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Free Online Business Plan Maker

Create a compelling and convincing business plan online with Venngage. Templates available for your every need, whether it's business plans, financial plans, marketing plans, and more.

Not a designer? No problem. With our easy-to-edit templates and online business plan generator, anyone can create a professional business plan for free. Over 40,000 businesses already use and trust Venngage.

Design from one of our business plan templates

Choose from hundreds of business plan templates. see all business plan templates, launch a profitable business with a visually engaging business plan.

Your business is unique and impactful — so should your business plan. Make sure the plan you share with investors, lenders, and other stakeholders is not only packed with key data and information but visually engaging too.

Looking to make your business plan stand out from the pack? Venngage's unique business plan templates add serious style to your ideas. Venngage's Business Plan Builder is a fraction of the cost of hiring a writer — you can even try creating a business plan for free.

Whether you're looking for a traditional business plan format or something more creative, Venngage's easy-to-edit business plan templates let anyone design business plans. No experience required. Free business plan templates available.

Nothing's better to convince your stakeholders than some sweet data that speaks volume. Engage and persuade your investors by visualizing your business plan data with Venngage's unique charts, graphs and diagrams.

Create a winning business plan with Venngage in 5 steps:

Design an unforgettable and convincing business plan today:

Business Plan Templates

Save money and hours of design time with Venngage's easy-to-edit templates and free business plan generator. Free online business plan templates available.

Easy-to-Use Editor

Venngage's online business plan builder is intuitive to use. The drag-and-drop editor means faster and better designs even when you don't have design experience.

Download Business Plans

Download your document with one click as an image (PNG), PDF, Interactive PDF or PowerPoint file. Add it to your Google Docs or Slides, Word doc or existing PowerPoint slides (paid plans only).

Visualize Business Plan Data

Persuade your stakeholders and tell a story with your business plan data through charts, graphs, maps and diagrams. Copy and paste your data or upload it in a .csv file in one click.

Brand Your Business Plans

Use Venngage's My Brand Kit to automatically import your brand identity. Then, add your brand colors and fonts to any business plan designs with one click.

Collaborate In Real Time

Collaborate with your whole team with Venngage's real-time collaboration. Leave helpful feedback through comments and create impactful business plans.

Easy-to-edit professional business plan templates

• Our team of professional designers have created a collection of unique, online business plan templates that anyone can customize. Pick a simple template, add your text and data and you're done.
• Or choose a more creative template and play around with the fonts, photos, icons, colors, and more.
• Whatever the case, Venngage's drag-and-drop free business plan generator lets anyone create a beautiful, professional business plan without any design experience.
• Share a public link for free from our online business plan creator. Don't worry. You can go back and edit your design at any time.

One-click branding with My Brand Kit

Show off important metrics with professional data visualizations

Collaborate with your whole team throughout the design process.

Business Plan Maker FAQs

How much does venngage's business plan builder cost.

Anyone can make a business plan for free and share a link to their work. Our Premium ($19/month) and Business ($49/month) plans include premium, professional business plan templates and features, plus access to multiple download formats.

How can I write my own business plan?

Your business plan can include these sections: executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization management, service/product line, marketing & sales, funding requests, financial projections, etc. Add sections to your business plan as you see fit — depending on the kind of plan you're creating. No matter the type of business plans you're making, Venngage has a template for that.

Can I download my business plan?

Yes! You can download your business plan in PNG, PDF, Interactive PDF, or PowerPoint formats (paid plans only). It's free to share a public link. It's also free to create an account and test out our online business plan maker with a free business plan template.

Wow your clients and investors at first sight — Create a convincing and winning business plan with Venngage's online business plan generator

Popular business plan templates you can edit right away

Nonprofit organization business plan template, business operational plan template, real estate investment business plan template, business continuity and disaster recovery plan template.

Nous choisissons les services que nous recommandons de manière indépendante. Lorsque vous cliquez sur un lien partenaire, nous touchons parfois une commission.

10 sites pour créer son business plan en ligne en 2024

Vous avez trouvé l’idée et êtes prêt à vous lancer dans la création ou la reprise d’entreprise ? Vous devez alors réaliser un business plan (en ligne ou non). Démarche cruciale, le business plan révèle la maturité et la viabilité de votre projet, et vous guide dans vos premiers mois (voire années) d’exercice.

Découvrez ici une liste des meilleurs sites pour créer son business plan en ligne, ainsi que nos conseils pour bien appréhender l’exercice.

Les meilleurs sites pour réaliser son business plan en ligne

Créer votre business plan grâce à des outils en ligne est une solution plus économique et tout à fait accessible, à condition d’avoir du temps à y consacrer. Nous avons sélectionné 10 outils de création de business plan en ligne :

Créer Mon Business Plan

The business plan shop, startmystory, cci business builder, bpi france création, propulse by ca, my business plan, previ’start.

Voici ce que propose ces différents outils.

Créer-mon-business-plan.fr  est le premier site de business plan en ligne que vous avons sélectionné.

Il propose 2 outils pour vous accompagner dans la création de votre business plan

• Une offre gratuite qui vous aide à rédiger vous-même votre business plan
• Une offre premium à 80€ avec modèle tout prêt

On apprécie l’option qui permet de générer un business plan en ligne sans frais, même si elle est plutôt recommandée pour ceux un peu familiers avec l’exercice. Pour les autres, l’offre premium permet de gagner pas mal de temps, en choisissant l’un des 84 modèles disponibles. Photographe, Traiteur, Courtier…il y en a pour tous les goûts !

De nombreuses ressources sont aussi disponibles sur le site pour vous aider à bien cerner votre projet, tant sur le business plan que sur d’autres aspects (financement, choix des statuts juridiques…).

The Business Plan Shop s’adresse, comme indiqué sur sa page d’accueil, aux entrepreneurs, experts-comptables et consultants qui souhaitent créer un business plan en ligne, pour eux ou pour leurs clients.

Pour les plus novices ou pour gagner du temps, une vingtaine de modèles sont disponibles directement.

Une fois le dossier terminé et mis en forme, vous pouvez le télécharger et intégrer notamment les analyses financières dans un fichier Excel, ce qui peut être intéressant pour une étude plus approfondie. On rappelle que la création du business plan se fait en ligne, ici encore il n’y a rien à télécharger.

Un essai gratuit de 7 jours est disponible, ce qui vous permettra de tester le logiciel (sans rentrer votre CB). Vous pouvez ensuite choisir entre une formule mensuelle à 25€ par mois ou une formule annuelle à 13,75€/ mois (165€ payables en une fois).

À vous de voir pendant combien de temps vous avez besoin du logiciel, selon votre utilisation : peut-être un mois pour vous, ou bien plus si vous êtes expert-comptable et que vous réalisez de nombreux business plans pour vos clients.

StartMyStory est un logiciel de business plan en ligne dont l’inscription (avec un compte Facebook ou LinkedIn) donne accès à trois tarifs sans abonnement, sous forme de 3 packs :

• Essai à 9€ par mois
• Créateur à 19€ par mois
• Entrepreneur à 29€ par mois

La version Essai est plutôt succincte, mais suffira pour un micro-entrepreneur comme indiqué. Les autres versions s’adressent aux projets plus complexes, et la version Entrepreneur permet même d’accéder à un tableau de pilotage de son activité.

Concernant l’outil de business plan en ligne : les tableaux financiers sont créés automatiquement en fonction des prévisions de recettes et de dépenses saisies. Les indicateurs se mettent à jour en temps réel en fonction des variations que vous apportez : postes comptables, taux de cotisations, … Toutes les entrées sont personnalisables. Vous avez donc la possibilité de modifier les données et comprendre instantanément l’impact financier sur votre projet.

Une fois le business plan finalisé, il est téléchargeable en PDF, sauf dans la formule Essai (ce qu’on regrette un peu).

Derrière ce nom barbare se cache (entre autres) le générateur de business plan en ligne de la CCI

L’application web CCI Business Builder de la CCI permet d’avoir accès à l’ensemble des démarches à effectuer lors de la création/reprise d’une entreprise.

Tout est regroupé sous un seul outil : étude de marché, montage du plan financier et du business plan, formalités de création et aides à la création d’entreprise .

Le grand avantage du service proposé par la CCI est que vous bénéficiez d’un accompagnement personnalisé par un conseiller CCI en ligne. À chaque étape, vous pouvez poser des questions, échanger par messages, le conseiller suit l’avancement et valide les étapes du projet progressivement. Vous avez aussi accès au réseau non-négligeable de partenaires financiers et d’experts de la CCI. Bien plus qu’un logiciel de business plan en ligne, le CCI Business Builder est très complet et entièrement gratuit.

Avec le Pass Entrepreneur , Bpifrance Création propose un outil ergonomique et intuitif pour créer son business plan en ligne.

Le dossier se construit autour de 6 parties : l’idée, le créateur, l’étude de marché, l’activité, la stratégie et le financement. Les tableaux financiers sont automatiquement réalisés. Vous pouvez créer plusieurs business plans afin de comparer les hypothèses et les partager avec plusieurs collaborateurs.

L’organisme met aussi à disposition de nombreux documents pour vous informer sur la création/reprise/transmission d’entreprise. Vous aurez aussi accès à un répertoire de partenaires locaux susceptibles de vous accompagner dans votre projet (organismes publiques ou partenaires privés).

Propulse by CA , le compte bancaire professionnel en ligne soutenu par le Crédit Agricole, met à disposition de tous (pas seulement leurs clients !) un outil pour créer son business plan en ligne.

Leur formulaire en ligne vous guide pas à pas. A partir du modèle fourni pour chaque type d’activité, vous complétez les informations demandées et l’outil se charge de construire votre dossier. Des exemples et des aides vous permettent de comprendre et renseigner correctement les données. À la clé ? Un business plan complet et professionnel incluant un prévisionnel de trésorerie, un compte de résultat et un bilan dont les résultats sont calculés automatiquement.

L’outil de Propulse by CA va plus loin en donnant toutes les explications relatives aux données de votre business plan pour que vous puissiez bien les comprendre et les expliquer à vos partenaires.

My Business Plan propose un logiciel à télécharger pour créer votre business plan en ligne, en autonomie et sous Excel.

Destiné aussi bien aux créateurs qu’aux entrepreneurs déjà installés, le dossier est complet et reprend toutes les parties d’un business plan classique : de la présentation du projet au plan de financement en passant par la politique commerciale, l’étude économique et les comptes prévisionnels. Tous les calculs sont réalisés automatiquement en fonction des données que vous renseignez. Les ratios et présentations graphiques sont aussi intégrées de manière automatique.

Le tarif du logiciel est de 80€ HT, pour un projet. Si vous avez besoin de réaliser différents business plan (pour d’autres projets), vous pouvez contacter l’équipe pour obtenir un devis.

Fisy est développé par Crealys, un incubateur d’entreprises innovantes. C’est Rémi Berthier, expert des start-ups et de l’entrepreunariat, qui partage ici gratuitement un modèle de business plan sur Excel.

Cet outil se concentre sur les prévisions financières de votre projet. Ainsi, il permet de générer automatiquement :

• les plans de financement ;
• le plan de trésorerie
• le compte de résultats ;
• le bilan prévisionnel.

Pour cela, il vous suffit de renseigner les informations demandées et le logiciel se charge du reste. Vous pouvez choisir entre trois solutions :

• Fisy Starter pour les besoins simples et basiques de business plan ;
• Fisy Essentiel pour apporter une dimension stratégique à votre business plan ;
• Fisy Innovation pour les projets innovants à forte dimension R&D.

Le logiciel de business plan Previ’Start est un outil en ligne et accessible par tous pour créer votre business plan.

Quelques modèles par secteur d’activité sont proposés pour vous inspirer. Mais la création du dossier repose essentiellement sur les informations que vous aurez renseignées. Le logiciel prend en comptes les données de votre secteur pour une analyse poussée des résultats. Les calculs se font automatiquement pour limiter le risque d’erreur. Grâce à l’assistant numérique, les éventuelles anomalies sont identifiées et on vous explique comment corriger.

Previ’Start propose trois formules :

• Previ’Start : 29€ pour 3 mois et un business plan ;
• Previ’Plus : 149€ pour un an et 5 business plans ;
• Previ’Max : 219€ pour un an et 25 business plans.

Bonne nouvelle : vous pouvez tester l’outil gratuitement avant de vous engager.

Avec Enloop , vous pouvez créer un business plan rapidement et facilement. Ce logiciel en ligne fonctionne très simplement : vous renseignez les informations relatives à votre entreprise et il se charge du reste !

De la génération des textes de présentation aux calculs des prévisions financières, tout est créé et organisé en quelques clics. L’avantage est que toutes les données sont aussi mises à jour automatiquement (les chiffres citées dans les parties rédactionnelles par exemple). Un essai gratuit de 7 jours vous permet de créer votre (ou trois) business plan. Vous pouvez aussi opter pour une formule payante pour bénéficier des fonctionnalités avancées.

Sa principale limite est que le logiciel et votre business plan sont en anglais.

L’importance du business plan

Qu’est-ce qu’un business plan .

Aussi appelé plan d’affaires, le business plan est tout simplement un dossier qui va vous permettre de structurer votre projet, de mettre vos idées au clair, noir sur blanc sur une feuille vierge. C’est aussi un document nécessaire pour obtenir un crédit professionnel .

Il expose de manière claire et précise les différents aspects de votre projet : commercial, juridique, financier, …. Il doit comporter deux parties essentielles :

• Présentation du projet
• Analyse financière.

En le réalisant relativement tôt dans votre démarche entrepreneuriale, vous serez en mesure d’ajuster au fur et à mesure les différents éléments qui le composent avec un but en tête : obtenir un business model viable et cohérent. Vous l’aurez compris, le business plan vous sert tout d’abord à vous-même.

Le business plan est en plus un réel outil de pilotage de votre activité. Vous pouvez modifier les chiffres prévisionnels, tester différentes hypothèses, analyser les écarts (puis les comparer au réel plus tard).

