• Design for Business
  • Most Recent
  • Presentations
  • Infographics
  • Data Visualizations
  • Forms and Surveys
  • Video & Animation
  • Case Studies
  • Digital Marketing
  • Design Inspiration
  • Visual Thinking
  • Product Updates
  • Visme Webinars
  • Artificial Intelligence

How to Write an Impressive One-Page Business Plan [Including Templates]

How to Write an Impressive One-Page Business Plan [Including Templates]

Written by: Olujinmi Oluwatoni

How to Write an Impressive One-Page Business Plan [Including Templates]

Looking to launch a startup or drive growth for an existing business?

A well-crafted business plan is a valuable roadmap that can increase your chances of success.

According to a survey by Bplans , companies that wrote business plans were twice more likely to expand their businesses, attract investors, or secure loans compared to those who didn't.

Unlike the traditional multi-page business plan, a one page business plan is concise and snackable. It helps you attract investor attention and quickly communicate your vision and strategies without boring them.

So how do you create an impressive one-page business plan?

In this article, we're going to provide you with practical insights on how to create a one-page business plan effectively. We'll also offer you some customizable templates that will jumpstart your planning journey.

Table of Contents

  • What is a One-Page Business Plan

Benefits of Using a One-Page Business Plan

  • What Should a One-Page Business Plan Include

How to Create a One-Page Business Plan

  • 8 One-Page Business Plan Templates
  • A one-page business plan is a concise document that provides a quick and clear overview of a business's core aspects.
  • One-page business plans are faster to create, serve as an outline for a more comprehensive plan, make it easy to get feedback and are easy to modify and revise.
  • Here are the key elements of a one-page business plan: The executive summary, business opportunity, value proposition, team members, industry analysis, target market, marketing plan, revenue model, implementation time, financial summary, funding requirements and contact information.
  • To design a startup one pager, you should create an outline, research and gather information, choose a template, write the content, design visual components and share it with investors.
  • Visme's offers a user-friendly interface with a wide range of customizable templates and features that’ll help you create your one-page business plan seamlessly.

What Is a One-Page Business Plan?

A One-pager business plan is a concise document that summarizes the key elements of a business idea or venture. They serve as a streamlined version of traditional, comprehensive business plans .

With a one-page business plan, you can distill your value proposition, target market, market analysis, strategies and projections on a single page. It is especially useful when seeking to secure funding as it offers a brief overview that can be quickly delivered to stakeholders and investors.

One pager business plans can also be considered a strategy manual for you, your team or any other outside party that wants to gain insight into what your business does.

Here's why creating a one-page business plan is beneficial:

Time Efficiency

Creating a comprehensive, multi-page business plan can take a lot of time and be daunting, especially for business people who have a lot on their plates.

A one-page business plan provides a more time-effective option that enables business owners to describe their business plans without getting bogged down in pointless details.

Investor Engagement

Attracting the attention of investors is difficult since they are always flooded with company pitches.

However, a visually appealing and outstanding one-page business plan can stick out like a beacon. By leveraging the brevity of a one-pager plan, you can pique an investor’s interest by communicating your business potential in a concise manner.

Outline For More Comprehensive Plan

When developing a traditional, in-depth business plan, one-page business plans serve as excellent starting points. It is useful for sketching out concepts before committing significant time to writing a detailed business plan that you'll likely need to revise.

Once you've finished your company one-pager and are satisfied with it, you'll have the right foundation on which to build a more comprehensive version.

Easy to Share and Distribute

One-page documents can be easily shared via print, internet, email, and social media channels.

It's also a handy tool for entrepreneurs to use while presenting their company at conferences or meeting with potential investors. This adaptability makes it easy to share your business idea with stakeholders and investors in a targeted manner.

What Should a One-Page Business Plan Include?

Whether you're in the early stages of developing your business, looking to maintain the growth of your already established business or seeking expansion, your one-page business plan should comprise the following essential elements:

Executive Summary

An executive summary gives an overview of your business story. It is the part of the report where you hook the reader's attention and give a brief overview of your business essence. Your executive summary should be concise and no longer than two sentences.

The Business Opportunity

This section should clearly articulate the precise problem your venture is setting out to solve. You should clearly state the pain points and challenges that your potential users or customers currently face.

Let’s say you’re writing a plan for a logistics software company. Your business opportunity section could look like this:

Many businesses struggle with the complex task of optimizing delivery routes for their fleet, leading to increased fuel costs, longer delivery times, and decreased customer satisfaction. Existing route planning methods often lack real-time updates and fail to account for variables like traffic, weather, and delivery windows. This results in suboptimal routes and operational inefficiencies that hinder businesses from delivering their products in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Value Proposition

In this section of your one-pager, you should briefly describe the unique value of your product and how your company sets out to solve the identified problem.

Using the example above, here’s a value proposition:

Our cutting-edge software harnesses the power of real-time data, predictive analytics, and advanced algorithms to create optimal delivery routes on the fly. By taking into account variables such as live traffic updates, weather conditions, delivery windows, and vehicle capacities, we ensure that every route is not only the shortest, but also the most time-sensitive and cost-effective option available.

Team Members

This is the driving force behind any successful venture. Introduce the key individuals running the operations of the business, including their qualifications and core competencies.

Industry Analysis

Briefly identify your competitors and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. Delve into their market share if the space permits.

But most importantly, take the opportunity to emphasize your own competitive advantage. Highlight what sets your business apart from competitors, whether it's unique features, pricing strategy, technology, or other factors.

Target Market

This section should highlight the specific audience or customer segment that your business is aiming to serve. You can include the following specifics when talking about your target audience:

  • Geographic location
  • Target market size
  • Demographics such as age, income, and lifestyle.
  • Spending habits

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan explains how you'll promote your goods and services, generate consumer demand and meet it. You should include information such as your marketing channels and promotional strategy.

Revenue Model

You should explain how your business generates or plans to generate income in this section. Highlight your pricing and revenue strategy, whether it is subscription-based, pay-per-use, advertising, licensing or freemium models.

Implementation Timeline

How will you roll out the business and which phases will be involved? Briefly talk about these roadmaps in this section. You can utilize a visual aid such as a chart, graph or map to provide a clear picture of your implementation timeline.

Financial Summary

Your financial summary section should highlight your vital financial indicators such as profit and loss, cash flow, balance sheet and sales projections.

For enhanced comprehension, consider incorporating visual aids to convey the financial data in this section. Fortunately, Visme offers a diverse range of data visualization tools that you can use to visualize various types of data.

Funding Required

In this section, specify the amount of funding you are seeking from potential investors. You should also specify the aspects of your business that the funding will support. Clearly stating your financial needs demonstrates your thoughtfulness in resource allocation.

Contact Information

Include contact details at the end of your plan. This will allow potential investors, partners, customers, and other stakeholders to easily reach out for inquiries, collaborations, or further discussions.

Depending on your purpose for writing this plan, you could leave out certain of the points listed above from your one-page business plan.

Follow the steps below to create a compelling one-page business plan. If you're in a hurry or need assistance getting your plan off the ground quickly, Visme's AI business plan generator can help you do it in just a few minutes.

Create an Outline

First, list out the essential parts of your business plan. Rank the components and select the ones that are most relevant to your business plan. Then use that to develop an outline.

Research And Gather Information

After determining the sections your one-page business plan should have, the next thing you need to do is gather the information required to fill them.

This may require you to conduct a study on your target demographics, collate past financial statements and identify current market trends. You might also need to conduct customer surveys, analyze competitor performance and collect quotes/estimates for future costs.

The goal of a one-page plan is not to sacrifice accuracy or specificity on the altar of conciseness. So just as with a full-fledged business plan, creating a one-page business plan requires thorough research.

Use a One-Page Business Plan Template

Creating business plans from scratch can prove laborious, especially if you're not a professional designer. However, you can skip all of that grunt work with Visme.

You can choose a template from Visme's collection of one-page business plan templates and adapt it to your specific requirements. Modify the background colors, texts, pictures and font colors, among other things, to reflect your brand identity and taste.

With Visme’s Brand Wizard , you can have all vital brand assets from your website automatically imported into your workspace and applied to every asset you create. Plus, Visme’s sharing and collaboration options make it convenient for teams to work together on creating concise and impactful one-pagers.

Hear what one of our customers has to say about Visme:

“You stumble on some templates and you’re blown away that someone put in such time and effort into creating them. You did not know you needed them in your life until that minute.”

Lorens | Graphic Designer

Write the Content

Condense the gathered information to its core essentials and insert them into the relevant sections that you have previously outlined in step one. Keep each section concise, using no more than two to 3 brief sentences or a bullet list of 2 to 3 key points.

It's important to be mindful of the length here, as trimming down your content when it extends past a single page might be challenging.

Design Visual Components

After filling in all of the text, you might want to add some visual elements to the plan to effectively illustrate information or data.

For instance, you may choose to present market share with the use of a pie chart or depict financial summary using a bar chart, graph or any other data visualization tool. Adding visual components not only makes your design more compelling but can also be an efficient way to manage the space on your page.

Some other visuals you can include are stock photos, 3D graphics, icons, shapes, characters and avatars, ai-generated images, videos and animated graphics.

Share Your One-Pager

It's time to show prospective investors your one-pager now that it's finished. You can download or share the document in a number of ways with Visme.

If your one pager has interactive features, here are some options available to you:

  • Download as an HTML5 file
  • Share via a private link with password access
  • Share via a public link
  • Send an invitation with a link
  • Embed into a website with a snippet code

However, if it's a static document, you can download it as a PDF or an image or share it right on social media.

8 One Page Business Plan Templates

One page business plan.

Crafted to cater to the needs of both startups and established enterprises, this template will help you pitch investors in a clear and succinct way. From your value proposition to target audience, revenue model and key metrics, every vital detail finds its place.

Just like every other Visme template, this design may be customized in every way imaginable. Insert your company's colors, logo, icons and images into the design to give it a more personalized feel.

If you would like to change the custom images, you can utilize Visme’s AI image generator to create new professional images of your choice or improve on existing ones. Simply type your prompts and watch the magic happen in seconds.

One Page Business Plan

Retail Business One Pager Proposal

Whether you're launching a new retail endeavor or refining an existing one, this template is your key to capturing attention and securing support.

Effortlessly communicate your store's vision, unique selling points, target market and sales strategy in a visually compelling format.

Struggling with content? With Visme's built-in AI writer , creating content is a breeze. This tool's sophisticated text creation, modification and proofreading features will help you save time and energy while producing high-quality work.

Retail Business Plan One Pager Proposal

Sales Business Plan One Pager

Whether you're seeking investors, aligning your team, or optimizing your sales approach, this one page plan is your go-to solution.

Use this nifty template to put up a professional-looking presentation of your company's data, products and services and more. Also included are sections in which you may provide details about your business, its offerings, special features, statistics and more.

Sales Business Plan One Pager

With its eye-catching design, you can present your strategies and numbers in a way that captures the reader's attention instantly.

Use Visme's interactive features , such as clickable buttons and links, to pique the interest of your audience and encourage them to learn more.

Finance Business Plan One Pager

Attract potential investors and partners to your finance business with this stunning one pager template.

Lay out your financial strategies, whether it's investment management, financial consulting, or any other niche. Showcase how you'll stand out in a competitive landscape.

This well-designed one-pager incorporates charts, graphs and visuals to make your financial projections and strategies even more compelling. Investors and stakeholders will be impressed by your data-driven approach.

To quickly find design elements in the Visme editor, use the shortcut key. With a simple click of the forward-slash (/), you can conduct a targeted search or quickly skim through the available options.

Finance Business Plan One Pager

Marketing Business Plan One-Pager

Provide your audience with a comprehensive overview of your marketing approach without overwhelming them by using this template. Showcase your target audience, unique value proposition, distribution channels and key performance metrics in a visually compelling format.

Make use of visual aids like charts and graphs to communicate your findings from market research, analysis of the competition and growth estimates. Backed by data, you'll command attention from investors and partners eager to join your journey.

You can also include a link to an explainer video that demonstrates the value you provide. Create videos with ease using Visme and store related files in dedicated brand folders for easy access.

