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40 Home Business Ideas for 2024 (+ How To Get Started)

Discover 40 proven home business ideas, from wholesaling to pet sitting, and learn how to get started.

Did you know that half of all businesses are started from home? You can own and operate all kinds of businesses remotely, from an online store that you manage by yourself to large scale ventures with physical locations and teams of employees.

Ahead, discover 40 home business ideas to kick-start your entrepreneurship journey, along with guidance on how to make them work for you.

40 best home business ideas

• Buy products in bulk and sell them online
• Sell homemade products
• Start a dropshipping store
• Start a print-on-demand business
• Offer online services
• Teach online classes
• Productize your service or expertise
• Grow an audience you can monetize
• Buy an existing small business
• Start a subscription-box business
• Turn your pet into an influencer
• Sell used items
• Play video games
• Sell your art
• Become a virtual event planner
• Launch a photography business
• Start a beauty business
• Start an affiliate marketing business
• Start a day care
• Sell on marketplaces
• Become a social media manager
• Become a virtual personal trainer
• Offer bookkeeping services
• Design websites
• Start a dog-grooming business
• Become a pet sitter
• Become a freelance writer
• Manage properties
• Start a landscaping business
• Start a house cleaning business
• Become a personal chef
• Start a home staging business
• Run a mobile spa
• Offer therapy
• Run meditation sessions
• Teach journaling methods
• Be a professional organizer
• Edit podcasts
• Create a herbal product line
• Create a candle brand

1. Buy products in bulk and sell them online

When you’re starting your first home business, don’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, try an existing, reliable small business model , such as importing popular products in bulk and selling them individually for a profit.

Find products that consumers already want to buy, then purchase them by negotiating a deal with the wholesaler . After that, create an online store to promote your catalog and sell to customers. 

The key to a successful home retail business is savvy product selection. Can you identify the next Stanley Quencher or fashionable beverage ? Tips for sourcing profitable products include:

• Analyzing social media for trending products
• Importing products that are popular in foreign markets
• Serving the needs of a niche market

If your customers would benefit from in-person browsing, you can even use your home as a showroom. That’s how home retail business Artemis Design Co. got its start.

“I was living in the south end of Boston, and I had my living room just full of these products,” says owner and founder Milicent Armstrong. “I would have people come over if they wanted to look at something or try something on, and that’s how I made my first sale.”

2. Sell homemade products

If you’re a maker (or know someone who is), consider turning that hobby into a business by selling your own creations. From homemade soaps and candles to handcrafted jewelry and artwork, the possibilities are endless.

Items crafted in your studio, workshop, or kitchen can become well-known products, with the right branding and marketing. Selling independent goods can also be cost-effective, as you won’t need to buy from wholesalers and can control nearly every aspect of production and pricing.

Craft brand Peg and Awl began as a way for husband and wife Walter and Margaux Kent to sell items they’d made using reclaimed materials in their home workshop. Today, their online store offers a wide range of products, from bags and journals to home décor items.

Check out these resources on how to launch a home-based business selling handmade products:

• How to start a jewelry business
• How to sell makeup online
• How to sell art online
• How to sell food online
• How to start a clothing line
• How to make enamel pins

3. Start a dropshipping store

The first two tips in this list require you to buy or create inventory, then store it in your home. But what if you want to start an online business without spending money on large amounts of stock?

Dropshipping is the go-to business model for home business owners who don’t want to deal with inventory. In a dropshipping business, retailers promote and sell products that are produced and shipped by a third party. In other words, a dropshipping supplier will give you a commission for making a sale, while they take care of storing and shipping the product to customers.

Many home dropshipping businesses find success by targeting a niche, such as retailer Subtle Asian Treats . Curate products from different suppliers to create a collection of related items on your website.

Shopify dropshipping apps can connect you with suppliers and allow you to quickly import product listings into your online store. If you’re interested in learning more about starting a dropshipping business, check out this guide to dropshipping .

🎵Dropshipping to $1M: Kamil Sattar’s TikTok Marketing Success

Kamil Sattar, alias The Ecom King, transformed his floundering dropshipping venture into a $1 million business. He now imparts insights on YouTube and underscores TikTok’s organic marketing potential for budding entrepreneurs.

4. Start a print-on-demand business

Print on demand is another home business idea that doesn’t require you to buy or hold inventory.

Print-on-demand services let business owners apply their branding and original designs to white label products. When you make a sale, the print-on-demand company will print and ship the item to the customer on your behalf.

There are many print-on-demand products you can sell: books, hats, backpacks, blankets, pillows, mugs, shoes, hoodies, phone cases, and more.

Many print-on-demand businesses focus on serving a specific niche or, better yet, a shared identity. Rebecca Lee Funk launched The Outrage , a women’s rights apparel brand that sells print-on-demand t-shirts. The business donates a portion of proceeds to non-profit organizations that work toward social causes.

From pet owners to vegans to gamers, there are plenty of niches you can create products for. If you have the skills, you can develop your own designs. But if not, you can always hire the talent you need .

5. Offer online services

If you don’t want to sell products online , how about selling a service? Service platforms may be even simpler to set up than retail businesses, because there’s no inventory to create or manage.

One way to develop a home service business is to leverage your existing talents. If your employment contract permits you to offer your skills independently, you could set up a website to sell your time and experience.

Monetize your DIY, technical, language, or musical skills with a website that offers assistance or lessons. Popular service-based home business ideas include:

• Freelance writing
• Virtual assistance
• Translation
• SEO consulting
• Web design and development
• Graphic design

Another benefit of service-based businesses is that you don’t necessarily need a large number of customers to make a profit. Depending on the service you’re providing, a handful of high-quality clients can be sufficient to support yourself full time while working from home.

6. Teach online classes

If you have a teachable skill, why not monetize and share that knowledge—either in person or via an online course ? Online audiences exist for almost any desirable skill, whether it’s English as a second language, advanced marketing, or everyday home maintenance hacks.

For example, If I Made is an online home business that sells video classes to creative professionals, such as “How to take wedding photos” or “Taxes for creatives.”

Cosmetics brand Yegi Beauty , on the other hand, combines online courses with a product catalog, to create a full shopping and learning experience.

When you deliver classes through a website, you can choose to offer live or pre-recorded content. You might provide live courses at a premium rate, while customers can purchase recorded sessions at a discounted price. If you prefer teaching small groups, consider mentorship, masterclasses, or an online tutoring business.

Alternatively, create a fully downloadable online course for purchase, be it a video walkthrough, templates, articles, or how-tos. Use a screen-recording tool to capture your voice while you walk students through the material.

Looking for a home business that you can set and forget? Try out these passive income ideas .

7. Productize your service or expertise

One of the biggest downsides of some service- or teaching-based businesses is that they take lots of time. If you need to be physically or virtually present to carry out your service, your ability to scale your business is limited to your daily schedule.

“Productizing” helps you take your service business to the next level, by creating physical or digital products that package your expertise and can be sold many times over. You can cater packages to your current customer base or find new target markets in adjacent spaces.

Gabriella and Andrew Morrison started their home-based business by packaging their expertise around tiny-home living. They sell courses and plans on StrawBale —operating everything from the comfort of their (very cozy) home.

Here are some ways to add service-based products to your business:

• Licensable assets (stock footage, photos, music, etc.)
• Downloadable reports
• Digital templates
• Merchandise

8. Grow an audience you can monetize

If you’ve always dreamt of starting a blog, YouTube channel, Instagram account, or podcast , you could turn that idea into a home business by growing and monetizing a following .

Jordan Ferney, founder of Oh Happy Day Shop! , built an audience via blogging and later turned it into a fully fledged business from home. She designed her online business with the aim of spending more time with her family, and now sells products on her ecommerce site.

Similarly, Andrew Finn co-founded blog-turned-business Wait But Why . After amassing more than 300,000 subscribers and millions of visits, he added an online store to his website, selling products tailored for his already loyal audience.

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark used Facebook groups to develop and nurture a community around their podcast, My Favorite Murder . After amassing more than 200,000 members, they added a paid membership tier for fans seeking additional perks.

Building a loyal audience requires patience, consistency, and focus. This isn’t the easiest way to start a home-based business (especially in the short term), but if you’re able to grow a following around something you love, it can be one of the most fulfilling.

If you’re in the midst of developing your audience, check out these guides to the most popular channels:

• How to make money on TikTok
• How to make money on Instagram
• How to make money on YouTube
• How to start a podcast
• How to start a blog
• How to make money as a self-published author

🍜 Success Story: How a Vegan Chef Built a Business on YouTube

Wil Yeung dabbled in everything from dropshipping violins to developing his own consumer goods. The serial entrepreneur and self-taught chef built his latest business with a YouTube content strategy. He now sells his recipes as books, ebooks, and online courses.

👉 Read Wil’s story

9. Buy an existing small business

Some home business entrepreneurs don’t take part in sales at all. Instead, they buy and manage existing small businesses .

The cost of acquiring a business varies based on its state of health. Some businesses are sold while generating revenue, allowing you to simply take over.

Others no longer generate substantial revenue and may need rebuilding. However, they may also contain valuable assets like an email list, social following, or brand reputation.

Physical retail stores may have inventory or equipment that comes with the sale.

10. Start a subscription box business

The online subscription box industry is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 14% between 2024 and 2032. That growth has led to the emergence of direct-to-consumer subscription brands, as well as the adoption of subscription sales models by major brands like Sephora and Walmart. 

If you’re able to curate desirable product selections, you can start a subscription business from home. For example, Ashley Reynolds bundled surplus products into subscription boxes to sell on her ecommerce site, Cloth & Paper . If you already run an ecommerce business, you could do the same to make use of otherwise dead stock. 

Subscription boxes don’t have to necessarily be about selling. Haverdash is a subscription box company that rents clothes. When customers are finished using the items, they send them back—and Haverdash rents them out to another customer to generate more revenue. 

Increase recurring revenue with the Shopify Subscriptions app

The free Shopify Subscriptions app lets you offer subscription services and integrates seamlessly with your Shopify admin. Install it today to increase repeat purchases and customer lifetime value.

11. Turn your pet into an influencer

Pet influencers are all over social media, inspiring thousands of likes with cute videos (and promoting subscription brands like BarkBox ).

If you share your life with a pet, try turning them into a social media personality. You could grow their following, then connect with relevant brands to sign promotion deals.

Bodhi the Menswear Dog , a.k.a. the most stylish dog in the world, has made a name for himself on Instagram. Browse his feed, and you’ll see collaborations with big brands like Booking.com, Spotify, and Poly & Bark.