Avec l’appui d’un pitch deck , il servira aussi à présenter votre projet à des partenaires potentiels, mais aussi à obtenir des financements auprès des banques. Idem, si vous faites appel à des investisseurs, un business plan solide les rassurera non seulement sur l’équilibre financier de votre projet mais aussi et surtout sur les perspectives de bénéfices. Enfin, d’autres partenaires comme des fournisseurs ou des clients peuvent demander un business plan afin d’évaluer le volume de chiffre d’affaires.

Faire appel à un professionnel ou créer soi-même son business plan en ligne ?

Maintenant que vous avez compris les enjeux d’un business plan, vous avez concrètement deux options.

• Faire appel à un professionnel
• Vous lancer utiliser l’un des logiciels pour générer vous-même votre business plan en ligne.

Selon le budget que vous êtes en mesure d’allouer, il est souvent intéressant de demander l’aide d’un prestataire spécialisé (un expert-comptable par exemple). Deux avantages : le gain de temps et une garantie d’obtenir un résultat professionnel. Revers de la médaille, il faudra souvent compter plusieurs centaines d’euros, le montant variant selon le niveau d’exhaustivité de votre business plan.

En créant votre business plan en ligne, vous réalisez clairement des économies non négligeables, mais vous serez souvent seul. C’est pour cela que nous avons sélectionné des outils de business plan en ligne qui proposent des modèles et/ou un accompagnement. L’autre avantage est que vous comprendrez les mécanismes financiers propres à votre activité. Un atout pour la gestion de votre business par la suite ! Vous pouvez aussi utiliser notre modèle de business plan , mais il faudra le remplir vous-même sans accompagnement.

Enfin, et quelle que soit l’option choisie, n’oubliez pas de faire relire votre business plan par plusieurs personnes. Il doit être clair et compris par tous. Un business plan bien présenté, bien rédigé et sans faute sera toujours plus crédible.

Comment créer un business plan gratuitement ?

Vous pouvez vous lancer seul en vous inspirant de modèles trouvés sur internet puis en utilisant Excel. Alternativement, il existe de nombreux outils et logiciels de création de business plan en ligne et gratuits, comme certains de notre sélection.

À quoi sert un business plan ?

Un business plan est un dossier reprenant des informations financières de votre entreprise. Il présente aussi le projet et les perspectives de développement. Il sert à présenter votre projet à des partenaires tels que des banques ou des financeurs, fournisseurs, clients, etc.

Quand faire un business plan ?

Il est commun de faire un business plan lors de la phase de création de votre entreprise puisqu’il vous sert à obtenir des financements. Mais un business plan peut être créé tout au long de la vie d’une entreprise, pour faire un état des lieux de sa situation financière, demander de nouveaux financements, etc.

Guillaume est le cofondateur d'independant.io. Diplômé d'HEC en marketing digital, il a passé 7 ans chez Google en tant qu'analyste dans les équipes dédiées aux clients du secteur de la finance.

Rejoignez plus de 5 000 entrepreneurs

Chaque mois, directement dans votre boite mail, recevez des conseils, des outils ainsi que du contenu exclusif pour développer votre entreprise. Inscrivez-vous gratuitement !

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A Simple Guide to Creating a Business Plan for Web Professionals

Starting your own business comes with plenty of tedious paperwork. Writing out a business plan may seem like an unnecessary step, when you feel you already have a clear idea of where you want your company to go. However, having one in place will definitely pay off over the long term.

This post will teach you all about the importance of having a business plan. We’ll also walk through seven steps that will help you write your own.

Let’s jump right in!

• 1 Why Web Professionals Need Business Plans
• 2.1 Step 1: Outline Your Business’ Goals
• 2.2 Step 2: Describe Your Products and Services
• 2.3 Step 3: Identify Your Target Audience
• 2.4 Step 4: Map Out Your Marketing Plan
• 2.5 Step 5: Determine Your Operational Needs and Organizational Structure
• 2.6 Step 6: Consider Any Legal Requirements
• 2.7 Step 7: Figure Out Your Finances
• 3 Conclusion

Why Web Professionals Need Business Plans

Both freelance web professionals and those working as employees have pretty straightforward responsibilities. You’ll need to first find a client or receive an assignment, finish the project, get paid, and move on to the next job or task. However, if you’re going to build your own business, things can get quite a bit more complicated.

While other professionals can focus on the present, business owners have to be concerned with the longevity of their companies. Having a plan provides a clear path forward, especially in the moments when you’re wondering what to do next to grow your business.

In the early days of setting up your company, a business plan will provide an outline to help you structure and manage employees, projects, clients, and resources. Plus, it can help you acquire the investors, partners, and other help you’ll need along the way.

If you need to take out business loans or bring on investors to help expand your company, they’ll likely want to see a copy of your business plan. Demonstrating that you’re prepared and have a strategy for maintaining your business can help assure them that you’re a smart long-term investment.

The same applies to partnerships as well. If you want to sell part of your business to another person, who can help you run things and take on some of the burden of ownership, they’ll probably want to see what they’re getting into first.

In short, a business plan is an important tool that can help you over many of the bumps in the road to starting, growing, and maintaining your company. Crafting a thorough plan while you’re still in the early stages of starting your business should prove well worth the time and effort.

How to Create a Business Plan as a Web Professional (In 7 Steps)

Writing up a business plan can take a lot of time, and may require a substantial amount of strategizing and research. You can find e-books and templates online to help simplify the writing process, so you can focus on the aspects that are unique to your business:

Throughout the following steps, we’ll show you everything you need to include if you’re looking to create a well-rounded business plan, whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template.

Step 1: Outline Your Business’ Goals

Setting goals can help both you and your business stay on track. Without them, there’s a good chance you’ll have a lot more misses and mistakes as you try to steer your company forward. On the other hand, staying focused on clear objectives can help you accomplish more and solidify your brand identity.

Therefore, make sure to start your business plan off by outlining concrete goals. If you’re not familiar with it yet, we’d highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the SMART framework . It’s also a good idea to have your mission statement in place at this point, since it will inform your goals and shape how you’ll accomplish them.

Step 2: Describe Your Products and Services

At the core of every business is a product, a service, or both. A detailed description of your offerings is a key element of your business plan. Within your plan, you can strategize about how you’ll produce your products or offer your services, and deliver them to your customers.

Successful products and services are those that provide a solution to some kind of problem faced by your target audience. Explaining how your offerings solve an important problem – and how you do this differently or better than your competition – should go in your plan too. If available, you can also include information about considerations such as price and production costs in this section of your business plan.

What’s more, in order for your company to continue expanding, you’ll likely need to come up with new products and services over time. Noting down your ideas for future offerings can help give you direction, and show potential investors or partners your company’s potential.

Step 3: Identify Your Target Audience

Without customers or clients, your business won’t generate any revenue. Therefore, it will be difficult to get off the ground if you haven’t done any research into the people who might want to pay for the products or services your new company offers.

The process of audience research can also help you come up with ideas for new products. By determining what problems your target audience faces, you can work on finding solutions, and then developing products or services to provide them.

The first step will be to put together a comprehensive marketing persona as part of your business plan. In order to effectively market your products or services, you’ll need to pinpoint your audience so that you can implement targeted strategies.

Step 4: Map Out Your Marketing Plan

Spreading the word about your business and what it has to offer is vital to the growth of your business. Your marketing plan will lay out how you intend to do this. A lot of research is necessary to make the most of this part of your business plan.

There are many different marketing strategies you might want to implement, to get the word out about your company. Email newsletters , social media campaigns, and content marketing are all smart techniques that web professionals can use to reach more leads.

However, part of your marketing plan will also need to include information about which channels are most popular among your target audience. Researching demographics and your competitors’ marketing strategies can help you get started. You’ll also need a marketing budget, a portfolio of your best work, and a brand strategy . It’s a lot to put together, but doing the work upfront will save you time and help you avoid mistakes later on.

Step 5: Determine Your Operational Needs and Organizational Structure

There are two key things your business needs to keep running that we haven’t touched on yet – equipment and people. Whether you’re a developer, a designer, or another type of web professional, there are probably some programs or other tools you use to make your job easier. You’ll want to note those requirements in your plan, along with how much each tool costs and what it’s needed for.

In addition, your plan should account for any employees you’ll need to hire. This might include other developers, a marketing specialist, or an accountant (just to name a few examples). Any skills needed to keep your company afloat that you don’t have yourself will have to be provided by someone else.

Even if you have a wide range of skills, you probably can’t do everything on your own. Knowing when to hire out and delegate tasks will be vital if you want to avoid burnout. If you’re not ready to bring on employees right away, listing some potential roles in your plan will still be helpful in the future. You can one of these plugins to create your own business job board on your company website so you can quickly (and cheaply) post jobs and hire top-talent.

Additionally, you’ll need to outline the organization of your business. Specifically, you should make its hierarchy clear, and provide guidelines for how employees, contractors, and the like will interact and work with one another, in order to provide quality products or services.

Step 6: Consider Any Legal Requirements

It’s not a bad idea to hire a business lawyer to provide some guidance when you’re first starting out. They can advise you on how to structure your company, and what will be required of you legally as a business owner.

This includes considerations such as paying taxes, and what will happen if your business fails. These are crucial financial concerns, and you don’t want to make mistakes in this area. So consider your lawyer fees to be an investment in your future financial security.

Plus, there are several documents you may want to create at this point and get legal consultation on. License agreements and client contracts are key to bringing in revenue for web professionals. Making sure yours are airtight now can prevent many problems later on.

Step 7: Figure Out Your Finances

Finally, you’ll need to put together a financial plan. Saving this for the end of your business plan can be helpful. That way, you’ll have already gathered plenty of details on your business’ expenses, including production costs, marketing expenses, employee wages, and legal fees.

Moving forward, you’ll need a strong system in place for closely managing your business’ finances. Additionally, you’ll want to determine when you’ll get paid, and how you’ll pay your employees, taxes, and any other key expenses (e.g., office space, utilities, and rent).

Finally, you’ll have to account for any upfront investments you’ll need to make in order to get your business started, whether that’s loans or money from investors. Bringing in an accountant to help you with this part is probably wise, and can be the start of a relationship that will serve you well over the lifespan of your business.

While writing your business plan may not be the most exciting aspect of starting your own business, it’s definitely a necessary step. In the long run, you’ll appreciate the time you put into creating this plan in the early days of your company.

Following these seven steps will help you put together a comprehensive business plan:

• Outline your business’ goals.
• Describe your products and services.
• Identify your target audience.
• Map out your marketing plan.
• Determine your operational needs and organizational structure.
• Consider any legal requirements.
• Figure out your finances.

Do you have any questions about creating a business plan? Let us know in the comments section below!

Article Thumbnail Image ChristianChan / shutterstock.com

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Are you excited to launch your business venture to the online world but are struggling to identify the best eCommerce platforms? You may have heard of Shopify and Bigcommerce and want to see which better suits your needs. They are two of the most prominent names in the eCommerce industry. With...

Wix vs Divi AI: Which AI Website Builder to Choose in 2024?

Posted on June 5, 2024 in Business

Are you tired of AI website builders that don’t deliver? Are you looking for AI features that actually work? In this post, we will discuss two of the best and most popular AI site builders available: Wix (the AI website builder) and Divi (the AI-powered WordPress theme). Both can build...

Awesome post. Thanks for this great article. It is very useful to all the web designers to consider these important points while starting their own business .

thank you for providing such an informative article. this will surely help me creating business plan.

I suggest to start with the lean canvas. It’s a 1-page business plan and you can fill it and save it online. It’s free as far as I remember.

Thanks for the suggestion Jean 🙂

This is a very handy guide. Especially when there are so many younger people entering the market place who are just trying to make a buck. Things are hard enough to figure out on your own. Guides like this are extremely useful!

This article is very informative and helpful. Thanks for sharing this.

You’re very welcome Luke 🙂

I had a business model in my mind but was a bit confused as to how to work towards it and from where to start, thanks for the great pointers and for making it a lot easier for me to work on it. The pointers were really brief, valid and to the point.

You’re welcome I am glad it helped so much 🙂

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Website Design Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their website design businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a website design business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Website Design Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your website design business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Website Design Agency

If you’re looking to start a website design business, or grow your existing website design business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your website design business in order to improve your chances of success. Your website design business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Website Design Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a website design business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the lender will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Personal savings is the most common form of funding for a website design business. Venture capitalists will usually not fund a website design business. They might consider funding a website design business with a national presence, but never an individual location. This is because most venture capitalists are looking for millions of dollars in return when they make an investment, and an individual location could never achieve such results.  With that said, personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for website design businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you want to start a website design business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your website design business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of website design business you are operating and its status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a website design business that you would like to grow, or are you operating website design businesses in multiple markets?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the website design industry. Discuss the type of website design business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of website design business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of website design businesses:

• WordPress website design : this type of business builds websites with WordPress, due to its capabilities, plugin options, and templates.
• Custom website design: this type of business involves developing both the front end and backend of a website using coding, programming, databases, forms, etc. without a content management platform.
• Other platform website design: this type of business uses a variety of other platforms to develop specific types of site, such as e-commerce. Platforms like Shopify or Squarespace make specific site development relatively easy.

In addition to explaining the type of website design business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of websites launched, the types of sites developed, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the website design industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the website design industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your website design business plan:

• How big is the website design industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your website design business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your website design business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: large corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and individuals.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of website design business you operate. Clearly, large corporations would respond to different marketing promotions than nonprofits, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most website design businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.  

Finish Your Web Design Business Plan in 1 Day!

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other website design businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes individuals who prefer to use template-based platforms to build their website on their own, or from dedicated in-house design teams.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other website design businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be website design businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• Do they specialize in specific site types (i.e. content sites, e-commerce sites, etc.)?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide either a wider range or more specialized range of services?
• Will you offer features such as social media integration?
• Will you provide superior customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a website design business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of website design company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to WordPress site development, will your website design business provide custom design options?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your website design company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, will you operate from a physical office, or will you primarily interact with clients online and/or at their home or place of business? In this section, discuss how your location will affect demand for your services.