Marketing Business Plan One Pager

Retail Business Start-Up One Pager

Whether you're seeking investment, sharing your vision with potential partners, or mapping out your start-up strategy, this template offers a way to make a compelling case.

With a focus on clarity, this start-up one pager template enables you to present your business concept, target market, product offerings and initial financial projections on a single, engaging page.

You can keep track of the data for each one pager you send out using Visme analytics . More precise activity tracking is possible when you customize each document and save it separately with the prospect's name.

Retail Business Startup One Pager

Tech Business Plan One-Pager

Whether you're seeking funding, aligning your team, or refining your tech strategy, this simple one-pager template is your ultimate tool.

Utilize this template to showcase your product/service, target market, technology stack and key milestones in a visually compelling format.

You can download your design as a JPG, PNG, or PDF to print or share with your team members for collaboration. Sharing Visme projects through live links allows you to track who accessed your work using Visme’s analytics.

Tech Business Plan One Pager

Ecommerce Business Plan One-Pager

The vibrant color used in this design is sure to catch the eye of your audience right away. This makes it an excellent option for showcasing the worth of your eCommerce solution to potential investors or business associates.

This one-pager touches on your product range, market analysis, marketing strategy and analysis in a visually captivating format.

Ecommerce Business Plan One Pager

Using Visme's collaboration features , you may swiftly solicit input from your partners or mentors while controlling permissions to edit or comment.

To add people to your workspace, follow the short tutorial video below.

Create Winning Business Plans with Visme

One-page business plans are great because they force you to distill your ideas and goals into concise and focused points. This brevity makes it easier to communicate your vision to investors, track progress and adapt to changes quickly.

Creating a professional one-page business plan is seamless with Visme. You can access a wide range of customizable templates, graphics to effectively convey the plan and impress your audience.

Visme's real-time collaboration tools and flexible sharing options allow you to effectively involve all relevant parties in developing and communicating your business plan, even when you're not physically together.

Apart from one-pager business plans, you can make all types of business one pagers , pitch decks, proposals , reports and all kinds of business content in minutes with Visme.

Sign up for Visme today to start creating excellent and compelling business content that’ll help you achieve your business goals.

Create winning one-page business plans with Visme

example one page business plan

Trusted by leading brands

Capterra

Recommended content for you:

What is Product Management: The Complete Guide for 2024

Create Stunning Content!

Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice.

example one page business plan

About the Author

Olujinmi is a Content writer for Visme who creates human-first SEO content. She loves helping businesses smash their ROI goals with strategic content development and optimization. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her composing songs.

example one page business plan

woman taking inventory with clipboard and preview of one-page business plan template

Free Download

One-Page Business Plan Template

A simpler way to create your business plan..

Or plan with expert support in LivePlan. Save 50% today

Available formats:

Google Icon

Downloads: 32,481

Why build a one-page business plan?

speedometer icon indicating speed

You don’t need days or even hours. In less than 30 minutes, you can develop an initial business plan.

checkmark icon

Skip the 40-page detailed plan. Anyone can document their business strategy using the one-page business plan.

Export Icon

It’s shareable

Need quick feedback from business partners, potential customers, or friends? Provide them with a one-page plan.

Trophy icon indicating impressiveness

It’s impressive

It’s hard to get potential investors to read a detailed business plan. A one-page plan is something that every investor has time to read.

Money-Back Guarantee

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

Start building your one-page plan today

Watch this quick video to learn how to create a one-page business plan.

Video thumbnail showing male business planning expert sharing tips on how to write a one page business plan.

2 great ways to build your plan:

grey template icon

Our free template:

Get a blank template and instructions for how to build your one-page plan.

liveplan avatar logo

LivePlan software:

Confidently build your plan with step-by-step guidance and expert world-class support.

What's included?

A Blank Template + Instructions
AI-Powered Writing Assistant
Automatic Forecast Builder
Industry Benchmark Data
550+ Sample Business Plans
Expert 1-1 Human Support
Educational Webinars

One-page business plan FAQ

What is a one-page business plan?

The one-page business plan is a simplified version of traditional operational plans that focuses on the core aspects of your business. While it may be a shorter business plan, it still follows the structure of a standard business plan and serves as a beefed-up pitch document.

There’s really not a lot of difference between a single-page business plan and a good executive summary. In fact, as you create a more detailed plan you may even be able to use it as your executive summary .

Who should use a one page business plan?

A one-page plan is useful for business owners that are mulling over ideas, just starting, actively managing, or looking to grow a business. It can help validate a business idea, work as an internal strategy document, or as a flexible management tool that can be adapted over time.

How do I write a business plan on one page?

You can use the one-page business plan template, or a tool like LivePlan that saves you time by guiding you through each step of writing your one-page plan and pitch.

Why choose this one-page business plan template?

There are a few key features that make this one-page business template more functional and effective than your average template.

Written by planning experts: This one-page business plan template wasn't just thrown together. It was crafted by seasoned planning experts with a combined 40 years of experience writing and reviewing business plans. Throughout this template, you find their expert tips and tricks, along with detailed instructions.

Works with other Bplans resources: Need additional guidance to write your business plan? Our free one-page business planning guide is built to support this template—giving you even more detailed walkthroughs for each section.

What is included in this one-page business plan template?

This template includes definitions, guidance, and examples to complete your one-page business plan. After downloading the template, you'll receive instructions for how to fill out each of the following sections:

Identity What does your company do or offer and to whom?

Problem worth solving What challenges does your company solve?

Our solution How does your company solve those challenges?

Target market Who makes up your target audience? Who are your ideal segments, personas, or customers?

Competitive landscape Who are your competitors? What makes them successful in your industry?

Sales channels How will you get your product/service to customers?

Marketing activities How will you get your product/service in front of potential customers?

Revenue What goods/services will drive revenue?

Expenses What items will cost you money?

Funding required Have what funding total you need front and center to clearly display what you are asking from investors.

Milestones What projects or tasks must be completed in order to reach your goals?

Team and roles Who is a critical part of your internal team (name/role)?

Partners and resources Who else is supporting your venture/business?

Can you print out this template?

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 one-page business plan?

There are plenty of good reasons why your first step should be writing a one-page plan.

1. It’s faster Instead of slogging away for hours, days, or even weeks tackling a formal business plan—the one-page format helps you get your ideas down much faster. It removes the complex formatting,

2. A great format for feedback Need quick feedback from business partners, colleagues, potential customers, or your spouse? Provide them with a one-page plan instead of a lengthy in-depth version for better results.

The one-page plan is more likely to be read and reviewed. And since all of your business information is available at a glance, you’ll receive far more valuable and timely feedback.

3. Easy to update Entrepreneurs never get things right the first time. You’ll constantly be learning and receiving feedback—requiring you to iterate and revise your business concept. Instead of updating a large document every time, you can do it in minutes with a one-page plan.

4. Direct and to-the-point Learning to communicate your ideas clearly and directly is critical. You need to be sure that anyone can really understand the essence of your business. Delivering your entire business concept on a single page is a great way to practice this, as it forces you to be succinct.

5. Works as an idea validation tool Initially, your business is just a set of assumptions that you need to validate. Do your potential customers have the problem you assume they have? Do they like your solution and are they willing to pay for it? What marketing and sales tactics will work?

As you validate these assumptions, you leave them in your plan. But, assumptions that end up being wrong will quickly fall off the page.

6. Becomes an outline for your detailed plan By “detailed” we don’t mean “long.” If you do need to create a detailed business plan document for investors or business partners, you can use your one-page plan as your core outline. You will just expand and provide more details for each section.

7. No one really reads long business plans A common problem with traditional business plans is that they are simply too long and overly complex. Even when investors ask for a detailed document, chances are that they won’t actually read every word. They may read certain sections, but often just want to see if you’ve thought through the details of your business, how it will operate, and how it will grow.

8. Useful for any business stage A one-page plan is useful for business owners that are mulling over ideas, just starting, actively managing, or looking to grow a business. It can help validate a business idea, work as an internal strategy document, or as a flexible management tool that can be adapted over time.

Is there a better way to write my one-page business plan than with this template?

While this template will help you get started, using the #1-rated business planning software, LivePlan has step-by-step guidance, support from our business planning experts, and powerful planning tools like AI-powered writing assistance, automatic forecasting, industry benchmark data, and more.

Can someone write your business plan for you?

If you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template, 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.

�� Pro Tip:

Related Resources

example one page business plan

How to Write a Business Plan in Under an Hour

example one page business plan

10 Qualities of Great Business Plans

Download your one-page plan template

Edit in Google Docs

Download as Docx

Download as PDF

LivePlan on a computer

Finish your business plan with confidence

Step-by-step guidance and world-class support from the #1 business planning software

Garrett's Bike Shop

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

LivePlan pitch example

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

example one page business plan

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Legal Templates

Home Business Plan One-Page

One-Page Business Plan Template

Focus on the core aspects of your business using a one-page business plan.

One-Page Business Plan Template

Updated September 22, 2023 Written by Josh Sainsbury | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

A One-Page Business Plan is a concise and summarized version of a comprehensive business plan. It captures the essential elements of a business idea or proposal on a single page, serving as a high-level overview of its vision, objectives, strategies, and action points.

The brevity of a one-page plan makes it especially useful for quickly conveying a business idea without overwhelming the reader.

What is a One-Page Business Plan?

When to use a one-page business plan, who should use a one-page business plan, how to write a one-page business plan, one-page business plan sample, advantages and disadvantages of a one-page business plan, frequently asked questions.

A one-page business plan is a simplified version of a complete business plan. Although the plan is shorter, it still outlines the basics of your future company. It follows the same structure as the standard version but with less detail.

The one-page plan allows you to condense and present the information in an easy-to-read format.

Similar plans like a lean business plan or executive summary also allow you to present your business in a condensed format.

However, an accurate one-page business plan must fit on one page. It must also use a legible font size of 11 or 12 points.

A one-page business plan would be best when ready to present your ideas to others, such as potential investors. Instead of filling out an extensive business plan, you can start small to get started.

This lets you present your ideas cogently.

You should use a one-page business plan template to:

  • Present a simple version of your business plan to interested investors
  • Get started on writing a more comprehensive business plan
  • Create a plan for a small business or one with a simple purpose
  • Focus on your key ideas to generate interest
  • Brainstorm and plan for your future company

One-page business plans aren’t limited to just one type of business; they can be used in a multitude of scenarios, including:

Businesses in the ideation stage

A one-page business plan is ideal for building a quick overview for people and businesses still brainstorming ideas. A simple plan allows it to be amended and updated as the concept is developed and keeps all the ideas on a single page.

When you start, you will want to constantly refer back to your business plan to ensure you stick to your goals and core objectives. A traditional business plan doesn’t quite fit into an agile startup because it can be time-consuming to update and tweak as you grow and learn.

Using a one-page plan means you can edit it easily and either create a traditional plan down the line or, if you’ve already made one, fully update it once you feel more concrete with your goals.

Established companies

A one-page business plan isn’t limited to new and developing businesses. Established companies can take advantage of adding a one-page plan to their business strategy.

You can share your existing strategy internally and externally in a snapshot that will be easily understood by all, helping everyone to get on board with your goals.

Writing a one-page business plan is simple, mainly when you use a template to help you get started. A one-page business plan should cover the following sections:

Step 1 – Business Overview

It would be best if you discussed essential facts about your business and its identifying information, such as:

  • Founding date
  • Mission statement
  • Type of business (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.)
  • Owner and leadership contact information
  • Service of process information

one-page business plan business details

Makes It Easy to Read: Use a legible and professional font that is easy to read and the right size. Be sure to format your document so it flows well. A template one-page business plan can help with this.

Step 2 – Market Analysis

You need to identify who your customers are and where they are located. This section should also address how many potential customers are available in your business’s geographical area.

This should also include whether you will engage in primarily business-to-consumer (B2C) or business-to-business (B2B) transactions.

one-page business plan market analysis details

Step 3 – Your Business Model

A description of your business model should consist of information like:

  • How you will make money
  • Costs of production and sales
  • Prices customers will pay for products or services
  • Will your company sell products online?
  • Will you have a storefront presence?

