To help you start or grow your own business, we have put together a collection of free business plan templates within a variety of industries. These sample business plans were expertly crafted using PlanPros.ai.
These free business plan templates will provide the guidance and format necessary to write a business plan today.
Business Plan Examples by Industry
Business Services Business Plan Templates
Clothing & Fashion Business Plan Templates
Construction, Interior Design & Home Services Business Plan Templates
Consumer Services Business Plan Templates
Entertainment, Recreation & Music Business Plan Templates
Events Business Plan Templates
Farm Business Plan Templates
Financial Services Business Plan Templates
Fitness & Beauty Business Plan Templates
Food & Beverage Business Plan Templates
Medical & Health Business Plan Templates
Nonprofit Business Plan Templates
Real Estate Business Plan Templates
Retail & Ecommerce Business Plan Templates
Technology Business Plan Templates
Transportation Business Plan Templates
Travel and Lodging Business Plan Templates
Sample Business Plan Format
The sample business plan format below has been designed to guide you through the steps of developing an effective and comprehensive business plan. Each section plays an important role in presenting your business idea persuasively to investors or lenders, and to also help ensure your business has a solid foundation for its success.
Executive Summary
The Executive Summary is the first section of your business plan. It should present a compelling overview of your business. Your goal here is to capture the essence of your entire plan, since if it doesn’t excite your readers, they won’t read the rest of your plan. The Executive Summary will contain a brief outline of each section, including the target customers, unique value proposition, management team, financial overview, and any funding requirements.
Company Overview
The Company Overview section offers a company description along with what your business does, the products and services it offers, your business model, your mission statement, the history of your business, and the key factors that contribute to its success. This section is your opportunity to present a compelling picture of your company, including what makes it attractive to buyers because of what it offers.
Industry Analysis
The Industry Analysis section describes the industry in which your business operates. Through market research, you should include market trends and statistics that help you identify market gaps. The analysis also looks at current industry growth and the future prospects of the industry. From this data, potential investors can see that your business strategies are supported by facts and statistics, which help build confidence in your business.
A detailed description of the trends in the market is included in the Industry Analysis. The analysis allows potential investors to see how competitors are strategizing and explore how those strategies can work for your business.
Customer Analysis
The Customer Analysis section indicates how well your business knows your target audience. It details who your customers are, what they need, and how your product or service meets those needs. It’s not just about identifying who might be interested in your products and services, but also about understanding their behaviors, preferences, and purchasing patterns.
The demographic and behavior profiles of your target customers in the analysis are used as the backbone of product development, marketing strategies, and customer acquisition strategies. Understanding your target customer leads to the creation of promotions that specifically meet the customer’s needs. In the big picture, the Customer Analysis enhances the value proposition of your business, making it more attractive overall.
Competitive Analysis
The Competitive Analysis identifies how your business compares to others in the industry and describes the overall competitive landscape. It examines direct and indirect competitors and details their strengths, weaknesses, market share, and strategies. Direct competitors are companies who sell the same products or services as you. Indirect competitors sell related, similar or substitute products or services.
After detailing your competitors, this section should conclude with a discussion of your competitive advantage; that is, the areas in which you are better than your competitors and which will allow you to achieve success.
Marketing Plan
The Marketing Plan connects directly to the Customer Analysis. This section describes step-by-step how the business will deliver the most effective marketing messages to the target customers. It outlines the product introduction and describes how the unique features or competitive advantages of the products will be showcased for customers.
The pricing strategy for the products or services is included in the Marketing Plan section. Various factors add to the pricing strategy. These may include the unique value of the product or service, solutions provided by the product or service and the pricing of similar products or services by competitors.
The Marketing Plan also includes promotions and tactics the business will use to reach potential customers. Tactics include advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and sales promotions. Selecting the right mix of promotions is based on the messaging that will best reach the target customers. For example, are customers mostly online? The marketing plan should include social media ads and content marketing. This section should also list any collaborations that will increase brand visibility and drive customer interest.
Operations Plan
The Operations Plan presents the structure that supports the business strategy. It details key processes, such as procurement and manufacturing, and includes delivery and customer service. This section is a blueprint of how your business functions on a day-to-day basis. It should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of your team members. It should also note the operational facilities required, suppliers and partners involved, and equipment needed for business operations. The Operations Plan will set milestones to mark progress and note the efficiency of operations to scale up as needed.