Promotions : The final part of your website design marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Signs and billboards
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your website design business, including marketing, providing consultations, programming, troubleshooting, keeping abreast of new technology, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to launch your 100th e-commerce site, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to open a website design business in a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your website design business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing website design businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in programming, or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you complete/launch one website per week, or will you have teams working on multiple projects at once? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your website design business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a website design business:

• Office build-out
• Cost of buying or leasing a company vehicle
• Cost of office supplies such as computers and software
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office lease, or an overview of the services you offer.  

Putting together a business plan for your website design business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the website design industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful website design business.  

Web Design Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my website design business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your Website Design Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of website design business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a website design business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of website design businesses?

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Web Design business plan?

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how a Growthink business plan writer can create your business plan for you.

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Web Design Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new web design company, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample web design business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new web design firm, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of software and mobile app-related business plans.

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for, and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample web design business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Web Design Business Plan Outline

This is the standard web design business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Business Overview
• Keys to Success
• 3-Year Profit Forecast
• Company Ownership
• Start-up Summary
• Startup Cost
• Funding Required
• Existing Services
• Service Description
• Sales Literature
• Fulfillment
• Future Services
• Target Market Segment Strategy
• Market Trends
• Market Growth
• Service Business Analysis
• Business Participants
• Market Segmentation
• Competitive Advantage
• Marketing Strategy
• Marketing Programs
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotion Strategy
• Sales Strategy
• Strategic Alliances
• Organizational Structure
• Management Team Gaps
• Personnel Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

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After getting started with upmetrics , you can copy this sample business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your web design business plan pdf and doc file . It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

Download a sample web design business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free web design business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your web design business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to Build a Detailed Business Plan That Stands Out [Free Template]

Updated: March 29, 2022

Published: March 11, 2022

While starting a company may seem easier now than ever before, entrepreneurs have an uphill battle from the moment they start a business. And without a clear, actionable business plan for selling, marketing, finances, and operations, you're almost destined to face significant challenges.

This is why crafting a business plan is an essential step in the entrepreneurial process.

In this post, we'll walk you through the process of filling out your business plan template, like this free, editable version :

Download a free, editable one-page business plan template.

We know that when looking at a blank page on a laptop screen, the idea of writing your business plan can seem impossible. However, it's a mandatory step to take if you want to turn your business dreams into a reality.

That's why we've crafted a business plan template for you to download and use to build your new company. You can download it here for free . It contains prompts for all of the essential parts of a business plan, all of which are elaborated on, below.

This way, you'll be able to show them how organized and well-thought-out your business idea is, and provide them with answers to whatever questions they may have.

Free Business Plan Template

The essential document for starting a business -- custom built for your needs.

• Outline your idea.
• Pitch to investors.
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• Get to work!

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Building a Successful Business Plan

In the next section, we'll cover the components of a business plan , such as an executive summary and company description. But before we get to that, let's talk about key elements that should serve as building blocks for your plan.

For some entrepreneurs, the thought of writing a business plan sounds like a chore — a necessary means to an end. But that's a bad take.

A solid business plan is a blueprint for success . It's key to securing financing, presenting your business, outlining your financial projections, and turning that nugget of a business idea into a reality.

At the core, your business plan should answer two questions: why your business and why now?

Investors want to know why your business is entering the market, i.e. what problem it's solving and how it's different from what's currently out there. They also want to know why now is the right time for your type of product or service.

At a minimum, your plan should:

• Be more realistic than idealistic: Too often, business plans focus too much on how things could be instead of how they are. While having a vision is important, your plan needs to be rooted in research and data.
• Legitimize your business idea : If an idea fails on paper, it's a signal to go back to the drawing board. In doing so, you avoid losing precious time or money chasing an unrealistic idea.
• Position your business for funding: To get your business off the ground, chances are you'll need financial backing. Even with a solid business idea, investors, lenders, and banks still need convincing. An effective business plan will outline how much money you need, where it's going, what targets you will hit, and how you plan to repay any debts.
• Lay the foundation: Investors focus on risk – if anything looks shaky, it could be a dealbreaker. Ideally, your business plan will lay down the foundation for how you'll operate your business — from operational needs to financial projections and goals.
• Communicate your needs: It's nearly impossible to communicate your needs if you don't know what they are first. Of course, a business’ needs are always changing — but your plan should give you a well-rounded view of how your business will work in the short and long term.

So back to the question of why and why now – consider three things:

• Your industry – How does your product or service fit within your industry? Are you targeting a specific niche? Where do you see the industry going in the next five to 10 years?
• Your target audience – Who are you targeting? What challenges are they facing? How will your product or service help them in their daily lives?
• Your unique selling proposition (USP) – What sets you apart from your competitors? Is it your product/service features? Your company values? Price?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you'll be equipped to answer the question: why your business and why now.

How to Build a Business Plan

• Executive Summary
• Company and Business Description
• Product and Services Line
• Market Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Legal Notes
• Financial Considerations

Featured Resource: Free Business Plan Template

1. cover page.

Your business plan should be prefaced with an eye-catching cover page. This means including a high-resolution image of your company logo, followed by your company's name, address, and phone number.

Since this business plan will likely change hands and be seen by multiple investors, you should also provide your own name, role in the business, and email address on the cover page.

At the bottom of this page, you can also add a confidentiality statement to protect against the disclosure of your business details.

The statement can read as follows: " This document contains confidential and proprietary information created by [your company name]. When receiving this document, you agree to keep its content confidential and may only reproduce and/or share it with express written permission of [your company name] ."

Remember to keep your cover page simple and concise — and save the important details for other sections.

Why it matters: First impressions are everything, and a clean cover page is the first step in the right direction.

Example of a Cover Page

2. Executive Summary

The executive summary of your business plan provides a one- to two-page overview of your business and highlights the most crucial pieces of your plan, such as your short-term and long-term goals.

The executive summary is essentially a boiled-down version of your entire business plan, so remember to keep this section to the point and filled only with essential information.

Typically, this brief section includes:

• A mission statement.
• The company's history and leadership model.
• An overview of competitive advantage(s).
• Financial projections.
• Company goals.
• An ask from potential investors.

Why it matters: The executive summary is known as the make-or-break section of a business plan. It influences whether investors turn the page or not — so effectively summarizing your business and the problem it hopes to solve is a must.

Think of the Summary as a written elevator pitch (with more detail). While your business plan provides the nitty-gritty details, your Summary describes — in a compelling but matter-of-fact language — the highlights of your plan. If it's too vague, complicated, or fuzzy, you may need to scrap it and start again.

Example of an Executive Summary Introduction

"The future looks bright for North Side Chicago, particularly the Rock Hill Neighborhood. A number of high-end commercial and residential developments are well on their way, along with two new condo developments in nearby neighborhoods.

While the completion of these developments will increase the population within the neighborhood and stimulate the economy, the area lacks an upscale restaurant where residents and visitors can enjoy fine food and drink. Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant will provide such a place."

3. Company & Business Description

In this section, provide a more thorough description of what your company is and why it exists.

The bulk of the writing in this section should be about your company's purpose – covering what the business will be selling, identifying the target market, and laying out a path to success.

In this portion of your business plan, you can also elaborate on your company's:

• Mission statement
• Core values
• Team and organizational structure

Why it matters: Investors look for great structures and teams in addition to great ideas. This section gives an overview of your businesses' ethos. It's the perfect opportunity to set your business apart from the competition — such as your team's expertise, your unique work culture, and your competitive advantage.

Example of a Values/Mission Statement

"Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant will be the go-to place for people to get a drink or bite in an elegant, upscale atmosphere. The mission is to be North Side's leading restaurant, with the best tasting food and the highest quality service."

3. Product & Services Line

Here's where you'll cover the makeup of your business's product and/or services line. You should provide each product or service's name, its purpose, and a description of how it works (if appropriate). If you own any patents, copyrights, or trademarks, it's essential to include this info too.

Next, add some color to your sales strategy by outlining your pricing model and mark-up amounts.

If you're selling tangible products, you should also explain production and costs, and how you expect these factors to change as you scale.

Why it matters: This section contains the real meat of your business plan. It sets the stage for the problem you hope to solve, your solution, and how your said solution fits in the market.

There's no one-size-fits-all formula for this section. For instance, one plan may delve into its ability to market in a more cost-effective way than the competition, whereas another plan focuses on its key products and their unique features and benefits.

Regardless of your angle, it's critical to convey how your offerings will differ from the competition.

Example of a Product/Service Offering

"The menu at Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant will focus on Moroccan cuisine. The stars of the menu (our specialties) are the Moroccan dishes, such as eggplant zaalouk, seafood bastilla, tagine, and chickpea stew. For those who enjoy American dishes, there will also be a variety of options, from burger sliders and flatbread pizza to grilled steak and salads.

The food at Jay Street will have premium pricing to match its upscale atmosphere. During the summer months, the restaurant will have extra seating on the patio where clients can enjoy a special summer menu. We will be open on all days of the week."

4. Market Analysis

It helps to reference your market research documentation in this section, like a Porter's Five Forces Analysis or a SWOT Analysis ( templates for those are available here ). You can also include them in your appendix.

If your company already has buyer personas, you should include them here as well. If not, you can create them right now using the Make My Persona Tool .

Why it matters: Having an awesome product is, well, awesome — but it isn't enough. Just as important, there must be a market for it.

This section allows you to dig deeper into your market, which segments you want to target, and why. The "why" here is important, since targeting the right segment is critical for the success and growth of your business.

It's easy to get lost (or overwhelmed) in a sea of endless data. For your business plan, narrow your focus by answering the following questions:

• What is my market? In other words, who are my customers?
• What segments of the market do I want to target?
• What's the size of my target market?
• Is my market likely to grow?
• How can I increase my market share over time?

Example of a Market Analysis

"Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant will target locals who live and work within the Rock Hill Neighborhood and the greater North Side Chicago area. We will also target the tourists who flock to the many tourist attractions and colleges on the North Side.

We will specifically focus on young to middle-aged adults with an income of $40,000 to $80,000 who are looking for an upscale experience. The general demographics of our target market are women between 20 to 50 years old.

A unique and varied Moroccan-American menu, along with our unique upscale atmosphere, differentiates us from competitors in the area. Jay Street will also set itself apart through its commitment to high-quality food, service, design, and atmosphere."

5. Marketing Plan

Unlike the market analysis section, your marketing plan section should be an explanation of the tactical approach to reaching your aforementioned target audience. List your advertising channels, organic marketing methods, messaging, budget, and any relevant promotional tactics.

If your company has a fully fleshed-out marketing plan, you can attach it in the appendix of your business plan. If not, download this free marketing plan template to outline your strategy.

Free Marketing Plan Template

Outline your company's marketing strategy in one simple, coherent plan.

• Pre-Sectioned Template
• Completely Customizable
• Example Prompts
• Professionally Designed

Why it matters: Marketing is what puts your product in front of your customers. It's not just advertising — it's an investment in your business.

Throwing money into random marketing channels is a haphazard approach, which is why it's essential to do the legwork to create a solid marketing plan.

Here's some good news — by this point, you should have a solid understanding of your target market. Now, it's time to determine how you'll reach them.

Example of a Marketing Plan Overview

"Our marketing strategy will focus on three main initiatives:

• Social media marketing. We will grow and expand our Facebook and Instagram following through targeted social media ads.
• Website initiatives. Our website will attract potential visitors by offering updated menus and a calendar of events.
• Promotional events. Jay Street will have one special theme night per week to attract new clients."

6. Sales Plan

It doesn't matter if your sales department is an office full of business development representatives (BDR) or a dozen stores with your products on their shelves.

The point is: All sales plans are different, so you should clearly outline yours here. Common talking points include your:

• Sales team structure, and why this structure was chosen.
• Sales channels.
• Sales tools, software, and resources.
• Prospecting strategy.
• Sales goals and budget.

Like with your marketing plan, it might make sense to attach your completed sales plan to the appendix of your business plan. You can download a template for building your sales plan here .

Why it matters: Among other things, investors are interested in the scalability of your business — which is why growth strategies are a critical part of your business plan.

Your sales plan should describe your plan to attract customers, retain them (if applicable), and, ultimately, grow your business. Be sure to outline what you plan to do given your existing resources and what results you expect from your work.

Example of a Sales Plan Overview

"The most important goal is to ensure financial success for Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant. We believe we can achieve this by offering excellent food, entertainment, and service to our clients.

We are not a low-cost dining option in the area. Instead, the food will have premium pricing to match its upscale feel. The strategy is to give Jay Street a perception of elegance through its food, entertainment, and excellent service."

7. Legal Notes

Your investors may want to know the legal structure of your business, as that could directly impact the risk of their investments. For example, if you're looking for business partners to engage in a non-corporation or LLC partnership, this means they could be on the line for more than their actual investment.

Because this clarification is often needed, explain if you are and/or plan to become a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, LLC, or other.

You should also outline the steps you have taken (or will need to take) to operate legally. This includes licenses, permits, registrations, and insurance.

The last thing your investor wants to hear after they've sent you a big chunk of change is that you're operating without proper approval from the local, state, or federal government.

Why it matters: The last thing your investor wants to hear after they've sent you a big chunk of change is that you're operating without proper approval from the local, state, or federal government.

Example of Legal Notes

"Jay Street Lounge and Restaurant is up-to-date on all restaurant licenses and health permits. Our business name and logo are registered trademarks, presenting the possibility of expanding locally."

8. Financial Considerations

Ultimately, investors want to know two things:

• When they will earn their money back.
• When they will start seeing returns on their initial investment.

That said, be clear, calculated, and convincing in this section. It should cover:

• Startup costs.
• Sales forecasts for the next several months/quarters.
• Break-even analysis for time and dollars.
• Projected profit and loss (P&L) statement.

Facts and figures are key here, so be as specific as possible with each line item and projection. In addition, explain the "why" behind each of these sections.

However, keep in mind that information overload is a risk, especially when it comes to data. So, if you have pages upon pages of charts and spreadsheets for this section, distill them into a page or two and include the rest of the sheets in the appendix. This section should only focus on key data points.

Why it matters: One of the most important aspects of becoming "investor ready" is knowing your numbers. More importantly, you need to understand how those numbers will enhance your business.

While it's easy to write a number down on paper, it's more important to understand (and communicate) why you need capital, where it's going, and that your evaluation makes sense.