🐶Success Story: How an Internet-Famous Corgi Led to a Viral Dog Backpack Biz

Bryan Reisberg’s adorable corgi, Maxine, won over hundreds of thousands of dog lovers on Instagram. His efforts to keep her safe while traveling through Manhattan led to a massively successful backpack company powered by Shopify.

👉 Learn about Little Chonk

12. Sell used items

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, sustainable shopping options are growing in popularity. For example, the global secondhand market is expected to nearly double by 2027, reaching $350 billion .

COAL N TERRY is one home-based business that found success by selling vintage finds . After beginning in a college dorm, the brand now boasts a loyal following and celebrity fans.

You can start small with your own home-based resale business. Marketplaces like Poshmark and Mercari are great platforms for thrifting your unwanted clothing. You can also try Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.

13. Play video games

Did you know that video gaming can make you money? Esports and video game streaming platforms like Twitch have opened the door for gamers to monetize their skills.

The esports industry alone is worth more than a billion dollars , while leaked data from a few years ago showed that the best Twitch streamers earn millions per year. 

Aside from becoming a sponsored pro gamer, you could create a gaming-based home business by becoming a Let’s Play streamer. Game developers will pay you to play their games and stream your reactions to your audience. You can also sell merch on Twitch to make further cash.

Twitch isn’t limited to gaming streams: Maxx Burman and Banks Boutté used the platform to launch an online festival where they celebrated video game art directors. They then repurposed this content for other channels like Instagram and YouTube.

After building a loyal audience, the two launched KitBash3D , where they sell 3D assets for video games and movies. 

14. Sell your art

If you’re an artist, your creativity can become your livelihood. Whether you’re into painting, digital art, sculpture, photography, or music, there’s a market out there for your work.

Helen Levi , for example, is a Queens-based potter who turned her art into a business by selling ceramics from her online store.

Selling art from home involves more than just creating. You’ll need to dedicate time to promoting your work, building a brand, and connecting with your audience. Social media, art fairs, and online marketplaces such as Saatchi Art can be effective ways to get your work in front of potential buyers.

15. Become a virtual event planner

The virtual events market is expected to grow 18.8% each year until 2030. All those new events need coordinating and promoting, which is an opportunity for remote businesses.

If you have events management skills or experience, you might be able to build a home business as a virtual events planner. Perhaps you’re good with organization and love creating schedules? You may have a natural ability to network, negotiate, and bring people together. If so, these skills are invaluable when you’re trying to market yourself to customers.

Find a niche, either in terms of the types of events you organize (conferences, meetings, webinars, etc.) or the events’ purpose (personal parties, professional workshops, industry specific shows, etc.).

Getting familiar with event platforms like Hopin and Whova will arm you with the knowledge needed to win your first customers. As your reputation grows, repackaging your services and selling them as a toolkit for others can add an extra revenue stream to your business.

16. Launch a photography business

There are several options for selling photos online , all of which can be highly competitive. One strategy is to sell stock photography, either by opening your own storefront or by submitting pictures to well-known marketplaces like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock . 

If you’re interested in developing your own brand, and picking a photography niche, you could also start a career as a wedding, pet, fashion, or product photographer .

17. Start a beauty business

A popular niche for at-home businesses is health and beauty. You can work with a manufacturer to create your own cosmetics, or apply your branding to white label products .

It can pay to look beyond the current most popular cosmetics products to identify the next big beauty trends. With new tools and gadgets constantly hitting the market, there are countless dropshipping opportunities in this niche, from massage guns and smart mirrors to spa day reservations. 

Consumer trend research shows customers are keen to buy from businesses that offer convenience in the form of multiple purchasing and delivery options. This holds true for beauty businesses, where customers are often looking to reorder products that they like.

🍊 Success Story: This Skin Care Founder Blended Her Personal Story with Her Brand

In this guide to brand storytelling, founder Charlotte Cho explains how her personal story and that of her culture were critical to building two skin care brands. As a popular beauty blogger first, she was able to build credibility when she eventually launched.

👉 Read more

18. Start an affiliate marketing business

Affiliate marketing is a popular home business model where you promote a brand’s products or services. When a customer buys a product through your affiliate link, you get a commission on the sale.

Deciding on the best affiliate program  is where you’ll need to get creative. For example, some businesses choose to promote partner brands and products through Instagram Stories, while others create websites with relevant content. 

19. Start a day care

A reliable day care is a perennial home business idea. If you’re good with children, see how many day cares exist in your area, and if you think there’s demand, consider opening one for your local community.

The daycare market is currently valued at more than $60 billion and is only expected to grow in the coming years.

Minimal startup costs are required to make the necessary alterations to your home and acquire the right licenses to open a day care. You’ll need to research child care licensing requirements , undergo mandatory background checks, and get the required health and safety training.

20. Sell on marketplaces

Amazon , eBay , and Facebook Marketplace are all popular, viable platforms for selling stuff from home.

Flipping items on online marketplaces is one of the easiest businesses to start: once you open an account, upload your listings, and set your prices , you’ll be on your way to selling your first item.

While selling an item on a marketplace may be relatively easy, building a reliable income stream from marketplace sales can be more difficult. Options for promoting products are limited, and with traffic largely determined by retail costs, you may be forced into price wars with other sellers.

To avoid the pitfalls of marketplace selling, open an independent online store alongside your Amazon or Etsy accounts. With Shopify, you can easily sync your storefronts to stay on top of sales.

21. Become a social media manager

With some self-taught know-how, you could start a social media consulting business from your laptop. Demonstrate your social media skills with your own accounts and invest in subscriptions to a few social media management tools.

Take it from Rachel Pedersen , who leveraged her one million TikTok followers to quit her job as a hairdresser and run her social media business from home.

The hardest part of setting up a service-based business is landing your first customer. Increase your odds of finding a client by leveraging your existing network to let them know you now offer social media services. Use popular social platforms like YouTube and Instagram to show off your expertise with paid ads.

22. Become a virtual personal trainer

Personal training is estimated to be a $14 billion industry , with social media being a primary marketing channel for fitness professionals.

With the relevant certification to back up your services, it’s a matter of marketing your personal training packages to an audience interested in getting fit from home. Learn from how “fitfluencers” like Loisa Kurang and Triumph With Vin market themselves on Instagram.

Then, check out these low-cost alternatives to running paid ads to draw up a marketing strategy and promote your virtual services. 

23. Offer bookkeeping services

If you’re good with numbers, an at-home bookkeeping business might be the way to go. The average bookkeeper’s salary is around $45,000 in the US , but as a freelance bookkeeper, you stand to earn more as you increase your rates and build your customer base. To do this, you first need to file paperwork to establish a limited liability company .

Again, social media is often the go-to place to promote your services. See how Zeal Bookkeeping uses Instagram Reels to offer accounting tips and information.

24. Design websites

While it’s never been easier to build a website , many people lack the design skills needed to create a satisfying browsing experience.

If you possess those skills, you could set up a website development agency from home. Platforms like Upwork and Dribbble are solid starting points for finding your first customers. As you finish jobs and collect testimonials and samples, it should become easier to land clients without the help of a marketplace.

25. Start a dog-grooming business

If you have space in your home, you could try offering dog-grooming services. It’s an in-demand service with a market size of $5 billion .

Pet grooming businesses can also be scaled, by establishing a brand and selling complementary products. Check out luxury pet spa Paw La La for examples.

The beauty of a dog grooming business is that you don’t have to start big. Leverage your network of local dog owners to find your first customers, and consider offering lower prices in exchange for testimonials .

26. Become a pet sitter

When pet owners go to work or leave for vacation, they need reliable and responsible sitters. If that sounds like you, then a sitting service is another potential pet business idea . There are low startup costs and very little overhead.

Apps like Rover and Wag allow sitters to find clients in their area. You can decide your own hours, and even whether clients will travel to your home. Depending on where you live, pet sitters can make up to $40,000 per year .

You may need certifications and insurance if you want to turn pet sitting into a fully fledged business.

27. Become a freelance writer

Businesses are always looking for persuasive writers. Log in to LinkedIn and look through the writing job postings. You’ll see companies are looking for everything from copywriters to journalists and bloggers.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a freelance writer is $48,000 a year —with digital marketing writers, ecommerce writers, and blog writers most in demand.

If you’re hoping to make money from home from creative writing, take inspiration from entrepreneurs like Sadaf Siddique and Gauri Manglik , who began as children’s book authors and later founded the online bookshop KitaabWorld .

Using their experiences as readers and mothers, they made children’s books to tell diverse stories. Now, KitaabWorld is a place to both find and publish literature about different cultures and backgrounds.

The opportunities to make money from home through your writing are as limitless as your imagination. You could turn your pen to ebooks, a weekly subscription newsletter , or even sponsored social media posts.

If you want to learn how to make writing a home business, check out these resources:

• How to Make Money Blogging: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Start a Blogging Business (Beginner’s Guide)

28. Manage properties

About 100 million people visit Airbnb.com each month, looking for somewhere to stay for work or a vacation. Tap into the tourism industry by turning your home into accommodation.

Alternatively, offer your services to other hosts as a rental property manager. Management companies coordinate bookings, schedule cleanings, and act as a point of contact for guests. You don’t need many funds to start, and there’s no certification necessary.

Renting property is one of the most popular sources of passive income . If you’re a beginner, you can learn from the experiences of other Airbnb hosts .

29. Start a landscaping business

Another task for which people often seek assistance and expertise is gardening.

The lawn and garden market generates more than $130 billion each year in the US. To see this pastime’s popularity, just take a look at garden designer Monty Don ’s Instagram profile. Users flock to his page for tips on how to get the most from their green spaces. 

A landscaping business can mean several things, from simple grass cutting to creating dream backyards with ponds and imported trees. Ensure you understand your client’s needs and check out the competition in your area.

30. Start a house cleaning service

While other people commute to an office, you could create a home business by cleaning their houses. The global market for home cleaning services is projected to reach $10 billion by 2026 , with a variety of cleaning services in demand.

Don’t forget to acquire business insurance and perform the necessary checks on the employees who’ll represent your business.

31. Become a personal chef

Love cooking? Got some tried and tested family recipes? Transform your culinary passion into a business by becoming a personal chef. You can cook up a storm for clients right in their own homes, tailoring your services to their dietary needs and preferences.

As you grow, expand your menu of services with branded products, meal kits, or cooking lessons. You could even open a food truck. While it’s not exactly a home business, personal cooks get to spend time in their community instead of an office.

Cooking platform Truffle Shuffle scaled its business by providing a way for chefs across the world to connect with aspiring home cooks.

