Your business plan is the document that will take you from idea to execution and one of the first steps when you want to start a business. You’ll likely depend on your business plan to organise your thoughts, strategise for success and stay focused. A business plan is also handy in getting funding for your business
If you want to write a winning business plan, read this comprehensive guide. We’re sharing step-by-step tips on how to write a business plan.
Related: How to start an online business
In this article:
- What is a business plan?
- Why do you need a business plan?
- How to write a business plan
- Business plan format
- Tips for writing your small business plan
- Business plan Frequently Asked Questions
What is a business plan?
A business plan is a document that you use to strategise for your business’ future. The business plan includes an overview of your business, its goals and how you plan to promote your goods or services. The document will also include financial forecasting.
Why do you need a business plan?
Writing a business plan requires you to outline your business goals and the strategies to achieve them.
This exercise helps you create something tangible from your ideas.
By putting ideas in writing, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to properly think through your plan and assess its likely success.
You'll be glad to have this document if you need to convince banks or investors that your business is legitimate and likely to return a profit.
Investors will expect a well-thought-out business plan demonstrating market awareness and financial planning.
Need help deciding on a business to start? Check out this list of small business ideas that are easy to launch. You might also consider other online side hustles that require minimal upfront investments.
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How to write a business plan
If you’re ready to get stuck in and write your business plan, the next steps will greatly help. You want to be thorough at every step, especially if you’re sharing the plan with potential stakeholders.
But remember, this is your business; your plan must be true to you first and foremost.
1. Create an executive summary
This is straight-to-the-point summary, running through the key points included in each section of your business plan.
Your executive summary is essentially your first impression to investors.
Most people like the executive summary to be presented with the business plan, but as a separate document.
People should be able to read it and understand the basics of your plans and projections, without the need to read the entire business plan itself. In a few sentences, it should grab attention and explain what you/your business does. Grab the reader's attention — so they’re compelled to read on.
Many people find it easiest to write this summary after they’ve completed the other sections.
2. Describe your company
Think about your elevator pitch as you are writing your company description. Be veryclear here.
You may include what type of business it is, how it was formed and its history to date, its legal structure, locations (head office and operations) and how it works – is it online, mail order, shop floor or a combination? Be clear but succinct. Think about what you do, who you do it for, and exactly what problem you are solving.
You’re unlikely to be the first person to create a company solving a particular problem for your audience, so try and detail what it is that makes your company stand out.
3. Introduce team members
If you have any particularly credible or expert team members, be sure to introduce them in your business plan. Write a short bio for each person that highlights their key credentials and how they will contribute to your new business.
4. State your company goals
Every business needs goals but deciding exactly what yours are may take some thought.
Yes, your company needs to make a profit, but your goals need to be broken down into more measurable and actionable steps.
Start with your desired business goals (number of products sold over a certain period, etc). Then decide what you need to achieve to meet each goal. For example:
- How many sales do you need to make for your company to meet your projected revenue goal?
- What marketing tactics will your business use to hit your business goals?
Some businesses include goals that address the greater good.
For example, you may choose to set a goal for reaching net-zero carbon targets by a particular year. Or you could commit to using 75% locally sourced materials in your products.
5. Detail your values and mission
Of course, your business is here to make money and provide the lifestyle that you want.
When writing a business plan, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the data and the money.
But your why is the lifeblood of your business.
Take some time to create a page that digs into the meaning behind your business.
- What larger problem are you trying to solve?
- What values will you hold the business to?
- What does this business mean to you?
This section should be very useful for you as a business owner because this is what will keep you going.
It can also be used to help you onboard a team later.
6. List your products or services
When you write your business plan, you must include your products or services.
Within this section, write:
- What your products or services are
- How they help your customers
- How they stand out in the marketplace
For product-based businesses, include:
- A brief introduction to your costs (you’ll expand on them later in your plan)
- Where your products are sourced
- The quantity of products you currently own
7. Do market research
Every business must conduct market research. You need to think about the local market and, if you’re starting an online business, you must consider the digital market. You may have different competitors in each marketplace.
You must do market research to understand your competitors and your place among them.
Paint the picture of your market and nail it in fact with supporting data and external, established analysis. It can’t just be your empirical, personal view. Remember to explain who your target market is, and what the gap is in catering for their demand. Your market analysis should provide clear insights, direction and basis for the purpose of your business, and its success.
Your market research will help you determine if your business venture is justified. It can also act as support for your proposition — which is especially useful when pitching to investors.
The market research section will help you see where the gaps are between your business and competitors. It will form the beginning of your sales and marketing plan as you strategise to close the gap on leading competitors.
Who’s already doing what you’re planning to do?
Are you looking to disrupt?
Give a good overview of your direct and indirect competitors’ weaknesses, but also what they’re getting right.
You’ll either be doing it better or looking to cut a niche. But again, it pays to be realistic.
8. Create a marketing and sales plan
Your marketing and sales plan will generally be built from your competitor research. You can use competitive data to get a feel for what’s working. However, it’s important to remember that your brand and your audience are unique.
You are better off doing less better than trying to do too much poorly.
Your marketing plan should be in support of the business goals you outlined earlier. Your marketing plan should have a clear goal and a strategy to help achieve it.
Don’t feel bad if you don’t know the ins and outs of marketing — if you need help here, ask for it.
You may need to reach out to your marketing team (if you have one). If not, contact other local professionals who can help you pinpoint what your business needs to succeed.
