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Template Highlights

• Ten sections: Company description, Opportunity, Industry Analysis, Target Market, Management Team, Marketing Strategy, Timeline, Financial Plan, Conclusion. Bonus Appendices section, if you want to get fancy
• Detailed instructions for each section
• Add new sections or delete unnecessary ones -- the template is your oyster
• Make it yours with your logo and branding
• Download it as a PDF or Word file
• Print it, email it, send it by carrier pigeon if that's your jam

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Simple business plan template.

Business Plan Template

Executive Summary

Begin with a brief description of your company to give background and context. Tell the reader why you have embarked on this new venture.

Then, move into a description of the opportunity. Explain your project from the broadest to most narrow context. Tell readers what product or service you plan to offer, how it fits into the industry you’ll operate within, who your target customers are, and what you expect from the market in the future. Explain your value proposition, and give an overview of the market.

Briefly describe your management team to help potential investors understand the skills and experience your company brings to the table. Next, move into a description of how your business will operate on a day-to-day basis.

Then, describe how you will promote your new product/service. You don’t need to go into detail here, but you should provide enough information to illustrate the marketing methods you will use and how you will attract new customers.

Describe the cost structure and financial aspects of the business. You’ll need to explain the kind and amount of investment that you need, what you will use the money for, and how you envision your business becoming profitable.

Next, you should move into a description of how you will implement your business plan. How will you roll out your new business? What is the expected timeline?

Finally, close this section with a clear, pithy explanation of your project, why it is needed, and how it will benefit future customers and investors.

HubSpot Tip: Write this section last, after you have written all of the other sections. It should summarize your entire business plan in a page or two (at most).

Company Description

Provide a description of your organization. Include the company’s name, what type of entity it is, who owns it, and note any significant assets.

This is a good place to talk about why you do what you do. What is your company’s mission statement? What are your goals and objectives?

What product or service do you provide? Who are your customers? Do you have a geographic focus? If so, where?

Briefly describe the industry, the opportunities it offers, and the growth it is experiencing.

Note some of your company’s main strengths and briefly explain where you fit into the industry. You will delve more deeply into this later.

HubSpot Tip: Keep this section brief. You will have plenty of time to talk about the details of your company and the business opportunity later in the document.

The Opportunity

Describe the need in the market that your business idea will fill. How did this need arise and why has it not been filled yet?

Explain how you identified the need and how your product/service will meet it.

Describe your products/services here. You can include diagrams or pictures to help illustrate your offering.

You should also include a description of the features and benefits of your product/service to your customer. Consider capturing this in a simple table like the one below.

Product/Service Feature

Benefit to the Customer

HubSpot Tip: Be sure to include your value proposition in this section – describe how your service/product is attractive to customers.

Industry Analysis

In this section, you’ll want to talk about the key environmental trends in your industry. What are the barriers to entry (e.g., high production or marketing costs, tariff barriers, regulatory challenges, extensive training)? How is the industry progressing? What is changing?

Then think about your business’ competitive advantage. Are there other companies providing the same good/service that you will be offering? If so, are customers likely to switch to your product/service? How do you compare with your competitors?

HubSpot Tip: Note the key factors for success in this industry, and show that your company has them.

Target Market Research and Definition

Based on the market research that you previously conducted, provide an explanation of the market in which your business will reside. How big is the market? How fast is it growing? Will your product/service be a major factor in the market?

Define your target customers. Who do you expect to buy your product/service?

You should identify and describe your major competitors in this section, as well.

Identify what defines your product/service in the marketplace. What distinctive competencies or offerings do you offer that other companies do not?

HubSpot Tip: Though you want to mention some competitors, make sure the focus is on your business and how it will serve your target customers.

Management Team & Organization

Your readers will want to know that your team has the skills and qualifications to implement what you have outlined in the business plan. Include brief biographical sketches of your leadership, including the board of directors (if you have one) and any high-level external advisors that your company uses.

Include their educational credentials and a description of the relevant work they have done and accomplishments they have achieved. You can also personalize this section with headshots of your staff to help put faces to the names.

If you have a complicated management structure, consider including an organizational chart like the one shown below. Tailor it to include the names and roles of your leadership team.

HubSpot Tip: You don’t need to include descriptions of every position in the company, just high-level management.

Operations Plan

In this section, describe how you will manage your business and what daily operations will look like. You should cover at least the following topics, and any other relevant information that might be unique to your industry:

• Staffing – How many employees will you have? Where will they be located? What kinds of skills and certifications do they need?

• Infrastructure – What kind of physical space will your company occupy? Describe your business locations. What kinds of technologies will you require?

• Legal Structure – Legal issues are important in every industry. Describe the unique aspects of yours and how you will address them.

• Regulatory – Regulations also play a key role in most businesses. Include a discussion of the regulatory issues faced in your industry and how you will handle them.

• Certifications or Accreditations - Does your company require any special documentation to do business? If so, describe how you’ll attain the required certification or accreditation.

• Product/Service Delivery Process – Describe your business processes. These might include inventory, supply chain, and accounts payable and receivable.

HubSpot Tip: This list is not exhaustive, so be sure to include enough information to help potential investors understand how your business will operate.

Marketing Strategy

Marketing is a crucial to the success of any business. Building on what you described in the Target Market Research and Definition section, define the components of your strategy to market your product/service.