32. Start a home staging business

As a home stager, you’ll work with realtors and homeowners to make homes more appealing on the real estate market. A talented stager can transform a basic living room into a desirable space that gets potential buyers interested.

If you regularly get compliments on your home décor, try turning that ability into a business. No specific certifications are required, though a background in interior design or real estate could boost your credibility.

Check out staging companies like Fliphaus for inspiration.

33. Run a mobile spa

Bring the luxury of a spa into clients’ homes with a mobile spa business. Offering services like massages, manicures, and pedicures, you can create a relaxing spa experience with the added convenience of being near or in people’s homes.

Factor in that you will need to be certified to perform services like massages, facials, and other treatments.

34. Offer therapy

If becoming a licensed therapist interests you, there’s a wide range of popular paramedical treatments that you could offer from home. Therapies such as massage, acupuncture, or physiotherapy are all potential home business ideas.

Just like spa treatments, if you don’t have the space to host clients, you can also visit them. Platforms like Zeel connect users with licensed massage therapists who provide in-home services.

Again, you’ll need to comply with all local regulations and professional guidelines, and ensure you’re up to date with the latest techniques and trends in your field.

35. Run meditation sessions

As a meditation instructor, you can offer live sessions, pre-recorded meditation guides, or even a personalizable meditation app. No specific certification is required to teach meditation, but having a deep understanding of your practice and techniques will be crucial to success.

Also, you’ll need to create a calm, welcoming space for conducting sessions—whether it’s physical or virtual.

As you grow your business, consider offering specialized meditation sessions for different groups (like children or seniors) or focusing on specific areas such as stress reduction or sleep improvement. Notice how meditation business Mindspo offers a range of services to meet customer needs. They also market themselves via a meditation podcast.

36. Teach journaling methods

If you regularly journal or keep a diary, and have a method for staying committed, you could teach it to other people for a fee.

Ryder Carroll created his own journaling method that morphed into a home-based business idea. Now, he sells journal products and journaling advice on his website. 

37. Be a professional organizer

If you love to create functional, clutter-free spaces, consider starting a home business as a professional organizer. You can help clients declutter their homes or offices, creating order and calm wherever you go. 

Neat is a home-organization empire started by Molly Graves and Ashley Murphy. After realizing they shared a passion for organization, they created and branded a unique method for decluttering homes—which is now a franchised training program offered by professional organizers across the country.

38. Edit podcasts

Podcasting has become a mainstream pastime (or career option) in recent years.

For each podcast episode that’s recorded, an editor needs to cut together the various sections, strip out coughs and stutters, and refine the audio quality. If you have the skills and software to perform those tasks, you could make a living from home as a podcast editor.

Photo and video editing services can also be profitable home business ideas.

39. Create a herbal product line

If your family has passed a herbal remedy down the generations, or if you simply have an interest in natural treatments, you could make and sell herbal products from home.

For instance, Wooden Spoon Herbs was started by Lauren Haynes in her kitchen. She creates plant-based products using American-grown herbs and traditional methods. Her online store now sells a range of herbal teas, tinctures, and wellness products.

The brand’s website even has a quiz that customers can take to find the perfect herbal treatment for them.

40. Create a candle brand

Candle making is perhaps the classic home business idea. While often maligned, many entrepreneurs continue to find success by making, branding, and selling their own candles and fragrances.

The key to success in this industry is strong branding. Your brand should not only reflect the quality and uniqueness of your candles but also resonate with your target audience.

Take Brooklyn Candle Studio , for example. After buying a candle-making kit in 2013 and discovering a talent for the craft, founder Tamara Mayne began her business from her studio apartment, selling her candles at local markets. A year later, she quit her job to work full time on Brooklyn Candle Studio.

If you also possess the talent to mix and match scents, you could channel your inner Jan from The Office and create a candle company. As your brand grows and evolves, there may be opportunities to extend your product line to include related items, such as scented diffusers, room sprays, or bath oils.

Serious about candle making? Here’s how to start a candle business .

How to start a home business

Once you have an idea that fits your skills and experience, it’s time to get to work on building your new home business.

While you’ll no doubt encounter challenges, the process of starting a business doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Here are the five basic steps you’ll need to follow. (Working with a small business lawyer and accountant can also be helpful.)

• Come up with your own business idea
• Create a business plan
• Start the legal process
• Open a business bank account
• Start providing your products or services

1. Come up with your own business idea

The first step in launching a home business is coming up with a unique idea that gives you a competitive edge.

Whether you choose one of the tried and tested businesses above, or develop an original concept, try to think critically about your idea.

Ask trusted friends and industry experts to debate your business and poke holes in your plan, to make your idea as robust as possible.

2. Create a business plan

A business plan puts your idea into a recognizable and actionable structure. To make a plan, put together information including:

• A company overview
• Your product or service offerings
• Your target audience
• A competitor analysis

Easily create your own business plan using a template like the one below:

3. Start the legal process

Choose your business type , apply for your business license, set up your legal entity, and make sure you have all the proper paperwork.

You may consider hiring the help of a small business lawyer to ensure you’re correctly setting up your business’s legal entity. There are four main types of business entities:

• Sole proprietorship
• Limited liability partnership
• Corporation

Speaking to an attorney can help you decide which type of business is best for your needs, as well as making filing the paperwork easier.

4. Open a business bank account

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal finances will make taxes less stressful. There are a number of institutions you can turn to for opening your business account, so don’t be afraid to shop around for the best fit for your needs.

At minimum, you’ll want to open the following: 

• A business checking account for revenue
• A savings account to hold money
• A business credit card for expenses

Again, speaking to a professional can be a big help. Consider searching for a local accountant who can help you make informed decisions when it comes to opening your business accounts.

5. Start providing your products or services

Finally, it’s time to start selling! If you’re creating an ecommerce business where you sell products online, Shopify makes it easy to build and run your store .

What are the pros and cons of starting a home business?

Home businesses can be started and operated from your personal residence. They might be full-time pursuits or side hustles , and often involve the use of an ecommerce platform to sell products online.

Most home business models are designed to be light on infrastructure, so you don’t need to hold lots of inventory, hire employees, or rent a physical location.

Like every business model, however, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether a home-based business is right for you:

Pros of running a home business

• Home businesses often have few overhead costs, including office rent or warehousing fees.
• You may be able to claim tax deductions as a home business owner.
• With ecommerce , you can choose to target a local or international market.
• Working from home may improve your work-life balance —great for parents or retirees seeking additional income.
• You can create a family business where your relations or spouse can help out.

Cons of running a home business

• You’ll likely need dedicated office space to work, store equipment, or hold inventory .
• It’s up to you to meet regulations for your industry, such as food hygiene standards or holding relevant permits.
• You may be competing with large, established businesses that can access extra capital .
• Working from home offers freedom, but it can also be lonely .

When you use an ecommerce platform like Shopify , you have the tools needed to build almost any home business.

Find the perfect home business ideas for you

The best home business idea for you won’t be the same as for others.

Succeeding as a small business entrepreneur requires knowing where your strengths lie—and which business models fit with your skills and schedule. Could you turn your experiences as a parent into a successful business , or does your industry knowledge make you an in-demand consultant?

Technology has made almost any business remote-friendly, enabling you to interact with suppliers, employees, and customers from your home.

Once you have an idea, start small, and always make your customers’ needs your top priority.

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Home business ideas FAQ

How do i start a small business at home.

• Identify a business idea: Find a niche that suits your skills and passion.
• Create a business plan: Outline your goals, target market, competition analysis, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
• Develop your product or service: Ensure it meets market standards and customer needs.
• Secure funding: If necessary, explore funding options such as personal savings, loans, or Shopify Capital.
• Choose a business structure: Determine whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC best fits your needs.
• Apply for licenses and permits: Check local regulations to ensure legal compliance.
• Open a business bank account: Keep your personal and business finances separate.
• Get business insurance: Protect your business from potential risks.
• Implement a marketing strategy: Utilize SEO, content marketing, and social media to reach your target audience.

What are some low-cost home business ideas?

• Blogging: If you have a passion for a specific topic, you can start a blog and monetize it through advertising, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing.
• Virtual assistant: Offer administrative services to businesses remotely.
• Freelance writing or design: If you have a knack for writing or design, offer your services to businesses.
• Home tutoring: If you excel in a particular subject, consider offering tutoring services.

Which home business is most profitable?

What kind of business can i start from home.

• Selling homemade crafts or products
• Providing specialized online services
• Launching a subscription box service
• Building and monetizing a dedicated audience
• Establishing a dropshipping store
• Initiating a print-on-demand business
• Starting a freelance writing career

Which business in the easiest to start from home?

• Dropshipping
• Print-on-demand services
• Selling pre-owned items
• Creating and selling homemade products
• Offering specialized services

How can I market my home business?

What legal considerations should i keep in mind when starting a home business, how can i balance my home and work life, how can i scale my home-based business.

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How to Start a Home Business: The Ultimate Guide

Nina Godlewski helps make complicated business topics more accessible for small business owners. She covers small business topics such as payroll management and launching a business. She was previously a staff writer at Newsweek covering technology, science, breaking news, and culture. She has also worked as a reporter for Business Insider and The Boston Globe.

Robert Beaupre leads the SMB team at NerdWallet. He has covered financial topics as an editor for more than a decade. Before joining NerdWallet, he served as senior editorial manager of QuinStreet's insurance sites and managing editor of Insure.com. In addition, he served as an online media manager for the University of Nevada, Reno.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you've ever been interested in learning how to start a small business from home, now might be the perfect time. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever before are working from home and launching their own startups.

Although starting a business from home has its perks, like starting any business, there is a lot to go through in order to set yourself up for success. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to do, step-by-step, to learn how to start a home business.

LLC Formation

How to start a home business in 9 steps

So, if you're wondering how to start a small business at home, you'll find that the process requires planning, preparation and the documentation to make it official (and legal).

Although it may seem overwhelming — as starting a business often is — if you take things one step at a time, you'll find that the process becomes much more manageable. Plus, when you're starting and running a business from home, there are a number of details you don't have to worry about, like finding an office or retail space.

1. Decide on a successful idea

The first step in starting a business from home is determining exactly what kind of business you want to start.

Of course, there are a number of different home business ideas out there — and within certain industries, home businesses are far more popular (and feasible) than others. As an example, according to the SBA, a business in the information industry has a 70% chance of being home-based, closely followed by businesses in the construction industry, at 68.2%.

So, how do you decide on the perfect (and profitable) idea for your home-based business?

