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GPT-5 MiniWhat is a simple business plan template
Simple Business Plan Templates: Top Free Recommendations
A simple business plan template focuses on essentials like your idea, market, operations, and finances—often 1-5 pages—ideal for startups or solopreneurs. Below, I recommend the best free options based on reliability, ease of use, and updates as of 2026. These come from trusted sources like government sites (SBA, SCORE) and versatile platforms (Smartsheet, Canva).
Comparison of Top Options
| Template Source | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Best For | Download/Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBA Lean Startup (sba.gov) | 1-page format; 9 blocks: Key Partners, Activities, Resources, Value Prop, Customer Relationships/Segments, Channels, Cost Structure, Revenue Streams. | Ultra-simple (write in ~1 hour); official U.S. gov resource; great for quick validation or pitches. | Minimal financial details; lenders may want more. | Fast ideation, early-stage startups. | SBA Write Your Plan – Use examples like Andrew's Toy Co.; search site for free PDFs. |
| SCORE Startup Template (score.org) | 9 sections: Exec Summary, Company Desc, Products/Services, Marketing, Operations, Management, Expenses, Financials, Appendices; includes worksheets/questions. | Step-by-step guidance; fillable for mentors; startup-focused. | More structured (10+ pages possible); Word-heavy. | Beginners needing hand-holding. | Direct Download (Word format). |
| Smartsheet Simple/One-Page (smartsheet.com) | Multiple: 1-page (vision, objectives, market, finances); Simple (SWOT, metrics); Startup (break-even, projections). Excel/Word/PDF/Google formats; blanks + samples. | Versatile formats; trackable tables; industry variants (e.g., ecommerce, restaurant). | Can feel spreadsheet-like. | Sharing with teams/lenders; any small biz. | Free Templates Page – e.g., One-Page Word. |
| Canva Business Plan (canva.com) | 1,600+ editable designs; simple visuals for summary, market, finances; drag-drop customization. | Stunning visuals; collaborative; free exports (PDF/PPT). | Less emphasis on numbers; design-focused. | Presentations or creative/service businesses. | Canva Templates – Free signup, edit online. |
Quick Pick: Start with Smartsheet's One-Page for versatility or SBA Lean if you want dead-simple. All are free, no strings.
Quick DIY Simple Template Outline (1-Page Lean Style)
Use this as a starting point—copy into Word/Google Docs:
- Business Overview: Name, mission, unique value (1-2 sentences).
- Problem & Solution: Customer pain + your fix.
- Target Market: Who? Size? Needs?
- Marketing/Sales: How you'll reach/attract customers (channels, pricing).
- Operations: Key partners, activities, resources needed.
- Financials: Startup costs, revenue streams, 1-year projections (simple table: Income, Expenses, Profit).
- Milestones: Next 6-12 months (e.g., launch date, first sales).
| Category | Projection (Year 1) |
|---|---|
| Revenue | $XX |
| Expenses | $XX |
| Net Profit | $XX |
Tips: Tailor to your needs (e.g., add SWOT for analysis). Update quarterly.
These templates help secure funding (SBA/SCORE shine here) or guide operations.
What type of business are you starting (e.g., ecommerce, service, restaurant)? Do you need it for loans/investors, or just internal use? Prefer a specific format like Word, PDF, or visual? Let me know for more tailored recs!
GPT-5.2What is a simple business plan template
A "simple" business plan usually falls into one of two categories: a One-Page (Lean) Plan for quick internal use, or a Guided Template for more professional needs like seeking a small loan or partner.
Below are the best specific tools and the actual "simple" structure you should follow.
1. The "One-Page" Structure (The Absolute Simplest)
If you just need to get your ideas on paper, use this 8-part outline. You can copy this into a Google Doc or Word file right now.
- Identity: A one-sentence summary of what your business does.
- The Problem: What pain point or gap in the market are you solving?
- The Solution: How does your product or service solve that problem?
- Target Market: Who is your ideal customer? (Be specific).
- Competition: Who else is doing this and why are you better?
- Revenue Streams: How exactly will you make money? (Pricing, subscriptions, etc.)
- Marketing Strategy: How will customers find out about you?
- Milestones: What are the next 3 big things you need to achieve?
2. Best Tools & Templates for 2026
Depending on your goal (speed, design, or professional look), these tools offer the best "fill-in-the-blank" experiences:
| Tool | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot One-Page Template | Extreme Simplicity | Free; available in Word/PDF; covers only the essentials. | Very basic; no automated financial math. |
| Canva | Visual Pitches | Beautiful, modern designs; drag-and-drop; great for "showing" your idea. | Primarily visual; doesn't help with the "business logic" or numbers. |
| Upmetrics | AI-Assisted Writing | Uses AI to draft sections for you; great for beating writer's block. | Subscription-based; might feel like overkill for a tiny project. |
| SCORE.org | Formal/Lender Ready | Free; trusted by banks; comes with a mentor if you want one. | Much longer and more "text-heavy" than a one-pager. |
| LivePlan | Financial Accuracy | The "gold standard"; handles all the complex math and forecasting automatically. | Paid software ($15–$10/mo); has a learning curve. |
3. Which one should you choose?
- Choose a One-Page/Lean Template if: You are in the "idea stage," testing a concept, or just want to align with a co-founder.
- Choose a Traditional Template (like SBA or SCORE) if: You are applying for a bank loan or a formal grant. Lenders expect a specific, detailed format.
- Choose Canva if: You are presenting your plan to a creative audience or potential early-stage partners where "vibe" and branding matter.
How to get started:
- Write the "Solution" first: Don't start at the beginning. Describe your product/service first to get your momentum going.
- Use "Bullet Points" only: A simple plan shouldn't have long paragraphs. If you can't say it in a bullet, it's too complicated.
- Do the Math last: Financials are the hardest part. Finish the "story" of the business before you worry about the spreadsheets.
To help me narrow this down for you:
- Are you writing this for yourself to get organized, or do you need to show it to someone (like a bank or investor)?
- What industry is your business in? (Different industries often require specific sections like "Inventory" or "Tech Stack").