your team is doing this work, or improving on what they’ve already got as part of the website project, then you need raw (design) files.

If the client wants to start from scratch then it’s helpful to get a design brief from them. Do they have a vision, a look they’re aiming for?

‍ During the onboarding/planning process, ask the client for all relevant design files.

Or if they want you to design something from scratch, make sure to get a handle on:

• How do you want the logo and website to look like?
• Are there any brands, businesses, or competitors you like the look of?
• Are there any colors, fonts, or other graphic ideas you want us to incorporate into the design?

4. SEO & Content Strategy (Web Copy)

SEO and content strategy are more than just filling pages with the right words.

You need to know:

• The client's core messaging, USPs, and CTAs
• The purpose and content of each page
• SEO keywords, including title tags and metadata
• Who is providing the content and images/videos for every page, such as client case studies, testimonials, product images, and team bio images?

‍ If a website is a few years old and not performing well, then new SEO-optimized web copy, alongside a redesign, should make a big difference.

When mapping out SEO and web copy work, it’s useful to know:

• The website’s size (e.g. number of pages, products…)
• Has any SEO keyword and competitor research been done?
• If your agency is doing the SEO, then this needs to be factored into the scope of work, project costs, and deliverable timescales.

‍ Delivering on SEO involves having a copywriter or freelance SEO implement the following for a client:

• Understanding the audience and website goals . Is it B2B SaaS, service, or eCommerce? What does the client need the website to achieve?
• Keyword research . What keywords does the website need to target? How can it beat competitors?
• Mapping to content (blogs/pages). Which keywords are mapped to which pages, and how can SEO content drive traffic?
• Technical SEO optimization . Also known as on-page and technical SEO implementation. All of this would be delivered within this part of the website project.
• Measuring and optimizing . This is done over time, once the website is live, and can be delivered as ongoing retainer work.

You could be quoting for this work and delivering it as part of the project.

Or it could involve you coordinating with another vendor to ensure it’s delivered on schedule within the project plan template.

Either way, it’s important to know what’s expected and how it factors into the project roadmap, deliverables, and tasks you assign to team members.

5. Timeline and Project Milestones

The timeline and milestones guide the project schedule.

It should include:

• Ideation: turning client ideas into a website concept
• Prototyping: creating wireframes for the website's design
• Development: building the website with chosen technologies
• Testing & Feedback: getting internal and client feedback from testing is essential to identify and fix bugs before launch
• Launch: going live and gathering feedback

These milestones are important for keeping the client and team updated.

‍ Now, with all the information from the project overview, scope of work, and details about the design and web copy elements, you can map out a clear timeline and project milestones.

‍ In many ways, this is quite simple. You could do this in a document (e.g., using the free template in this post), before implementing it via the project management tool.

Simply outline the following for every element of the website design and build project:

• Deliverable X by Y date
• Internal feedback and review of the above by Y date
• Client feedback and review of the above by X date

...and keep doing that for every element that needs delivering, including who’s providing feedback.

Then use all of this to outline the roadmap and milestones with the client, and create each task into your PM tool so you can start assigning the work with the relevant deadlines.

💡 Pro Tip: Whenever possible, always give yourself a day or two of room to spare between when a client expects something and when one of the team needs to deliver the work.

Do the same when a client needs to provide feedback and when the team needs to get on with the next phase of the project.

For testing and feedback, tools like Marker.io can streamline the process by allowing easy bug reporting and feedback collection.

With Marker.io , you can:

• Gather detailed bug reports with automatic environment and record logs capture
• Receive visual feedback with screenshots and annotations
• Sync bug reports automatically with your project management tool of choice (e.g., Jira, GitHub, Trello, Asana, and others)
• Use session replay to understand user actions before a report
• Analyze network requests as if you were using the tester’s dev tools

Reporting a bug through Marker.io is a simple three-step process for reporters:

• Click the button when they’ve found a bug.
• Fill out the feedback form and input details.
• Click on “Report Feedback”—done.

Everything reported through the Marker.io widget will go straight into your project management tool.

This saves a lot of time compared to receiving fragmented pieces of feedback via email, Slack, Zoom calls, and other channels.

‍ Try Marker.io for free today to save hours on bug tracking and feedback management.

Pricing: Starts at $39/mo.

6. Budget, Time & Team or Tools Resource Allocation

The budget is usually determined before starting the project.

This section should include:

• Estimated costs and timescales for different stages;
• Resource allocation, including tools, team members, and any freelancers involved.

This helps agency owners understand the total cost and ensure there's room for profit and adjustments.

‍ An agency conundrum is always knowing how much revenue you’re bringing in, never how much profit you’re making.

One way to solve this is with a standard operating procedure (SOP) document that works out the time every aspect of a website project should take so you can figure out the cost and, therefore, the profits.

‍ Look at every aspect of a website design and build project and break them down into the following:

Person doing the work = hourly rate x hours worked on X (e.g., logo design) + feedback + internal + client communication team + SaaS tools for the work / per user or number of hours the tool was used for = Cost for delivering X

Now work out, the price you charged the client for X (e.g., logo design) - the cost = your per deliverable profit.

💡 Pro Tip: Do that for one project and you’ve got a better idea of your average profit margins.

Make this an SOP or KPI for everyone in the company and you’ve got a fantastic way to increase margins and profits.

7. Internal & Client Communication Plan

A communication plan is crucial for smooth project execution.

It should cover:

• Team communication methods and schedules;
• Reporting structures and tools;
• Client check-ins, status updates, and feedback sessions, ensuring clear responsibility.

‍ Have a process and a single set of tools for client and internal comms. Don’t overcomplicate it.

If your team uses Slack, great, then ask if clients want a dedicated Slack channel for their project.

If not, then stick to email and video calls (Google Meets or Zoom) as required according to the project timeline.

For QA testing and client feedback on the website, you’ll need a bug reporting tool.

Naturally, we recommend Marker.io, especially as every piece of feedback goes into your PM suite.

‍ Design a one-size-fits-all internal and client-facing comms process. Make it part of the client onboarding process.

Give the client the relevant logins and access on day one, and make sure they know who they’re engaging with daily so that messages don’t get mixed up.

Download your free website project plan template here (Google Docs) .

Wrapping up...

We hope these 7 steps help web dev agency owners manage projects more effectively.

Do you have anything else you’d include in web dev projects for clients? Let us know by e-mail or on Twitter!

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