In essence, this part of the process is a process in itself. After all, deciding what type of business you're going to run will influence all of the other steps from here on out.

With this in mind, to make this important decision, you can consider the following:

What skills or talents do you have? Thinking about the skills, talents and passions you already have is a great way to start brainstorming the best business ideas . For example, if you're good at sewing, you might consider starting a seamstress business, or you might consider making and selling your own apparel.

How can these skills or talents translate into a business idea? Unfortunately, not every talent or skill will translate into an actual business idea. For instance, you might be a great soccer player, but it may not be feasible to start a soccer coaching business.

Can this business idea actually be run from home? It's not only important to find an idea that plays to your talents, but also one that can be run from home. If you're a skilled cook, you may be able to start a private chef business where your home serves as your office, but you may find it difficult (with laws and regulations) to start a catering business from home.

Once you've gone through this exercise and have an initial idea for your home-based business, you'll want to ensure that it's worth investing in. To make this evaluation, you'll want to do a few things:

Conduct market research: First, you'll want to perform some research to ensure there's market demand for your product or service. Through this process, you'll also want to consider who your competitors are, what your value proposition is and what your target market looks like.

Consider startup costs: Before you decide to run with any given idea, you'll want to think about how much it will cost to start this type of business from home. If you're going to start a freelance writing business, your startup costs may be very low — especially if you already have a computer and internet access. On the other hand, if you're planning on starting an Amazon selling business, you might need to invest more in terms of inventory, packing and shipping, etc.

Test your idea: There are a variety of ways you can test your idea to decide whether it's a worthwhile investment. If you're starting a service-based business, you might offer your services for free to test the market. On the other hand, if you're planning on selling a product, you might test it out with a select group of people or advertise it on a crowdfunding platform to gather responses before moving forward.

Ultimately, people arrive at their successful home business idea in all sorts of ways. Scottie Yang, a Tempe, Arizona-based business owner, decided to go all-in on his home business after he lost his job. After a career in television and video production, he switched gears to start his own clothing company called Heights Apparel, which creates clothing specifically for men who are above-average height.

"Once I got a taste of getting to work from home, it made it really hard to want to go work in an office every day," Yang says. "I love the flexibility. I love not having to deal with office politics."

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

2. Write a business plan

Once you've decided on a profitable home business idea, your next step will be to write a business plan .

Writing a business plan can often be one of the most time-consuming parts of learning how to start a small business at home, however, it's essential to the potential growth and progression of your operations.

In this way, your business plan should contain all of the information you need to prepare you to run your business from home. Although there are different methods for writing a business plan, generally, you'll want your business plan to include:

An executive summary .

An overview of your business.

A market analysis .

A description of your product or service.

A marketing and sales plan.

A financial plan and projections.

By going through this process, you'll have an opportunity to expand upon the considerations you made in the first step — thinking about the way your business will operate in more detail. Along these lines, you can think of your business plan as a roadmap for how you'll grow into a profitable home business.

Moreover, your business plan will also help you later on when you need to apply for funding or seek investors to start or grow your business. Showing potential investors or lenders that you have a funding plan for your business and have considered all of the risks is essential.

This is also a great time to do more research if you aren’t experienced in the field you’re starting your home business in. Yang was doing research on his business three years before he even started it.

"Because of my lack of experience and knowledge, I began researching the concept in 2015. I did tons of research," he says. He officially formed his LLC in 2018 and started selling online in 2019.

For Yang, his research centered around understanding the challenges and pitfalls of the business.

"I'm 6'7'' myself, and I grew increasingly frustrated with the [clothes] options available to me, and the large amount of additional money I had to spend in order to get pieces of clothing to fit my frame the right way. It really has an impact on how you feel."

This lack of clothing options revealed a gap in the market that he decided to capitalize on.

3. Choose a name and business entity

After you've written your business plan, you'll want to officially decide on the name of your business .

You'll want to choose something that's memorable, but also something that makes it clear what your business is or does.

Once you have a name in mind, you’ll have to make sure it’s actually available to use. There are a few places you can check this — including your secretary of state's website or business bureau website, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and by doing a simple Google search.

This being said, extending your search beyond your state is especially important if you plan on launching an online component to your home business, as you'll want to make sure that a potential domain name is available for your business's website.

In addition to deciding on a name, you'll need to choose a business entity type to define your business structure. The business entity you choose for your home business will affect how your business is taxed and the legal risk you’re exposed to, as well as whether or not you need to officially register your business with the state.

At this point, you might decide to consult an attorney or online legal service to ensure you're choosing the right entity type for your unique business. The chart below can help you determine which of these options will work best for your business:

If you choose to structure your home business as a sole proprietorship or a general partnership, you won’t actually have to register your business with the state where you’ll be operating.

Therefore, because you won’t be registering with a specific business name, the name of your business will default to your legal name. In this case, if you'd prefer to start your home business with a different name, you can file a DBA, or “doing business as,” with your state in order to operate your business under that name.

» MORE: Best business credit cards for LLCs

4. Register your home business

If you decide to form your business as an LLC or C corporation, you'll need to register with your state to start and run your business from home legally.

The exact process that you'll need to follow to complete this registration will be unique to your state. Therefore, you'll want to consult your local Secretary of State or business bureau for guidelines on how to complete your business registration.

This being said, regardless of whether or not you have to register with the state, you'll want to register your business with the federal government by applying for an employer identification number. This number (also called an EIN) comes with a number of benefits, making it a worthwhile choice whether or not you’re technically required to obtain one.

In short, this number will be useful for hiring employees, opening a business bank account, filing business taxes and more. You can easily apply for an EIN online with the IRS.

5. Get a business license

Once you've completed your necessary registration with the state and federal governments, the next step in learning how to start a home business is getting a business license.

As a home-based business, your business license requirements may differ from other types of businesses. Nevertheless, the licenses and permits that you need will also vary based on the state where you're located.

Generally, when you're starting a small business from home, you'll want to look into the following types of business licenses:

Home occupation permit: Most home-based businesses will require a home occupation permit to operate legally. Essentially, this permit shows that by running your business out of your home, you're not adding significant traffic, noise, or harmful environmental conditions to your area.

Property use and zoning permits: When you're starting your business from home, you'll want to check into local zoning ordinances that apply to home-based businesses in your area. Some residential areas have strict zoning regulations that may limit or even prevent home-based businesses from operating. You'll want to check with your local or city government office to find out what regulations might apply to you.

General business licenses and permits: On top of the two previous permits that are more specific to home-based businesses, you'll also want to consider any general business licenses you need to operate legally. Along these lines, you might need a business operating license, professional or trade license, sales tax permit and more.

Overall, even if you're just starting an online consulting or freelance business from your home, you shouldn't assume that you don't need a business license. In addition to consulting local and state business resources, you might also work with a legal professional or service to ensure that you've taken all the necessary steps to run your business from home legally.

6. Separate your business and personal finances

At this point, you've taken the steps necessary to make your home-based business official and legal. Now, you're ready to take the steps to learn how to run a business from home legally — starting with managing your finances.

Although you may be a one-person operation, it's essential to separate your business and personal finances, especially when you're just starting out. As we mentioned briefly above, one of the downsides of some of the most common business entity types for home-based businesses is that you're personally responsible for your business's debts and liabilities.

For this reason, it's even more important to ensure that you protect your personal assets by separating your finances — plus, keeping your finances separate will be crucial for bookkeeping, tax filing and general organization. You can start small and simple here by using free accounting software to help you keep your business finances in order. As your business grows or if you find yourself overwhelmed with the bookkeeping process, you can explore online bookkeeping services to help with this task.

Open a business bank account

In addition to applying for an EIN, one of the best ways to separate your finances is to open a business checking account .

You'll use your business bank account to manage any money coming into your business, as well as for paying suppliers, services, or employees.

There are a variety of business bank accounts to choose from — however, you might start with the bank where you have your personal account, or look for a free business checking account .

Since you're running your business from home, you may want to focus your search on a business bank account with online and mobile banking, mobile check deposit and free ACH payments.

Apply for a business credit card

After you've opened a business bank account, the next step you can take to separate and start managing your finances is to get a business credit card . A business credit card can help you establish business credit and can be used for any transactions related to your business — which will make filing your taxes much easier to navigate.

Once again, there are a variety of options for business credit cards — so you might start by looking at the bank where you opened your checking account — or narrow down your search by your rewards preferences — such as cash back or travel points.

Choose accounting software

Finally, the last important piece of learning to manage your finances as a new home-based business is to choose accounting software .

Although you may not think you need an accounting software platform, successful home businesses often use one of these automated systems to make bookkeeping and taxes much easier. Plus, if you're concerned about cost, there are options for free accounting software, as well as specifically designed home-based business accounting software options.

7. Secure funding

One of the benefits of starting a business from home is that you can eliminate some of the costs associated with renting an office space or opening a brick-and-mortar location.

In some cases, you might not have any business startup costs at all. This was the experience that Alexis Haselberger, a time-management and productivity coach, had when launching her business.

What surprised me most was how easy it was to get started; as a service-based business working from my home, I had virtually no startup costs. Even without investing money into her business to start, Haselberger was able to gain clients from big-name companies like Google, Lyft, San Francisco State University and more.

However, depending on the type of business you're launching, you may need to secure financing to help cover some of your startup costs. If you’re starting a business that requires a lot of inventory or equipment, you will definitely have some initial costs. Luckily, about 44% of home-based business owners are able to start their businesses with less than $5,000 — but if your home business requires more capital, you'll want to explore your options for financing.

Typically, it's difficult for newer businesses to access traditional financing methods, so you might start with a simple business credit card or line of credit , as well as consider more creative forms of financing — like working with friends or family or starting a crowdfunding campaign.

8. Set up your office

Next, you're ready to move from starting a home business to actually running a successful home business.

The first thing you'll want to do to set yourself up for success in this regard is to set up your home office. Although there are a number of benefits to starting a business from home, there are also some drawbacks — namely, that you'll be working in the same place that you live.

For this reason, it's important to designate a specific home office space in order to promote productivity and separate your work from your home life.

As Yang said, it's easy to get distracted with other things. You will need discipline to start a home business, since no one will be monitoring your work — it’s really up to you. But once you successfully make the shift, the pros can vastly outweigh the cons.

Therefore, to set up your home office, you'll want to do things like:

Choose a designated space.

Invest in the right furniture, tools and technology.

Decorate your office in a way that works for you.

Take steps to minimize distractions.

Once you have the space you need to start running your business from home, it will be much easier to get going from there.