This section could quickly become lengthy. Focus on the critical components of your business for the single-page business plan.

one-page business plan marketing and sales details

Focus on Your Strengths: This short plan is likely a pitching tool to investors. Lead with the winning aspects of your business that set you apart from the rest—your value proposition.

Step 4 – Financial Forecast

This section should outline critical financial metrics like cash flow, profit and loss, and a sales forecast. This part is often difficult to condense, but you should focus on standard business ratios that help you get the point across.

You can always provide further details if you receive a request for financial projections.

one-page business plan financial information

Step 5 – The Team

This final section should detail each team member’s names, roles, and responsibilities.

one-page business plan team information

Keep It Short: Keep each section short and to the point. Sections should be limited to 1 or 2 sentences or between 3 and 4 bullet points.

You can download a free one-page business plan template below, in Word or PDF format:

one page business plan

All types of business plans have their benefits and their drawbacks, including a one-page business plan:

Advantages of Using a One-Page Business Plan:

  • See the big picture – There will be plenty of situations through the growth of the business that will require a snapshot of your business venture. A one-page plan shows multiple elements of your strategy but focuses on the big picture and what’s important.
  • Consense your thoughts and ideas – Condensing your thoughts and ideas allows you to be more critical of your business and provide a brief overview of your plan. It will enable you to show investors, your management team, and potential partners a quick run-through of your business.
  • Faster to create than a traditional business plan – Designed to be completed quickly and easily, a one-page plan is much quicker to produce than a full-length business plan and will see you running through each section of your plan. You’ll likely have to revisit it to make amendments, but luckily, with everything on one page, it won’t be time-consuming.
  • Keep your core objectives at the forefront – As your business grows, processes and operations will become more challenging to manage and maintain. But when it comes down to making the big decisions, you can always refer back to your one-page business plan to keep your core business objectives in mind.

Disadvantages of Using a One-Page Business Plan:

  • Not suitable for complex business ideas that require lots of supporting data – If your business idea is difficult or your financial projections are detailed, you might struggle to get all the vital information into a one-page plan.
  • Not as detailed as a traditional business plan – Squeezing all your business plans onto one page often means you will miss out on essential details that could be crucial to getting investment or bringing additional partners on board.
  • Hard to identify weaknesses and potential opportunities – Only seeing a snapshot of your business can make it challenging to identify any potential faults that could harm your business venture. The lack of in-depth customer and competitor information could also result in missing profitable opportunities.

Tips for Creating a One-Page Business Plan

Now that you’re ready to create your one-page business plan, here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Use a one-page business plan template to simplify the process; you can download the template above in PDF and Word.
  • Make sure your plan focuses on the core information key to running and operating a successful business.
  • Revisit, tweak and change. This isn’t a static document; update it as your business grows and develops.
  • Before writing your single-page business plan, understand your target market and where your product or service fits. Don’t forget your value proposition.
  • Don’t skip the financial projections, especially if you require funding.
  • Keep your core goals and objectives realistic and achievable.

What should a one-page business plan include?

A one-page business plan should include the important details about your business. It should contain brief information about the following:

  • Business goals and mission statement
  • Product or service offerings
  • Target market and advertising strategies
  • Identifying information
  • Financial status and funding needs

Can I create my one-page business plan?

Yes, you can create your one-page plan. Just download the template and start building your business strategy’s big picture.

Alternatively, you could use our document builder, the fastest and easiest way to create your single-page business plan.

  • Legal Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

One-Page Business Plan Template

The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.

Thank you for downloading!

How would you rate your free template?

Click on a star to rate

One Page Business Plan for Word, PDF

Free One Page Business Plan Template

Download Free Template

Available for Word & PDF

Your download is available!

Click to download your document template in the format you need.

Your download is ready!

Download One Page Business Plan for Word & PDF or email it to yourself later.

Download One Page Business Plan for Word & PDF.

  • Send to email

Plus, you've unlocked access to our full collection of 130 hand-built business templates!

Template Highlights

  • Eight (short) sections: Business Opportunity, Industry Analysis, Target Market, Company Description, Timeline, Marketing Plan, Financial Plan, and Funding Requirements.
  • Easy instructions for each part.
  • Zhuzh it up a bit with your company logo and branding.
  • Download it as a PDF or Word file.
  • Print it, email it, send it via Morse code.

Why all businesses should create a business plan

For startups and enterprises alike, there are many reasons to create a one-page business plan. For example, it can help you:

  • Show your progress and how you intend to grow : Your business plan lists vital information on your company, such as your goals, market research results, and success milestones.
  • Determine a realistic budget to ensure success : If you don’t create a proper plan, you might underestimate fixed and variable costs and, therefore, lack the financial capacity to succeed.
  • Provide concrete information to potential investors : By having a detailed business plan in place, you’ll be able to effectively convey your business goals to internal stakeholders, and you’ll stand a better chance of winning over investors.
  • Fulfill the requirements for securing a business loan : Many financial institutions won’t even consider giving you a loan without seeing your plan.

Should you create a business plan from scratch?

You can do this, but it’s often more hassle than it’s worth. If you’ve never made a business plan before, you’ll need to do a lot of research on what to include and ensure you create a professional and eye-catching document.  If you download our free one-page business plan template, you’ll save time and ensure you cover every relevant detail.

How to use the one-page business plan template

Here are the steps for filling out our template:

  • Enter your contact details to download the template in Microsoft Word or as a PDF.
  • Gather your relevant business documents, such as market research results and financial statements, in case you need to include details from them.  
  • Add information to all the fields, including Company Description, Target Market, Industry Analysis, Implementation Timeline, Funding Required, and Financial Summary.
  • Get feedback from business partners, employees, or other parties to ensure that all information is correct and up to date.
  • Proofread to ensure there are no errors. These look unprofessional, leaving a bad impression of your business.  
  • Save your business plan in various locations and formats. This helps you share your plan with stakeholders via email or present it at company meetings.

Template Preview

One page business plan.

One-Page Business Plan Template

This brief business plan template encourages you to stick to your core message and provide investors with just the information they need to know about your new venture.

The Business Opportunity

What is the problem your business will solve? Focus on the customer’s needs.

Give your elevator pitch. Be succinct, clear, and persuasive.

Be sure to include your value proposition -- What do you offer that no one else does?

Industry Analysis

List key factors for success in your industry.

Who is your main competition?

Company Description

Identify important facts about your business:

• Founding date

• Mission statement

• Type of organization

• Core strengths

• Main leadership

Target Market

Describe your customer segments.

Will you serve a particular geographical area?

Implementation Timeline

Provide a brief summary of how you will roll out the business. Consider depicting the different phases in a diagram. You can use the timeline below as a template.

Marketing Plan

Describe what methods you will use to acquire new customers.

Why would your target market prefer your product or service to another option?

Financial Summary

Cost Structure: What are your fixed and variable costs?

Revenue Streams: How will your business make money?

Funding Required

Present the amount of funding that you are seeking from investors and how it will be used.

HubSpot Tip: Be sure to edit and review your plan for typos before distributing it. Errors in a short document can be distracting to the reader and make you look unprofessional.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should i create a business plan, what types of companies need a business plan, how do i write a one page business plan, what should my business plan focus on, is this template free, can i edit this template, related tags:.

  • Business Plans

Related Business Templates

Root cause analysis.

Use this free root cause analysis template to identify the source of business issues and create a pl...

Business Case

Make a case for an upcoming project or investment with the help of this free business case template.

Action Plan

Use our free action plan template to help get your business or project goals off the ground.

Fishbone Diagram

Identify a problem's root causes efficiently with a fishbone diagram. This visualization template ca...

Process Map

Streamline your workflow, enhance efficiency, and foster continuous improvement in your organization...

Download the free 5 whys template to identify the root cause of business challenges and develop prac...

Succession Plan

Enhance your organization’s leadership continuity, improve workforce readiness, and ensure smooth tr...

Business One-Pager Template

Use this professional one-pager template to help capture the attention of stakeholders and potential...

Decision Tree

Use this free decision tree template to understand the potential outcomes of your business decisions...

Profit and Loss Statement

Use this free profit and loss statement template to analyze performance over time and improve your c...

Get this template for free!

This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure for more.

Advertisement:

How to write a One Page Business Plan: templates, ideas, and a step-by-step guide

example one page business plan

Preston Lee

Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur, Inc, Forbes, Adobe, and many more. Learn more »

Download our FREE one page business plan template + guide

The problem with business plans, using a one page business plan, vs. using no business plan at all, vs. a lengthy, drawn out business plan, the one page business plan bias, so what should you include in a one page business plan, examples of successful one page business plans, chris guillebeau’s one page business plan from the $100 startup, fizzle’s one page business sketch template, bplan’s one page business plan template, how to write a one page business plan from patrick bet-david of valuetainment, millo’s own one page business plan template & step-by-step guide, some final encouragement about your one page business plan, show me your one page business plans.

BIG NEWS! We just released The Freelance Files , a collection of professional done-for-you email scripts, contracts, invoices, and more for smarter freelancing. The first 50 customers, save 50% with this link .

Writing a one page business plan (instead of a hundred-page, in-depth business plan no one will ever read) has become a popular and efficient way to get your small business moving in the right direction.

This article is meant to be an all-inclusive resource for anyone wanting to write their own one page business plan and use it to actually start a business .

I’ll include links to quality one page business plan templates, ideas for what to include in a business plan, and more resources to walk you through the process of building a one page business plan yourself.

If you’re ready to skip all of this and just want to download our one page business plan completely free, you can enter your email below and we’ll send it to you asap. Otherwise, keep reading.

Here’s the fundamental problem with business plans—I’m not talking about a one page business plan here, I’m talking about the typical business plan you might see in silicon valley or presented to a bank loan officer.

Therein lies the issue: if you’re looking for a one page business plan template, you’re most likely not headed to the bank to try and get some huge loan to start your business.

Like millions of people around the world, you’re probably a freelancer, a side-hustler, a solopreneur or aspiring to be one of these.

You’re not trying to start the next huge corporation. You just want to make some extra money on the side—and maybe eventually quit your job and work for yourself.

For this much more common purpose, a one page business plan is the exact perfect remedy.

Why? Because by putting all your business plans onto just one single page, you’re forced to do a few things:

  • Prioritize: Limiting your business plan to one page means you can only include the most important elements of your new small business.
  • Simplify: When you’re dreaming up what your business might look like in the future it can be really easy to get carried away. By limiting your business plan to one page, you force yourself to keep it simple.
  • Organize: Instead of letting all your dreams and plans swirl around in your brain, putting them down into a simple one page business plan allows you to quickly organize and move forward.

By forcing yourself to prioritize, simplify, and organize, you’ll find you can get down to what’s more important in your business: actually getting work done and getting paid for the work you do.

Let’s compare what your first 6-12 months of business might look like with a one page business plan vs. no business plan at all vs. a lengthy, drawn out traditional business plan.

Your first 6-12 months might look something like this if you choose to develop a one page business plan:

You come up with an interesting business idea that you want to explore. You jot down a few ideas including how you’ll make money, what you’ll be selling, and how much you’d like to make doing what you’re doing.

After just a couple of hours total working on your one page business plan, you’re ready to get to work on the tasks that actually move your business forward.

Your first 6-12 months might look something like this if you choose to use no business plan at all:

You come up with an interesting business idea that you’d like to explore. Instead of writing anything down, you decide to sketch out what your logo might look like.

Advertisement:

The logo sketching leads to a dead end but reminds you of another business idea you once had in college. So you talk to your friends about that business idea for a while.

A year later, you’ve followed a similar pattern with dozens of potential ideas, but without a business plan, none of them ever came to fruition.

Your first 6-12 months might look something like this if you choose to use a long, drawn-out business plan instead of something that fits on one page:

You come up with an interesting business idea that you’d enjoy exploring further. You start to crunch the numbers on what this might look like if it gets really big and successful.

Knowing you’ll need funding from angels or the bank, you decide to draft up a large document explaining what actions your small company will take over the next 5-10 years to ensure your lenders get their money back.

