Business plan template
Fill in a one-page (lean) or full business plan right in your browser. Copy it, download it for Word, or save it as a PDF.
Open the templateStartup cost calculator
List your one-time and monthly costs, add a safety buffer and see how much money you need, plus your break-even point.
Calculate my costsLaunch checklist
The 10 official steps to start a business, with links for the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Tick them off as you go.
Open the checklistPricing calculator
Turn your costs into a price using a target margin or markup, or work out an hourly rate for a service business.
Price my productHow to start a small business in 10 steps
These are the steps listed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Most countries follow a similar path; the checklist adds links for the UK, Canada and Australia. Tick each step as you go; your progress is saved on this device.
- Do market research: check that people want what you plan to sell and see who else sells it.
- Write your business plan: use our free template.
- Fund your business: work out how much you need, then decide on savings, a loan, investors or crowdfunding.
- Pick your location: online, from home, or premises.
- Choose a business structure: for example sole proprietor, LLC or corporation in the US.
- Choose your business name and check nobody else is using it.
- Register your business.
- Get federal and state tax IDs (an EIN in the US is free from the IRS).
- Apply for licenses and permits: these depend on your industry and location.
- Open a business bank account.
Open the full checklist with official linksRead the full step-by-step guide →
A realistic picture
Starting is hard, so plan for the long run. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Business Employment Dynamics, table 7):
These figures cover U.S. private-sector employer establishments (single locations with staff). Businesses with no employees are not included, and a closure is not always a failure (some are sold or moved).
Business name generator
Type a few words about your business and get name ideas, then check domains and official trademark databases.
Find a nameBusiness loan calculator
See your repayment, total interest and the true cost with fees, plus a loan readiness checklist.
Calculate a loanFrequently asked questions
How do I start a small business?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) breaks it into 10 steps: do market research, write a business plan, fund your business, pick a location, choose a business structure, choose a name, register the business, get federal and state tax IDs, apply for licenses and permits, and open a business bank account. Our launch checklist walks you through each one, with links for other countries.
Do I need a business plan?
Not always, but it helps. The SBA says a business plan is a roadmap for how to structure, run and grow your business, and lenders and investors commonly ask for one. A one-page lean plan can take as little as an hour, according to the SBA.
How much money do I need to start a small business?
It depends entirely on the business. A service you run from home can cost very little, while a shop or restaurant needs much more. The reliable way to find out is to list every one-time and monthly cost, as the SBA recommends, and add a buffer. The startup cost calculator does this for you.
How many new businesses survive?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that 77.9% of private-sector establishments opened in the year to March 2024 were still open a year later, 51.4% of those opened in the year to March 2020 lasted five years, and 34.7% of those opened in the year to March 2015 lasted ten years. The figures count employer locations, not every one-person business.
Is this site only for the US?
No. Amounts default to US dollars and the checklist starts with the US, but you can switch currency to GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD or NZD, and the checklist has steps and official links for the UK, Canada and Australia.
Is my information saved?
Everything you type stays in your browser on this device. We have no accounts and do not receive your plan or numbers.