9. Set up tax accounts and learn about deductions

Understanding business taxes can be one of the most difficult parts of running a business — and as a home-based business, you may have unique tax obligations. We've already talked about how to obtain an EIN (if needed) and the different ways you can be taxed, depending on your business entity. As a business owner, you'll need to get set up to pay self-employment taxes quarterly, to both the federal and state government. If you have employees, you'll need to establish payroll withholding accounts, and if you collect sales tax, you must set up sales tax accounts with your state.

You'll also want to consider some key home office tax deductions you can enjoy when running a profitable home business. If you use your office regularly and exclusively for your business, you'll qualify for the home office deduction (in most cases). You can claim this deduction by calculating your square footage (the simplified way) or calculating specific home office expenses on Form 8829 (the regular method).

Taking advantage of this deduction can help you save money come tax season.

Use our guide to learn more about home business tax deductions.

Tips for running a successful and profitable home business

Even if you've technically completed all the steps necessary to start a home business, the learning process will continue as you begin your day-to-day operations. Therefore, once you've gotten to this point, you might consult these tips to successfully running a small business from home.

Consider investing in business insurance: Although insurance might not be one of your initial priorities, investing in business insurance can be crucial to mitigating your risks and protecting your personal assets. At a minimum, you'll want to look into general liability insurance for your home-based business.

Create a business website and social media profiles to promote your business online: One of the best ways to establish and promote your business's presence is to create a website and social media profiles. These online resources make it easier to interact with customers — giving customers an opportunity to learn about who you are and what your business does, as well as reach out for more information.

Always be marketing your business: Marketing is always essential to a business, but even more so when you're first starting out. You can start your marketing strategy by referring back to the plan you developed as part of your overall business plan. As you learn more about your customers and what works and what doesn't, you can adjust your strategy accordingly.

Determine when it's the right time to hire your first employee: Finally, when your home-based business grows to more than you can manage on your own, you'll want to consider hiring your first employee. Being an employer, however, will mean that you need to meet additional requirements for insurance, taxes and more. Therefore, you'll not only want to ensure that you complete all of the steps necessary to hire an employee, but that you can afford and it's the right time to do so.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

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How to Write a Business Plan for Your Home Business

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Don't handicap your home business by not taking the steps to create a business plan.

Business Plan

A business plan is a written blueprint for your home business. Business plans are essential for getting a business loan, but even if you don't need outside funding, they are a valuable tool to helping you set goals in your home business, understand what you need to do, and anticipate future growth. 

Types of Business Plans

• Formal business plans : These plans are detailed documents, usually prepared for the primary purpose of securing outside funding for the business.
• Informal business plans : These plans are used primarily by the business owner as a road map to success. It might be so informal as to be handwritten notes, or a bit more comprehensive typed out plan.

Whether formal or informal, when properly written and maintained, business plans provide a means to help you stay focused on the tasks that build a profitable home business.

Do you need a business plan?

If you intend to secure outside funding for your business, you'll need a formal business plan. 

However, even if you're starting small or have your own resources to fund your business, a business plan isn't required, but it can greatly improve the chances that your home business will succeed. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that as many as 30% of all small businesses fail in the first two years. Those statistics can be very frightening. After all, why would you want to spend time and effort, as well as risk your own money, when there is only one chance in ten your business will survive?

There are several reasons why small and home businesses fail, but proper planning can help overcome them all. A business plan can help you:

• Get clear on your goals 
• Develop a deep understanding of your market
• Organize the day-to-day activities of your home business
• Understand your current financial situation
• Make important management and financial decisions about your home business
• Set a starting point to measure growth

Writing a Business Plan

The answer to this question depends on two key factors.

Is the Business Plan for Internal Use or External Use?

If you're not using the business plan to get a loan or find investors, you can write it yourself. If you're trying to secure outside funding, professionals who write business plans for a living bring a lot to the table even if you only get outside help to review the plan to make sure your bases are properly covered in the document. Additionally, business plans need to be edited and proofread for grammar and good sentence structure. Well-written business plans increase the chances of securing needed outside funding.

How Are Your Writing Skills?

If you're a good writer you can probably write a business plan yourself, at least with some assistance. Software and samples are available to help prepare business plans. Additionally, the SBA is a terrific resource for guiding you through the process. If you haven't already, you'll want to take their online Develop a Business Plan Workshop to get started. While you can easily learn how to write a business plan yourself, you will still benefit from having someone else read through your plan and you may still need outside assistance, such as a CPA to create your financial documents and/or a market research firm to develop statistics about your markets.

Whether you decide to hire someone who writes business plans, write it yourself, or use software, you still need to take an active role in the process. Whoever writes your plan needs accurate information for each section of the document and a clear understanding of your business.

Gathering the information is also of great benefit to you because it helps you understand your business and what you need to do in order to succeed, and it gives you a clearer picture of your competitors and your market.

If the business plan's purpose is primarily for your own use you can follow a  simple home business plan  outline.While general guidelines are available, if the plan is being written primarily to secure outside funding, such as a small business loan, it's not a bad idea to see in advance if the financial institution has any specific requirements it likes to see in its loan applications and business plans. The basic outline of the business plan includes:

• Executive Summary – A high-level overview of the document that is placed first in the finished document but that needs to be written last.
• Company Description - A history and description of your company.
• Products or Services - Information on the products or services you plan to offer and how they compare to your competitors products or services.
• Market Analysis – A description of your market, your niche, and the demand for your product or service (supported by documentation). The percentage of market share you envision and conclusions of any marketing research data.
• Marketing and Sales Strategies – How you will promote your business, how you will get your product or service to your customers, the costs for distribution and promotion, and how you will measure the effectiveness of the methods you plan to use.
• Organization and Management – The legal structure of your business ( sole proprietorship , LLC , C corporation , S corporation , etc.), who your key players are, who is responsible for what and how much they will cost your business.
• Financial Data – Your balance sheet , a breakeven analysis, an income statement and a statement of cash flows . You'll want to include both historical financial statements and forward-looking financial statements.
• Funding Request – This is the section when you'll be requesting funding for the business. If you are not seeking outside funds right now, you can leave this section out.
• Appendix – Contains supporting information, such as resumes, details of market research findings, estimates, and all other documentation required to support what's contained in the body of the business plan.

What to do with the business plan once it's done?

Once you've completed the above information, you need to use your business plan as you organize you daily to-dos and make decisions about your business. Note that your business plan isn't a static document carved in stone. As you build your business, you may find that you need to make adjustments or changes depending on the market, your ability to reach your goals, and changing trends in the marketplace. As a result, it doesn't hurt to review and revise, if necessary, your business plan every six months or so.

Keeping your business plan current offers some important benefits, such as:

• If you ever need to apply for additional funding through either SBA loan programs or other sources of private funding, up-to-date information will already be available. When it comes time to submitting updated business plans, you'll save time and money.
• It helps you stay focused the important elements of your business, and avoid getting bogged down in busy work, or shiny objects. 

It can help you identify areas you need to improve in or can expand.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. " Table 7. Survival of private sector establishments by opening year ." Accessed April 16, 2021.

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Business Plan Template for Small Businesses

Business planning can feel complicated. it doesn't have to be. start putting pen to paper today with your free business plan template download..

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Our free business plan template includes:

• Fill-in-the-blanks simplicity

You don't need to be an expert. This business plan template makes business planning easy.

All 100% free. We're here to help you succeed in business, no strings attached.

Why you need a business plan template

Writing a business plan can seem like a big task, especially if you’re starting a business for the first time and don’t have a financial background. After all, business plans have changed over the years, and what lenders and investors expect now is different than it was even just 10 years ago.

But using a business plan template will help you:

• Develop a strategy for success
• Reduce the risk of starting a business
• Explore new business ideas
• Attract investors and get funding

Learn more about how you can get value out of your business plan .

What is included in this free business plan template?

This business plan template includes definitions, guidance, and examples for every business plan component needed to start, fund, and grow your business.

After downloading the full template of a business plan, you’ll receive instructions on how to fill out each of the following sections.

Executive summary

The brief summary of your business plan introduces everyone to your business, the problem you solve, and what you’re asking from your readers. It’s the first chapter of your business plan and the last thing you write once you have the details from your full plan.

Problem & solution

More than a simple description of your products and services – here you define the problem you’re solving and the value you provide. It’s also your chance to showcase any initial traction that shows you’re on the right track.

Market analysis and target market

A detailed assessment of the market you intend to enter, including the size and value of the market, potential customer segments, and their buying patterns.

Competition

Show that you know who your competitors are, what advantages you have, and how you’re positioning your business to be competitive.

Marketing & sales

Describe how you’ll reach and sell to potential customers with a detailed sales plan and chosen marketing channels.

What makes your business run? Outline the day-to-day workflows and what needs to be set up for your business to deliver a product or service.

Milestones & metrics

Set goals for your business that include the dates and people responsible for accomplishing them. This is what you’ll use to manage responsibilities, track growth, and execute your larger strategy.

Company overview and team

Provide a brief rundown of the legal and structural components of your company, including your history, current team, and gaps you need to fill.

Financial plan

Create well-structured and accurate financial statements to help you pitch to investors, land funding, and achieve long-term success. All without the help of a financial advisor or a degree in accounting.

While not required, this last section of your business plan is a great place to drop in additional documents that support and strengthen the rest of your plan.

How do you write a simple business plan?

If you’re exploring a business idea and don’t plan to pursue funding, then you actually don’t need to write a traditional business plan. Instead, opt for a one-page plan , which is far easier to create but just as effective.

To write a simple one-page business plan, follow the same core sections as a traditional plan. But instead of lengthy paragraphs and multiple pages covering each area of your business, stick with single sentences and bulleted lists.

If a one-page plan sounds like a better option, download our free simple one-page business plan template to get started.

Start your business plan today

Whether you're writing a business plan to validate your business idea, secure funding, or grow your existing business – our free business plan template will help you achieve your goals.

Business plan template FAQ

What file formats are available for this business plan template?

You can download and use this free business plan template as a Google Doc, .docx (Microsoft Word), or PDF.

Can you print out this template of a business plan?

This is a printable business plan template that can be downloaded and printed no matter which format you choose.

Why should you start with a business plan template?

Starting with a good business plan template (like this one) includes everything you need to get started. It helps you organize your thoughts, and provides guidance, instructions, and examples to create an investor-ready and SBA-approved business plan format. It really speeds up the planning process. Oh, and it's 100% free!

Is writing a business plan easy?