You go through so many revisions of this hundred-page document, you finally burn out and decide it’s easier just to keep your day job.

Advertisement:

Ok, obviously, I’m biased toward the one page business plan scenario. It’s clean, it’s easy, it’s simple. But most of all, it gets you to take action…quickly!

When I was contemplating taking my own business full-time, I called up my dad who, my whole life, has been talking about entrepreneurship and inventing. If I had a dollar for every time my dad said something like “that’s a great business idea” or “I can’t believe no one has made a business out of that yet,”….well, I would never need to work again.

But my dad…he’s not in business for himself.

He never has been, really. He’s always been at a desk job. And I admire him for his persistence in taking care of our family.

One day I called him up and asked him: “why did you never try to build a business of your own?”

His response, among other things, was he couldn’t wrap his brain around how to build a business plan, get funding, and find the right manufacturing (all of which, might I add, were infinitely harder 30 years ago than they are today).

Why do I tell you this story? Because I’ve seen it a thousand times in lots of variations: people get overwhelmed with what they think they need in order to start a business.

Advertisement:

One of those overwhelming tasks: building a 40-page business plan complete with competitive SWAT analysis, positioning statement, and blah blah blah.

So it kills your idea.

On the other hand, using a one page business plan lights a fire under you and pushes you forward into the work that matters more than the planning: the actual doing.

Okay, enough talking about a one page business plan. You’re convinced. Putting all your plans down on one simple piece of paper is going to be better than any other option.

But where do you start? What exactly do you put down in your one page business plan to really make it effective without being too complicated?

Remember, a one page business plan is much different from a 70-page plan primarily because this plan isn’t meant to be shown off to other people in an effort to gain support or get funding.

This business plan is primarily for one person: you.

That means there are lots of things you might find are recommended to go in a typical business plan. But that doesn’t mean they should be in your one page plan. Examples include “Executive Summaries,” “Management Organization” or “Funding Requests.”

Don’t waste your time on that kind of thinking for now.

Instead, include the most important elements of your new business only. Here are a just a few ideas to get you started:

  • Company Description: What will your company do? What exactly will your company sell? Will you provide a service? Sell a product? To whom? Why?
  • Products or Services: What products or services will you offer? How much will they cost in the beginning?
  • Marketing and Sales: How will you get your first customers? Who will pay you for your service or product?
  • Goals and Milestones: How many customers do you need to make this business “successful”? How long will it take to get the ideal number of customer or monthly revenue?

There are countless examples of business plans on the internet, but below, I’d like to highlight a few of my favorite approaches to one page business planning from some of the smartest people I personally know in the world of solopreneurship and small business.

Note: PLEASE don’t pay for an app or software to help you write a one page business plan. Maybe down the road you’ll need something like that, but keep it simple and download one of the free options below or just get out a blank sheet of paper and create your own.

Chris Guillebeau, author of one of my all-time favorite business books, The $100 Startup , offers a free one page PDF that’s pretty great.

One page business plan template - Guillebeau

It asks simple questions like: What will you sell? Who will buy it? And How will your business idea help people?  

I also love how Chris’s one page business plan focuses on success metrics—or what the business will look like if it’s “successful.” Will have it have a certain number of customers? A certain amount of monthly revenue?

This allows you to put an actual end point or goal on your one page business plan so that you know exactly what you’re working toward.

You can access Chris’s one page business plan here .

Another great resource to get you moving quickly toward your business goals is the Business Sketch Template provided my my friends at Fizzle.co.

Here’s what they have to say about one page planning:

“It might seem surprising or impossible to imagine that all of the most crucial pieces of your business can fit onto one page. At Fizzle, we call this plan a sketch: it’s meant to be completed quickly, if not a bit roughly, but the objective is still to put pencil to paper.”

What I like about Fizzle’s business sketch template is that it starts with the center focus on Key Metrics and prompts you to ask questions like “What will you measure to determine that this audience has this problem and wants this solution?”

one page business plan template - Fizzle

As big proponents of building a small, lifestyle business, It’s no surprise this template also includes some unique sections like “personal fit” which force you to ask questions about how the business will interact with your daily life, personal passions, and life goals.

You can access Fizzle’s one page business sketch template here .

Another potential one page business plan is presented by Bplan.

Here’s what they have to say about “a new kind of business planning.”

one page business plan template - bplans

“A business plan no longer needs to be a long document that takes weeks to write and research. It’s not something that you print, bind professionally, and then stick on a shelf. You probably only need a formal, traditional business plan if you’re seeking a bank loan or outside investment—you’ll be expected to provide one in those instances.”

With that, they offer some great advice on how to write a business plan in under 1 hour .

You can download their “lean business plan” template here .

If you prefer to learn by watching a video, I found this video is a pretty great resource to help you with your one page business plan. I don’t agree 100% with everything he says, but I like his overall approach to tackling business planning.

After studying this topic extensively—reading hundreds of articles and looking at lots of one page business plan templates, we’ve decided to include a free download of one of our own templates as well.

Our one page business plan template is tailored particularly to freelancers and solopreneurs—one-person businesses who want to stay small and build a healthy revenue for themselves and their loved ones.

Our one page business plan template is designed to be completed in less than 45 minutes and give you the ammunition you need to hit the ground running—instead of getting stuck in the details of starting a business.

You can download our free one page business plan template by entering your email below:

Before you go, here are some final words of encouragement and advice when it comes to planning your business.

First of all, you can plan everything you need to on just one page. At least for now.

Sure, one day you might need a more lengthy, in-detail plan to present to someone else, but for now, give yourself a break. You don’t have to write a plan that Mark Cuban would be proud of. You just have to write a plan that helps you get from point A to point B.

Secondly, don’t get stuck at this phase. If you have to, time yourself. Set a time limit of 45 minutes (or whatever amount makes sense for you). And when the timer’s up, it’s time to get back to work actually starting or building your business.

Finally, use this one page business plan as a compass, but be flexible. The point is to give yourself a roadmap, but just like your GPS has to “reroute” when there’s an unexpected obstacle, you might also need to pursue a different path, different method, or different goals as you go along.

In fact, I’d say it’s next to impossible to build a business plan of any kind and then stick to it 100% over any significant amount of time.

There will always be unforeseen obstacles and changes. There will always be hiccups. The idea is to just write your business plan .

Roll with the punches and something as simple as a one page business plan can take you far.

After you draft up your one page business plan, I’d love to see what you landed on. Share a link with me in our mastermind group , by leaving a comment below, or sharing on twitter .

I can’t wait to see what you’ve done. Good luck!

One Page Business Plan template Pinterest Pin

Keep the conversation going...

Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we'd love to see you there. Join us!

Advertisement:

Written by Preston Lee

Editor at millo.co.

Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur, Inc, Forbes, Adobe, and many more.

Preston's Articles

At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy .

Growthink logo white

How to Write a One-Page Business Plan

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Growthink One Page Business Plan Template

The one-page business plan is one of the most popular tools for entrepreneurs, startups, and established companies. It’s also one of the simplest to develop. This article will walk you through a description of a one-page business plan, the purpose of this type of plan, and how to create a one-page business plan for your company.  

What is a One-Page Business Plan?

A one-page business plan is a compressed version of a traditional business plan that fits neatly into a single page. Creating a one-page business plan requires significant research, strategizing and financial modeling on the front end to be effective. In that respect, rather than being easier or simpler to create than a full-length business plan, the single-page business plan actually requires an additional distillation effort for the entrepreneur.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

As always, utilizing a business plan template provides the basis for you to clearly communicate your value proposition, business concept, business strategy, services, product offerings, etc., and improve your business planning process. ​  

Benefits of Using a One-Page Plan

A one-page plan is easier to read, share and understand.

By boiling down your business plan into one page with only the most important elements, you are better able to 1) focus on the key action items your business must accomplish and 2) present your vision and plan to your team in a way that won’t overwhelm them and will allow them to most easily understand it.

The reward is that the brevity of a 1 page business plan is very attractive to prospective investors, who are usually pressed for time. Because it is so brief, it is also an effective tool to share among your management team and employees to get your team motivated and working towards the same goals. A strong one-page business plan proves you grasp the crux of your business and appreciate what is most critical for audiences to quickly understand about it.

Below, we walk through the content of a one-page business planning template.  

The One-Page Business Plan Template

Whether you are starting a service business or a product-focused business, your one-page business plan should include the following 7 items:

  • Business Model
  • Market Analysis
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Financial Projections
  • Funding Required & Uses of Funds

Each of these items are detailed below.

Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

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

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Create a One-Page Business Plan

Each of the key elements included in a traditional business plan retains its position in the 1 page business plan. You need only provide a few words, phrases, or sentences in the description for each of the sections and move on to the next. The following are the essential elements:

identify customer problem

For example, Netflix in its budding days identified a problem with video stores. It was time consuming and inconvenient to go to the video store every time you felt like watching a new movie.

2. Solution

the key to attract customers

Again, looking at Netflix, the company initially solved the problem of time consumption and inconvenience by delivering movies directly to customers’ homes.

3. Business Model

how will your new business make money

Consider the example of YouTube. YouTube’s business model hinges on users who by and large engage on the platform for free. YouTube leverages this ever-increasing user base to attract advertisers, which provides revenues.

4. Market Analysis

target market research

For example, Swedish furniture brand Ikea’s US target market could be described as urban young professionals who like the Scandinavian style and are willing to put in a little setup work themselves to save money on quality furnishings. These individuals spend, on average, $8,000 on furnishing when they move into a new home or apartment.

5. Competitive Analysis

provide your customers with better service

Take the example of coffee giant Starbucks. Their competitor analysis would yield large brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Panera Bread and McDonald’s McCafé, as well as boutique coffee shops on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. Starbucks differentiates itself through providing specialty coffee products of consistent quality under a national brand.

6. Financial Plan & Projections

sales goals to make more money

See below for example graphs that show a growth in topline revenues year over year as well as the projected revenue distribution by service area for a hair salon:

Financial Projections for One-Page Plan

7. Funding Required & Uses of Funds

detailed information regarding the use of funds

See below for an example table of fund uses for a startup hair salon:

Use of Business Plan Funding

Free Downloadable One-Page Business Plan Example PDF

Download our one page business plan template pdf here.

one page business plan pdf

Download Growthink’s One-Page-Business-Plan-Template for Microsoft Word  

Final Thoughts

Remember to focus on your business’ strengths as much as you can. If your market analysis reveals you have a strong position then highlight it more in the single-page plan. Likewise, if your financial projections come out stronger then elongate the financial section.

Editing the enormity of a business plan into a single page is a daunting task but doing so will bring clarity to the core idea and value of your business and help you pitch well in front of potential investors.  

One-Page Business Plan FAQs

What are the benefits of one-page business plans.

Traditional business plans are sometimes 25-50 pages long. It's hard to read that many pages for one company, let alone dozens of them.

One-page business plans are more digestible. 

They provide key points on what you do, why you do it, and how you plan for growth. 

What is the difference between a one-page business plan and a lean business plan?

A one-page business plan is a reduced version of a traditional business plan that can be easily wrapped onto a single sheet of paper.

The key elements included in a one-page business plan are:

On the other hand, a lean business plan is a short-term planning method that allows you to more quickly and accurately develop your business plan based on actual customer feedback and interactions. A lean business plan is focused more on helping you build a better business and testing a variety of strategies to assess if they are effective for your chosen business model. 

Also in a single-page format, the key elements included in this type of plan are:

  • Business Overview
  • Value Proposition
  • Key Partnerships
  • Key Activities
  • Key Resources
  • Customer Relationships
  • Customer Segments & Channels
  • Cost Structure
  • Revenue Streams

A typical rule of thumb for these types of plans is that every sentence should be meaningful and useful for orientation purposes in order to appease investors in an efficient way while retaining their interest long enough to make an informed decision about investing in your business. 

Looking for more information? Lean Business Plan: How-To Guide & Template

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies that have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan Template & Guide for Small Businesses

Limited Time Offer:

Save Up to 25% on LivePlan today

Tool graphics

What stage is your business at?

Tell us and we’ll match you with a special LivePlan discount:

New Business Idea

Startup Phase

Established Business

Enter your email address to unlock it.