Describe any challenges, including barriers to entering the market. What potential problems do you foresee? How will you address them?

Explain why you have chosen to operate your business in the selected location. Are there cost savings involved in choosing this location? Does it bring you closer to your customer base?

What is your pricing strategy? Explain and provide clear evidence for why the pricing structure you selected will lead customers to buy your products/services and will, at the same time, result in a profit for your business and investors.

Describe your plan for promoting your new business, product, or service. Will you use print, radio, television, or social media? Will you hire a marketing manager?

Be sure to indicate the budget for your marketing strategy and where you will obtain the funding for this important aspect of your business. You may need to employ consultants or an advertising agency – be sure to include these costs.

HubSpot Tip: Consider including a few mockups of your logos, packaging, and even advertisements to give potential investors a preview of your company’s marketing materials.

Implementation Plan And Timeline

Describe the phases in which your business will be rolled out. Indicate which phase you are in currently, and how long it will take to bring your product/service to market.

Consider including a timeline like the one below to illustrate the steps in the process. Customize it with your dates and the specific steps for your business.

HubSpot Tip: While aiming to please potential investors, be sure to set reasonable deadlines that you are able to meet.

Financial Plan

Tell your potential investors the amount of funds you have received thus far and who provided them. How much more funding do you require?

Describe how you will use each part of the funding you are requesting. Investors often feel more comfortable if they know exactly how their money will be used.

Give readers a peek into your company’s projected financial future. Include the following as appendices, but describe them in this section:

• Cash flow projection – An estimate of how much money you expect to flow in and out of your business.

• Capitalization plan – Lists the sources and uses of capital that your business plans to amass.

• Break-even analysis – A determination of what you need to sell in order to cover the costs of doing business.

In addition to the above, you’ll need to include an income statement and balance sheet. Since these could be long and were likely developed in Excel or an accounting software, you should reference them here and include them in an appendix.

You will also want to explain any assumptions that you have made that affect your financial information. Later you will be able to point to these to explain why something may have turned out differently than expected.

HubSpot Tip: This is one of the most important sections of your business proposal. If you are not an expert in finance, be sure to seek assistance from someone who is.

In a few sentences, summarize the main point that you would like the reader to understand about your business. Aim to convince them that they should invest!

Describe the next steps, and give detailed contact information so that they can get in touch with you easily.

HubSpot Tip: This section should incite the reader to act. Make it easy for your potential investors by including in this section all of the information they need to move forward.

Include any supporting documents for the previous sections here. You can reference them in the text and use them to provide additional detail without breaking up the flow of your business plan text.

HubSpot Tip: Some items you could include are: marketing materials, maps of the business location, background research, articles that have been written about the company, and financial documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i write a simple business plan, is this template free, can i edit this template, related tags:.

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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.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Free business plan template for small businesses

• Amanda Bellucco Chatham
• Dec 7, 2023

Creating a successful business is about more than launching a business website or hanging a shingle on your front door. It requires a well-crafted plan that keeps you on track, anticipates obstacles and acts as a concrete roadmap for launching or improving your small business.

Business planning allows you to clarify your vision while providing information to both intrigue and reassure potential investors. The process may seem daunting, but creating a business plan isn’t difficult—and templates like the one below can help simplify the process even further.

Ready to launch your business? Create a website today.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is used by small business owners and entrepreneurs when starting a new business venture. It’s a strategic document that outlines the goals, objectives and strategies of your new or expanding business, including the company's vision, target market, financial projections and operational plans.

A business plan can attract potential partners, convince investors and banks to help you raise capital, and serve as a resource for future growth. Most importantly, you’ll be able to use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, operate and manage your new venture, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, a partnership or something larger.

Who needs a business plan?

Every business owner needs a business plan. They’re an essential tool for any person or entity interested in starting a business . There are many benefits, including:

Defining your business idea

Clarifying the market and competitive landscape

Outlining your marketing strategy

Stating your value proposition

Identifying/anticipating potential risks

Seeking investments from banks and other sources

Setting benchmarks, goals and key performance indicators (KPIs)

A business plan also gives you a way to assess the viability of a business before investing too much time or money into it. While all business involves risk, taking the time to create a plan can help mitigate fallout and avoid potentially costly mistakes.

When creating a business plan, it's important to establish your business goals up front and be prepared to spend time researching the market, performing a competitor analysis and understanding your target market .

Download Wix’s free business plan template

Creating a successful business plan is no easy feat. That’s why we’ve put together a simple, customizable, and free-to-download business plan template that takes the guesswork out of getting started. Use it to create a new business plan or to refresh an existing one.

Lean startup versus traditional business plan formats

In terms of types of business plans , there are two main formats to choose from: traditional and lean.

Traditional business plan format

A traditional business plan includes every detail and component that defines a business and contributes to its success. It's typically a sizable document of about 30 to 50 pages that includes:

Executive summary: The executive summary contains a high-level overview of everything included in the plan. It generally provides a short explanation of your business and its goals (e.g., your elevator pitch ). Many authors like to write this section last after fleshing out the sections below.

Company description: A company description should include essential details like your business name, the names of your founders, your locations and your company’s mission statement . Briefly describe your core services (or products if you’re writing an eCommerce business plan ), but don't go into too much detail since you’ll elaborate on this in the service/product section. Wix offers some helpful mission statement examples if you get stuck. It’s also a good idea to create a vision statement . While your mission statement clarifies your company’s purpose, a vision statement outlines what you want your company to achieve over time.