Example of Financial Projections

"Based on our knowledge and experience in the restaurant industry, we have come up with projections for the business.

Starting with an expenditure of $400,000 in year 1, we forecast sales of $1,500,000 and $2,800,000 for years two and three. We expect to achieve a net profit of 15% by year three."

9. Appendix

A detailed and well-developed business plan can range anywhere from 20 to 50 pages, with some even reaching upward of 80.

In many cases, the appendix is the longest section. Why? Because it includes the supportive materials mentioned in previous sections. To avoid disrupting the flow of the business plan with visuals, charts, and spreadsheets, business owners usually add them in the last section, i.e. the appendix.

Aside from what we've already mentioned – marketing plan, sales plan, department budgets, financial documents – you may also want to attach the following in the appendix:

• Marketing materials
• Market research data
• Licensing documentation
• Branding assets
• Floor plans for your location
• Mockups of your product
• Renderings of your office space or location design

Adding these pieces to the appendix enriches the reader's understanding of your business and proves you've put the work into your business plan without distracting from the main points throughout the plan.

Why it matters: An appendix helps the reader do their due diligence. It contains everything they need to support your business plan.

Keep in mind, however, that an appendix is typically necessary only if you're seeking financing or looking to attract business partners.

Use a Business Plan Template to Get Started

Writing a business plan shouldn't be an insurmountable roadblock to starting a business. Unfortunately, for all too many, it is.

That's why we recommend using our free business plan template. Pre-filled with detailed section prompts for all of the topics in this blog post, we're confident this template will get your business plan started in the right direction.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

Business Plan Templates

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2 Essential Templates For Starting Your Business. Available as an interactive PDF or a Google Docs template.

With this business plan template, you'll be able to:

• Write a company description that sells your story
• Plan for the future: lay out goals and metrics for success
• Describe your product line in detail and plan for how to stand out from competitors
• Consider any legal formalities that require attention when starting your business
• Put together necessary financial projections to make a strong start
• Create your buyer persona and determine your product/marketing fit

Build A Business Plan That Works

Available as a one-page interactive PDF and a full template on both Google Docs and Microsoft Word!

Whether you’re starting a business or drafting a formalized document with  your current business goals, it’s important to clearly defi ne the scope of all aspects of the venture — from mission, to target customers, to fi nances, and beyond.

When just starting out, it can be tempting to think of a business plan as simply your company’s name and a description of your product or service. But in reality, planning a business involves thinking through a lot more details.

In this business plan template we’ll guide you through the steps of writing company and product descriptions, setting sales and marketing goals and plans, and thinking through legal and fi nancial logistics. We've included a  plain text, designed , and  completed example version of this template. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you write a business plan.

A business plan is a formal written document that you can use to identify the purpose of your company, make important decisions about your future and help grow your company. HubSpot's free business plan templates provides guidance to establishing your company mission, customer research, competition, and a business strategy to profitability.

Why do I need to fill out the information requested?

We will always keep your personal information safe..

We ask for your information in exchange for a valuable resource in order to (a) improve your browsing experience by personalizing the HubSpot site to your needs; (b) send information to you that we think may be of interest to you by email or other means; (c) send you marketing communications that we think may be of value to you. You can read more about our privacy policy here .

Where can I get a free business plan template?

HubSpot's Free Business Plan Templates are the best way to create a professional, thorough business plan. The templates include instructions and everything you need to know about starting your company.

Is this really free?

Absolutely.

Just sharing some free knowledge that we hope you’ll find useful. Keep us in mind next time you have marketing questions!

What are the basic format of a business plan?

A business plan is a written document that outlines the company's goals, strategy and implementation. The format of the plan varies depending on the type of organization (e.g., for-profit or nonprofit) and size, but most plans share some common features such as an overview, executive summary, and financial information.

What is the best business plan template?

A great business plan template clearly defines the scope of the venture -- from mission, to target customers, to finances, and beyond. HubSpot's business plan template will guide you through the steps of writing company and product descriptions, setting sales and marketing goals and plans, and thinking through legal and financial logistics.

What is needed to start a business?

If you're thinking about starting a business, you'll need to do some research first. You can't just start a business without doing any market research. Market research will tell you if there's an opportunity to turn your idea into a successful business. After that, write your business plan so that you know how much money and time it will take for the project to succeed. Use HubSpot's free business plan template today!

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La plateforme t'accompagne comme un directeur marketing et un directeur financier

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Online Services Business Plan

Start your own online services business plan

Web Applications, Inc.

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Web Applications is a start-up company that is designed to offer Web-based business management applications. Web Applications has developed an Internet-based application called Online Office Manager, for which a patent is pending. Online Office Manager allows businesses and individuals to keep in touch even when working in different locations. Online Office Manager provides applications which replace the physical office. With Online Office Manager, your office moves with you at all times, and you have 24-hour access to it. Users can get Online Office Manager by subscribing to our server on the Internet.

As with any start-up company, Web Applications recognizes its risks. We are a new company and as such, we will need to meet market acceptance. To that end, the company is working to determine trends in the industry, the needs of the customer, and how best to address the needs of the customer.

We expect to compete as a thriving company in the computer applications software industry. The software market has long been one of the computer industry’s fastest growing segments. Revenues for the worldwide software market reached $122 billion two years ago, up 15% from the year before that, according to estimates by International Data Corporation (IDC), a market research firm in Framingham, Massachusetts. Revenues continued to show robust growth last year. IDC projects that revenues will grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 12% for the next several years, surpassing $220 billion three years from now.

The company is seeking a moderate start-up investment. The company’s revenue projections for year one are for a 10-fold growth. Web Applications expects to achieve profitability within six months of beginning operations.

1.1 Mission

At Web Applications, our mission is to provide an online office system that links workers in different locations to their mother company.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Web Applications, Inc. was established in 1998 to provide a Web-based business application with features that give users the ability to remain in touch with operations at all times from anywhere in the world. The company was formed by Mr. Lester Andrews and is a Georgia incorporated S-Corporation.

2.1 Start-up Summary

Start-up costs, expenses and funding sources are laid out in the tables and chart below.

2.2 Financial Risks and Contingencies

The company recognizes that it is subject to both market and industry risks. We believe our risks are as follows, and we are addressing each as indicated.

• Start-up company . We face all the risks associated with being a start-up company. We feel that we can overcome these with our experience in the industry and by quickly establishing desired relationships.
• Security . Security is a major issue, but all features provide security options; documents and directories can be password-protected and have specific, user-only access rights.

Web Applications has developed an Internet-based application called Online Office Manager, for which a patent is pending. Online Office Manager allows businesses and individuals to keep in touch effectively even with a distance factor. Online Office Manager provides applications which replace the physical office. With Online Office Manager, your office moves with you at all times and you have 24-hour access to it. Users can get Online Office Manager by subscribing to our server on the Internet. There is no need to buy any software or upgraded versions of the software.

3.1 Service Description

Main Features

• Communication and productivity . This feature will allow you to see who is online within an organization. Our communication feature will enable the user to initiate and conduct a chat session, and will give them the means to initiate NetMeeting. Users can send and receive files directly through the Internet. Documents can also be stored in one central location.
• Email . Users will be able to send and receive emails and faxes in a personal mailbox. Within the email tool, users can create and use different folders to hold their private email. They will also have quick access to folders in an organization, and the ability to create and maintain an address book.
• Messaging . Users will be able to send text messages to others online. This feature will receive and log messages giving a “while you were out” type application.
• Schedules . Scheduling meetings can be done en-mass, i.e. users select a group of users and request a meeting. They can also specify which users must be present for the meeting to occur, and which are optional. When confirmations are received for all those required, a message is placed on everyone’s calendar. The user will also be able to set up scheduled reminders that fire off at a certain time. The system can maintain a database of resources. For the individual users, they can store their own personal schedule.
• Document Management . Users can store different documents on the system. Checked-in documents are saved in a manner which will allow for easy retrieval at a later time. Document searching can be done using a keyword, and the document can be viewed in a number of different formats without having to install any software.

Secondary Features

• Online bill payments . This service will be name branded from services like Checkfree. It will allow users to electronically pay bills all in one location. 
• Threaded bulletin board . This allows users to leave messages and multiple individuals to respond, leave their own message, and track the history.
• Package tracking . Users can view the status of packages that are being shipped with FedEx, UPS, etc.
• Travel planner . Will allow users to make travel arrangements and get discounts. Users can create travel profiles and itineraries online.
• Credit check services . This will allow users to check credit ratings of potential business partners or vendors.
• Conduct surveys . Users can create a survey and distribute it on the system. Responses can be given and returned to the system where they will be tabulated and maintained. 

Online Office Manager comes in three packages and customers can choose the one with the applications that best suit their needs.

3.2 Future Services

In the future, we will implement Phase 2 of our plan. Our research and development (R&D) will yield innovation with input from customers and the marketplace. Given below is a detailed look at the future applications that will be a part of the Phase 2 program. The biggest and most complex application of Phase 2 will be the telephone/fax service.

Telephone/Fax services .

Other Future Applications

• Job postings–Enables people to browse various categories and sub-categories of ads and submit resumes.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

We expect to compete as a thriving company in the computer applications software industry. Applications software are computer programs designed to accomplish user tasks, such as word processing, graphic design, desktop publishing, inventory control, and more. The software industry consists of three general market segments: application solutions, application tools, and systems software. The software market has long been one of the computer industry’s fastest growing segments. Revenues for the worldwide software market reached $122 billion in 1997, up about 15% from 1996 according to estimates by IDC. Revenues continued to show robust growth in 1998. IDC projects that revenues will grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 12% for the next several years, surpassing $220 billion by 2002.

• System-level software comprises operating systems, operating systems enhancements, and data center management. The worldwide market for system-level software increased 13% in 1997, to $35.1 billion. This figure should exceed $53 billion by 2001, based on an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

Applications software can be either developed by outside vendors and sold in packaged form, or custom-made by users themselves. Many computer users don’t have the time or desire to write their own computer programs or to hire a software developer; they can choose from thousands of quality packaged programs ready for use with little or no modification. The proliferation of computers has increased the number of people who use computers relative to those who can program them, increasing the packaged software’s importance. Custom software is tailored to the needs of a specific individual or organization.

4.1 A Brief Look at the Internet

In just five years, the Internet has undergone a major metamorphosis. From an obscure network used by a limited number of academics and researchers, the Internet has been transformed into a global Web of more than 100 million interconnected computers encompassing users from all walks of life. Described below are the various segments of the Internet:

• Hardware : networking equipment. This sector provides the primary infrastructure on which the Internet is built. Two prominent types of network equipment are routers and remote access concentrators. Cisco Systems Inc. with sales of approximately $9.9 billion and a market share of 67%, dominated the routers market in 1998. Ascend Communications, Inc. (1998 sales of $1.48 billion) and Cisco share leadership of the remote access concentrator market, with shares of approximately 28% and 27%, respectively.
• Software . Two of the main types of Internet software are browsers and security programs. Microsoft Corporation and Netscape Communications Corporation dominate the key software component of the World Wide Web. The security segments are needed to ensure the safety of networks and transactions. Security Dynamics Technology Inc. (1998 sales of $41 million) has taken the lead in providing authentication and encryption products.
• Services . Internet service providers (ISPs) offer a way for people to enter the Internet. According to IDC, America Online has approximately 43% share of the total subscribers in the ISP segment, followed by Microsoft’s MSN, and AT&T’s WorldNet.
• Destinations . Destinations are websites that people can go to for information, entertainment, or commerce.

4.2 Brief Look at the Computer Industry

In the first six months of 1997, a total of 37 million personal computers (PC) were shipped worldwide. That figure rose to 40 million during the same time period in 1998 and, according to IDC, this figure is expected to rise by 16% in 1999. PC growth in 1997 and 1998 was boosted by the introduction of the sub-$1,000 PC. This price point is due in large part to the sharp drop in prices of the major components that go into the PC. Another way PC makers have addressed lower price points is through cost-reduction efforts made possible by new manufacturing and distribution strategies. Two important initiatives are underway:

• Build to order (BTO). Under BTO, PC’s are assembled by the manufacturer.
• Channel assembly. Under channel assembly, distributors or resellers build and configure the machines.

In both cases, the building or configuring occurs when an order is received. By using these methods, indirect PC vendors hope to keep inventories lower and, through the cost savings achieved, offer more competitive prices to customers. Compaq, Dell, IBM, and Hewlett Packard dominate the computer industry.

4.3 Market Segmentation

A review of all of our markets is given below:

• Telecommuters . Telecommuting seems to be on a steady growth curve, with approximately 11 million telecommuters in the U.S. today, according to the latest survey from FIND/SVP, a research and consulting firm. Telecommuting will continue to grow because there are frequent references to productivity gains in the range of 15-25% for telecommuters.
• Service . Customers not only expect the best service but value for money, which is what we give them in our product.

Here are 23 of the best platforms for growing your direct-to-consumer business ahead of the holidays

• It's easier than ever to start a business right now, says Shopify president Harley Finkelstein.
• The key is finding the best platform, whether you're a seller, maker, or content creator.
• We looked into the best platforms' features and costs, and how to decide which is right for you. 

Today, it's easier than ever to start a business. That's according to the president of Shopify, Harley Finkelstein, whose company has seen a surge of new merchants on its platform this year — many of whom have taken their physical retail stores digital during the pandemic. 

"The barrier to entry and the cost of failure for entrepreneurship is as low as it's ever been," Finkelstein told Insider . "Anyone with a laptop can walk into a coffee shop or go to the kitchen table and start a business right now. That wasn't possible even 10 years ago."

Whether you're starting a new business, setting up your very first ecommerce site, or expanding your services through new channels, now is the time to reach your customers where they're spending most of their time — online. This holiday season, online sales are expected to be 50% higher than in 2019, according to Axios . 

Not all platforms are designed for every entrepreneur, so it's key to find the one (or ones) that fulfills your needs and caters to your audience. That's why we've broken business owners into four categories, based on what and how they sell: retailers, resellers, makers, and content creators.

A new crop of tools is emerging for service providers, who can also take advantage of several platforms in the other categories. We've noted where service providers might benefit from what these platforms offer. 

