Business Plan Template and Outline

Drill down for tips, examples and specific help on every section of your plan.

You Can Write Your Own Business Plan

It's all here! Use the business plan outline on the left side of this page and drill down for a more business plan template outline for small business plan detailed templates and outlines for each section. You'll find it easy to create an effective yet simple business plan. Your plan will have you ready to start, grow and succeed in your new business.

The number one reason people don't start (or finish) their business plan is because they just aren't sure where to begin. Now you've found it! You can write the various sections of your business plan in any order. Start with those that you're most comfortable with and your momentum will carry you through! You can do it.

To get started click on the major section titles that start with roman numerals. Or click any section below the main heading titles. You'll quickly find what you're looking for. Each section starts with a detailed description. Then, you will find a complete overview of what you need to include, mistakes to avoid, and important considerations. Follow the examples in each section. You will learn how to write a business plan that makes you look like a pro!

The small business plan outline for each section will show you how to create a professional business plan quickly and easily. Whether you need to learn how to write a business plan for the first time or you just need a refresher, we're confident you'll find what you need right here.

What Should Be Included?

Many people writing a small business plan ask, “What should my business plan include?” The information provided for each section answers those questions and more. You'll find that our simple business plan outline will keep you on track for writing a business plan for almost any type of small business.

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Section Below for Details

Starting a Business—A Five Step Reality-Check to Evaluate Your Own Idea

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, "How can I be sure my new business will succeed?" Sadly, there is no crystal ball that can accurately answer that question. However, if you are serious about starting a business there are five steps you can take that will begin to give you a clearer picture. By following these steps you will gain tremendous insight into what lies ahead. Whether this reality-check convinces you to dive in, or hold back, you'll be well served by what you learn. While we are huge proponents of founders developing a well written business plan, the steps below can be followed while writing your business plan using our business plan template.

Step 1: Write a simple elevator pitch to see if your business idea is compelling to others.

If you haven't created an elevator pitch before, you can stitch together the essentials very easily (see Elevator Pitch above). Next try out your elevator pitch on 10 people you trust and respect to get their feedback and reaction to your well-formed business concept. This is the warm up for steps two and three.

Step 2: Talk to would-be customers to find out if there is a true need for your product or service.

When you are thinking about starting a business, you obviously feel there is a void in the marketplace. Don't wait until you open your business to find out if the need for another business is real or imagined. Select individuals who will be focused on the content of your ideas and less concerned about simply wanting to be encouraging.

Step 3: Become an expert on the competition.

Identify 5 other companies that are already doing what you plan to do. Learn as much about them as you can. One of the best things to learn is if they expanding or shrinking. You want to be entering a business where the market and demand is growing!

Step 4: Develop a rough estimate of your breakeven costs.

Knowing your total costs and breakeven revenue requirements are essential in evaluating a business idea. Early on, get a rough estimate which you can carefully refine if your business idea passes all your tests.

Step 5: Identify the person responsible for selling (and that person is probably you).

When you start a new business, the business will fail or succeed based on whether or not you hit your sales targets. Regardless of who is doing the selling, the responsibility for seeing that the company sales goal is met falls on the founder. If you can say, "I am ready to be responsible for driving sales in my new company" then you have passed step five of the reality check.

Summary

If you take the time to put your business idea through the five-step reality check you will be well on your way to answering the question, "How can I know if my business will succeed?" You will have gathered all of the essential information to make an informed decision about starting the business. Next, take the foundation developed in the five-step reality test to start developing your business plan. You'll find that the things you've already learned will give you a great head start. With this reality check and our business plan tempate, you'll be ready for success!

All the information you need to start and finish your business plan can be found using the business plan template tools on GreatBusinessPlans.com!

Our Visitors Tell Why They Use Our Site:

Business Plan Template Benefit 1: "Using your template and information I finished my business plan fast!"
Business Plan Template Benefit 2: "I didn't know where to start--your outlines and template changed that instantly!"
Business Plan Template Benefit 3: "My business idea was clear in my head, you showed me how to put it down on paper."
Business Plan Template Benefit 4: "How to write a business plan was a mystery to me. Mystery solved!"

See for yourself how using a proven business plan template can help you start and finish your plan fast. How using a business plan template can help you put your ideas down on paper and solve the mystery of how to write a business plan!