Using a business plan template can make writing a business plan easier. Additionally, if you focus on just getting your information down quickly, with the expectation that you'll revisit and revise your plan, you can speed up and simplify the process .

Can someone write your business plan for you?

If you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template for your business plan, you can look into hiring a professional business plan writer. We even have a free resource to help you ask just the right questions  to make sure you find the right plan writer.

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Free PDF Business Plan Templates and Samples

By Joe Weller | September 9, 2020

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We’ve gathered the most useful collection of business plan PDF templates and samples, including options for organizations of any size and type.

On this page, you’ll find free PDF templates for a simple business plan , small business plan , startup business plan , and more.

Simple Business Plan PDF Templates

These simple business plan PDF templates are ready to use and customizable to fit the needs of any organization.

Simple Business Plan Template PDF

This template contains a traditional business plan layout to help you map out each aspect, from a company overview to sales projections and a marketing strategy. This template includes a table of contents, as well as space for financing details that startups looking for funding may need to provide. 

Download Simple Business Plan Template - PDF

Lean Business Plan Template PDF

This scannable business plan template allows you to easily identify the most important elements of your plan. Use this template to outline key details pertaining to your business and industry, product or service offerings, target customer segments (and channels to reach them), and to identify sources of revenue. There is also space to include key performance metrics and a timeline of activities. 

Download Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

Simple 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template PDF

This template is designed to help you develop and implement a 90-day business plan by breaking it down into manageable chunks of time. Use the space provided to detail your main goals and deliverables for each timeframe, and then add the steps necessary to achieve your objectives. Assign task ownership and enter deadlines to ensure your plan stays on track every step of the way.

Download Simple 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

PDF | Smartsheet

One-Page Business Plan PDF Templates

The following single page business plan templates are designed to help you download your key ideas on paper, and can be used to create a pitch document to gain buy-in from partners, investors, and stakeholders.

One-Page Business Plan Template PDF

Use this one-page template to summarize each aspect of your business concept in a clear and concise manner. Define the who, what, why, and how of your idea, and use the space at the bottom to create a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) for your business. 

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

If you’re looking for a specific type of analysis, check out our collection of SWOT templates .

One-Page Lean Business Plan PDF

This one-page business plan template employs the Lean management concept, and encourages you to focus on the key assumptions of your business idea. A Lean plan is not stagnant, so update it as goals and objectives change — the visual timeline at the bottom is ideal for detailing milestones. 

Download One-Page Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

Use this business plan template to identify main goals and outline the necessary activities to achieve those goals in 30, 60, and 90-day increments. Easily customize this template to fit your needs while you track the status of each task and goal to keep your business plan on target. 

Download One-Page 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

For additional single page plans, including an example of a one-page business plan , visit " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Small Business Plan PDF Templates

These business plan templates are useful for small businesses that want to map out a way to meet organizational objectives, including how to structure, operate, and expand their business.

Simple Small Business Plan Template PDF

A small business can use this template to outline each critical component of a business plan. There is space to provide details about product or service offerings, target audience, customer reach strategy, competitive advantage, and more. Plus, there is space at the bottom of the document to include a SWOT analysis. Once complete, you can use the template as a basis to build out a more elaborate plan. 

Download Simple Small Business Plan Template

Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template PDF

This fill-in-the-blank template walks you through each section of a business plan. Build upon the fill-in-the-blank content provided in each section to add information about your company, business idea, market analysis, implementation plan, timeline of milestones, and much more.

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page Small Business Plan Template PDF

Use this one-page template to create a scannable business plan that highlights the most essential parts of your organization’s strategy. Provide your business overview and management team details at the top, and then outline the target market, market size, competitive offerings, key objectives and success metrics, financial plan, and more.

Download One-Page Business Plan for Small Business - PDF

Startup Business Plan PDF Templates

Startups can use these business plan templates to check the feasibility of their idea, and articulate their vision to potential investors.

Startup Business Plan Template

Use this business plan template to organize and prepare each essential component of your startup plan. Outline key details relevant to your concept and organization, including your mission and vision statement, product or services offered, pricing structure, marketing strategy, financial plan, and more.

‌Download Startup Business Plan Template

Sample 30-60-90 Day Business Plan for Startup

Startups can use this sample 30-60-90 day plan to establish main goals and deliverables spanning a 90-day period. Customize the sample goals, deliverables, and activities provided on this template according to the needs of your business. Then, assign task owners and set due dates to help ensure your 90-day plan stays on track.

‌Download Sample 30-60-90 Day Business Plan for Startup Template 

For additional resources to create your plan, visit “ Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples .”

Nonprofit Business Plan PDF Templates

Use these business plan PDF templates to outline your organization’s mission, your plan to make a positive impact in your community, and the steps you will take to achieve your nonprofit’s goals.

Nonprofit Business Plan Template PDF

Use this customizable PDF template to develop a plan that details your organization’s purpose, objectives, and strategy. This template features a table of contents, with room to include your nonprofit’s mission and vision, key team and board members, program offerings, a market and industry analysis, promotional plan, financial plan, and more. This template also contains a visual timeline to display historic and future milestones.

Download Nonprofit Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization PDF 

This one-page plan serves as a good starting point for established and startup nonprofit organizations to jot down their fundamental goals and objectives. This template contains all the essential aspects of a business plan in a concise and scannable format, including the organizational overview, purpose, promotional plan, key objectives and success metrics, fundraising goals, and more.

Download One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization Template - PDF

Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF Templates

Use these fill-in-the-blank templates as a foundation for creating a comprehensive roadmap that aligns your business strategy with your marketing, sales, and financial goals.

Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF

The fill-in-the-blank template contains all the vital parts of a business plan, with sample content that you can customize to fit your needs. There is room to include an executive summary, business description, market analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, financial statements, and more. 

Download Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template - PDF

Lean Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF

This business plan is designed with a Lean approach that encourages you to clarify and communicate your business idea in a clear and concise manner. This single page fill-in-the-blank template includes space to provide details about your management team, the problem you're solving, the solution, target customers, cost structure, and revenue streams. Use the timeline at the bottom to produce a visual illustration of key milestones. 

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

For additional resources, take a look at " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Sample Business Plan PDF Templates

These sample business plan PDF templates can help you to develop an organized, thorough, and professional business plan.

Business Plan Sample 

This business plan example demonstrates a plan for a fictional food truck company. The sample includes all of the elements in a traditional business plan, which makes it a useful starting point for developing a plan specific to your business needs.

Download Basic Business Plan Sample - PDF

Sample Business Plan Outline Template

Use this sample outline as a starting point for your business plan. Shorten or expand the outline depending on your organization’s needs, and use it to develop a table of contents for your finalized plan.

Download Sample Business Plan Outline Template - PDF

Sample Business Financial Plan Template

Use this sample template to develop the financial portion of your business plan. The template provides space to include a financial overview, key assumptions, financial indicators, and business ratios. Complete the break-even analysis and add your financial statements to help prove the viability of your organization’s business plan.

Download Business Financial Plan Template

PDF  | Smartsheet

For more free, downloadable templates for all aspects of your business, check out “ Free Business Templates for Organizations of All Sizes .”

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Writing an Effective One-Page Business Plan: What You Need to Know (+ Free Template)

By Homebase Team

If you’ve started—or are starting—a small business, you’ve probably heard the words ‘business plan’ thrown around. That’s because a business plan is an important document with important information! Even a one-page business plan can help you address key questions early in the planning process.

That’s right—we said  one page. In many cases, there’s no need for a supermassive document that takes ages to create. In this article, we walk you through what a good business plan needs—and what a business plan one-pager should contain. 

Whether you’re writing your business plan for the first time or giving your existing plan a refresh, we’ve got your back. We’ve even got a free, downloadable business plan template to help you get started. Let’s get into it!

Why do you need a business plan?

A business plan is a blueprint for your business. It outlines everything your business needs, from goals to market to the steps you need to implement.

Business plans serve two main purposes:

• To help you set your business up for success. As you put together your business plan, you’ll be forced to think strategically about all your business goals and activities . Are they realistic? Is something likely to go wrong? What haven’t you thought of? The goal is for you to walk away feeling confident in the future of your business.
• To communicate the value of your business to others. It’s rare that entrepreneurs like yourself will go it 100% alone. You’ll likely work with partners, investors, or vendors to bring your small business to life. A business plan gives your collaborators confidence in you and your business and helps them support you in the best way possible.

Taking the time to create a business plan can feel like you’re wasting all-too-precious time, but it can help keep you focused and increase efficiency down the road. It’ll also help you make better business decisions off the bat so you can grow your small business quickly and wisely. 

What are the 7 main points in a business plan?

Every business plan is unique, which is part of the reason writing one can feel a tad overwhelming. You can’t just copy and paste the plan from another business—instead, you need to assess your business’s idea within its niche.

Luckily, the skeleton of every plan is usually very similar. Whether you’re creating a plan for a neighborhood daycare or that cool new bar down the street , here are a few main points to put into any comprehensive business plan.

1. Executive summary

Your executive summary is an overview of your business plan. 

Think about this section like a TL;DR or too long, don’t read . If someone wants to understand the gist of your business plan in just a few minutes, what information would they need to know?

2. Company overview and description

In this section, you should introduce your business to the reader. By the time they finish reading this section, they should have a good idea of who you are, what you do, and what you sell—in other words, your business’s niche.

Don’t be afraid to dive into your own background and why you decided to start this business. Building a small business is personal, and your story can go a long way in giving the reader some context.

3. Market and competitive analysis

Every business needs customers. Here’s where you’ll detail who they are and the potential target market of your business, including your ideal customer.

You’ll also want to take note of potential competitors that may impact your business. These might be direct competitors, but could also be similar businesses that may compete for your customers’ time and money. For example, if you’re opening a cycling studio, you might consider any other type of fitness studio to be a competitor.

Competition isn’t a bad thing, but being aware of your competition is one way to ensure your business stands out from the crowd. 

4. Business offerings

Here’s where you’ll outline what products or services your business will offer in more detail. It doesn’t have to be a complete laundry list, but it should give readers a general idea and show a certain degree of forethought and attention to details.

For example, if you’re opening a bakery , this might be a sample of your menu. Or if you’re an HVAC repair company , you might share an overview of the services you’ll offer your customers. This section might even mention the products or services you won’t offer and why, especially if it helps clarify how your business is unique.

5. Management and operational plan

From managing employees and inventory to securing equipment and a lease, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Every business plan should touch on how you’ll manage the day-to-day of your business.

This is also a great place to indicate key milestones and timelines so you know that you’re on track for a successful grand opening. 