Please enter a valid email address

We care about your privacy. See our Privacy Policy .

Free One-Page Business Plan Template Download

example one page business plan

Download our free one-page business plan template.

Writing a business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why we created this template for a one-page business plan—a business plan that you can write on a single page.

Building a one-page business plan has a lot of benefits:

  • It’s fast: Documenting your business strategy shouldn’t take hours or days. Use our one page] plan format to develop an initial business plan in less than 30 minutes.
  • It’s easy: Unlike a traditional business, there’s not a lot to write or any complex formatting. Anyone can document their business strategy using the one-page business plan.
  • It’s shareable: Getting feedback on a detailed business plan can be a challenge. On the other hand, sharing a one-page plan is easy and you’ll get immediate feedback from business partners and advisors.
  • It’s impressive: Getting potential investors to read a detailed business plan can be a challenge. But, a one-page plan is something that every investor has time to read.

How to complete the one-page  business plan template

You’ll start with your business strategy – this is what you’re going to do and what your goals are. You’ll document the following:

  • Identity: This is a short summary of what you do.
  • Problem: Describe the problem that your business solves.
  • Solution: Describe how your business solves the problem.
  • Target Market: Who are your customers? Try to be as specific as possible.
  • Competition: How do customers solve their problem today? Are there alternatives?

Next, you’ll go on to describe your business tactics. While strategy describes “what” you’re going to do, tactics describe “how” you’re going to do it.

  • Sales: How will you sell your solution to your customers?
  • Marketing: Describe your key marketing activities.
  • Team: Potentially the most important part of the plan is who is going to help you implement the plan.
  • Partners & Resources: What else do you need to turn your plan into a business?

Your business model is how your business will make money. The first time you work on a business plan, you can just describe how you make money and what your key expenses are. Eventually, you’ll want to develop a complete financial plan.

  • Revenue: Describe the key ways that you’ll make money.
  • Expenses: List your primary expenses. You don’t need to go into a lot of detail with a one-page plan.

Finally, you’ll want to develop a list of your key achievements.

  • Milestones: These are the key achievements that you hope to accomplish. Be specific.

This is just a quick summary of how to build your one-page business plan. You can get additional detail in our guide to growth planning.

Download a free digital version of the one-page business plan template:

Home » Blog » Small Business » How To Write A One-Page Business Plan In 7 Simple Steps

💳 Save money on credit card processing with one of our top 5 picks for 2024

example one page business plan

Level Up Your Business Today

Join the thousands of people like you already growing their businesses and knowledge with our team of experts. We deliver timely updates, interesting insights, and exclusive promos to your inbox.

How To Write A One-Page Business Plan In 7 Simple Steps

Sometimes a one-page business plan is all you need to get a great idea going. Download our free one-page business plan template to get you started.

Nicolette Kier

WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY

Expert Contributor

example one page business plan

A one-page business plan can be the tool you need to secure funding opportunities, expand your business scope, or sharpen your focus and jumpstart your business success. Think of a business plan as a blueprint or roadmap for the success of your business. And when you limit your business plan to one single page, you can zero in on what will help you succeed.

Maybe you have an idea for a new product you can’t wait to introduce to the market.

Maybe you’re ready to take your freelancing career to a new level by trading in your 9-to-5 to become your own boss. Whether you’re just starting or hoping to grow your business, if you want to succeed, you definitely need a business plan.

The words “business plan” may sound intimidating, conjuring images of dozens of pages with graphs, charts, and endless details.

Don’t worry, because a successful business can rely on a business plan that’s just one single page — if you do it right. We’ll help you by walking you through the elements that make up a top-notch one-page business plan, and we’ll even give you a free downloadable template you can use to get started.

Table of Contents

What Is A One-Page Business Plan?

Do you need a one-page business plan, how to create a one-page business plan in 7 steps, download our one-page business plan template, how to use your one-page business plan, one-page business plan faqs.

A one-page business plan is a short document providing an overview of your current status and plans. Think of it as a big-picture overview driving your business decisions. Or, if you’re hoping to pitch your business plan to potential investors, a one-page business plan can give them a clean, quick outline of your goals and your strategies for getting there.

Your goals are big, and your plans for getting there are big, too. So how the heck can you be expected to squeeze all of your energy and intentions into a single sheet of paper?

The answer is not to cheat by widening the page margins or by using a font so small you need a magnifying glass to read it. Stick to standard margins, use a normal, legible font, and follow our suggestions for creating a one-page business plan.

Every business, no matter how big or small, needs to have a business plan, and a one-page plan is a great place to start. This plan should provide a basic overview of your business in its early stages. You can use it to guide your planning and decision-making or to pitch investors who might be willing to help you grow.

Key point: Many business owners can get started with a one-page business plan, although it may not be what you need as your business grows and becomes more complex. The good news is that, even when your business eventually requires a longer, more complicated business plan, your one-page business plan can still prove useful! You’ll be able to return to your one-page plan to guide you as you create your next-level business plan.

Use A One-Page Business Plan If …

  • You work on your own, as an independent contractor, freelancer, or simply someone managing a side hustle or hobby. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, a one-page business plan is a perfect document to guide you.
  • You have a business idea to pitch to potential investors or partners. A one-page business plan can serve as an excellent and easy-to-digest introduction to your business.
  • You plan to craft a lengthier business plan down the road. Because a one-page plan forces you to be concise, it can help you clearly convey your thoughts and cut out unnecessary jargon.
  • You want to organize your thoughts or hone your focus to improve your business or tackle some problem areas.

Do Not Use A One-Page Business Plan If …

  • You have a very complicated business idea.
  • You have multiple partners.
  • You’re seeking significant capital from a traditional source such as a bank, the Small Business Association, or a grant.

Executive Summary VS One-Page Business Plan

If you’ve been looking into creating a business plan, you’ve probably run across the term “executive summary.” And you may be wondering if an executive summary is the same thing as a one-page business plan.

It’s close, but not quite.

An executive summary is similar to a one-page business plan, but with key differences. Because a detailed business plan can run to dozens of pages, they often include an executive summary, which is a brief document providing key details from the business plan. An executive summary is usually written out in sentence form, rather than bullet points. And unlike a one-page business plan, an executive summary can be as much as two or three pages long.

Elements Of A One-Page Business Plan

If you’ve decided that a one-page business plan is the right tool for you to use, before you start to write it, let’s take a look at what a great one-page business plan needs to include.

Here are the seven basic elements of a one-page business plan:

  • Business Overview
  • Target Market
  • Your Competition
  • Financial Summary
  • Marketing Strategy

Now that you know a little more about what a one-page business plan is and when it’s the right tool for your business, you’re ready to start crafting your own! In the next section, we’ll walk you through 7 steps to help you create your one-page business plan.

You’re ready to create a one-page business plan! Before you start tapping away at your laptop, take a minute first to map out everything you need. You’ll find it much easier and faster to create your one-page business plan if you organize yourself first.

Remember the basic elements of a one-page business plan we covered earlier? Let’s break down each piece so you know exactly what to include. Your goal is to keep everything clear and concise, so you can fit all relevant information on a single page. A good rule of thumb is to keep each section to one or two sentences or a few bullet points .

Step 1: Create A Business Overview

In this section, state the business problem or market opportunity that you have identified. Then, give a brief description of how your business will solve that problem or meet that need. Answer this question succinctly: What product or service do you offer that will fill a need in the market?

Remember, you’re limited on space, so go directly to the point, using specifics and without being too generic. You want to make a statement that shows how your business stands out from the rest.

Step 2: Identify Your Objectives

For this section, home in on your goals for your business endeavor. Your objectives should be in the form of a list of the goals you have as you start or expand your business. What’s most important for you? Do you want to be your own boss? Do you want to provide outstanding service in an industry where service is lacking? Have you set a revenue goal?

Jot down your short-term and long-term goals for your business. Combine them, refigure them, and work on your list until you have no more than two or three clear, concise objectives that you can list in bullet form on your one-page business plan.

Step 3: Summarize Your Experience

Use this section to outline the specific qualities and experiences that contribute to making you a successful business owner uniquely poised to address the opportunities you’ve identified. Include your educational background, industry experience, work history, or even your own experiences as a customer that led to your business idea.

Having a resume on hand can make this section easier, so take the time to create or update yours. It’s also a good idea to have a resume ready if and when you formally seek funding in the future, as some lenders include this as part of their documentation requirements.

Step 4: Spotlight Your Target Market

Who will be your customers? What are their needs? Here are some questions to jumpstart your thinking:

  • Will you market your products/services to consumers or to businesses?
  • What is your key demographic? Consider factors including age, income, and lifestyle.
  • Why do these customers need your product/service?
  • Why should customers buy from you instead of from someone else?

Answering these questions may take some time, especially if you haven’t already considered these issues. Be prepared to do some research. Think about creating surveys, check out industry studies, and do your due diligence on comparable businesses.

While it’s true that serious market research costs money, for now, it’s okay to keep it simple. As your business grows and you develop a formal business plan, you can think about investing money in research. To create a one-page business plan, focus on free and low-cost methods for learning about your target market.

Step 5: Sketch Out Your Competition

Who will you be going up against in the marketplace? When you think about your competition, consider comparable products, services, and businesses that offer something similar to what you offer. Can you identify any competitive advantages they hold over you? And what advantages do you hold? Think about what you have to offer customers that would make them choose your business, product, or service.

For this section, you can use the market research from the previous section. Once again, it’s okay to keep it relatively simple and inexpensive here. As your business expands and you develop a more comprehensive business plan, you may need to invest money in additional market research.

Step 6: Provide A Financial Summary

It’s time to talk numbers! In your one-page business plan’s financial summary, you’ll need to include several important numbers. The first is your startup costs. If you haven’t launched your business yet, you may not have exact figures, but make sure to do some research so your estimates are as specific and realistic as possible.

Next, you will need to figure out ongoing costs to operate your business. This could include a lease or mortgage, marketing expenses, materials purchasing, hiring and training employees, payroll, insurance, and other expenses.

The last number you need to include is your projected revenue. After all, you want to show that you plan for your business to be profitable. What are you going to charge for your product or service? How many customers would you need to meet your revenue goals? You may already have an idea in mind, so just research comparable products or services to make sure your pricing remains low enough to be competitive but high enough to bring in a profit. If your business is currently in operation, you can review your bank statements and other financial documentation.

Step 7: Preview Your Marketing Strategy

You know how much revenue you need to be profitable. Now it’s time to think about how to gain that revenue as you plan out your marketing strategy. Remember, this is a one-page plan, so don’t list every detail. For now, though, you should keep a few things in mind.

The first is your budget. You can start with free and low-cost marketing methods, like free email marketing software, until you figure out what works. You can always upgrade to a paid plan when you need it.

Next, consider what your competitors or similar businesses within the industry are doing. In your eyes, which methods have been successful and which have flopped? Think outside of the box. While it’s certainly okay to do things your competitors are doing, such as advertising on social media, look for unique ideas that make you stand out.

One-page business plans rely on seven elements, outlined above. But what’s the best way to organize your ideas? You want to make a compelling case, but you’ve got just one page to present it.

Never fear! We’ve got you covered, with our free downloadable template.

Use our Merchant Maverick one-page business plan template to organize your ideas and capture your goals, plans, strategies, and more. It’s a great way to organize your thoughts and draft the professional-level one-page business plan you need to get started on your path toward business success.

For our PDF format, simply click on the link and print a copy for your records. For our Google Doc/MS Word format, when you click on the link, you will be asked to make a copy. Click “make a copy” and then you will have your own editable one-page business plan in Google Docs.

Get Our One-Page Business Plan (PDF format)

  Get Our One-Page Business Plan (Google Doc/MS Word)

Congratulations! You’ve created your one-page business plan. Now, it’s time to put it to use.

If you haven’t yet launched your business, your business plan can serve as a road map to get started. You have your goals in place, you’ve started to calculate your expenses, and you know how much money your business needs to become profitable and succeed. With your one-page business plan in hand, you’re ready to take the first step toward your goals and launch your business!