Market analysis: One of the most extensive sections of the business plan, this section requires that you conduct market research and write your conclusions. Include findings for the following: industry background, a SWOT analysis , barriers/obstacles, target market and your business differentiators.

Organization and management: This is where you outline how your business is structured and who's in charge, including founders, executive team members, board members, employees and key stakeholders. To this end, it can be helpful to create a visual layout (e.g., org chart) to illustrate your company structure.

Service or product line: Create a detailed list of your current and future products and services. If you’re still working on your idea, create a concept statement to describe your idea or product. You should also include a proof of concept (POC), which demonstrates the feasibility of your idea. Wherever applicable, include diagrams, product images and other visual components to illustrate the product life cycle.

Marketing and sales: Detail how your business idea translates into selling and delivering your offerings to potential customers. You can start by outlining your brand identity, which includes the colors and fonts you plan to use, your marketing and advertising strategy, and details about planned consumer touchpoints (like your website, mobile app or physical storefront).

Financial projections and funding requests: Include financial statements, such as a balance sheet, profit-and-loss statement (P&L), cash flow statement and break-even analysis. It's not uncommon for a business plan to include multiple pages of financial projections and information. You’ll also want to mention how much funding you seek and what you plan to do with it. If you’ve already secured funding, provide details about your investments.

Lean startup business plan format

A lean startup business plan—also referred to as a “lean canvas”—is presented as a problem/solution framework that provides a high-level description of your business idea. A lean plan is a single-page document that provides a basic overview of the most essential aspects of your business. It’s a good way to dip a toe into business planning since it doesn't require the same level of detail as a traditional plan. This includes:

Problem: What problem does your product or service solve, or what need does it fulfill?

Solution: How do you intend to solve it?

Unique value proposition (UVP): Why should people use your product or service versus someone else’s?

Unfair advantage: What do you have that other companies don’t?

Customers: Who are your ideal customers?

Channels: How will those customers find you?

Key metrics: How do you define success? How will you track and measure it?

Revenue streams: How will your business make money?

Cost structure: What will you spend money on (fixed and variable costs)?

Benefits of a business plan template

Business plan templates offer numerous benefits for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners. Here are some key advantages:

1. Save time and effort: Templates provide a pre-defined structure, eliminating the need to start from scratch. This frees up valuable time and effort that can be invested in other crucial aspects of business development.

2. Improve structure: Templates ensure a consistent and organized approach to presenting your business plan. This makes it easier for potential investors, lenders and advisors to understand your vision and evaluate the feasibility of your business. 3. Enhance professionalism: Using a well-designed template demonstrates professionalism and seriousness to external stakeholders. This can significantly impact their perception of your business and increase their confidence in your venture. 4. Guide your thought process: Templates act as a helpful framework, prompting you to consider all the key elements of your business plan and ensuring you haven't overlooked any critical areas. 5. Ensure completeness: Templates often include checklists and prompts to ensure you cover all essential information, minimizing the risk of missing crucial details. 6. Standardize formatting: Templates ensure a consistent and uniform appearance throughout your business plan, contributing to a more polished and professional presentation. 7. Access to expert knowledge: Many templates are developed by experienced business professionals or organizations, incorporating best practices and insights gained from successful ventures. 8. Adaptability and customization: While templates offer a basic structure, they can be easily customized to reflect the unique characteristics and needs of your specific business. 9. Cost-effectiveness: Templates are generally available for free or at a low cost, making them an accessible and budget-friendly option for entrepreneurs. 10. Increased success rate: Studies have shown that businesses with well-developed plans are more likely to succeed. Templates can help you create a comprehensive and persuasive plan, increasing your chances of securing funding and achieving your business goals.

Tips for filling out your business plan template

The hardest part of a journey is always the first step, or so the saying goes. Filling out your business plan template can be daunting, but the template itself is meant to get you over that crucial first hurdle—getting started. We’ve provided some tips aimed at helping you get the most from our template.

These are best practices—they’re not rules. Do what works for you. The main thing to remember is that these tips can help you move more easily through the planning process, so that you can advance onto the next (exciting) step, which is launching your business.

Consider your goals: What is the purpose of your business? Are you looking to expand, launch a new product line or fund a specific project? Identifying your goals helps you prioritize important information in your business plan.

Fill out what you can: You may already have a vague—or specific—idea of what you want your business to achieve. Go through each section of the template and fill out what you can. We suggest leaving the executive summary blank for now, since it'll be the last thing you write.

Be realistic: Even though this document is meant to serve as a marketing tool for potential investors, don't exaggerate any numbers or make any false promises.

Dig into the research: Nothing's more motivating than getting some intel about your competitors and your market. If you're truly stuck, a little research can help motivate you and provide valuable insight about what direction to take your business. For example, if you plan to start a landscaping business, learn about the specific pricing offered in your area so that you can differentiate your services and potentially offer better options.

Get help from others: Bouncing your ideas off a friend, mentor or advisor is a great way to get feedback and discover approaches or products to incorporate into your plan. Your network can also give you valuable insight about the industry or even about potential customers. Plus, it's nice to be able to talk through the challenges with someone who understands you and your vision.