6. Sales, marketing, and PR strategy

Now that you’ve got all the research and operational plans in place , it’s time to start attracting customers and securing those sales. Even with the best products or services in town, every business can use a little marketing boost. Feel free to get creative. From social media to paid ads, there are tons of ways you can spread the word about your budding business . 

7. Financial forecast and budget

No one loves to crunch financials, but when it comes to business, money talks. And a strong financial plan is key to the long-term success of your business.

This final section of your business plan should estimate the costs, revenue, and profits of your business in the short and long term. How do you plan to finance your business? What costs will you incur before opening day ? What are the ongoing costs?

Not only will this give your vendors and investors confidence in your business, but it helps you make sure that your business is profitable in the long run.

What is a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan is essentially a condensed version of a full business plan.  

It covers all the core information about your business without overwhelming the reader with details. The goal is to summarize your business plan for yourself and potential stakeholders so they can understand your business at a glance.

Depending on your business needs, this concise document may even be all you need to get your business off the ground. Or it could serve as a stepping stone to a more robust plan in the future. 

Top benefits of a one-page business plan.

Bigger isn’t always better—and one-page business plans are here to prove it.

Here are some benefits and reasons why you might opt for a one-page business plan:

• To kickstart your business planning: A full business plan can be incredibly daunting. A one-page business plan gives you a place to start without feeling overwhelmed with the nitty gritty. 
• To share and distribute: Sometimes potential vendors, partners, or investors want to get more information about your business before they sign on officially. Instead of leaving them with a massive document, a one-page business plan helps you share the relevant need-to-know information easily.
• To focus on the key details: If you’re early on in the business ideation process and want to make sure you have all the important information, a one-page business plan can help you easily validate your business plan.
• To save time: In the long term, you may still expect to put together a full business plan at some point. However, if you’re in a time crunch, a one-page plan can help you get the important insights without the time commitment.
• To easily edit: In an ever-changing business environment, a one-page business plan is much easier to keep updated. 

Key details to include in a one-page business plan.

Above, we outlined the key components of any business plan. The key with a one-pager is to keep it brief without losing any of those important details. 

Let’s look at the sections of a business plan one-pager and dig into how you can adapt them to cover all the details of your business—all on one page. 

Summary and overview

Start your one-page plan by sharing the name of your business, what you do, and your main value proposition.

The problem—and your solution

In a few sentences, share the problem that your business solves and how you solve it. This clarifies why your business should exist, so it’s an important section!

Depending on your business, you may also want to share a few of your team members to help readers put a face to your business. Great examples include the executive chef for a restaurant, or the lead veterinarian for your vet clinic.

Target market

Briefly describe who you expect to be a customer and their characteristics. This could be in the form of a short “ideal customer” profile.

Competitor overview

Here, you’ll touch on potential competitors and what makes your business stand out.

Business timeline

Share the key milestones for your business. For example, pitch when you’ll start marketing your business, when you’ll hire employees , and when you expect to open.

Sales and marketing plan

Here, you’ll quickly highlight the key marketing activities that you’ll use to drive new customers to your business. Try to stick to the most interesting or high-value stuff, like a website or social media .

Financial projections

Outline your expected revenue , expenses, and profits to give the reader an idea of your financial future.

Our tips for creating a one-page business plan.

If you’ve ever written something with a limited word count, you know that sometimes keeping things concise can be easier said than done.

As you get writing your one-page business plan, here are some of our top tips so you can make the most of that one page.

• Focus on the need-to-know information.
• Avoid fluff and keep your sentences short.
• Link out to additional resources and material if more information is necessary.
• Don’t be afraid to strategically incorporate visuals to emphasize the important points.
• Feel free to up sections or have different versions of your one-page business plan based on who’s reading it. 
• Get creative with formatting to keep information organized.

One-page business plan example.

If you’re skeptical that all that information can fit on one page—we have proof!  Here’s an example that you can use to start thinking about your business plan.

Download our free one-page business plan template.

A one-page business plan is one of the most important pages you’ll write for your business. While there’s a lot to think about, it’s worth the effort to give both you and your partners peace of mind.

The good news is that we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! If the above one-pager looks good to you, we’ve pulled it together as a download for you. All that’s left for you to customize it for your unique business, fill in the sections, and get ready to launch your business.

Download your one-page business plan template PDF

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One-page business plan FAQs

Why should you create a business plan.

There are several reasons you should create a business plan, such as:

• Improving your decision-making as you start and grow your business.
• Setting realistic goals and timelines.
• Attracting top-notch suppliers, investors, and even employees.
• Keeping your business profitable and your financials in order.

What types of companies need a business plan?

From brand-new small businesses to established corporations, companies of all shapes and sizes need a business plan. It’s a key part of setting your business up for success and improving your business trajectory.

Even if you already have a business plan in place, revisiting it from time to time can help you stay on track with your goals and adapt as your business changes.

Can a business plan be one page?

Yes, in many cases a business page can be one page. The trick to creating an effective one-page business plan is making sure that you’re covering the most important pieces of information. 

Our top tips? Keep it as concise and organized as possible, so you can effectively communicate the value of your business to your audience.

Writing a one-page business plan is simple. You can create a business plan from scratch or use a free template like the one above to stay on track, but generally, the steps to writing a one-page business plan include:

• Start with a short executive summary and value proposition to introduce your business.
• Share the problem your business solves and your solution.
• Give an outline of top competitors and how your business compares.
• Create a timeline of key milestones.
• Outline your sales and marketing plan for attracting customers.
• Summarize your financial projections and funding plans.

Remember:  This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.

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Simple Business Plan Template (2024)

Updated: May 4, 2024, 4:37pm

Table of Contents

Why business plans are vital, get your free simple business plan template, how to write an effective business plan in 6 steps, frequently asked questions.

While taking many forms and serving many purposes, they all have one thing in common: business plans help you establish your goals and define the means for achieving them. Our simple business plan template covers everything you need to consider when launching a side gig, solo operation or small business. By following this step-by-step process, you might even uncover a few alternate routes to success.

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Whether you’re a first-time solopreneur or a seasoned business owner, the planning process challenges you to examine the costs and tasks involved in bringing a product or service to market. The process can also help you spot new income opportunities and hone in on the most profitable business models.

Though vital, business planning doesn’t have to be a chore. Business plans for lean startups and solopreneurs can simply outline the business concept, sales proposition, target customers and sketch out a plan of action to bring the product or service to market. However, if you’re seeking startup funding or partnership opportunities, you’ll need a write a business plan that details market research, operating costs and revenue forecasting. Whichever startup category you fall into, if you’re at square one, our simple business plan template will point you down the right path.

Copy our free simple business plan template so you can fill in the blanks as we explore each element of your business plan. Need help getting your ideas flowing? You’ll also find several startup scenario examples below.

Download free template as .docx

Whether you need a quick-launch overview or an in-depth plan for investors, any business plan should cover the six key elements outlined in our free template and explained below. The main difference in starting a small business versus an investor-funded business is the market research and operational and financial details needed to support the concept.

1. Your Mission or Vision

Start by declaring a “dream statement” for your business. You can call this your executive summary, vision statement or mission. Whatever the name, the first part of your business plan summarizes your idea by answering five questions. Keep it brief, such as an elevator pitch. You’ll expand these answers in the following sections of the simple business plan template.

• What does your business do? Are you selling products, services, information or a combination?
• Where does this happen? Will you conduct business online, in-store, via mobile means or in a specific location or environment?
• Who does your business benefit? Who is your target market and ideal customer for your concept?
• Why would potential customers care? What would make your ideal customers take notice of your business?
• How do your products and/or services outshine the competition? What would make your ideal customers choose you over a competitor?

These answers come easily if you have a solid concept for your business, but don’t worry if you get stuck. Use the rest of your plan template to brainstorm ideas and tactics. You’ll quickly find these answers and possibly new directions as you explore your ideas and options.

2. Offer and Value Proposition

This is where you detail your offer, such as selling products, providing services or both, and why anyone would care. That’s the value proposition. Specifically, you’ll expand on your answers to the first and fourth bullets from your mission/vision.

As you complete this section, you might find that exploring value propositions uncovers marketable business opportunities that you hadn’t yet considered. So spend some time brainstorming the possibilities in this section.

For example, a cottage baker startup specializing in gluten-free or keto-friendly products might be a value proposition that certain audiences care deeply about. Plus, you could expand on that value proposition by offering wedding and other special-occasion cakes that incorporate gluten-free, keto-friendly and traditional cake elements that all guests can enjoy.

3. Audience and Ideal Customer

Here is where you explore bullet point number three, who your business will benefit. Identifying your ideal customer and exploring a broader audience for your goods or services is essential in defining your sales and marketing strategies, plus it helps fine-tune what you offer.

There are many ways to research potential audiences, but a shortcut is to simply identify a problem that people have that your product or service can solve. If you start from the position of being a problem solver, it’s easy to define your audience and describe the wants and needs of your ideal customer for marketing efforts.

Using the cottage baker startup example, a problem people might have is finding fresh-baked gluten-free or keto-friendly sweets. Examining the wants and needs of these people might reveal a target audience that is health-conscious or possibly dealing with health issues and willing to spend more for hard-to-find items.

However, it’s essential to have a customer base that can support your business. You can be too specialized. For example, our baker startup can attract a broader audience and boost revenue by offering a wider selection of traditional baked goods alongside its gluten-free and keto-focused specialties.

4. Revenue Streams, Sales Channels and Marketing

Thanks to our internet-driven economy, startups have many revenue opportunities and can connect with target audiences through various channels. Revenue streams and sales channels also serve as marketing vehicles, so you can cover all three in this section.

Revenue Streams

Revenue streams are the many ways you can make money in your business. In your plan template, list how you’ll make money upon launch, plus include ideas for future expansion. The income possibilities just might surprise you.

For example, our cottage baker startup might consider these revenue streams:

• Product sales : Online, pop-up shops , wholesale and (future) in-store sales
• Affiliate income : Monetize blog and social media posts with affiliate links
• Advertising income : Reserve website space for advertising
• E-book sales : (future) Publish recipe e-books targeting gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Video income : (future) Monetize a YouTube channel featuring how-to videos for the gluten-free and keto-friendly dessert niches
• Webinars and online classes : (future) Monetize coaching-style webinars and online classes covering specialty baking tips and techniques
• Members-only content : (future) Monetize a members-only section of the website for specialty content to complement webinars and online classes
• Franchise : (future) Monetize a specialty cottage bakery concept and sell to franchise entrepreneurs

Sales Channels

Sales channels put your revenue streams into action. This section also answers the “where will this happen” question in the second bullet of your vision.