If your business is already established, your one-page business plan can help you when you’re ready to pitch your business idea to investors or partners. Be aware that a formal business plan is often needed when seeking capital from traditional sources, such as a small business bank loan or a grant.

And, by the way, if you’re already thinking about funding sources, you can add some real numbers to your one-page business plan. Start with our list of the best banks for small business loans .

More than anything, remember that your one-page business plan is a great starting point that can give you practice in clearly and succinctly communicating your ideas. And that’s something every business can benefit from.

What is a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan is a tool that can help you secure funding, expand your business scope, or sharpen your focus and help you jumpstart your business success. Think of it as a blueprint or roadmap, where you provide brief, essential information about your business, your goals, competition, financial outlook, and more, all in one single page.

How do I make a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan relies on seven elements. You’ll need to summarize your business overview, your objectives, your experience, target market, competition, finances, and marketing plans and do it all in one page. Download our free template to guide you!

What are the elements of a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan should include essential information about your business:

  • A business overview
  • Your objectives
  • Your experience
  • Your target market
  • The competition
  • Your financial plans
  • Your marketing strategy

To learn how to organize and format your one-page business plan, download our free template.

How long should a business plan be?

A business plan can be as long as several dozen pages, for complex businesses. You can use a one-page business plan to organize and focus your strategy, to present your business ideas to potential partners or some types of investors, or to take your hobby or side hustle in a more professional direction.

  • Latest Posts

Nicolette Kier

example one page business plan

Latest posts by Nicolette Kier ( see all )

  • Restaurant POS Hardware: 2024 Guide - March 12, 2024
  • What Is A KDS & How Do They Work? - March 7, 2024
  • How Much Does A Restaurant POS System Cost? - March 7, 2024
  • What Is A Restaurant POS System & How Do They Work? - March 4, 2024
  • How To Set Up An Online Ordering System For Your Restaurant - January 23, 2024

example one page business plan

We Want Your Feedback

Let us know how well the content on this page solved your problem today. All feedback, positive or negative, helps us to improve the way we help small businesses.

small business credit card processors

Best Credit Card Processing Companies In 2024

Corporate credit cards

The Best Corporate Credit Cards For Businesses

Best small business POS

Best POS Systems For Small Business In 2024

example one page business plan

The Complete Guide To Getting A Free Square Card Reader For Your Business

" * " indicates required fields

Want to help shape the future of the Merchant Maverick website? Join our testing and survey community!

By providing feedback on how we can improve, you can earn gift cards and get early access to new features.

example one page business plan

We Want Your Feedback!

Help us to improve by providing some feedback on your experience today.

Step 1 of 6

The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.

Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.

Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.

Never show me any popup offer again.

example one page business plan

Maverick Newsletter Signup 📬

  • Sample Business Plans

One Page Business Plan

Executive summary image

Many entrepreneurs find it challenging to put their business ideas on paper. So don’t worry if you’re feeling the same anxiety.

The solution? Try starting with a one-page business plan!

This simple yet powerful tool helps you and your audience gain a clear understanding of your business.

But how do you write one—this guide will walk you through the process of creating a one-page business plan, including its types, essential components, and business plan templates.

Thus, let’s get started on crafting an effective plan. But before that let’s go through what it is.

sample business plan

Free One Page Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

  • Fill in the blanks – Outline
  • Financial Tables

What is a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan is a simple and shorter version of a traditional business plan. It outlines the necessary elements of your business, such as the problem, solution, target customers, financial analysis, and other important things on a single page.

It’s specifically made to provide a quick idea of the business’s concept for easy communication and updates when needed.

Traditional vs. one-page business plan

A traditional business plan is a detailed document of around 15 to 30 pages. It covers everything from business overviews to financial forecasts in different sections. Whereas the one-page business plan is a single-page plan that’s a condensed version of the whole plan.

Traditional business plans are perfect if you need to secure significant funding or map out long-term strategies for your business.

On the other hand, a one-page business plan is ideal for quickly sharing your business idea and internal use for strategic planning. It’s concise and easy to update, making it perfect for startups and small businesses that need to stay updated and focused.

Now that we know the difference, let’s move forward to the components of the one page business plan.

What to include in your one-page business plan

A one-page business plan is particularly designed to provide a brief overview of your business, including your business idea, goals, strategies, and key metrics.

Here are the sections you need to include:

Note and mention the problems of the target customers that your product or service will solve. This is the part where you should create a convincing statement that’s relatable for your readers.

2. Customers

Identify who your target customers are, including their behaviors and demographics. Explain how your business will meet this specific target market’s needs.

Here, include information on market size, growth potential, and key trends. Highlight the demand for your product or service within this market.

4. Competitors

Highlight your main competitors along with their strengths and weaknesses. Explain how your business will stand out in the competitive landscape. Discuss any gaps in the market that your business will fill.

5. Solution

Explain your solution here about how your product or services will solve the problem. Also, highlight why your solution is the best fit for your audience.

Detail what exactly you offer to your audience and what’s the unique value proposition of the product or service. Also, mention how your product stands out along with your competitive advantage.

Introduce key members of your business, highlighting their roles and responsibilities. Also, add up their relevant experience and expertise in the industry.

8. Promotion

Outline your strategies—including a marketing plan, social media strategies, and advertising plans. Explain how these strategies will attract and retain customers.

9. Distribution

Describe the distribution channels you will use, such as online or retail stores, or direct delivery. Mention any partnerships with distributors that reach your target market.

10. Partners

Identify key business partners or collaborators who will play a crucial role in your business’s success. This could include suppliers or strategic alliances. Explain how these partnerships will support your business operations and growth.

11. Financing

Summarize your financial projections, including expected revenue, expenses, and profitability. Outline your funding requirements, specifying how much money you need to start or grow your business and what it will be used for.

12. Startup costs

Provide the list and estimation of the initial costs required to start your business. It includes costs for equipment, inventory, marketing, and any other significant startup expenses.

13. Running costs

Detail the ongoing operational costs necessary to run your business. This could include salaries, rent, utilities, supplies, and maintenance expenses.

14. Revenue streams

Clearly outline each revenue stream and how it contributes to your overall financial goals. List the different revenue streams, for example: product sales, subscription fees, licensing, or other sources of income.

Now that you know all the sections that need to be included in the one-page plan, let’s see which templates are used commonly.

 Simplify your business plan writing journey

Create one-page business plan with AI in minutes

Plans starting from $7/month

ai assistant blog

Most common one-page business plan templates

There are various types of one-page business plans with different components, let’s see them one by one:

1. One-page business plan canvas

The one-page business plan canvas helps businesses maintain the strategic overview of their company. By including all the necessary elements, it ensures everyone is in sync with the company’s mission and goals.

This is the one-page business plan canvas by Upmetrics:

one page business plan canvas

2. One-page business plan: lean canvas

The lean canvas is ideal for startups and early-stage businesses to test their business concept. It helps the team focus on solutions and validate their business model through continuous feedback and learning.

one page business plan lean canvas

3. One-page business plan: startup canvas

This canvas is for entrepreneurs to communicate their business ideas. It helps new entrepreneurs rapidly capture their business concepts, ensuring everyone understands the key elements and direction.

one page business plan startup canvas

4. One-page business model canvas

The business model canvas is to help businesses visualize their entire business model on one page. It showcases how the business creates and delivers value.

one page business model canvas

How to use the one-page business plan template

You see it’s quite easy to use any of our one-page canvas templates. All you need to do is—download the template (we support PPTX and PDF format) and start filling in the details.

To begin with, gather the relevant business information; details on your target market, market research, and other essential points. Read the tips under each section to understand what to write, and begin filling out all sections.

Since you’re doing it all on your own, it may take a while to get things done. However, if you choose to use Upmetrics’ strategic planning tool , things can be sped up. Simply enter some related business information, and the Upmetrics AI assistant will do the rest.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

crossline

Prepare your one-page business plan using AI

While traditional planning methods still exist and work, I’d be hard-pressed to believe they’re as efficient as AI-powered tools.

Ideating a one-page plan is more about brainstorming, guess working, and critical thinking, than writing.

Considering the importance of a one-page plan for your business, your stretched-out schedules, and other critical tasks on your to-do, using an AI-powered tool like Upmetrics for planning seems your best bet.

A strategic planning tool for one-page plans, a plan builder for detailed plan creation, a pitch deck creator for compelling investor decks, and an AI-powered financial forecasting tool for accurate forecasts, Upmetrics has all you need once you finish your plan.

So, what’s the wait? Try Upmetrics and start preparing your one-page plan.

Related Posts

How to write Business Proposal

How to write Business Proposal

Lean Business Plan Template

Lean Business Plan Template

Best Sample Business Plan Templates

Best Sample Business Plan Templates

Necessary Business Plan Components

Necessary Business Plan Components

Frequently asked questions, how detailed should my one-page business plan be.

As it’s a one-page business plan, the details included in it should be brief and to the point. Things to include are business overview, problems, solutions, market opportunity, business model, marketing strategy, business strategy, and key metrics.

Can a one-page business plan be used to secure funding?

A one-page business plan can give a quick and clear overview of your business idea and needs, but it might not be enough to secure funding on its own. Investors usually want more detailed information to understand your business fully. So, while it’s a good starting point, you’ll likely need a more detailed plan to get funding.

Is a one-page business plan suitable for all types of businesses?

No, a one-page business plan works well for startups or small businesses that want to portray and validate their business concept. For large enterprises and complex businesses, a detailed business plan is preferable.

However, even if your business has a one-page business plan, it’s advisable to have a traditional plan for detailed information on your business.

Can I convert my traditional business plan into a one-page format?

Yes, you can convert the detailed business plan into a one-page plan by summarizing all the sections in two to three sentences. But it’s not advisable.

About the Author

example one page business plan

Upmetrics Team

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

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

bpb AI Feature Image

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

  • 400+ Business plan templates & examples
  • AI Assistance & step by step guidance
  • 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

Download One Page Business Plan

Get started

  • Project management
  • CRM and Sales
  • Work management
  • Product development life cycle
  • Comparisons
  • Construction management
  • monday.com updates

Easy-to-use one-page business plan template

example one page business plan

A one-age business plan is a useful tool for providing an overview of your goals and targets and how you and your team will achieve them. Before you get into the details, a one-page business plan can help you feel out your ideas, set priorities, and provide an outline for a more extensive standard business plan.

You can also keep your single-page plan on hand to keep you laser-focused on the scope and objectives of your business at all times.

In this article, we’ll show you how to use a one-page business plan to create a robust foundation for your business and share some ready-to-use business plan templates .

Get the template

What is a one-page business plan template?

A one-page business plan encompasses your entire business strategy condensed onto one-page. A one-page business plan template is a document that outlines a business’s strategies and goals.

A traditional business plan goes into great detail and could be dozens of pages long. With a one-pager, the idea is to condense all the important information into one high-level document.

However, if it’s a one-page business plan to hand out to prospective investors, you’ll likely focus more on something like financial projections .

In general, your one-page business plan can include:

  • Vision statements and strategic objectives of your business
  • Customer segments your business will serve
  • Overview of the product or service you’ll provide
  • Sales goals and marketing strategy
  • High-level business overview of financial projections

Why use a one-page business plan template?

Understanding the benefits of writing a single-page business plan helps keep you focused when condensing lots of important information onto a one-page template.

Provide an overview of your business plan

A one-page plan provides you with an overview of everything you need to consider about your business venture. One-page plans provide a snapshot of multiple moving parts of your strategy and operations to keep you focused on what matters.

One-page business plan templates are a very useful starting point for developing a more detailed standard business plan . By creating a high-level document, you can begin to sketch out your ideas and assumptions and test them before spending lots of time developing a long business plan that you end up rewriting. Once you’re satisfied with your one-page plan, you have a step-by-step outline for a more in-depth version.

Manage operations and finances

As you grow your business, the operations and finances side of things often become more complex and difficult to manage. In times like these, when you need to make important decisions, a one-page business plan helps keep the core objectives of your venture in mind at all times. Nailing down your template means you don’t waste time deciding what the most important details are, so you can focus your time and energy into growing your business instead.