Revise and review: Once complete, step back from your plan and let it "cook." In a day or two, review your plan and make sure that everything is current. Have other people review it too, since having another set of eyes can help identify areas that may be lacking detail or need further explanation.

Once you’ve completed your business plan template, it can become a meaningful resource for developing your mission statement, writing business proposals and planning how to move forward with the marketing, distribution and growth of your products and services.

After launch, you can also analyze your value chain to identify key factors that create value for your customers and maximum profitability for you. This can help you develop a more effective business plan that considers the entire value chain, from research and development to sales and customer support.

Business plan template FAQ

What is the easiest way to write a business plan.

The easiest way to write a business plan is to utilize a template. Templates provide a structured format and guide you through each section, simplifying the process of creating a comprehensive plan.

Is there a template for how to write a business plan?

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The 5 Best Tools to Write a Business Plan

Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Owen McGab Enaohwo

When you start a business , it’s crucial to set clear, realistic goals and think about how you will achieve them. You also need to research the market and your competition, define your target audience, and create a unique value proposition (UVP). That’s where a business plan comes in.

This document serves as a roadmap to success, making it easier to accomplish your objectives. It can also help you secure funding, uncover new opportunities, and mitigate risks, such as building a product no one wants. Think of it as an action plan for your business .

Generally, it’s best to write a business plan before launching your venture. So without further ado, here’s how to get started.

Why Does Every Business Need a Business Plan?

A business plan is a living document that outlines each stage of starting and running a company. It highlights your mission and values, as well as your goals and the steps needed to accomplish them.

According to CB Insights , 38% of startups fail because they run out of money. More than one-third go out of business because their products don’t sell, and 20% get outcompeted.

With a business plan, you can anticipate and avoid these pitfalls and increase your chances of success. What’s more, companies that plan experience 30% faster growth and better business performance than those without a plan. 

For example, market research—an essential component of business planning —can help you find the right customers and, hence, increase sales. You may also realize there’s no market for your products, in which case you can step back and chase other opportunities.

Every market and business is unique, and what works for one company may not work for another. A sound business plan will give you clarity and a sense of direction, leading to better decision-making.

What to Include in a Business Plan

There are no hard rules on how to write a business plan. This document can be as short as two or three pages or as long as 12-20 pages and will look different from one company to the next.

No matter its length or format, it should cover the following:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Products and services
• Unique value proposition
• Short- and long-term goals
• Organization and management
• Market research
• Competitive analysis
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Financial projections
• Funding requirements
• Appendices (additional data, credit histories, etc.)

The executive summary provides a brief overview of your business, its UVP and goals. The company description goes into detail about these aspects and the problem(s) your product or service can solve.

Moving forward, you’ll focus on each aspect of the business, from its positioning in the market to funding requirements.

However, this format isn’t set in stone. For example, a feasibility business plan will focus on one product or service to assess its validity.

By comparison, internal business plans revolve around organizational alignment. An operational plan , on the other hand, defines the steps you need to take on a weekly or daily basis to accomplish your goals.

Use These Tools to Craft a Compelling Business Plan 

Writing a business plan is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Each idea leads to the next, filling the gaps to bring your vision to life.

The challenge lies in figuring out where each piece fits in. For example, how does the competitive landscape impact your chances of success? And how does it relate to product pricing, marketing, customer demand, or other aspects?

The right tools can help you make sense of all this data and craft a compelling business plan. Here are our favorite picks.

• Sweet Process

Use this cloud-based documentation tool to gather all your files in one place, create and share policies, or manage tasks effortlessly. Business planning involves extensive paperwork, making it difficult to keep track of everything. With Sweet Process , you can store, organize, and share business documents effortlessly.

Sweet Process also enables users to edit images, print documents, and collaborate with others in real-time. For example, you can add graphs or product videos to your business plan while gathering data from other team members. Once your company is up and running, you can use Sweet Process to document your policies, workflows, and procedures.

• SCORE Business Planning Templates

SCORE offers customizable business plan templates for startups and established companies. Pick one, download it to your computer, and then fill it out with your company’s data. It’s that simple.

Each template contains instructions, real-world examples, and guiding questions. If, say, you’re not sure how to formulate your mission statement, go to that respective section and see the examples provided.

The templates from SCORE also include worksheets, tables, and other helpful tools for planning things out. Plus, they have a user-friendly format and cover just about any aspect you can think of.

Canva isn’t just for design work. It actually offers quite a few tools for starting and running a business, including SWOT analysis templates.

This acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Companies can conduct a SWOT analysis to identify the factors influencing their success. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors, whereas opportunities and threats come from the outside.

With Canva, you can generate SWOT charts, brainstorm ideas, and create engaging graphics. Include this information in your business plan to make it more impactful and visually appealing.

• D&B Hoovers

As discussed earlier, any business plan should include a competitive analysis. That means you must gather data on other companies in your industry to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies.

One way to get this information is to use a B2B database. For example, D&B Hoovers provides data on over 500 million companies worldwide, including public, private, and non-profit organizations.

With just a few clicks, you can see a company’s size, number of employees, SEC filings, sales volume, and other figures. This data can help you determine where you stand against your competitors, what they do well, and what you could do better.

LivePlan features over 550 sample business plans and other tools, such as an AI-powered assistant. Users can also get help via live chat or attend webinars for further insights.