The product sales channels for our cottage bakery example can include:

• Mobile point-of-sale (POS) : A mobile platform such as Shopify or Square POS for managing in-person sales at local farmers’ markets, fairs and festivals
• E-commerce platform : An online store such as Shopify, Square or WooCommerce for online retail sales and wholesale sales orders
• Social media channels : Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest shoppable posts and pins for online sales via social media channels
• Brick-and-mortar location : For in-store sales , once the business has grown to a point that it can support a physical location

Channels that support other income streams might include:

• Affiliate income : Blog section on the e-commerce website and affiliate partner accounts
• Advertising income : Reserved advertising spaces on the e-commerce website
• E-book sales : Amazon e-book sales via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
• Video income : YouTube channel with ad monetization
• Webinars and online classes : Online class and webinar platforms that support member accounts, recordings and playback
• Members-only content : Password-protected website content using membership apps such as MemberPress

Nowadays, the line between marketing and sales channels is blurred. Social media outlets, e-books, websites, blogs and videos serve as both marketing tools and income opportunities. Since most are free and those with advertising options are extremely economical, these are ideal marketing outlets for lean startups.

However, many businesses still find value in traditional advertising such as local radio, television, direct mail, newspapers and magazines. You can include these advertising costs in your simple business plan template to help build a marketing plan and budget.

5. Structure, Suppliers and Operations

This section of your simple business plan template explores how to structure and operate your business. Details include the type of business organization your startup will take, roles and responsibilities, supplier logistics and day-to-day operations. Also, include any certifications or permits needed to launch your enterprise in this section.

Our cottage baker example might use a structure and startup plan such as this:

• Business structure : Sole proprietorship with a “doing business as” (DBA) .
• Permits and certifications : County-issued food handling permit and state cottage food certification for home-based food production. Option, check into certified commercial kitchen rentals.
• Roles and responsibilities : Solopreneur, all roles and responsibilities with the owner.
• Supply chain : Bulk ingredients and food packaging via Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon Prime with annual membership costs. Uline for shipping supplies; no membership needed.
• Day-to-day operations : Source ingredients and bake three days per week to fulfill local and online orders. Reserve time for specialty sales, wholesale partner orders and market events as needed. Ship online orders on alternating days. Update website and create marketing and affiliate blog posts on non-shipping days.

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6. Financial Forecasts

Your final task is to list forecasted business startup and ongoing costs and profit projections in your simple business plan template. Thanks to free business tools such as Square and free marketing on social media, lean startups can launch with few upfront costs. In many cases, cost of goods, shipping and packaging, business permits and printing for business cards are your only out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost Forecast

Our cottage baker’s forecasted lean startup costs might include:

Gross Profit Projections

This helps you determine the retail prices and sales volume required to keep your business running and, hopefully, earn income for yourself. Use product research to spot target retail prices for your goods, then subtract your cost of goods, such as hourly rate, raw goods and supplier costs. The total amount is your gross profit per item or service.

Here are some examples of projected gross profits for our cottage baker:

Bottom Line

Putting careful thought and detail in a business plan is always beneficial, but don’t get so bogged down in planning that you never hit the start button to launch your business . Also, remember that business plans aren’t set in stone. Markets, audiences and technologies change, and so will your goals and means of achieving them. Think of your business plan as a living document and regularly revisit, expand and restructure it as market opportunities and business growth demand.

Is there a template for a business plan?

You can copy our free business plan template and fill in the blanks or customize it in Google Docs, Microsoft Word or another word processing app. This free business plan template includes the six key elements that any entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a new business.

What does a simple business plan include?

A simple business plan is a one- to two-page overview covering six key elements that any budding entrepreneur needs to consider when launching a startup. These include your vision or mission, product or service offering, target audience, revenue streams and sales channels, structure and operations, and financial forecasts.

How can I create a free business plan template?

Start with our free business plan template that covers the six essential elements of a startup. Once downloaded, you can edit this document in Google Docs or another word processing app and add new sections or subsections to your plan template to meet your specific business plan needs.

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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Krista Fabregas is a seasoned eCommerce and online content pro sharing more than 20 years of hands-on know-how with those looking to launch and grow tech-forward businesses. Her expertise includes eCommerce startups and growth, SMB operations and logistics, website platforms, payment systems, side-gig and affiliate income, and multichannel marketing. Krista holds a bachelor's degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin and held senior positions at NASA, a Fortune 100 company, and several online startups.

Home Care Business Plan PDF Example

• February 28, 2024
• Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful home care business. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your home care business’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of a home care business business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the healthcare industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your home care business concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our Home Care business plan is designed to address all vital elements necessary for a detailed and effective operational strategy. This plan encompasses the scope of our home care services, marketing approaches, the environment in which we operate, an analysis of our competitors, the structure of our management team, and financial projections. 

• Executive Summary : Offers a succinct overview of the Home Care business’s unique proposition, highlighting personalized and professional in-home care services tailored for seniors, market analysis showcasing the sector’s growth and demand, management’s expertise in senior care, and a financial strategy that outlines investment opportunities and revenue expectations.
• Services & Area Coverage: Describes the array of in-home care services, including personal care, medication management, specialized care for dementia, and emergency response, all delivered within a specified service radius to meet the unique needs of each senior.
• Pricing: Details the pricing strategy , designed to be transparent and competitive, offering flexible options to cater to various financial situations of clients, including hourly and flat-rate packages tailored to different care needs.
• Key Stats: Presents data underscoring the market size , growth trends, and demographics that illustrate the potential and necessity of home care services.
• Key Trends: Highlights significant trends such as the increasing preference for aging in place, the integration of technology in care, and a shift towards personalized care.
• Key Competitors : Analyzes the main competitors within the service area, their offerings, and how the business’s unique approach and technology set it apart.
• SWOT Analysis : Conducts a comprehensive analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to strategically position the business.
• Marketing Plan : Outlines marketing strategies aimed at building brand awareness, attracting new clients, and retaining them through superior service, patient satisfaction programs, and targeted marketing efforts.
• Timeline : Sets forth key milestones and objectives from the business setup to its launch and key growth phases.
• Management: Highlights the experienced team leading the business, from caregiving professionals to administrative management, emphasizing their roles in ensuring high-quality care and operational success.
• Financial Plan: Projects the financial outlook for the business over the next five years, detailing revenue models from various services, cost management strategies, profit margins, and expected return on investment, ensuring a clear route to financial sustainability and growth.

Home Care Business Plan

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

Download an expert-built 30+ slides Powerpoint business plan template

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary introduces your home care business plan, offering a concise overview of your agency and its services. It should detail your market positioning, the range of home care services you offer, including personal care, nursing care, and companion services, its service area, and an outline of day-to-day operations. 

This section should also explore how your home care agency will integrate into the local community, including the number of direct competitors within the area, identifying who they are, along with your agency’s unique selling points that differentiate it from these competitors. 

Furthermore, you should include information about the management and co-founding team, detailing their roles and contributions to the agency’s success. Additionally, a summary of your financial projections, including revenue and profits over the next five years, should be presented here to provide a clear picture of your agency’s financial plan.

Make sure to cover here _ Business Overview _ Market Overview _ Management Team _ Financial Plan

Dive deeper into Executive Summary

Business Overview

For a Home Care Business, the Business Overview section can be effectively divided into 2 main slides:

Services & Area Coverage

Briefly describe the range of home care services your agency offers, emphasizing the personalized and compassionate care provided to clients in the comfort of their own homes. This can include personal care services like bathing and dressing, skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and companion services such as meal preparation and light housekeeping.

Then, mention the geographic area your agency covers, highlighting the convenience and accessibility of your services to clients within this area. Explain why your service area is strategically chosen to meet the needs of your target clientele, considering factors like population demographics and the presence of community resources.

Pricing & Payment Options

Detail your pricing structure for the various home care services offered, ensuring it reflects the quality of care provided and is competitive within the market you’re targeting. Your pricing strategy should be transparent, making it easy for clients and their families to understand the cost of care.

Also,highlight any flexible payment options, insurance partnerships, or programs that can help offset the cost for clients, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance coverage. Emphasize any packages or special programs that provide added value to your clients, such as customized care plans or discounted rates for long-term services, encouraging long-term relationships and client loyalty.

Make sure to cover here _ Services & Area Coverage _ Pricing & Payment Options

Market Overview

Industry size & growth.

In the Market Overview of your home care business plan, start by examining the size of the home care industry and its growth potential.

This analysis is crucial for understanding the market’s scope and identifying expansion opportunities, particularly in the context of an aging population and increasing preference for aging in place.

Key market trends

Proceed to discuss recent market trends , such as the growing consumer interest in personalized home care services, the use of technology to improve service delivery, and the emphasis on holistic care that encompasses physical, emotional, and social well-being.

For example, highlight the demand for services tailored to specific health conditions or preferences, alongside the rising popularity of integrated care models that coordinate across different healthcare providers.

Key competitors

Then, consider the competitive landscape, which includes a range of providers from large national chains to local independent agencies, as well as emerging tech-based care solutions.

Emphasize what makes your agency distinctive, whether it’s through exceptional caregiver training, a comprehensive range of services, or specialization in certain types of care (e.g., dementia care, post-operative care).

Make sure to cover here _ Industry size & growth _ Key market trends _ Key competitors

Dive deeper into Key competitors

First, conduct a SWOT analysis for the home care business, highlighting Strengths (such as compassionate and well-trained caregivers, a comprehensive range of services), Weaknesses (including potential regulatory challenges or staffing issues), Opportunities (for example, an aging population and increasing preference for home-based care), and Threats (such as changes in healthcare policies that may affect funding or reimbursement).

Marketing Plan

Next, develop a marketing strategy that outlines how to attract and retain clients through targeted outreach, informative and empathetic communication, engaging online presence, and community partnerships. Emphasize the importance of building trust with clients and their families, showcasing testimonials, and highlighting the qualifications and dedication of your caregiving team.

Finally, create a detailed timeline that outlines critical milestones for the home care agency’s launch, client acquisition efforts, service expansion, and strategic objectives, ensuring the business advances with clear direction and purpose. Include key benchmarks for assessing the quality of care, client satisfaction, and operational efficiency to continually improve and grow your agency.

Make sure to cover here _ SWOT _ Marketing Plan _ Timeline

Dive deeper into SWOT

Dive deeper into Marketing Plan

The Management section focuses on the home care business’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the home care business towards its financial and operational goals.

For your home care business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

Financial Plan

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your home care business’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your home care business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

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