Choosing between DIY business planning software and hiring a professional consultant is one of the first major decisions you’ll face when starting or growing your business. Both approaches have their merits, but the right choice depends on your specific circumstances, goals, and the complexity of your venture.
When Business Planning Software is the Right Choice
Straightforward Startups
If you’re launching a relatively simple business with a proven model, business planning software like SquarePlan can be an excellent choice. This typically includes:
- Service-based businesses with low overhead
- E-commerce stores selling existing products
- Freelance or consultancy businesses
- Local retail shops with standard operations
- Small-scale hospitality ventures
Benefits of Software:
- Cost-effective: Create a professional business plan for as little as £39.99 compared to £1,000-5,000+ for professional consultants
- Flexible: Pause and cancel at any time—complete your plan in a month or take your time gathering information
- Speed: Complete your plan in hours or days, not weeks
- Full control: Update and iterate whenever needed
- Learning opportunity: Understand every aspect of your business intimately
- Templates and guidance: Step-by-step frameworks proven to work
When You Have Time to Invest
Creating your own business plan requires significant time investment—typically 20-40 hours for a comprehensive plan. If you have the bandwidth and want to deeply understand your business model, financial projections, and market positioning, software provides the perfect structured framework.
For Internal Planning and Strategy
If your primary goal is internal planning rather than securing external funding, software is often ideal. You can create living documents that evolve with your business, helping you:
- Set and track business goals
- Model different scenarios
- Monitor cash flow projections
- Communicate strategy to your team
- Prepare for board meetings
When to Hire a Professional Business Plan Consultant
Complex Business Structures
Certain ventures require sophisticated planning that benefits from professional expertise:
- Manufacturing businesses with complex supply chains
- Technology startups with intricate product development roadmaps
- Franchises requiring detailed operational frameworks
- Property development projects
- Multi-location rollout strategies
- Businesses with complex regulatory requirements
UK Grant and Funding Applications
This is perhaps the most critical consideration for UK businesses. Professional plans are often essential when applying for:
Major Government Grants:
- Innovate UK Smart Grants: Supporting ambitious technology and innovation projects
- Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund: £9.5 million fund with grants from £25,000-£500,000
- Start Up Loans Programme: While accessible, applications benefit from strong financial projections
Investment Schemes:
- SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme): Tax breaks for investors require robust financial forecasting
- EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme): Can raise up to £5 million yearly—investors expect professional documentation
- Innovate UK Investor Partnerships: Combines grant funding with equity investment, requiring sophisticated dual-purpose plans
Regional and Sector-Specific Grants: Many UK regional development agencies, sector bodies, and local enterprise partnerships require detailed business plans that demonstrate:
- Comprehensive market research
- Robust financial forecasting (often 3-5 years)
- Job creation projections
- Economic impact assessments
- Risk mitigation strategies
Investor Readiness
Seeking investment from venture capitalists, angel investors, or private equity? Investors typically expect:
- Professional presentation and polish
- Industry-specific financial benchmarks
- Competitive analysis with defensible market positioning
- Detailed go-to-market strategies
- Risk analysis and mitigation plans
Professional consultants know exactly what investors look for and can position your business for maximum appeal.
Visa Applications
If you’re applying for a UK business visa (Innovator Founder visa, Start-up visa, or Skilled Worker visa for business owners), professional business plans are virtually essential. Immigration requirements include:
- Credible financial projections verified by qualified professionals
- Comprehensive market research demonstrating viability
- Evidence of business experience and capability
- Job creation forecasts for UK workers
- Compliance with specific Home Office criteria
When You Lack Financial Expertise
Creating credible financial projections requires understanding:
- Cash flow forecasting
- P&L statements
- Balance sheets
- Break-even analysis
- Scenario modeling
- Industry-specific metrics
If this isn’t your forte, professional consultants can create robust, investor-ready financial models that stand up to scrutiny.
Time Constraints and Opportunity Cost
If you’re racing against an application deadline or your time is better spent on other business-critical activities (product development, client acquisition, team building), paying for professional expertise makes economic sense.
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Many successful entrepreneurs use a combination:
- Start with software to work through your business model, understand your market, and create initial financial projections
- Refine with a professional when you’re ready to approach investors or apply for significant grants
- Maintain with software for ongoing planning, updates, and internal strategy
This approach gives you the learning benefits and cost savings of software while ensuring you have professional polish when it matters most.
UK-Specific Considerations
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Certain UK industries require business plans as part of licensing or regulatory compliance:
- Financial services (FCA authorization)
- Healthcare providers (CQC registration)
- Education institutions (Ofsted requirements)
- Construction companies tendering for public contracts
- Social enterprises applying for social investment
In these cases, professional consultants familiar with regulatory requirements can save significant time and prevent costly mistakes.
Regional Development Funding
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and English regions each have specific business development schemes with unique requirements. A consultant with local expertise can navigate:
- Scottish Enterprise funding
- Business Wales support schemes
- Invest Northern Ireland programmes
- Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England
Brexit and International Trade
If your business involves international trade, export plans, or EU market expansion, professional consultants can help navigate:
- Export documentation requirements
- UK Global Tariff implications
- Customs and border procedures
- International market entry strategies
Making Your Decision: A Practical Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
1. What’s your funding requirement?
- Under £25,000: Software likely sufficient
- £25,000-£150,000: Consider hybrid approach
- Over £150,000: Professional plan recommended
2. What’s your business complexity?
- Simple service/retail: Software works well
- Manufacturing/tech/regulated: Consider professional help
- Multi-location/franchise: Professional recommended
3. What’s your timeline?
- Internal planning with flexible timeline: Software
- Funding deadline in 2-4 weeks: Professional if budget allows
- Visa application: Professional strongly recommended
4. What’s your financial expertise?
- Comfortable with financial modeling: Software
- Limited financial background: Consider professional help
- Complex financial structures: Professional recommended
5. What’s your primary purpose?
- Internal strategy and planning: Software
- Investor pitches or major grants: Professional or hybrid
- Visa/regulatory requirement: Professional
Conclusion
There’s no single right answer—the best choice depends on your specific situation. DIY business planning software offers an affordable, flexible, and educational approach perfect for straightforward startups and internal planning. Professional consultants provide invaluable expertise for complex businesses, major funding applications, and situations requiring specialized knowledge.
Consider starting with software to develop your business thinking, then engaging a professional when you’re ready to approach serious investors or tackle complex funding applications. This gives you both financial efficiency and professional polish when it matters most.
Whatever path you choose, remember that a business plan is a living document. The planning process itself—thinking deeply about your market, customers, finances, and strategy—is often more valuable than the final document.
How SquarePlan Can Help
At SquarePlan, we understand that different businesses need different solutions. That’s why we offer both:
Business Planning Software - Our intuitive online platform helps you create professional business plans with templates, financial forecasting tools, and step-by-step guidance. With the flexibility to pause and cancel at any time, you can create your business plan within a month for just £39.99, or take your time gathering information and working on your plan over several months. Perfect for startups and small businesses who want full control over their planning process.
Professional Business Plan Writing - Our experienced team of consultants can create bespoke, investor-ready business plans tailored to your specific needs. Ideal for complex businesses, major funding applications, and visa requirements. Get in touch for a quote.
Not sure which option is right for you? Contact us and we’ll help you choose the best approach for your business goals.