The platform is intuitive and easy to use, offering everything you need to write a business plan. Your only job is to bring in data and fill out the templates provided.

Users can choose from two subscription plans at different price points. The premium one includes access to cutting-edge tools for generating “What if” scenarios, making financial forecasts, and setting business milestones.

Write a Business Plan That Drives Results 

Business planning is both an art and a science and often takes months of research. If done right, it can pave your way to success and help you avoid costly mistakes.

For starters, make sure you have access to accurate data. Next, use a business plan template to organize your ideas. Manage your documents with Sweet Process, and turn to a design tool like Canva to create diagrams, graphics, or infographics.

Note that your work doesn’t stop here. Your business plan is a living document, and you’ll need to review and update it as your company grows.

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Home » How To Build a Website in 2024: A Beginner’s Guide

How To Build a Website in 2024: A Beginner’s Guide

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Written and researched by:

Building a website is one of the best ways to grow your online presence and share your work with the world. Whether you’re looking to showcase your business, sell products, or simply want a digital home for your passion, there are a lot of steps to consider before getting started.

We recommend using a website builder to help simplify the process, but we’ll walk you through your options and the building journey step-by-step.

#1. Determine Your Site’s Purpose

The first thing you need to do is determine what type of website you want to build. What purpose do you want it to serve? Are you looking to create an online community to sell products to customers? Do you want to share your expertise through long-form blog content?

Whatever your goals, we recommend outlining the following details before proceeding:

• Type of website – think about what you want to share with visitors and what actions you want them to take, whether that’s through a blog, online store, or restaurant website
• Brand identity – your website’s tone of voice, color scheme, font choice, and unique selling point, will help your website stand out and bring consistency across your site’s design
• Goals and vision – make a note of what you aim to achieve through your website, such as growing email subscribers, and refer back to this as you build your brand and website
• Market research – see what your competitors are doing, identify gaps in the market, and recognize opportunities to connect with your target audience in a unique way

Having this information at the ready will help you as you start your website-building journey. And, if you’re more of a visual learner or you’re short on time, check out our video guide on how to build a website:

#2. Choose a Domain Name

Every website needs a domain name – the part of your site address visible in the browser’s search bar that identifies the website for people browsing the web. For example, ours is websitebuilderexpert.com .

The good news is that plenty of website builders package a domain name with your subscription (usually for the first year only), so keep that in mind when choosing your website builder in the next step. And don’t worry if you need to switch builders or platforms down the line – you can take your domain name with you.

Besides using website builders, you can also get a domain name from a registrar, such as GoDaddy or Domain.com . This can cost around $10 to $20 annually for a . com domain name.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a domain name:

• Make it unique and relevant to your website, business, or brand so repeat visitors and customers can easily find your site again
• Keep it as short as possible so it’s not a pain to type in the search bar or search engine
• Avoid numbers to reduce confusion when reading or typing (numbers can also be harder to remember!)
• Think long-term and choose a domain name that you’ll stick to – changing a name, especially for an established business, requires a lot of time and effort

Choose a short, memorable domain name that represents what your brand does. A concise name is not only easier for potential visitors to remember and recall, but it’s also simple to type into a browser. No need to forcibly add a keyword in your domain name either – this is not a ranking factor! Prioritize what makes sense for your audience and what aligns with your brand identity.

I would also recommend opting for a recognized Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) such as .com, .ai, .org, or .co. gTLDs are not tied to any country and can be used worldwide. This is the ideal choice if your audience spans across more than just one country, or you plan to expand internationally in the future.

#3. Pick a Website Builder

To get started, you need the tools and instruments to build a website – a website builder is our top choice.

Website builders help you build, customize, and manage a website, no matter your skill level. They’re a user-friendly option for anyone short on time or lacking confidence when building a site from scratch. The best part is that website builders cater to all users, from beginners looking to create a personal site to industry-leading businesses. For example, Shopify is home to titans of ecommerce, such as Mattel and Gymshark.

Of course, if you want to get into the nitty gritty when building your website, you can also choose to build with a CMS, like WordPress, and organize your web hosting yourself . While this gives you total creative control, it’s not as accessible or intuitive to use as website builders, so we’d only recommend this route if you have prior building experience.

We regularly review the best website builders in the market, using our years of experience and rigorous research process to share recommendations based on 200+ hours of testing. You can see our top five website builders below:

As you can see, Wix is our top-rated website builder overall. It offers over 900 stunning templates, impressive built-in website features, and a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editor.

That said, if you’re looking to build an online store , Shopify’s ecommerce features are unparalleled. And, for a simple editing experience, Squarespace is the easiest website builder we’ve tested in 2024.

What type of website do you want to create?

Building With AI

If you’re not too confident when it comes to building a website or you’re short on time, AI is the answer. Website builders are jumping on the AI hype in 2024 – you can start up a conversation with Wix’s AI chatbot, suggest a basic structure and style using Squarespace Blueprint, or let GoDaddy’s newest addition, GoDaddy Airo , help you build an online presence.

AI website builders are a great way to save time and energy, whether you use it to create pages or write content. But be wary of overdoing it! AI-generated websites won’t be as unique as something you can craft manually .

How Much Does It Cost To Build a Website?