Here are the best platforms to use based on the type of entrepreneur you are and the type of market you want to reach. We also highlight the top features you can expect and what it costs to get started.

5 platforms for retailers

Use this ecommerce platform if you have a unique product or service you want to sell directly to your customers, and don't want to built out a website from scratch. Shopify powers more than one million ecommerce merchants globally, so it has the support, efficiency, and tools you need to match the retail experiences of companies like Allbirds and PepsiCo. Service providers can also add online orders through Shopify.

Shopify also offers a built-in drop shipping service so you can start a business without having any inventory. This can be helpful for first-time entrepreneurs who want to dip their toes into running a small business, or it can be a way for established businesses to test new products with a minimal financial commitment. 

An additional feature to note is Shopify's recently added point-of-sale system which syncs from your brick and mortar shop to your online storefront. 

Cost: Monthly plans start at $29, which include website hosting, marketing tools, resources, and app integrations. Prices for additional features like domain names and website themes vary.

To learn more, read this step-by-step guide to creating your Shopify store. »  

Instagram  

This social media app is quickly evolving into a shopping experience, making it more than just a marketing tool for your business. Instagram is common among direct-to-consumer brands that prioritize creative and engaging visuals just as much as the actual products. It's also a prime spot to reach young shoppers, as it's popular among Millennials and GenZers .

Cost: It's free to set up a business account, which gives you access to engagement metrics and customer insights. Ads and boosted posts can cost as little as $0.70 per click and exceed $5 per click, depending on time, placement, and category, according to Hubspot . 

Alibaba connects manufacturers and retailers who are looking to do larger volume transactions, including international trade. It launched an online wholesale marketplace for US businesses last year and has since doubled the number of transactions in this market. Rather than taking a commission of each sale, Alibaba only charges a fixed membership fee.

Cost: Basic plans currently start at $2,399 per year.

There is simply no larger customer base than Amazon . If your business needs online reach, it likely needs to be on Amazon. There are a dizzying array of options for individual use-cases ranging from larger manufacturers to custom shops, which we detail in our ultimate guide to getting started on the platform .

Cost: Pro seller plans cost $40 per month, and most sales are subject to a 15% commission. Additional costs can quickly add up, with advertising fees and fulfillment charges necessary to compete in the crowded marketplace.

To learn more, read this guide from real sellers about how to start a successful Amazon business or store. »

Ecwid is ideal for a retailer who is new to ecommerce and needs a solution to quickly set up multiple sales channels, as it syncs to social media and ecommerce platforms such Instagram and Amazon. According to the company, thousands of brands use Ecwid globally and account sign-ups doubled from March to April as more businesses went online during the pandemic. 

Cost: Free to set up an online store. Monthly plans starting at $15 will sync your store to your social media accounts and additional marketplaces. 

4 platforms for resellers

Ebay is streamlining its small business user experience with a new Seller Hub for US sellers, but the 25-year-old marketplace generally remains the same. From electronics to fashion accessories to collectibles, the platform connects bargain-minded buyers and sellers around the world.

Cost: Free to list, 10% transaction fee on all sales.

Read about how one sneaker seller who prefers eBay over StockX made $1.5 million. »

Poshmark  

If you're reselling brand-name clothing, accessories, and home goods, Poshmark is the place to be. The popular marketplace app also functions as a resale community and rewards sellers who engage with customers, participate in virtual shopping events, and promote other's listings. Once you've built up a loyal customer base and following, sellers can scale through Poshmark's wholesale channel .

Cost: Free to use and set up your shop. Poshmark takes a 20% commission on sales $15 or more. For sales under $15, Poshmark charges a flat rate of $2.95. 

To learn more, read the ultimate guide to selling on Poshmark. »

Depop is one of the more fashion-forward resale sites on the internet, which is not a reputation it's earned by accident. Depop caters to a young, hip crowd of buyers and sellers, and the site deliberately casts its resellers as curators.

Stylish users can turn their sense of taste into a lucrative side-hustle by establishing a unique aesthetic and then owning that niche. Depop is a great resource for anyone trying to sell used clothing, but for aspiring tastemakers it should be their home page.

Cost: There is no fee to list an item, but Depop takes 10% of sales.

Read how Gen-Z sellers are using Depop to turn their eye for clothing into their full-time jobs.

Facebook Marketplace  

Although Facebook can be a useful tool to market any business, Facebook Marketplace functions as an ecommerce channel that caters well to resale items such as used furniture or thrift finds. Since customers can search for products based on their location, the platform gives sellers access to local communities to further bolster their customer base. 

Cost: Free to list items. Prices to promote listings and increase exposure vary based on time and location, among other factors. 

4 platforms for makers

If you're a creative entrepreneur, Etsy is the powerhouse of marketplaces with nearly five million active buyers. It can be your homebase for selling your products, or it can serve as an additional sales channel.

Cost: Free to get started. Etsy charges 20 cents per product listing. 

To learn more, read our guide to setting up a successful Etsy store. » 

Faire  

Faire is a marketplace that connects independent designers with local shops to curate unique products that can't be bought elsewhere. If you make more of a product than you can sell on your own, Faire can help you reach retailers who are interested in hard-to-find items that they can't get anywhere else.

Cost: 25% commission on first-time orders, 15% for follow-up orders sourced through the platform. Existing relationships that you bring to the platform are not subject to commission. Transactions are subject to a 3% processing fee.

Wix is expanding from its original role as a portfolio website host to a more full-featured ecommerce platform. Now, the platform used by creatives and designers of all kinds is available for entrepreneurs offering a broader array of products and services. If your business needs a turnkey solution to get online, Wix is a convenient place to start. 

Cost: Business plans start at $23/month and go all the way to $500/month for enterprise-grade support.

Big Cartel is a marketplace for entrepreneurs to sell their work, build an online store, or run a business. The company launched in 2005 and has helped creators sell more than $2.5 billion of their work. What's more, Big Cartel doesn't take a cut of sales and only charges a monthly subscription plan.

Cost: Big Cartel doesn't charge entrepreneurs who are selling five goods or less. After that, monthly plans start at $9.99 per month for 50 products and go as high as $29.99 a month for 500 items.

7 platforms for content creators

YouTube  

YouTube is practically an industry of its own, and the opportunities for content creators to earn revenue are quite diverse. From advertising to memberships to merch, YouTube partners who meet certain eligibility criteria stand to make substantial revenues from posting engaging videos to the platform.

Cost: Free to start uploading videos and growing an audience, but it can take a considerable investment of time and money before your channel is eligible for monetization. Commissions and fees on revenues vary based on a multitude of factors.

Learn more about how YouTubers with 1 million subscribers break down their average earnings. »

Whether you're already creating content or you're looking for an additional income stream, Patreon is designed to monetize your work outside of click- and ad-based models. Freelancers, entertainers, and creatives establish their own subscription levels based on what they offer, giving them direct access to their followers.

Cost: Free to get started. Once you begin earning money, Patreon takes a 5-12% commission depending on the membership plan you choose. It also charges a standard payment processing fee per transaction. 

Where YouTube generally represents an ever-growing archive of videos, Amazon's Twitch is all about the real-time stream of live entertainment. Esport streamers in particular can generate large numbers of paying subscribers, who have propelled some creators to earn tens of thousands of dollars each month.

Cost: Free to get started, subscription fees are generally split 50-50 between the streamer and Twitch.

See Business Insider's coverage of how much money top Twitch streamers make on the platform. »

Writers are finding success monetizing their work through newsletters published on Substack . Like other platforms, it's free to get started, and the hard work of building an audience can take a considerable investment of time and money. Top writers on the platform boast tens of thousands of subscribers, with monthly subscriptions ranging from $5 to $49 each.

Cost: 10% commissions, but only after you decide to start charging for subscriptions, and a payment fee of about 3%.

See Business Insider's coverage of how individual writers are using Substack to make 6 figures off of their writing.

If you provide a service such as online courses, webinars, downloads, or memberships Podia gives you a platform to sell them. Whether you own a yoga studio and want to stream classes to members' homes, or you're an artist teaching DIY craft lessons, your YouTube Live and Zoom recordings integrate with your Podia storefront. You can also use a tiered membership model to give one member group exclusive access to certain products.

Cost: Monthly plans are $39 and $79, depending on the level of services you need. 

Described both as "an Instagram for NSFW images" and "the paywall of porn," OnlyFans has become a cultural touchstone in the years since its creation. The premise is simple: Creators make content, put it behind a paywall, and then charge customers monthly subscriptions for access to their material. Most subscriptions run between $5 to $20 a month.

Due to OnlyFans' lax content guidelines, the platform has become a critical resource for adult entertainers, who earn more money by monetizing their content on OnlyFans than they do by uploading it for free to ad-supported porn sites.

OnlyFans also features content from workers such as fitness gurus, chefs, and video entertainers.

Cost: Creators can make channels for free, but OnlyFans takes a 20% cut of all revenue.

Read Business Insider's coverage of how sex-work entrepreneurs create massive social media followings and then funnel them onto OnlyFans.

Fiverr is a resource for freelancers and anyone looking to hire a freelancer. It solves a key pain point for many businesses: the lack of a centralized forum for freelancers.

By bringing both parties to the same platform, Fiverr simplifies the transactional process between those seeking and those offering creative services.

The site is divided into sections based on types of content, such as graphics and design, writing and editing, and programming and tech.

Cost: All purchases are subject to a service fee of $2 on purchases up to and including $40, and 5% on purchases above $40. 

See Business Insider's coverage of a 27-year-old entrepreneur who uses Fiverr to make over $350,000 a year.

3 platforms for service providers

Dumpling is a startup that enables people start their own independent grocery-delivery businesses. Unlike Instacart and Fresh Direct, business owners have more control over their marketing and can build up their own clientele. Clients can download your personalized app, build their shopping lists, and place orders for your service.

The company provides the apps to manage your business and for clients to place orders, a website to promote your business, a credit card to use for shopping orders, and coaching resources.  

Cost: $19.99 one-time fee to get started. A starter membership with all basic features is free, a pro membership costs $49 per month, and a tycoon membership costs $99 per month. 

MindBody is a platform and app that boasts 1.3 million monthly active users, serving gyms, fitness studios, salons, spas, and other service-oriented businesses in the health and wellness industries. The software enables businesses to schedule appointments and offer on-demand and live-streaming services. It also integrates with other apps and marketing tools like ClassPass and Constant Contact.

Cost: Plans options vary by industry, starting at $129 per month, with tiered memberships up to $599 per month. 

Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental service allowing vehicle owners to compete with corporate rental companies, like Budget or Enterprise. The app started as a side hustle for those who owned underutilized cars and wanted to make some money off their car's availability. Now, the app has turned into a full-fledged entrepreneurship opportunity as some Turo rentees have built a collection  of 20 vehicles to rent out. The North American car-sharing market is expected to exceed $4.8 billion by 2024 , making personal car rentals a profitable option for both side-hustlers and serial entrepreneurs.

Cost: It is free to sign up as a Turo host, but you're required to pay for car insurance and annual maintenance checks and repairs. Hosts choose the daily rate, as well as any fees associated with the trip. Depending on the type of host plan, hosts will earn between 60%–92.5% of the trip price.

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What is a Website Plan & How to Use it to Successfully Launch Your Site

Written by: Raja Mandal

Since you're reading this, I'm assuming you've decided that creating a website is right for your business. Once that decision has been made, the next step is to nail down all the details involved with launching it.

Do you want to know the best way to launch your site with a bang? It is accomplished through thorough and strategic planning prior to writing or designing your website .

A website plan is a detailed, step-by-step guide that organizes all the steps needed to build your website. The plan includes the keywords you want to rank for, your company's mission and vision, and competitor analysis.

Putting together a website plan can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a newbie. And that’s where a website plan template comes in handy.

Ready to create a website plan and get your stunning website ready? This article has everything you need. Read on to discover what a website plan is, how to use it, and how a website plan template can help you do it better.

Table of Contents

What is a website plan template, why use a website plan template.

• Website Planning Templates to Use

How to Plan Your Website Using the Website Plan Template

How to create a website, how to promote your website, website plan faqs.

• A website plan is a detailed outline or blueprint that covers the website's structure, content, and functionality before its development.
• Creating a website plan template helps improve website project management, establish clear team goals, and facilitate centralized communication during website planning. To create an effective website plan, create website goals, research user personas and ICPs,  use a mood board for visual direction, and create a design brief and site map.
• Map out your user journey, arrange page elements with wireframe, create a content strategy and SEO plan, define your budget, finalize design with UI mockups, and organize sprints or roadmaps.
• Before creating your website, decide on the approach, choose a reliable web host, register your domain name, focus on UI/UX, design your website and publish engaging and SEO-friendly content.
• Take advantage of Visme templates to easily prepare all your website plan documents, including defining goals, creating personas, wireframing and finalizing the plan.

A website plan template is a step-by-step guide to help you create your website. It will help you decide what you need to include on your site and how to organize it. You can use a website plan template to lay out the structure of your site before you start building it.

It includes boards and placeholders to help you organize the goals, deliverables, visual references and content before you start a line of code. There are also checklists for your workflow, so you have everything in one easy-to-access place.

A website plan template will be different depending on what type of site you want to create. For example, if you are building a blog, various elements may not be applicable when you are creating an e-commerce site .

We have already mentioned that using a website plan template is the best tool for your website planning process. Let's take a closer look at why you should use a website plan template.

Best Website Project Management

A central document that all team members can access and contribute to ensures clarity about the project's goals, responsibilities and performance. It's an excellent repository for your site content, so everyone knows what's been created and what needs to be created.

Furthermore, the document can help you keep track of any changes throughout the project management lifecycle and ensure they're all documented.

Creates a Clear Goal & Alignment for Teams

The website plan template gives everyone on your team a clear picture of what success looks like for your site (and, by extension, how they can help achieve that success). If you're working with an outside agency or consultant, this is especially important for them to understand how their work fits into the project's overall strategy.

Centralize Website Planning Communication

Having everything in one place makes it easy to distribute information among your team members—whether in different offices or countries! Using this centralized communication hub lets everyone stay informed about crucial milestones, decisions and deadlines without having to check in with each other every day or week individually.