Synthesize business information

Another key benefit of having a one-page business plan on hand is the ability to provide anyone with a snapshot of your business whenever needed. This situation could apply to your management team, potential business partners, or potential investors who want a fast, easy-to-digest rundown of your business.

While you might have an elevator pitch ready, a one-page plan helps back up your claims, especially when it comes to items like financial projections or your cash flow statement . A one-page business plan template means it’s easy for you to quickly synthesize relevant information for the required audience. Simply drop the latest information into your template and get ready to present.

What are some examples of one-page business plans?

Before you write a one-page business plan, it’s helpful to get familiar with the various types of templates available and decide which one is best for your needs.

Startup one-page business plan template

Writing a business plan for a startup is a very different process than creating a plan for an established business. Startups are beginning from the very start of their journey with little historical data to go on. By nature, they need to be a lot more flexible with their ideas and decisions as they decide what works.

Example of a one page business plan template for startups

( Image Source )

So a one-page plan for startups is more about laying the groundwork for more in-depth strategic analysis and taking an agile approach to developing a business model.

Business model canvas

The business model canvas is a well-known template for business plans. A single page is divided into squares, with each square representing an important component of the business strategy.

Example of business canvas model template

With a business model canvas, you’ll be able to quickly outline items like your target markets, value proposition, and revenue streams. Writing and comparing these sections on one-page allows you to validate your business model against your market analysis and quickly iterate on different elements of your business strategy .

Business idea action plan template

While many business plan templates focus on strategy and high-level objectives, some businesses require more focus on operations and action right from the start. In those instances, a business idea action plan template can be more beneficial.

Example of a one page business plan for actioning business ideas

This type of one-page business plan focuses on what you are going to do and how you are going to do it, rather than analysis and projections. It enables business owners to develop tactics for how they’ll design, develop, market, and sell their products or services.

Small business plan template

Small businesses are often operating with limited funding and narrow profit margins. These constraints make revenue targets and cost-effective operations critically important to success, especially for a service business.

Example of business plan template for small business

When this is the case, a shorter business plan template for small businesses which focuses on defining your business niche, setting clear targets, and creating detailed timelines keeps your strategy aligned to the bottom line at all times.

monday.com’s one-page business plan template

Building a one-page business planning template from scratch involves a lot of key elements for consideration, but it doesn’t have to be a tricky process. Having a template to keep you on track enables you to effectively shape your strategy, goals, key activities, and targets in one place.

monday.com has created a one-page business plan template to help you create an effective one-page business plan that will keep your goals and targets at the front of your mind as you grow your business. The monday.com template includes:

  • Digital visualization of your entire business strategy in one location, so you can easily share your plan and make updates
  • Extensive customization options so you can create a business plan that aligns fully with your company branding
  • The ability to add your own visuals such as tables, images, and videos that are relevant to your business plan
  • The ability to collaborate in real-time with business partners and senior management on the creation and development of your one-page plan
  • Integrations with popular business tools such as Excel and Outlook so you can move your business plan seamlessly from creation to execution

screenshot of Business Plan main table example

Have your one-page business plan created quickly and seamlessly with monday.com. Sign up for our free trial and select the one-page business plan template to stay aligned with your business objectives and core goals.

screenshot of Business Plan template example

One-page business plan tips & tricks

Although a one-page business plan is not as extensive as a full-length business plan, there are some best practices you should follow to get the most out of it. With these tips and tricks, you’ll have a one-page business plan that’s realistic, accurate, and functional.

Understand your target market

Before you start outlining your business activities and tactics, it’s imperative that you fully understand your target market and your product-market fit. This understanding includes considerations such as customer price sensitivity, buying preferences, demographics, and more.

Without understanding your target market, building a business model can lead to sales targets and timelines that don’t materialize, a marketing plan or marketing materials that miss the mark, and unrealistic financial projections.

Fine-tune your products and services

Another key element of your business plan is the outline of the products and services you’ll offer. In this area, business owners need to thoroughly understand the cost of production, how to price products and services so they remain profitable, and how your offering measures up against competitors in the market.

By getting a firm grasp of your value offering, you can more accurately project costs, revenue, and profitability over the long term.

Keep your goals and projections realistic

When creating your one-page business plan, use the hard numbers regarding costs and budget to remain realistic about your business goals.

This approach applies to your timelines, too. Although your goals and targets may be ambitious, there needs to be an achievable timeline and resource allocation attached to them.

FAQs about one-page business plans

How do you write a business plan in one page.

It might be more beneficial for some business owners to start with a long business plan and then work on synthesizing it into a one-page template. That way, you can gain a deep understanding of your strategy before selecting the most important highlights for your one-page business plan.

You can also use visuals in place of written text where appropriate to save on space. For example, you can condense the highlights of your financial projections onto a single graph that’s understandable at a glance.

What is the primary characteristic of a one-page business plan?

The primary characteristics of a one-page business plan are clarity and brevity. Anyone who picks up your one-page plan should quickly get a clear idea of what your business does, its goals, and how you plan to achieve them. So it’s essential to keep all the information extremely clear and concise. Using a template like one on monday.com already gives you a leg up with a helpful outline.

What should a simple business plan include?

While every business is unique in some way, there are fundamental pieces of information you should incorporate into all simple business plans, including:

  • Business mission and objectives
  • Target audiences
  • Competitor analysis
  • Products/services outline
  • Key operational considerations
  • Time-bound financial projections

Depending on the purpose of your plan, you might choose to leave some items off the page. For example, if it’s for internal use by a wider team, you might omit elements like business financing plans, income statements, cost structure, etc.

Send this article to someone who’d like it.

Create, share, and e-sign documents in minutes using Jotform Sign.

Jotform Sign Banner

  • Integrations
  • Legality Guide
  • Signature Creator
  • Real Estate
  • See all solutions

Automatically create polished, designed documents

Jotform PDF Editor Banner

  • PDF Templates
  • Fillable PDF Forms
  • Sign Up for Free
  • PDF Templates /

Single Page Business Plan

Collect your online responses with Jotform and turn them into professional, elegant PDFs automatically.

ABC Transport Company

Single Page Business Plan Image-1 0

  • Business Plan

A single page business plan is just as it sounds: a summary of business objectives displayed on a single page. Single page business plans are typically used to pitch ideas before writing longer, more detailed business plans for potential investors and partners. Instead of starting from scratch, use our free Single Page Business Plan PDF Template to outline company goals in a professional, accessible PDF document. Once you’ve filled out a simple form with details regarding your company’s overview, objectives, challenges, and strategies, this Single Page Business Plan Template will automatically convert that information into a professional PDF that can be read at a glance. With your single page business plan saved as a PDF, you can easily download it for your records, email the file to coworkers, or print out copies for company meetings.

This Single Page Business Plan Template already has a stunning design, but you can quickly customize it to meet your business needs with our drag-and-drop PDF Editor. Easily add fields for additional information such as milestones, market or competitive analysis, and financial summary. Don’t forget to represent your business by adding your logo and changing the fonts and colors to match your branding. No matter what modifications you make, your custom Single Page Business Plan Template will create an impressive, brief breakdown of business objectives to help steer your company in the right direction.

1) What is a single-page business plan?

A single-page business plan is a compressed version of a traditional business plan that is designed to fit on one page. It gives a succinct overview of your business concept to potential investors or partners so that they can quickly understand your key goals, strategies, and mission in a format that’s easily accessible.

2) Why should I use a single-page business plan?

Consider using a single-page business plan to pitch your business to investors, partners, or stakeholders more effectively by communicating your goals succinctly. The single-page business plan requires you to clarify and condense the key elements of your business so you can better articulate your vision, mission, and core values to important players — which helps you streamline your goals. While this short version can’t fully replace a long-form business plan, it’s useful for introductory meetings.

3) What are the key components of a single page business plan?

Every single-page business business plan should include these key components:

Mission and vision statement

Start your plan with a brief statement that describes the purpose and core values of your proposed business. This section typically also includes a comprehensive description that outlines exactly what your business will do and the target market it will reach.

Value proposition

This section outlines the problem that your business is trying to solve, its unique selling points, and its customer benefits. Be specific about the value that your business will provide.

Objectives overview

Lay out the specific short-term and long-term goals of your business. These goals should be reasonable based on the resources currently available to you. This section also includes key metrics, timelines, and cost structures.

Strategies and action plan

This area outlines your market analysis and marketing approach, as well as the key activities that will drive operations. The action plan may also include an overview of how your business will generate revenue.

4) How do I create a single-page business plan using a template?

Creating a single-page business plan with Jotform’s free template is beyond easy! Simply click Use Template , and fill out the form with your own information to populate the document. You can then add or edit sections, change fonts and colors, and add your own logo with our intuitive drag-and-drop form builder. Once you’ve adjusted the template to your liking, you can forward it via email or link, or save it as a PDF.

5) Can a single-page business plan template be used for any type of business?

The beauty of the single-page business plan template is that you can customize it to any type of business or industry. Whether you’re in technology, retail, entertainment, healthcare, or marketing, the single page business plan template will help you succinctly communicate your business to the world.

6) Is a single-page business plan template suitable for startups?

The single-page business plan template is perfect for startups. Companies that are in the early stages of development constantly need to pitch their concept to potential investors and venture capitalists — which is where the single-page business plan template comes in. Investors are busy people, and our template is useful for presenting your startup’s value proposition, market opportunity, and growth potential to these individuals.

Additionally, constantly recreating lengthy business plans for different audiences can be resource-intensive, especially for startups with few employees. But you can easily adapt the single-page business plan template to address feedback, changes in the market, or other circumstances.

7) How often should I update my single-page business plan?

You should update your single-page business plan any time there are changes to your mission, vision, goals, strategies, or market. The single-page business plan should accurately reflect the trajectory of your business, so consider doing periodic reviews, such as whenever you reach milestones.

8) What are the advantages of using a single-page business plan over a traditional business plan?

Ultimately, the single-page business plan is a time-saving tool for businesses that need to pitch their concept thoroughly and quickly. On top of that, the plan helps identify and distill the key elements of the business. The single-page business plan can be easily adapted to reflect changes in the market or feedback from periodic assessments. Lastly, because it’s only one page, the plan is easy to share and digest.

Strategic Plan Template - PDF Templates

Strategic Plan Template

Focus on the future and keep your company moving forward with Jotform’s Strategic Plan Template. Simply fill in the attached form with your company overview, delve deeper with a SWOT analysis, and finish off by determining your strategic goals, actions, and financial plans. Our fully-customizable template converts submitted information into polished PDFs, which you can download, print, or share instantly.You don’t need a degree in design to build a professional strategic plan. Change fonts, update colors, and add your company’s logo in an instant — with Jotform’s drag-and-drop PDF Editor, customization is a breeze! Establish goals, set your priorities, and draw up solid action plans as polished PDFs with our Strategic Plan Template. By clearly defining your goals and the steps you’ll take to achieve them, you can keep your company on track and grow your business faster.

Operational Plan Template - PDF Templates

Operational Plan Template

A Business Operational Plan PDF Template encompasses critical details of a company or an organization. To put it simply, it is what the organization or company wants to achieve, such as financials, budget planning, etc. Accountants and managers in an institution or company often take so much time to create an operational plan template that they end up procrastinating other significant organizational events. This operational plan sample is structured with important details for your organization. It comes ready to print, but since most organizational details and structures are different, you can simply edit the fields by putting your own organization information. Also, using the Jotform PDF editor template, you can quickly add and delete fields, choose your own color options, etc. Finally, you can share your draft with your team members via email.

Marketing Brief Template - PDF Templates

Marketing Brief Template

A marketing brief can make or break your campaign. But writing a brief for every new campaign eats up time you simply can’t afford to lose. With this free Marketing Brief Template, you can quickly and easily draft marketing briefs without ever having to start from scratch. Simply fill out this simple online form with client information and project details such as objectives, budget, and materials, and the template automatically creates overviews as PDFs — easy to download, print, and share with the rest of the marketing team. Since each marketing campaign is unique, why not make your marketing brief unique as well? Luckily for you, customizing your Marketing Brief Template is a breeze with our drag-and-drop PDF Editor. You’ll be able to change the text or any graphic element in just a few clicks. Feel free to get creative — change the fonts and colors, upload your own background image, or add your company logo for a professional touch. Each time you submit details about your new marketing campaign, your custom Marketing Brief Template will display those plans in easily-accessible PDFs. With PDF marketing briefs in hand, your marketing team can get right to work promoting your products and building your brand.