We know that cost is a big concern when building a website, but how much should a website cost ? Thankfully, the majority of website builders offer a free plan or free trial . This is a great way to get familiar with a builder before splurging on a premium plan.

If you decide to pay for a premium plan, website builders are still considerably cheaper than shelling out for a web developer or designer to build your site which could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Website builder plans vary in price, costing around $3 to $30 per month (billed annually) .

For example, Wix has a free plan and its premium plans cost between $17 and $159 per month (billed annually). However, GoDaddy came out on top in our value for money research this year, offering an affordable entry point to building a website with its $10.99 per month Basic plan.

If you’re on a budget, check out our guide on the best free website builders and cheap website builders to see what’s available at your price point.

#4. Customize Your Template

Now that you’ve got this far, you should have a pretty solid foundation to build on. You know what type of website you want to create and have a set vision in mind, you’ve settled on a domain name, and you’ve signed up to a website builder. So, what’s next?

It’s time to design your website – your website builder should direct you to choose a template during onboarding (if you’re not building with AI).

Wix offers the most variety with 900+ templates to pick between. Most template libraries can be filtered by industry or website type, such as “Blog” or “Wellness.” Plus, the majority of templates are free to use but do factor cost into your budget since some website builders, like Shopify, slap a one-time price tag on their templates.

With your chosen template, you can then start customizing your site. Builders like Wix and Squarespace offer a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy for beginners to move elements around and position sections. Others, like Shopify and GoDaddy , use a section-based editor that limits you creatively but keeps things simple.

As mentioned before, we recommend using the free trials and plans available to play around in the editor first – see which editor style works best for you.

When customizing your site, draw ideas and inspiration from the brand identity you determined in step one. The important things to consider are:

• Color scheme – use the same color palette across design elements to pull the site together and keep things looking intentional
• Font type – we recommend choosing a font type that aligns with your website goals or business type (e.g. a trendy, modern font for an artist website or something more classic and professional for a real estate website)
• Visuals – add your eye-catching images and graphics to break up the text
• Content – make sure to replace any default template text with your own copy

#5. Create Relevant Website Pages

Once you’re happy with your site’s appearance and aesthetic, you’ll need to flesh it out with relevant pages. A lot of templates come with pages built-in already, so the work is sometimes done for you. When testing Wix, for example, I could add pages from the editor using the “Pages & Menu” button in the sidebar.

Regardless of your template or builder, it’s important to know what pages to include when building your website:

• Homepage – this is the heart of your website and should engage your visitors appropriately, sharing key information and branding so that people know the purpose of your site right away
• About page – use this page to tell your story, mission, and goals, whether that’s for an individual or business
• Shop and product pages (if you’re creating an online store) – naturally, an online store should feature pages for shopping so make sure to include plenty of product images and information to help drive sales
• Contact page – help website visitors connect with you or your business through a contact form, social media links, and general contact information (such as an email address or your store’s opening hours)
• Blog page – a blog is the perfect place for you to share engaging content, build an online community, and showcase your expertise in the market
• Some bonus extras could include a FAQ page , customer review page , membership area , or booking page to take appointments – these can be great pages to further customer relationships and build trust in your website

While we recommend that every website have a homepage, about page, and contact page, the rest is up to you and your website needs. If you’re building a portfolio website , you’ll want to add a portfolio or gallery page to showcase your work so potential clients can see what you’ve been up to.

#6. Add Website Functionality

The level of website functionality you need will depend on the type of website you intend to build. For example, you’ll need ecommerce tools if you’re looking to sell products or services, but a simple blog won’t need these features at all.

The features and tools you add to your site will also vary depending on your chosen website builder. Wix includes a lot of powerful features built into the platform, such as email marketing and internationalization tools. Shopify, on the other hand, relies heavily on third-party apps to add functionality.

For online stores, we recommend choosing a dedicated ecommerce website builder , like Shopify. You’ll want a platform that offers intuitive product management tools and important features, including:

• Lots of payment options to give your customers choice at checkout
• Multichannel selling so you can reach and sell to customers across social media and online marketplaces
• Ecommerce-focused marketing tools , such as Shopify’s 3D scanner to dynamically present your products or email marketing features to engage with customers
• Security measures , such as SSL certificates and fraud detection, to keep your business and customer data safe from malicious threats or attacks
• Shipping methods that suit your business – for example, Shopify offers real-time shipping rates and label printing

Apps & Plugins

A lot of website builders offer third-party apps and plugins that you can install to add additional functionality to your site. Some are free to use, such as Wix’s own Wix Bookings app, while others can cost extra on top of your subscription, such as Mailchimp for advanced email marketing tools.

While it’s great to explore available apps to enhance your website, we do recommend taking the time to properly research plugins before downloading them in case of security issues or poor performance.

#7. Optimize Your Content

The next step is to optimize your website content and design. This will help boost your site’s visibility across search engines, improve the overall experience for visitors, and build brand awareness.