9. Make financial projections
When it comes down to it, finances determine a successful business from an unsuccessful one.
If you’re seeking investment, your financial forecast is everything. If there’s one thing that investors need to know very clearly is the financial estimations and performance of your business over time.
In your projection, plan for:
- Sales
- Expenses (including wages)
- Pricing of your products and/or services
- Contingency plan for unexpected expenses
Related: The average cost to build a UK website
10. Add an appendix
It’s not enough to simply write a business plan; every claim you make needs to be well-documented and supported. So, include an appendix.
Your appendix is a compilation of supporting documentation and/or evidence. Items that might be included in the appendix include:
- Resumes of your key team members
- Details of your market research and analysis
- Legal documents, such as incorporation papers, patents or trademarks
- Marketing materials, such as websites, social accounts, brochures or flyers
- Customer testimonials or case studies. New businesses might not have this, but if you have done research or focus groups, you can include your findings here.
- Product prototypes or lab tests if you have them
- Any other relevant materials referenced in the main body of the business plan
Business plan format
There are three types of business plans:
- Traditional
- Lean
- Not-for-profit
Whilst this article focuses primarily on the most common business plan format — the traditional plan — it helps to know what might be involved in the other formats.
Traditional
The traditional format provides a detailed business overview and is useful for presenting to investors or lenders.
In a traditional plan, you will likely write more than you would in a lean plan.
Some businesses might opt for a traditional plan and then create a lean version for specific uses.
Lean
The lean business plan format is, as you would expect, a simplified version of a traditional business plan. The lean business plan format includes the most critical aspects of the business.
If you’re writing a lean business plan and you want to pitch to investors, then you must include key sections like market analysis, revenue forecasts, etc.
Nonprofit
The not-for-profit business plan is similar to the traditional business plan but includes items that are required to run a not-for-profit organisation.
For example, if you were writing a not-for-profit business plan, you would likely include all elements of the traditional plan, plus fundraising and development, governance and financials.
You may also have research from the local area you’re serving to help with your market analysis section.
Your aim will be to prove that there’s a public need for your not-for-profit organisation.
Tips for writing a small business plan
Before you start writing your small business plan, read through these tips — some might not be so obvious.
Use a business plan template
Business plans are not new, so why not start with a tried and tested template? There’s plenty of space to turn the template into something unique that feels like yours.
Using a template provides structure and avoids overwhelm.
You can download a free business plan template from the Prince’s Trust website. You can also download:
- A free cash flow forecast template
- A great business plan template from the UK’s Start Up Loans website
Use them to help jump start your planning process.
Write for yourself, not just investors
Your business plan is yours. Writing it is your chance to organise your thoughts and understand what the business means to you.
Once completed, you should feel satisfied with your roadmap to success.
Of course, consider your audience and investors when writing it and give them everything they need, but don’t forget to satisfy your own intent.
Remember the business plan formats; you can always start with a traditional plan for yourself and then provide your investors with the lean version.
Demonstrate what makes you unique
You’re likely to be joining a busy marketplace, and you want to go in ready to disrupt and stand out.
- Clearly articulate what sets your business apart from your competition (e.g., quality of service, product uniqueness).
- Explain why customers should choose your products or services (e.g., x% of proceeds go to a worthy cause).
Use concrete data and examples
Writing your business plan takes your dreams and helps you turn them into something tangible and achievable.
You should be able to support your ideas with concrete data and real-world examples. You need to prove to yourself — and investors — that your business is viable.
Be realistic in your projections
Because writing your business plan is about creating something that’s achievable, you must be realistic with your projections.
While being optimistic is exciting — and you can still be privately optimistic — you must be realistic in your plan. So, keep your projections modest.
Realistic projects are better for you mentally, too. If you’re more likely to achieve your goals, you’re less likely to get overwhelmed.
Plus, goals that are not realistic will heap pressure on you and your team, and that’s the last thing a new business needs.
A business plan is just one part of the journey of starting a new business.For the entire step-by-step process, check out our guide on how to start your own business in the UK.
Business plan FAQ
Here are your most-asked questions, answered.
How do I write a simple business plan?
You will write a simple business plan if you keep focused and aim to be thorough but concise.
Cover all the important aspects — give special attention to your executive summary — and don’t over-plan.
Focus on shorter time frames and be realistic about what can be done.
Rely on research and data to help shape your projections.
Can I write a business plan myself?
Yes, you can write a business plan yourself. That said, if your plan covers areas of business where you’re not so strong, you might need support. Feel free to consult with financial and legal professionals.
How long should a business plan be?
Your business plan will be as long as it needs to be, but the aim is to create something thorough yet concise. As a guide, aim for around 15 to 20 pages.
How long should it take to write a business plan?
Writing your business plan will probably take a few days, but you’ll need to do a lot of research behind the scenes. You also need to step away from the plan, return and edit it to ensure it is accurate and void of errors. A business plan should take three months from beginning to end.
It’s difficult to understate the importance of business planning. Once you’ve laid the groundwork for your business plan — or perhaps even before — you'll need to consider which domain name to opt for.
Choosing a .co.uk or .uk domain ending is often a great place to start. These domains can help to build a national and local identity that’s more trustworthy for consumers — especially important for new ventures trying to gain a foothold in a competitive marketplace.
Moreover, search engines tend to favour local domains in UK searches. And the shorter, snappier URLs associated with these domains can make your website easier to remember. If you want to see what is available for your business, you can do a quick domain name search to get started.
