In this article, you can find some best quality, practical sales forecast templates, but first of all, let’s quickly understand what a sales forecast actually is.
A sales forecast is a method that is used to project or estimate the future sales of an entity for a particular period. This particular period is called projected period or forecast period.
After preparing a sales forecast, it is, then compared with the actual sales over the same period. This comparison or analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the sales department. Many important decisions of the entity depend on the sales forecast.
For more details and better understanding, make sure to scroll down and check out the given below sales forecast templates.
Entity’s Sales Forecast Templates
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
How to prepare a Sales Forecast?
An entity can prepare its sales forecast in any way that suits their business. However, all the necessary information and data must be taken into account while preparing the sales forecast.
Before knowing how to prepare a sales forecast, it is important to know that what are the essential elements that are required for the preparation of a sales forecast.
- A proper formal sales process, so that you know whether or not the set procedures are being followed.
- A properly prepared Customer Relationship Management or CRM.
- In order to prepare a sales forecast, the details of individual as well as team targets are also required.
- The formal process of accountability of sales representatives.
After getting the above mentioned elements, you can proceed to prepare a sales forecast as follows:
- Carefully decide the period for which a sales forecast is being prepared.
- Enlist all of your items or products.
- Estimate the number of units that you expect to sell over the forecast period.
- Multiply the sale price per unit with the estimated number of units. This product will generate estimated revenue.
- Now, determine the cost per unit and multiply it with estimated number of units. This product will generate the cost of sales or cost of goods sold.
- Now, deducting the estimated cost of sales from the estimated revenue will give you estimated profit for the forecast period.
However, it is not as simple as it looks like. Well, preparing a sales forecast itself, is simple but there are some factors that must be considered while preparing a sales forecast. These factors are mentioned below.
Simple Sales Forecast Templates
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Sales Forecast Template
Important factors to consider for Sales Forecast
For preparing an effective sales forecast, make sure to consider the following important factors:
- Changes in government laws and regulations.
- Marketing plan and marketing strategies.
- Financial strength and financial stability of the entity.
- Properly considering the inflation and like factors.
- The internal environment of the entity.
- Analysis of competitor’s potential and its position.
- Seasonal factors.
- Analyzing the current situation of the industry in which you operate.