Consider these factors when optimizing your content:

• Search engine optimization (SEO) – boost your website’s visibility and traffic by optimizing your site for search engines, like Google, through SEO basics and best practices, such as keyword research, image alt text, and more
• Content hierarchy – place important information in prime locations on your pages so visitors don’t need to scroll or search around for it
• Publish content regularly – build up your authority and expertise in your niche by sharing relevant and valuable content with your readers, such as blog posts
• Consider all devices – almost 59% of website traffic comes from mobile devices instead of desktops, so make sure your website looks and works well for all screen types
• Optimize your visuals – compress any images or videos to prevent slowing down your pages and frustrating your website visitors, but don’t compromise on quality
• Assess the user journey – review the navigation and desired user journey to make sure the experience is smooth and intuitive

#8. Review and Publish Your Website

The final stage of building a website is to review your work and push it live! You don’t want to publish your website blind – even an experienced builder is bound to make an error along the way, whether it’s an element that needs moving or a line of copy that needs editing.

Before you publish, you need to make sure everything’s working and looks the way you want it. Go back through the steps above for final checks:

• Is your site’s purpose clear to visitors?
• Do all of the buttons and links work?
• Have you checked your content for errors or spelling mistakes?
• Is it easy to navigate?
• Has everything been optimized for SEO?
• Does your site run and load quickly?

Luckily, website builders make previewing your website really easy. Many include a button in the editor so you can see what your site looks like live – it’s handy to get a visitor’s perspective when editing. Lots of builders, like Wix, also offer a toggle to change views, so you can see what your site looks like across devices.

Finally, we recommend getting external eyes on your website before publishing . You know the website, pages, and content inside out, so request feedback from family, friends, and strangers.

What Happens After Publishing Your Website?

Is your website ever really finished? No. After you’ve published your website (congrats!), the work doesn’t stop. You might want to tweak the design, expand your audience, write new blog posts, or adjust your pages based on the user experience.

Website Maintenance

It’s important to monitor your website and listen to feedback to make effective improvements. Keep an eye on traffic and performance through your website builder or third-party integrations like Google Analytics. This will give you insight into how people are engaging with your website, meaning you can use this data to share future updates or edits.

For example, people might regularly visit your “About” page – over time, this could become outdated as team members change or your business evolves, so editing the page is an easy way to keep things fresh.

We recommend running regular checkups and audits of your website . Now, this doesn’t have to be every day or every week, but keep an eye out for things like broken links or outdated content.

Promoting Your Site

After publishing your site, you’ll want to spread the word, whether that’s across social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, or through email newsletters . This is a useful way to encourage traffic back to your website and build awareness .

Sharing content between your website and social media channels can also help foster trust in your brand and improve customer relationships. Plus, additional channels like these can be great if you’re trying to share updates about your website or bring attention to new products or content.

How To Build a Website: Recap & Next Steps

If you’ve followed these eight steps so far, that means you’ve successfully built and published a website. Congrats! To recap, once you’ve figured out your site’s purpose, chosen your domain name, and picked an appropriate website builder, the rest of the building process is all about customizing and optimizing.

And, as we’ve mentioned, make sure to review and regularly check your website to spot areas for improvement. There isn’t a finish line when building a website – while you can get your site up and running quickly, be prepared to dedicate your time and energy into keeping content up to date.

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Free Excel Balance Scorecard Templates & Examples

By Courtney Patterson | May 2, 2024

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We’ve compiled the top balanced scorecard templates in Excel to help you improve business operations and outcomes. Included on this page, you’ll find a balanced scorecard heatmap template , a strategy map template , a balanced scorecard dashboard template , and a list of related strategic management templates .

Excel Basic Balanced Scorecard Template

Download the Blank Basic Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel Download the Example Basic Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Use this template, available with or without sample data, to develop a comprehensive management strategy for your organization. It allows you to balance financial measures with performance metrics in key areas, as well as set and evaluate targets across various aspects of business performance, from operational efficiency to employee development. Use this tool during strategic planning sessions to align goals and actions with the overall vision and mission of the company. Notable Template Features: For each strategic objective, you’ll find corresponding measures, five-year targets, and specific initiatives to achieve these goals. This provides a clear roadmap for success. The template also includes a vision statement at the top, so you can ensure that all objectives and measures fit with the company's desired direction and purpose.

Excel Balanced Scorecard Heatmap Template

Download the Blank Balanced Scorecard Heatmap Template for Excel Download the Example Balanced Scorecard Heatmap Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: This balanced scorecard heatmap template allows you to closely monitor your organization’s performance against strategic targets and respond to any issues that arise. Use this template with or without sample data in monthly performance meetings or quarterly strategic reviews, or for ongoing performance management to drive continuous improvement. Notable Template Features: The heatmap feature visually indicates performance levels across different strategic areas, including financial, customer, internal processes, and innovation. Users can set monthly and year-to-date targets for each measure, and the results will appear color-coded in green, yellow, or red to reflect performance. This immediate visual feedback allows you to rapidly identify areas that are off-target for efficient decision-making.

Excel Balanced Scorecard Strategy Map Template

Download the Blank Balanced Scorecard Strategy Map Template for Excel Download the Example Balanced Scorecard Strategy Map Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Use this template with or without sample data when you are setting company direction and need to visualize how different objectives support the overarching mission and vision. Leaders can use this strategy map to align their teams around a common strategy and ensure everyone understands how their objectives contribute to the big picture. Notable Template Features: This template encapsulates strategic areas of business performance and highlights specific objectives that contribute to the mission and vision shown at the top of the map. The visual layout encourages systemic thinking and shows how improvements in one area can positively impact others. The map also facilitates communication with stakeholders by clearly illustrating how various goals connect to one another. The example strategy map illustrates how a transportation company might utilize the template.