Management Team
The Management Team section of the business plan describes the professional experience, education and skill set of each manager. Investors welcome this information, as it displays proven experience of the managers that dovetails with the new business. This section promotes management abilities that will boost the credibility of the business.
Financial Plan
The Financial Plan is a detailed look at the company’s current financial health and future financial projections. It’s a crucial section for investors and lenders. It outlines the income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet over a projected five-year period. It also defines its profitability, financial stability, and growth potential. A financial summary at the beginning of this section helps stakeholders review the financial forecasts and underlying assumptions of this business.
The Financial Plan shows the needed funding and the proposed use of funds. It should state the total amount needed, the type of funding (debt or equity), and a breakdown of how the funds will be used. It will include funding for product development, marketing, expansion, and working capital needs. Specific details in this section will demonstrate vital credibility with potential investors and creditors.
Types of Business Plans
Business planning involves building the framework that supports the vision of the business. A professional business plan will include the goals and circumstances of the business. Review the following business plans to help guide your selection for your business.
Traditional Business Plan
Traditional business plans describe the structure for startups and businesses that need to secure funding. It outlines several key elements of the business, from the executive summary to the marketing plan. This plan caters to investors and lenders who want to view the complete picture of the business before committing to funding. A traditional business plan starts with a clear introduction and ends with a showcase of the company’s commitment to grow and evolve.
One-Page Business Plan
The one-page business plan simplifies the traditional business plan. It is a concise document that highlights each section in brief paragraphs. The plan includes the company’s mission, vision, and objectives. It also includes brief summaries of the target market, unique value proposition, marketing strategy, financial data, and key metrics.
This streamlined business plan serves business owners who need to quickly bring their business concept to investors or lenders in a funding appeal. The plan is an attractive option for startups in early development. It is a flexible plan and adjustments can easily be made. It is also effective for businesses that are exploring interest in a new product or service. Consider using this same-page plan for your business if you need a clear, brief overview of your business structure.
Strategic Business Plan
A strategic business plan starts with setting long-term business goals and identifying the resources and actions needed to reach those goals. It outlines where the company wants to go and how it plans to get there. This plan helps a business form a forward-looking perspective or a fresh look at changing trends and it can be realigned as often as needed.
How To Use a Business Plan Example To Write a Business Plan
A business plan example is an excellent guide to creating a comprehensive business plan tailored to your business. A business plan example offers two helpful advantages: It demonstrates the framework for your own business and it assists in articulating your personal vision.
Choose a Example Business Plan from the Same Industry & Business Type
To get started, select a business plan example that matches or closely aligns to your industry and business type. The sectors in the example, such as the industry analysis and competitor analysis, will be similar to your plan and can offer insights as the industry sectors in your plan are developed.
A business plan example that matches your industry will outline the challenges and opportunities found in your industry. This information adds value to your own business plan; including it indicates you have a solid grasp on the inner-workings of the industry.
In addition, choosing an example business plan with your business type adds clarity to the operations and finance sectors in your plan. Specific insights in operations, management, and production methods combine to showcase the business portion of your plan.
The Business Plan Example is Your Guide
Using a good business plan example as a guide offers multiple key benefits because it demonstrates the structure and content that can work for your own plan. It is a blueprint that includes important segments, such as an executive summary, market analysis, organizational structure, and financial projections. The example captures the full business plan so you can be confident that every sector in your plan will be modeled.
The financial section of a business plan is the one most business owners would like to avoid. It contains financial statements and projections that may be confusing. Because the example business plan includes every financial segment, including the statements, cash flow projections, and funding requests, you can relax. The business plan examples offered will assist you in understanding how to forecast the finances, how projections are built and the best ways to describe funding uses. This not only strengthens the business plan, but also builds your confidence in sharing this section of the business plan with potential investors.
Business Planning is a Process
The business planning process never ends. Although a business plan may seem finalized, the plan needs to be continuously flexible just as a viable business is flexible. The business plan conforms to new trends, strategies and the evolving vision of the future. This gives the business owner a select opportunity to adapt to changing market conditions, reviewing and updating the business plan as needed.
Regularly revisiting your business plan invites continuous, strategic thinking, making it a favorite pastime for entrepreneurs. This is how businesses get ahead and stay ahead, whether in industry trends, new technologies, or innovative directions.