Hey marketers! Need to create scroll-stopping visual content fast?

• Transform your visual content with Visme’s easy-to-use content creation platform
• Produce beautiful, effective marketing content quickly even without an extensive design skillset
• Inspire your sales team to create their own content with branded templates for easy customization

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3 Website Planning Templates to Use

Here are three website planning templates to help you get started. Each includes a different type of layout, but all three are based on the same concept: Create an outline of what content will go on your site and how it will be organized.

1. Website Planning Worksheet Template

Let's start with this one-pager website planning worksheet template. It's a simple document with multiple sections for business information, website goal, products and services and other information.

Moreover, a convenient section at the bottom allows you to select the web pages you want for your website with simple checkboxes.

This template proves exceptionally beneficial during the initial stages of website planning, especially when creating a website for someone else. It enables you to capture and save their preferences in a user-friendly format that you can easily share with them.

2. Website Project Plan Template

Achieve a professional touch with this beautifully designed template for your website project plan. This document will assist you in efficiently planning, organizing and managing your web development project.

It includes all the essential details about your project, such as the scope of work, deliverables, milestones and other crucial factors required for successful completion.

The workflow and timeline page vividly illustrate the phases, steps to be taken, and the timeline for each stage, providing you and other stakeholders with a comprehensive view of the project.

3. Website Redesign Project Plan

Use this template to plan your website redesign project and ensure it achieves your business goals. The template provides a detailed analysis of your current website and outlines all the necessary steps to meet your objectives.

Customize the Gantt chart in the template to clearly show the workflow and timeline. This will help everyone involved easily understand the project's progress and tasks.

Additionally, the plan includes a financial projection page to estimate the costs for UI/UX, QA, Visuals, and Development. This will give you a clear idea of the budget required for the project.

Now let's talk about how you can use a website plan template to get started with launching your own website. We will also share some useful templates along the way to help with each step of this process.

Define Your Website Goals

Before you start brainstorming and planning, it's crucial to figure out your website goals. What do you want people to do after visiting your site? Do you want them to make a purchase? Or maybe they need to be able to contact your company via phone or email. Or they may need information only available on the web (like a list of all the services you offer).

Whatever those goals are, write them down so everyone on your team is clear about what needs to be done and why. If you are falling short of achieving goals, maybe you need to set them correctly. Use Visme's S.M.A.R.T. goal templates to set goals you always succeed in accomplishing.

Here's a goal-setting worksheet template that you can use to verify that your goals are S.M.A.R.T.

You can also read our comprehensive guide on How to set S.M.A.R.T. goals to learn more about it and check out the 17 Goal-Setting Templates to find the right one for your needs.

Research & Document User Personas

Once you know your website goals, it's time to research and create a user persona . A persona is an imaginary representation of your ideal customer: their demographics, personality traits, goals and pains.

For example, if you're a wedding photographer who wants people to contact them for their services after visiting the site (one of your goals), your persona might look something like this:

• Male or female?
• 22-24 years old?
• In college?
• Has no money to buy good cameras but wants good quality
• pictures for their wedding day?

Here is an example of a user persona template to give you an idea of what it looks like. You can edit and use it to create your own.

Visme offers 50+ persona templates like the one above that you can use to document your customer persona.

User personas help you ensure that your website is designed in a way that makes sense for the users who will be visiting it—so they can accomplish their goals as efficiently as possible.

You can research your persona by talking to people from your target audience and asking them questions about their lifestyles and habits. You can also conduct surveys or use social media to collect information.

Consider watching the video below to learn more about creating personas.

Define Your Brand Competitors

Before you begin designing a website, it's essential to understand your brand and how it differs from that of your competitors. What makes your company unique? What differentiates you from the other businesses in your industry?

This will help you create a design that reflects those differences effectively. You can conduct market research by conducting customer interviews, reviewing sales data and performing competitive analysis on similar websites.

You probably have more than one competitor. You need to know who they are and what makes them different from you. If your competitors have a strong presence on the web, research their websites and social media accounts to learn about their brand positioning and how your business fits in the marketplace.

You can also use tools like Google Trends or SimilarWeb to see which keywords people search for when visiting your competitors' sites.

Here's an infographic template that can help you perform the competitive analysis.

Add a Moodboard for Visual Direction

A mood board is a collection of images, color palettes, textures and other graphics that give you a visual reference for the look and feel of your website. It can help you decide on a color scheme, create an optical flow between different pages and communicate your brand personality to clients.

Collect materials for your mood board by searching for images online or through magazines and newspapers. When collecting materials for your mood board, ensure they're related to the content on your site.

When you have an extensive collection of items to work with, start arranging them on a board or poster. The best way to do this is by using one of Visme's mood board templates to help you perfectly put your graphics and get the mood you want to set with your website.

Use the template below to create your mood board in just a few clicks.

To help you create stunning visuals for your mood board and website, Visme offers an advanced AI image generator . This powerful tool can generate many icons, illustrations, abstracts and paintings, providing endless possibilities for captivating visuals.

With Visme's AI image generator, you can save time and effort by swiftly producing high-quality graphics that align perfectly with your mood board's vision. Whether you need custom icons or unique illustrations, the AI image generator is at your service.

Create a Design Brief

A design brief is a document that outlines the goals, audience and primary focus of your project. It will help you build a cohesive design strategy for your site so that every decision you make is aligned with your objectives.

Include your brand colors , brand fonts , target audience, objectives and other brand guidelines to make sure that your website reflects your brand identity .

You can use the design brief to guide layout, content and visual hierarchy decisions. Addressing these goals upfront will make creating a website that meets them easier.

Choose from Visme's library of creative brief templates and customize them accordingly to create your own. Here's an example of a website design template for you.

Set up your branding kit in Visme to save time and effort on this step. Save your brand elements like logo, brand colors and fonts and the brand design tool will help you apply them to your design in a few clicks.

Watch the video below to watch this magic happen live.

Create a Sitemap

A sitemap is a blueprint of your website, showing all the pages in a hierarchical structure. It shows how they relate and helps you organize your content into logical groupings. Creating a sitemap is an excellent way to identify gaps in your content and ensure you have enough information to fill those gaps before moving forward.

As you create your sitemap, keep in mind that it should be a living document that you can update over time. Include static and dynamic pages in your sitemap so you can plan for both types of content.

Your static pages will likely include things like an About Us page and a Contact Us page; dynamic pages may consist of blog posts or product listings.

Below is an example of an eCommerce sitemap template that you can use. Visme offers more sitemap templates in its library that you can browse through and find a suitable one.

To create a website plan, you'll likely need input from various professionals in your organization. Visme offers collaborative design features to make this process smooth and effective.

When you use Visme, you can access advanced features, such as live editing, commenting, annotating and version control. These powerful tools enable your team to brainstorm, share files and make real-time changes, ensuring a productive and efficient planning process.

Design collaboration becomes a breeze with Visme, making it one of the best tools available. Let's hear from one of our satisfied customers, Jaime Kelm, the Director of Business and Data Strategy at LAFC, as he shares his thoughts on these remarkable features:

“I absolutely recommend Visme due to its dynamic functionality and ability to integrate everchanging media and digital technologies. That combined with a collaborative environment which empowers our team to be more efficient with time has been a huge plus.”

Map Out User Journeys

A user journey map is a visual representation of how users interact with your website. You can use this tool to identify the most critical pages on your site and any points where people get stuck or give up on their search for information.

This can help you define new content that will fill gaps in those areas and keep users engaged throughout their interaction with your brand.

When creating a user journey map, start by identifying critical touchpoints in the customer experience—these are moments when users interact directly with your company or its services.

Use the template below to map your user journey from visiting your website to making a purchase.

Arrange Page Elements With Wireframe

Wireframes are a low-fidelity visual representation of how the pages on your site will look when finished. They're used to help you plan out a page's layout, navigation and content without getting bogged down by design details.

Wireframes are particularly useful in the early stages of website development when you're still working out how the site should be structured and what its content will look like.

There are many tools for creating wireframes, but none is as easy or flexible as Visme's free wireframe software . The tool is designed to make creating wireframes easier and faster than ever before.

The application allows you to place elements on the page, such as text and images, to simulate how your site will look once it's complete.

You can easily choose from different wireframe templates and customize them using drag-and-drop functions. This makes it possible for even novice users to create professional-looking wireframes quickly and painlessly.

Here is an example template of a website wireframe that you can use.

Read our website wireframe guide to learn more about it.

Create a Content Strategy & SEO Plan

A content strategy is a plan for creating and managing the content on your website. It should include an inventory of all the pages you want on your site, how they link together and what kind of content will be included on each page.

A good content strategy helps you organize your content into logical categories that make sense to visitors and allow them to quickly find what they are looking for. It also helps you determine how much content is needed, which can impact your overall project cost.

An SEO plan will tell you how search engines index and rank your site, how much work needs to be done on it before it is ready for prime time, and what steps need to be taken after launching for search engines to continue sending traffic to it at an optimal rate.

Define The Budget

It would help if you also had a clear idea of your budget. It is one thing to dream up all the fantastic things you want to do with your website; it's quite another when you have to figure out how much they cost.

When determining your budget, you can break costs into two categories: fixed and variable. Fixed costs don't change over time (such as hosting fees or monthly payments for content management systems), while variable prices fluctuate depending on how much work needs to be done.

For example, if your project involves writing 10 articles for the website and hiring an SEO expert, then each piece may cost $200 and the SEO expert will cost $2,000.

Lay out your budget using this comprehensive proposal template below. Simply swap text, fonts and other elements and your budget is ready.

Finalize the Design With UI Mockups

Once you've nailed down the budget, it's time to create a design. The best way to do this is by creating U.I. mockups, which are sketches of what your website will look like and how it will function.

This step is crucial because it gives both parties an idea of what they're getting into before moving forward with development; if there are any disagreements or misunderstandings about how things should work, they can be addressed here.

Read this article to learn how to create website mockups and take your website to the next level. Mock up your website design using this intuitive template below.

Organize Sprints or Roadmaps

After you've created your U.I. mockups, it's time to include sprints or roadmaps in your website planner. A sprint is a specific time during which work will be done; for example, a two-week sprint might involve working from Monday through Friday and delivering something by the end of the week.

A roadmap is a more general outline of how things should go over a longer period. For example, if you want to build out 10 different pages by April 1st, you could create a roadmap outlining what needs to happen on each page and when they should be completed.

You can use Visme's free online roadmap maker and the free roadmap templates to create roadmaps for developing your website.

Once you have your website plan ready, it's time to start building it. In this section, we'll go through the steps you need to follow to create your website.

1. Decide on the Development Approach

When creating a website, you have three main approaches to choose from: Static, Dynamic and Content management systems (CMS).

• Static websites: Static websites are composed of fixed HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. They are simple, easy to host and suitable for basic informational sites without frequent content updates.
• Dynamic/database-driven websites: These websites use server-side languages like PHP, Python or Node.js to generate content dynamically from databases. They allow for interactive features and personalized content.
• Content management systems: CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla or Drupal provide pre-built frameworks to manage website content, allowing you to create, edit and organize content easily without extensive technical knowledge.

Select the development approach that best suits your website's needs, budget and level of coding expertise.

2. Choose a Reliable Web Host

The next step is to choose a reliable web host . A good web host will provide you with all the necessary features, such as security and data backup, free domain name registration, 24/7 customer support and more. Not to mention, a credible web host always provides domain protection services to help you hide your personal details from hackers and public knowledge

You can choose from various web hosting services, including shared hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated server hosting. Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. For example, shared hosting is the most affordable option but doesn’t offer much control over your site’s performance.

3. Register a Memorable Domain Name

A domain name is an address you give to your site, like example.com or visme.co. It helps users find your site and get in touch with you. In addition to being memorable and easy to pronounce, a good domain name should also be short and easy to type.

Also, always try to get a .com domain name. It’s the most recognizable and trusted domain extension on the internet.

4. Focus on UI/UX Design

UI/UX design is the process of designing a website’s interface and user experience. It includes everything from your site's layout and color scheme to the placement of buttons and other interactive elements.

Pay attention to the placement of brand elements such as the logo, high-quality visuals and color contrast, ensuring a positive user experience.

5. Design Your Website

Designing your website is the most important step in launching a new website. The design should be simple, easy to navigate and visually appealing. It should also follow Google’s guidelines for mobile-friendly websites.

Start with a basic website design, and then make changes as necessary. If you lack the time or skills to design the website yourself, consider hiring a professional web designer to do it for you. Their expertise will ensure a polished and user-friendly website that meets your goals.

6. Publish Engaging Content

Your website should be full of engaging, relevant content that will help visitors find what they’re looking for and keep them coming back for more. The content should be easy to read and understand, written in a conversational tone that appeals to visitors.

Use Visme's AI writer to create helpful content that answers your customer’s questions and helps them solve their problems. Just explain the tool what you are looking for and it will generate the content for you in seconds.

Additionally, you can improve the visual content on your website using our AI image edit tools . These tools allow you to sharpen images, remove unwanted elements and perform other enhancements for a polished look.

Now that your website is online, you need to make sure that it’s easy for people to find. The more traffic your website gets, the more likely it is that customers will come knocking on your door.

Here are five effective strategies to promote your website:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimize your website for search engines by using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and improving website structure and navigation. This helps your site rank higher in search engine results, driving organic traffic.

Social Media Marketing

Leverage popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote your website's content, products, or services. Engage with your audience, share valuable content, and use eye-catching visuals to attract followers.

Use Visme's social media graphic templates such as Facebook posts , Twitter posts , LinkedIn posts and many others to create engaging social media content.

Content Marketing

Produce valuable, informative, and engaging content through blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, and more. Share this content on your website and across various online platforms to establish your authority in your niche and attract more visitors.

Here's a comprehensive guide to content marketing strategy that you can read and use the template below to create your own.

Email Marketing

Build an email list and use email marketing campaigns to keep your audience informed about new content, products, promotions or updates. Personalize your emails and provide value to encourage user engagement.

Ensure that you emails are well-written and visually appealing to keep readers interested and boost open rate.