Excel Weighted Balanced Scorecard Template

Download the Blank Weighted Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel Download the Example Weighted Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Use this weighted balanced scorecard template to evaluate organizational performance with an emphasis on the relative importance of various objectives. The template is suited to organizations with a broad range of strategic priorities that impact success at different levels. Use this tool during evaluation periods to understand if you are meeting targets and how much each target contributes to the overall strategic goals. Notable Template Features: This template applies a weighting factor to each key performance indicator (KPI), which allows for a nuanced view of performance across different business areas: financial, customer, internal process, and learning. Each KPI has a column for target values and the actual value achieved. The template also calculates absolute performance, providing a clear and actionable snapshot of organizational health and progress.

Excel Balanced Scorecard Dashboard Template

Download the Blank Balanced Scorecard Dashboard Template for Excel Download the Example Balanced Scorecard Dashboard Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Use this dashboard template to track strategic performance across various business areas, pivot quickly in response to trends, and make data-driven decisions. This dashboard is ideal for monthly and annual reviews, and it allows you to assess and adjust strategies in real time to meet evolving business needs. Notable Template Features: This template offers a multifaceted view of performance, breaking down objectives into key areas with different sets of weighted objectives. The trend analysis graph compares actual results against targets over time, providing a visual representation of progress and highlighting patterns that might require attention or intervention.

Excel Balanced Scorecard KPI Template

Download the Blank Balanced Scorecard KPI Template for Excel Download the Example Balanced Scorecard KPI Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Use this template to select and develop the KPIs that you will use in your balanced scorecard framework. Create a measurable action plan that reflects your company's objectives across various perspectives. With or without sample data, this template is ideal for both initial strategy development and ongoing strategy refinement, and it ensures that all KPIs you are tracking align to the company’s broader vision. Notable Template Features: This template organizes KPI planning within four perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes, and innovation and learning. There is space to articulate the specific metrics associated with each perspective, with guiding questions to focus on what is most important for each. The template emphasizes how success in one area influences and supports success in others, which will help you create an integrated approach to performance management. Select the example template to see KPIs for a company developing digital healthcare solutions.

Excel Integrated Balanced Scorecard Template

Download the Blank Integrated Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel Download the Example Integrated Balanced Scorecard Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Choose this comprehensive template when your goal is to combine the clarity of a strategy map with the structure of a balanced scorecard. Communicate your organization's vision and translate it into actionable objectives and measurable results. With or without sample data, this template works well for annual planning sessions and when setting up new business strategies to ensure all team members are working toward the same goals. Notable Template Features: This template displays strategic objectives in a visual map and links them to KPIs and specific initiatives, so you can ensure strategic alignment across the organization. The template also includes sections for you to define the company’s vision, purpose, strategic priorities, and results, so you can create a comprehensive view of the strategy and its execution. Download the example version to see a sample balanced scorecard for a sustainable fashion business.

Excel Balanced Scorecard Tree Diagram Template

Download the Blank Balanced Scorecard Tree Diagram Template for Excel Download the Example Balanced Scorecard Tree Diagram Template for Excel  

When to Use This Template: Utilize this balanced scorecard tree diagram template when you need to structure your organization's strategic objectives into a clear hierarchy. This format is particularly helpful for businesses that want to break down long-term visions into short-term actionable measures and targets. This template is well-suited for strategic planning and performance management meetings where goal-oriented discussion and documentation are necessary. Notable Template Features: The template features a tree-like structure that organizes objectives into categories: financial, customer, internal process, and learning and growth. Each category branches out into specific strategic objectives, with corresponding measures and targets that provide quantifiable metrics for success. This layout is designed to visually link the organization's overarching vision to tangible performance indicators, offering a straightforward method for teams to align their efforts with strategic goals. The example version of this template shows a balanced scorecard tree diagram for a business selling eco-friendly home products.  See our full collection of  balanced scorecard templates and our in-depth  guide to balanced scorecards for additional resources.

Related Balance Scorecard Templates

Find more downloadable tools for strategic planning and management in the list below, including templates for developing a strategic vision, conducting business analysis, and tracking performance.

Strategic Business Plan Template

Outline the direction and objectives for your business with a  strategic business plan template . Customizable sections include market analysis, financial planning, product development, and risk factors to help guide decision-making.

Strategic Vision Template

Use a  strategic vision template to define the long-term goals and guiding principles of your organization. Articulate your vision statement, core values, and brand promises, along with strategic priorities across varying time frames, from the upcoming quarter to 10-year projections.

SWOT Analysis Strategy Template

Analyze internal and external factors involved in a project or business venture with a  SWOT analysis strategy template . Combine those factors to form actionable plans, such as leveraging strengths to capitalize on opportunities or overcoming weaknesses by addressing threats.

Operating Budget Template

Monitor your organization's financial health, forecast future performance, and allocate resources efficiently with an  operating budget template . You'll get a clear breakdown of revenue and expenditure categories, color-coded variances, and percentage changes year-over-year to help drive operational efficiency.

KPI Performance Dashboard Template

Get a visual summary of business performance and progress with a  KPI dashboard template . Track project health, financials, risks, and issues with color-coded progress bars, detailed monthly and quarterly revenue charts, and other customizable measures to aid in quick assessments and strategic planning. For more related resources, see our collection of free  project scorecard templates . 

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