Design captivating emails using Visme's professional email headers and email templates that your audience can't resist. Here's an email header and email template that you can customize right away:

Email Header:

The most important part of your email marketing strategy is to capture leads. This is where you will generate new subscribers interested in what you offer and want to be updated with news, promotions and updates.

With Visme's no-code forms , you can create engaging forms that look beautiful and offer an interactive experience for your audience. These forms have been shown to boost conversion rates significantly, with improvements of up to 207% .

Influencer Marketing and Partnerships

Collaborate with influencers or other websites in your industry to reach a broader audience. Influencers can promote your website or products to their followers, leading to increased visibility and potential traffic.

Here are some tips to find influencers and other websites in your industry:

• Ask your customers, clients and partners for suggestions.
• Use Google’s Keyword Planner to find relevant blogs in your industry.
• Search Facebook groups related to your business niche and look for influencers that way.

Monetization Methods

Monetization is one of the best ways to promote your website and generate revenue.

Explore different ways to monetize your website, such as display advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, selling products or services or offering premium memberships. Select methods that align well with your website's niche and target audience.

Use Google AdSense or other similar networks to display relevant ads your audience will be interested in seeing.

Here, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with quick and concise answers. Discover more about the fundamental components of a website and find solutions to common inquiries.

Q1. What Are the 5 Basic Parts of a Website?

A. The five basic parts of a website are:

• Homepage: The main landing page that introduces the website's purpose and provides an overview of its content.
• Navigation: The menu or links that allow users to move between different pages and sections of the website.
• Content Pages: These are the informational pages that contain the website's primary content, such as articles, products, services, or multimedia.
• Contact Page: A dedicated page that enables visitors to get in touch with the website owner or administrators.
• Footer: The bottom section of each page typically includes important links, copyright information, and other relevant details.

Q2. What Is the Most Important Page on a Website?

A. The homepage is often considered the most important page on a website. It is the first page users see and acts as the gateway to the rest of the website, making a strong first impression crucial. The homepage should provide a clear introduction to the website and its purpose, as well as easy navigation to other important pages.

Q3. How to Launch a Website Successfully?

A. Launching your own website successfully requires a well-planned strategy and execution. Here’s how to launch a website successfully:

• Define website goals and objectives: Determine the purpose of the website, what it should accomplish and how to measure success.
• Develop a website launch plan: Create a comprehensive outline that details the website's structure, content and functionality before starting the development process.
• Build a responsive website: Develop a mobile-friendly, responsive website with fast loading speed and user-friendly navigation to ensure a good user experience.
• Optimize for SEO: Conduct keyword research, optimize the website for search engines, and create relevant content and meta descriptions to increase online visibility.
• Conduct user testing: Test the website with focus groups, friends and family to ensure it meets the user’s needs and expectations.
• Set up website analytics and tracking: Install tracking and analytic tools like Google Analytics to gather insights into website performance and user behavior after launch.
• Develop a website launch strategy: Promote the website on social media platforms, email marketing campaigns, and other advertising channels to reach the target audience.
• Post-launch monitoring: Continuously monitor website traffic, performance, and user feedback after the launch to optimize the website as needed.

Q4. What Should Be Included in a Website Plan?

A. Website planning is a crucial step in ensuring a successful online presence. Pre-website planning involves a comprehensive approach to defining the website's goals, target audience and overall structure. Here are essential elements that should be included in a website plan:

• Objectives: Clearly outline the purpose of the website and its specific goals. Determine if it's for business, informational, e-commerce or other purposes.
• Target Audience : Understand the intended users, their needs, preferences and behaviors to tailor the website accordingly.
• Content Strategy: Plan the type of content to be included, such as text, images and videos, and how it aligns with the objectives and audience.
• Site Architecture: Organize the website's structure, including the hierarchy of pages, navigation and user flow.
• Design and Branding: Decide on the visual elements, colors, fonts and overall design to ensure consistency and brand representation.
• Technology and Platform: Choose the appropriate web development platform, hosting provider and other technologies based on the website's requirements.
• SEO Strategy: Consider search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance visibility and rank in search results.
• Budget and Timeline: Allocate resources and set a realistic timeline for the development and launch of the website.

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How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 11:59am

Table of Contents

Brainstorm an executive summary, create a company description, brainstorm your business goals, describe your services or products, conduct market research, create financial plans, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Every business starts with a vision, which is distilled and communicated through a business plan. In addition to your high-level hopes and dreams, a strong business plan outlines short-term and long-term goals, budget and whatever else you might need to get started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a business plan that you can stick to and help guide your operations as you get started.

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Drafting the Summary

An executive summary is an extremely important first step in your business. You have to be able to put the basic facts of your business in an elevator pitch-style sentence to grab investors’ attention and keep their interest. This should communicate your business’s name, what the products or services you’re selling are and what marketplace you’re entering.

Ask for Help

When drafting the executive summary, you should have a few different options. Enlist a few thought partners to review your executive summary possibilities to determine which one is best.

After you have the executive summary in place, you can work on the company description, which contains more specific information. In the description, you’ll need to include your business’s registered name , your business address and any key employees involved in the business. 

The business description should also include the structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship , limited liability company (LLC) , partnership or corporation. This is the time to specify how much of an ownership stake everyone has in the company. Finally, include a section that outlines the history of the company and how it has evolved over time.

Wherever you are on the business journey, you return to your goals and assess where you are in meeting your in-progress targets and setting new goals to work toward.

Numbers-based Goals

Goals can cover a variety of sections of your business. Financial and profit goals are a given for when you’re establishing your business, but there are other goals to take into account as well with regard to brand awareness and growth. For example, you might want to hit a certain number of followers across social channels or raise your engagement rates.

Another goal could be to attract new investors or find grants if you’re a nonprofit business. If you’re looking to grow, you’ll want to set revenue targets to make that happen as well.

Intangible Goals

Goals unrelated to traceable numbers are important as well. These can include seeing your business’s advertisement reach the general public or receiving a terrific client review. These goals are important for the direction you take your business and the direction you want it to go in the future.

The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you’re offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit in the current market or are providing something necessary or entirely new. If you have any patents or trademarks, this is where you can include those too.

If you have any visual aids, they should be included here as well. This would also be a good place to include pricing strategy and explain your materials.

This is the part of the business plan where you can explain your expertise and different approach in greater depth. Show how what you’re offering is vital to the market and fills an important gap.

You can also situate your business in your industry and compare it to other ones and how you have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other than financial goals, you want to have a budget and set your planned weekly, monthly and annual spending. There are several different costs to consider, such as operational costs.

Business Operations Costs

Rent for your business is the first big cost to factor into your budget. If your business is remote, the cost that replaces rent will be the software that maintains your virtual operations.

Marketing and sales costs should be next on your list. Devoting money to making sure people know about your business is as important as making sure it functions.

Other Costs

Although you can’t anticipate disasters, there are likely to be unanticipated costs that come up at some point in your business’s existence. It’s important to factor these possible costs into your financial plans so you’re not caught totally unaware.

Business plans are important for businesses of all sizes so that you can define where your business is and where you want it to go. Growing your business requires a vision, and giving yourself a roadmap in the form of a business plan will set you up for success.

How do I write a simple business plan?

When you’re working on a business plan, make sure you have as much information as possible so that you can simplify it to the most relevant information. A simple business plan still needs all of the parts included in this article, but you can be very clear and direct.

What are some common mistakes in a business plan?

The most common mistakes in a business plan are common writing issues like grammar errors or misspellings. It’s important to be clear in your sentence structure and proofread your business plan before sending it to any investors or partners.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Plateforme web : Un guide complet pour comprendre et créer votre propre plateforme

🚀 Introduction

Dans le paysage numérique actuel, une présence en ligne robuste est devenue une nécessité incontournable pour les entreprises de toutes tailles. Alors que la création d'un site web était autrefois suffisante, l'évolution rapide de la technologie et des attentes des utilisateurs a rendu nécessaire l'adoption d'une approche plus dynamique et interactive : la plateforme web. 🌐

Mais qu'est-ce qu'une plateforme web exactement ? Comment se distingue-t-elle d'un site web traditionnel et comment peut-on en créer une ? C'est ce que nous allons explorer dans cet article, en mettant l'accent sur le concept de "plateforme web", un terme clé dans le domaine du numérique.

🔍 Définition d'une plateforme web

Une plateforme web, souvent simplement appelée "plateforme", est un environnement en ligne qui offre un espace pour l'interaction, l'échange d'informations, ou l'utilisation de services. Contrairement à un site web traditionnel qui peut être statique et principalement informatif, une plateforme web est conçue pour être dynamique et interactive.

Elle peut servir divers objectifs, tels que le commerce électronique, la collaboration, la participation à des communautés, l'apprentissage en ligne, et bien plus encore. Une plateforme web offre des fonctionnalités avancées et spécifiques qui vont au-delà d'un site web traditionnel, ce qui en fait un outil puissant pour engager les utilisateurs et créer de la valeur.

🔄 Différence entre un site web et une plateforme web

Alors qu'un site web est souvent une source unidirectionnelle d'information, une plateforme web est conçue pour être bidirectionnelle et interactive. Elle permet aux utilisateurs de participer activement, que ce soit en créant des profils d'utilisateurs, en publiant du contenu, en effectuant des transactions, en collaborant avec d'autres utilisateurs, et bien plus encore. Par exemple, sur une plateforme de commerce électronique, les utilisateurs peuvent parcourir les produits, lire et laisser des avis, effectuer des achats, et même vendre leurs propres produits.

De même, sur une plateforme d'apprentissage en ligne, les utilisateurs peuvent suivre des cours, participer à des discussions, passer des tests, et obtenir des certificats. C'est cette interactivité et cette capacité à créer et à partager du contenu qui distinguent une plateforme web d'un site web traditionnel.

🛠️ Comment créer une plateforme web ?

📝 étapes clés dans la création d'une plateforme web.

La création d'une plateforme web est un processus complexe qui nécessite une planification minutieuse et une exécution rigoureuse. Cela commence par la définition claire de vos objectifs : quels sont les besoins que votre plateforme web cherche à combler ? Qui est votre public cible et comment votre plateforme peut-elle leur apporter de la valeur ?

Une fois que vous avez une compréhension claire de vos objectifs, il est important de comprendre votre public cible. Quels sont leurs besoins, leurs préférences, leurs comportements en ligne ? Ces informations vous aideront à concevoir une expérience utilisateur qui répond à leurs attentes et encourage l'engagement.

La conception de l'expérience utilisateur est une étape cruciale dans la création d'une plateforme web. Il s'agit de créer une interface intuitive et attrayante qui facilite la navigation et l'interaction des utilisateurs avec votre plateforme. Cela comprend le choix des bonnes technologies pour soutenir les fonctionnalités de votre plateforme, ainsi que la mise en place d'une stratégie de marketing et de croissance pour attirer et retenir les utilisateurs.

💻 Compétences techniques nécessaires

La création d'une plateforme web nécessite une gamme de compétences techniques. Cela comprend le développement web, qui implique la programmation de la plateforme et la mise en place des fonctionnalités nécessaires.

Les compétences en design UX/UI sont également essentielles pour créer une interface utilisateur attrayante et facile à utiliser. La gestion de bases de données est nécessaire pour stocker et gérer les informations des utilisateurs, tandis que la sécurité web est cruciale pour protéger votre plateforme et les données de vos utilisateurs contre les menaces en ligne.

En plus de ces compétences techniques, une compréhension solide des principes du SEO (Search Engine Optimization) est essentielle pour assurer une bonne visibilité de votre plateforme web sur les moteurs de recherche. Cela comprend l'optimisation de votre contenu pour des mots-clés pertinents, comme "plateforme web", l'optimisation de la vitesse de votre site, l'obtention de backlinks de qualité, et plus encore.

👥 Importance de l'expérience utilisateur et du design

L'expérience utilisateur et le design jouent un rôle crucial dans le succès de votre plateforme web. Une bonne expérience utilisateur signifie que votre plateforme est facile à utiliser, intuitive, et répond aux besoins et aux attentes de vos utilisateurs.

Un design attrayant peut aider à attirer les utilisateurs, à retenir leur attention, et à les encourager à interagir avec votre plateforme. Ensemble, une bonne expérience utilisateur et un design attrayant peuvent améliorer l'engagement des utilisateurs, augmenter le temps passé sur votre plateforme, et finalement conduire à une meilleure conversion et à une plus grande fidélité des utilisateurs.

📚 Types de plateformes web

📖 présentation des différents types de plateformes web.

Le terme "plateforme web" englobe une variété de types de plateformes, chacune ayant ses propres caractéristiques et objectifs. Les plateformes de commerce électronique, par exemple, sont conçues pour faciliter l'achat et la vente de produits ou de services en ligne. Des exemples populaires incluent Amazon et eBay.

Les plateformes de médias sociaux, comme Facebook et Instagram, sont des espaces où les utilisateurs peuvent partager du contenu, interagir et se connecter avec d'autres. Elles sont souvent utilisées pour le réseautage social, le partage de contenu et la publicité.

Les plateformes de partage de contenu, comme YouTube et Vimeo, permettent aux utilisateurs de télécharger, de partager et de consommer du contenu, généralement sous forme de vidéos. Elles offrent un espace pour la créativité et l'expression, et peuvent être utilisées à des fins de divertissement, d'éducation, de marketing, et plus encore.

Les plateformes de collaboration, comme Google Docs et Trello, permettent aux utilisateurs de travailler ensemble sur des projets, de partager des ressources et de communiquer en temps réel. Elles sont souvent utilisées dans les environnements de travail pour améliorer la productivité et la collaboration.

🔗 Exemples de plateformes de mise en relation

Les plateformes de mise en relation sont un type spécifique de plateforme web qui met en relation différents types d'utilisateurs pour diverses fins. LinkedIn, par exemple, est une plateforme de mise en relation professionnelle qui permet aux utilisateurs de se connecter avec des collègues, de chercher des emplois, et de partager des informations professionnelles.

Tinder est un autre exemple de plateforme de mise en relation, mais dans le domaine des rencontres amoureuses. Les utilisateurs peuvent swiper à travers les profils d'autres utilisateurs et choisir de se connecter avec ceux qui les intéressent.

Upwork est une plateforme de mise en relation pour les freelancers et les employeurs. Les freelancers peuvent chercher des projets et postuler à des emplois, tandis que les employeurs peuvent publier des projets et embaucher des freelancers.

Ces exemples illustrent la diversité et la polyvalence des plateformes web. Quel que soit votre objectif ou votre domaine d'intérêt, il y a probablement une plateforme web qui peut vous aider à l'atteindre.

🔚 Conclusion

🔑 résumé des points clés.

Une plateforme web est plus qu'un simple site web ; c'est un outil puissant et dynamique qui peut transformer votre entreprise et vous aider à atteindre un public plus large. Elle offre un espace interactif où les utilisateurs peuvent participer activement, que ce soit en partageant du contenu, en effectuant des transactions, ou en collaborant avec d'autres.

La création d'une plateforme web nécessite une planification soigneuse, une exécution rigoureuse, et une gamme de compétences techniques, mais les avantages qu'elle offre - en termes de visibilité, d'engagement des utilisateurs, et de potentiel de croissance - en valent largement la peine.

🚀 Encouragement à l'action pour ceux qui envisagent de créer leur propre plateforme web

Si vous envisagez de créer votre propre plateforme web, n'hésitez pas à commencer dès aujourd'hui. Le monde numérique offre une multitude d'opportunités, et une plateforme web bien conçue peut vous aider à les saisir.

Que vous souhaitiez créer une plateforme de commerce électronique, une plateforme de médias sociaux, une plateforme de partage de contenu, ou toute autre type de plateforme web, avec la bonne planification, les bonnes ressources, et une compréhension solide de vos objectifs et de votre public cible, vous pouvez créer une plateforme qui offre une valeur ajoutée à vos utilisateurs et transforme votre entreprise.

Alors, lancez-vous dans l'aventure de la création de votre propre plateforme web et découvrez les possibilités qu'elle offre. Bonne chance dans cette entreprise passionnante ! 🎉

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How to Create a Website Plan

Mindy Lilyquist is an experienced marketing professional. She is the founder and creative director of Epiphany Marketing Management, serving small businesses since 2007.

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Because of free and simple online website design software and online content management platforms, such as WordPress, it is easier than ever to create a new website . Within five minutes and a couple of clicks, you can have a home business website. However, if your goal is to have a website that brings in clients and customers, you can't simply slap together a website and expect success. Planning a website is just as important as creating one.

To help ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps in building your website, follow the simple P.L.A.N. acronym to create a web presence that will help you reach your home business goals.

What P.L.A.N.​ Stands For

To help you understand what your website will need, use the P.L.A.N. acronym:

Prepare – Identify your target audience, appropriate website tone, and goals.

Landscape – Think through how you would like your website to be able to function. More specifically, what features need to be on your site?

Aesthetics – The way your website looks and feels is just as important as what it can do. Think about what colors and images you want on your site and how your site compares to your competitors.

Navigation – It is important to plan how you want your audience directed through your website. By thinking through what pages you need and how they should be laid out, you will help ensure, early on, the good visitor experience.

How To P.L.A.N. a Website

PREPARE : Before you jump online to buy your domain name and web hosting to build your site, you need a plan. Pull out your business plan to help you with these steps:

• Determine who is your target market . Think about who are the most likely buyers of what you're selling, and what is the best way to speak to them.
• Settle on the goal for your website. Your goal includes what do you want the website to do for you and if you want to generate leads, sell products, or perhaps operate as an online brochure. 
• Pull together the information you need on the site to achieve your goal. 
• Organize your information based on your target market, and how you think is the best way to provide this information to your customers. In some cases, the tone will be formal or business-like, other presentions require a more casual—perhaps even whimsical—appearance.

LANDSCAPE: Figuring out the "lay of the land" for your website is essentially determining which website features are essential and desirable to meet the goals for your website. To do that, you need to refer back to the goals for your website in the previous step. For instance, if you want to sell products, you are going to need credit card processing and a shopping cart feature.

Features to consider include:

• Lead magnet to build an email list
• Ecommerce set up including shopping cart and payment processing
• Photo or video gallery
• Blog  
• Map and directions if you see clients in your home office
• Contact page or information including your hours of operation
• Social media links and share buttons
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Testimonial page

Not only do you want to consider front-end features, but also, you'll want to consider back-end features such as: 

• Integrated marketing systems such as search engine optimization (SEO) 
• Security measures, such as an SSL certificate to help your visitors feel safe
• Caching to help your web pages load faster

You don't necessarily need all of the features listed above. Again, you need to consider your market and your goals for the site in determining what is needed.

AESTHETICS: Design aesthetics, or the way your site looks, is a crucial piece of the website creation process. Thankfully, most web hosts offer templates and content management platforms have themes to make this part easy.

How to decide the look of your site:

• Go back to who you determined to be your market. Think about their demographics. You would approach business owners differently than you would parents or survivalists. It's important to match your site's tone to your market. For instance, don’t pick some crazy colored music industry template if you plan to do business in a conservative business-to-business (B2B) marketplace.
• Make your site easy to read. Generally, white font on a black background is harder to read than black on white. Also, consider the font style. Stick with basic fonts that all browsers will be able to deliver to the reader. 
• Use images, because as the old adage goes, a picture says a thousand words. Research indicates that readers are attracted to visual content. But you need to choose quality graphics that enhance your content and message and not go overboard with too many images. You can take your own photos or there are​ free and low-cost stock photo options available on the Internet. If you don't have fancy photo editing software, you can use one of the free and low-cost online graphic editing options, such as Canva.
• Just like with a print newspaper, what's above the fold is the top content. You want your best information, the information your visitors have come to your site to find, front and center on the screen. There are too many other websites your visitors can visit if they can't find what they want on your website. You'll want to keep this in mind for each of your website's pages. Avoid making your visitors have to scroll down to get the information they want.
• Employ a responsive design. Responsive design allows web pages to be translated into a format that is viewable on mobile devices such as connected smartphones and pads.

If you're stuck on how to visually create the tone of your website, visit your competitors’ websites to see how they do it. You'll get ideas on what to do, as well as what you can do better.

You don't want to copy or plagiarize. You simply want to get a sense of the colors, fonts, and themes that are used to create an atmosphere for visitors.

NAVIGATION: Website navigation is the way the website pages and links are organized. Deciding your navigation structure before you build is crucial to designing a site that is easy for your visitors to use and to find what they want. To determine your site's navigation:

• Use a piece of paper to map out your site. At the top, you'll have your homepage or top page of your site. This is the page that your domain URL (www.yourbusiness.com) will direct to.
• List pages you know you need such as "About" and "Contact" just below your Homepage. If you will have a checkout or shopping cart that feature will also go on this level.
• List main categories of your site, just below your Home Page—on the same level as "About" and "Contact." For example, if you have a cooking store, your main categories might be, "Utensils," "Pots & Pans," "Kitchen Tools," and "Recipes."
• Under your main categories, list subcategories. Using the cooking store example again, under "Utensils" you might have "Knives," "Serving Utensils," or other items in that category. Under "Kitchen Tools" you might have equipment like "Crockpots," "Spiralizers," and "Mixers." 

Once you know all the pages you'll need, decide how you'll make these pages easy to find. Most sites have a top and/or a side menu that appears on every page. Top menus tend to have more limited space than side menus, so usually, you want only your main pages (Home, About, Contact) and possibly your top category page links at the top. But again, you want to make it easy for people to find what they're looking for.

One option is to have a drop-down list from the top menu. Returning to the Cooking Store example, when a person hovers over the main category of "Utensils" on the top menu, a drop-down list of the sub-categories, "Knives" and "Serving Utensils" appears. You can achieve this through side menus using a nesting effect, in which clicking on the main category then opens the sub-category list below it. 

Include a search box on your website for the impatient person who doesn't want to poke around to find what they want, or for the visitor who's having trouble finding what they want. 

Putting It All Together

Once you've completed your P.L.A.N., you're ready to move on to the building phase. That starts with buying a domain name and web hosting, and then choose the theme that will fit your tone, and provide all the features you want to include.

Once you've built your site, be sure to check that all pages and graphics load correctly. Test your forms to ensure they're working. Consider previewing and using your site on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari), as well as on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) to make sure all elements appear and work.

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Créer son business plan

Au préalable de tout projet e-commerce, il est indispensable de faire votre business plan. C'est lui qui permet de vérifier la faisabilité du projet, et d'en estimer les coûts et les revenus. Alors pour être sûr de ne pas faire d'erreur que vous pourriez regretter, lisez nos articles sur le sujet.

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Commençons par lever une ambiguïté sémantique. Le terme de « business plan » désigne souvent un document d’une vingtaine de pages destiné à présenter une vision globale de votre projet : marché, équipe, produits, plan marketing, comptes de résultat prévisionnel, etc. Mais, dans l’univers startup, …

Vous souhaitez lancer une activité de vente en ligne ? Réaliser un business plan e-commerce sera probablement un passage obligé. Que ce soit pour structurer votre réflexion et valider la faisabilité de votre projet ou bien pour obtenir des fonds …

• / FR AI Business Plan Generator

Créez sans effort un plan d'affaires gagnant avec le générateur de plan d'affaires IA

Élaborez un plan personnalisé qui captive les investisseurs et positionne votre entreprise pour la croissance

Créez un plan d'affaires en quelques minutes et concentrez-vous sur la croissance

Arrêtez de perdre des heures à créer un plan d’affaires à partir de zéro. Notre générateur de plan d'affaires IA rationalise le processus, vous permettant de générer un plan complet avec seulement quelques entrées. Consacrez votre temps à ce qui compte vraiment : développer votre entreprise.

Principales caractéristiques du générateur de plan d'affaires IA

Génération instantanée de plans d'affaires complets basés sur les informations fournies

Interface conviviale, permettant à chacun de créer facilement un plan professionnel

Solution rentable par rapport à l'embauche de consultants ou à l'achat de logiciels coûteux

Élaborez un plan d’affaires gagnant soutenu par l’IA

Inutile de vous inquiéter si vous n'êtes pas un expert en planification d'entreprise. Notre générateur de plan d'affaires IA connaît bien le format de plan d'affaires gagnant, vous pouvez donc dire adieu aux soucis. Avec seulement quelques informations sur votre entreprise, vous créerez sans effort un plan professionnel qui impressionnera les investisseurs et relancera votre entreprise vers la croissance.

Faites-en plus, apprenez-en davantage grâce à la simplicité

Simplified blog is a great place to learn from the best in Instagram marketing. Whether you want to bulk up on social media knowledge or get your first followers.

Comment développer une phrase sans effort [+ Exemples, conseils et outil gratuit]

Outil de rédaction IA gratuit pour tout votre contenu

Comment rédiger un article de blog à l'aide d'AI Writer

Réécriture de phrases IA simplifiée : comment reformuler et paraphraser sans effort

Questions Fréquemment Posées

Que peut écrire l’ia de simplified pour vous , puis-je utiliser ai writer avec un compte gratuit , quelle est votre politique de remboursement, dominez votre marché avec un plan d'affaires gagnant.

Élaborez une feuille de route vers le succès qui laisse vos concurrents impressionnés

Ce que nos plus de 2 millions d'utilisateurs disent de Simplified

Martin Ingram

Je suis surpris de voir à quel point il était facile de l'utiliser

Je voulais juste essayer l'écriture IA par curiosité pour voir si elle pouvait créer un article de blog lisible sans trop de contribution de ma part. J'ai pu créer un article de 1 000 mots fluide et bien lu et je n'ai eu qu'à apporter quelques ajustements à la copie de l'IA.

Vincent Ochieng

Ma solution ultime pour la réécriture et la génération de contenu. Meilleur écrivain IA jusqu'à présent

Je dirais que l'outil d'écriture Ai est la meilleure fonctionnalité de Simplizado. C'est mon outil de prédilection lorsque j'ai besoin de générer du contenu pour mon blog sur des sujets spécifiques.

Robert Hidajat

Excellent assistant de création multimédia tout-en-un

J'adore la fonctionnalité d'écriture IA. C'est la raison pour laquelle j'ai acheté ce logiciel même si je dispose déjà d'autres outils d'aide à la création multimédia comme Canva et InVideo. J'ai exploré et expérimenté cette fonctionnalité et c'est un excellent outil pour aider à développer des idées et à rationaliser la rédaction de contenu pour les blogs et les podcasts.

Dickens Honest

J'ai été choqué de découvrir que Simplified dispose de plusieurs outils en plus de l'AI Writing Assistant.

Jusqu’à présent, j’ai utilisé le générateur de contenu long et j’en suis très satisfait. Je l'ai utilisé pour écrire quelque chose qui nécessitait une perspective personnelle sur un sujet et l'IA a très bien fonctionné. Je n'ai pas encore vu d'autres fonctionnalités telles que la description du produit et les publicités.

Charles Storm

IA + solutions de rédaction de design = une combinaison unique et gagnante

Ce que j'aime le plus chez Simplificado, c'est la combinaison de solutions marketing basées sur l'IA en un seul endroit. De nombreux concurrents proposent par exemple l'écriture IA, mais c'est la première et la seule solution que j'ai vue qui propose ensemble copie et conception.

Damilare Macaulay

Le meilleur outil marketing tout-en-un que j'ai jamais utilisé !

Ces dernières années, j'ai utilisé plusieurs outils pour gérer mon entreprise et celles de mes clients. Un outil différent pour l'écriture de l'IA, un outil différent pour les conceptions graphiques et un outil différent pour la gestion des médias sociaux. Le fait que Simplified simplifie tout dans un seul outil – et gratuitement – ​​le rend encore plus cool !

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Freelance Web and Mobile Developer

Joachim, a graduate of ESCP Business School and Sciences Po Lille, previously served as an investor at Caisse des dépôts, focusing on the digital economy, before transitioning into entrepreneurship consulting and mentoring for startups.

With nearly 25 years of experience, he develops websites and mobile applications on a freelance basis. You can explore his work on platforms like CodePen and GitHub , or dive deeper into his portfolio to see a comprehensive showcase of his expertise.

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