Glamping Business Plan Template - PDF Templates

Glamping Business Plan Template

A Glamping Business Plan Template is a document containing case studies, strategies, and future plans of the company. A great business plan should discuss a problem and how to resolve it by creating specific goals, plans, and objectives.This Glamping Business Plan Template contains a cover page, company overview page, team or staff page, frequently asked questions page, financial analysis section, and a conclusion page. This template also shows the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the company. This template explains the projected costs, revenue, profits, loss, and expenses of the company monthly, quarterly, and yearly. The data is displayed in a table format so that it is easy to read and to analyze. This template is also using Calculation widget and conditional logic in order to get the total revenue and expenses. You can fully customize this PDF by changing the image cover, logo, pictures of the staff, font format, layout and many more by using the PDF Editor.

SOP Template - PDF Templates

SOP Template

A standard operating procedures (SOP) template is a document or memo that specifies the procedures for a specific issue, case, or scenario that all employees in an organization should follow. Establishing SOPs helps an organization become more organized and efficient. This sample SOP template outlines a hospital admissions process for managing and triaging COVID-19 patients. By following the process laid out in this document, employees will be more likely to avoid confusion and conflict with others.This SOP template shows the date the document was created; the effective date, title, and background of the process; the specific keywords, guidelines, and process flow; and the individuals assigned as reviewers or approvers. This PDF template displays a sample logo of a healthcare institution — users can easily customize the template to include their own logo. The template also includes an input table to show the process flow in an easy-to-understand format. The process flow includes a description of each step, the responsible personnel, and notes or remarks.

Lean Business Model Canvas Template - PDF Templates

Lean Business Model Canvas Template

See your business from a new perspective with Jotform’s Lean Business Model Canvas Template. Simply fill in a short form with problems your business could solve, how they are currently being solved in the market, and how your company can uniquely work to solve these problems. Our template instantly converts the information into polished PDFs you can download or print for your next big meeting.Our Lean Business Model Canvas Template already looks professional, but you can personalize it further to match your business. Jotform PDF Editor lets you rearrange form fields or add your company logo at the touch of a button! By instantly converting your business model into an accessible PDF format, our Lean Business Model Canvas Template can help you see the bigger picture and determine how to take your business to the next level.

These templates are suggested forms only. If you're using a form as a contract, or to gather personal (or personal health) info, or for some other purpose with legal implications, we recommend that you do your homework to ensure you are complying with applicable laws and that you consult an attorney before relying on any particular form.

  • Creative & Design
  • See all teams

For industries

  • Manufacturing
  • Professional Services
  • Consumer Goods
  • Financial Services
  • See all industries
  • Resource Management
  • Project Management
  • Workflow Management
  • Task Management
  • See all use cases

Explore Wrike

  • Book a Demo
  • Take a Product Tour
  • ROI Calculator
  • Customer Stories
  • Start with Templates
  • Gantt Charts
  • Custom Item Types
  • Project Resource Planning
  • Project Views
  • Kanban Boards
  • Dynamic Request Forms
  • Cross-Tagging
  • See all features
  • Integrations
  • Mobile & Desktop Apps
  • Resource Hub
  • Educational Guides

Upskill and Connect

  • Training & Certifications
  • Help Center
  • Wrike's Community
  • Premium Support Packages
  • Wrike Professional Services

The Ultimate Business Plan Template

May 22, 2023 - 10 min read

Kelechi Udoagwu

Business plan templates set you up for success by providing a framework to guide you through setting goals and planning crucial aspects of your business, like operations, marketing, and financials. 

A one-page business plan template compiles the essential information you need to explain your business and present it in the best light to investors, partners, suppliers, vendors, and employees. It is a brief document that organizes and communicates the most impressive, practical, and persuasive details of your business.

Depending on your business case — e.g., raising funds, launching a new product, or updating workflows and processes — you can add or remove specific sections in your business plan template to fit your needs. Using a business plan template frees up and saves valuable time and effort by providing guidance on what to include and highlight while ensuring you don’t overlook any necessary details.  

There are many business plan types, including startup business plans , expansion plans, business operational plans , and lean or one-page business plans. These plans have different goals and help entrepreneurs and small business owners sustain momentum and growth through different phases. 

This article will teach you how to write a business plan effectively. We ’ ll discuss the essential sections of a business plan, tips to complete each one, and mistakes to avoid. You can begin right now by downloading one of Wrike’s business-focused templates .

Is a business plan really necessary? 

As the world of work accelerates with the speed of innovation, globalization, and remote work , many practices are changing. Transactions and negotiations that would have taken months to complete can now transpire in hours or days using video conferencing and other collaborative tools . Seeking confirmation, giving feedback, signing contracts, and closing deals are done more efficiently and across many borders. 

But even so, business plans are as essential and valuable as ever. Widely used is the one-page business plan, which is a quick, concise way to summarize and present your business ’ s status, current needs, and projected future. One-page business plans help illustrate where your business is and how you plan to achieve its potential. Investors, partners, and stakeholders can see the main points at a glance and decide whether to continue conversations, turn down the offer, or agree to your ask. 

Business plan templates help simplify the process of creating thorough and effective business plans. They get you past the initial blank page and provide a structure for building your own professional and comprehensive business plan in minutes or hours, not days or weeks. These templates make it easy to visualize viable exit strategies and desired business outcomes, promoting strategic and impactful decision-making as a sole entrepreneur, small business, or CEO of a fast-growing startup answering to shareholders.

Business plans help to: 

  • Get more clarity on your business roadmap : Whether you ’ re a first-time entrepreneur or a small business owner looking to raise funds, business plans clarify your goals and organizational objectives for different periods, e.g., one to five years. Clear goals translate to actionable plans. Teams can break them down into tasks and projects and chart a timeline to achieve milestones. 
  • Pitch and raise funds from investors: The most common reason people do the hard task of creating business plans in the first place is to pitch their startup or business idea to investors, bankers, or venture capitalists. A business plan shows you're serious about your business and communicates the business's potential. If your plan is clear and investors are convinced, you can raise the funds you need. 
  • Convince stakeholders: There are many instances in business when you have to convince others to buy into a new idea or try new ways to improve the company ’s bottom line. Teams and project managers create internal business plans to present their cases and convince stakeholders about the viability of their proposed solution. A well-done business plan can win the necessary sponsorship and stakeholder support you need.
  • Navigate potential risks: A business plan template ensures you cover all crucial aspects of your business. It creates visibility into potential risks and challenges the business or project may face as well as an opportunity for proactive brainstorming and strategy development to mitigate these risks.

How long should your business plan be?

A conventional business plan can be many pages long. The ideal length is whatever is required to explain the business adequately and excite your readers about its potential. Business plans can be from as few as five to as many as 25 pages. However, it’s advisable to keep it as short as possible to hold your readers ’ attention through most of it. 

A one-page business plan is a condensed, lightweight version of a conventional business plan. The one-page plan illustrates what your business does by summarizing its mission, operations, marketing, and financial forecasts on one page. 

You use visual elements like graphs and charts, bullet points, summaries, and clever formatting to keep the one-page plan informative, engaging, and clear for readers to understand. Answer frequently recurring questions in the appendices and carry along useful, additional documents to provide details and proof of work when seeking investment. Investors want to know your business can be profitable, and they can cash out. They ’ d like to see evidence of a viable market and customer interest. 

How do I write a simple business plan?

Before you begin writing your business plan, talk to your customers and employees to validate and shape your business concept. It doesn ’ t matter if you ’ re just beginning to grow your business or raising another round for expansion. 

Writing a business plan starts with speaking to people on the ground — customers, leads, residents, consumers, employees, and any other groups that directly use and experience your products, services, and business management . 

Once you have their input, you can start writing your business plan by completing the seven sections below. 

Essential components of a business plan

Every business plan should include the following sections:

  • Executive summary
  • Company description
  • Products and services
  • Market analysis
  • Management team
  • Financial plan
  • Operational plan

These seven parts cover the crucial areas that keep a business running and successful. Without clarity on any section, you may struggle to build a thriving business. 

1. Executive summary

The executive summary outlines your one-page business plan. It introduces what readers can expect in the following sections and highlights the most impressive statistics and information in the business plan to pique their interest.

Executive summaries should be concise. Every sentence should be necessary and add value to the plan. Here ’ s an example of a one-page business plan executive summary:

Marigold Panes, a joint venture between a shipping and manufacturing company, aims to expand its successful European portfolio and capture a significant percentage of the rapidly growing North American window pane renovation market, focused on modern styles for residential and commercial spaces. This niche market is expanding at 12.6% yearly. It generated $19 billion in the US alone in the last year. Building on its success in Europe, Marigold Panes aims to establish a similarly structured company in the US within the next six months, using a hyper-localized go-to-market strategy across selected major cities.

2. Company description

The company description section should explain what your business does, highlighting your business model, industry, and type.

Include a clear mission and vision statement to set the foundation for your organization’s purpose, values, and long-term goals. This provides clarity and context around your business presence, creating a shared understanding of the business’s key objectives, guiding decision-making, inspiring teams, and setting the stage for long-term success.

Stating your mission and vision statements early in the business plan helps establish a sense of purpose from the outset. Be firm yet flexible to allow room for adapting to changing market conditions while remaining true to the company’s core values.

Continuing with the Marigold Panes example, let ’ s see what a company description may look like.

  • Introduction: Marigold Panes is a partnership between a shipping and a manufacturing company focused on winning window pane renovation projects from North America.
  • Business type: Joint venture (JV) , i.e., a partnership between two entities: a shipping company and a manufacturing company. 
  • Founding team: Partnering companies have a track record of delivering high-quality projects in their industries. This JV brings a double assurance of quality and standards for the market in North America. Both companies have strong executive and management teams with experience and expertise in fields apart from the core two.
  • Business mission: Marigold Panes ’ mission is to source, manufacture, and ship the highest - quality window panes worldwide. 
  • Establish a trustworthy brand presence in North America.
  • Grow customer base >15% month on month.
  • Meet a revenue target of $2 billion from the North American market within three years

3. Products and services

Your plan ’ s products and services section should outline all the business ’ s products and services. This should include your current products and services, those in the pipeline, and any others you plan to launch. Add necessary details about each one, so readers have a concise yet clear understanding of them.

Ensure you ’ re clear about ownership and copyright issues for every product or service listed. Share details about the workflows and processes that enable your business production and allow you to deliver successfully to customers.

Continuing with Marigold Panes, its products and services section may look like this: 

  • Procurement of window pane materials
  • Manufacturing of window panes
  • Shipping of window panes
  • Managing window pane disposal
  • Windowpane renovation projects

4. Market analysis

Your market analysis section should highlight the most important peculiarities about your target market and customer types, presenting research that validates the products and services. Depending on the stage your company is at, your market research section may be more focused on total market size, percentage of market share, rate of market share growth, or competitor activities. 

Break down your total market into smaller segments based on factors such as demographics, location, and priority needs. This will help identify the size and value of a specific target audience within the broader market, enabling you to create tailored marketing strategies for reaching and appealing to different market segments.

Market research helps you learn about your industry ’ s current demand and supply balance, how best to position yourself to solve the market ’ s needs, the most viable segments within it, and the best strategies for achieving product/market fit. It helps teams understand target customers’ pain points, needs, and preferences. That way, companies can create a product or service that effectively addresses particular needs, leading to high demand and customer satisfaction.

You can use the popular SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) technique to show your company ’ s positioning and competitive advantages. SWOT analyses are excellent complements to one-page plans as they convey so much information about your business operations, positioning, and potential using little space on the page. 

For Marigold Panes, it would start by listing all the window pane companies in North America operating for over two years and conducting above $500 million in annual revenue. It can then research the shortlisted companies and learn its business weaknesses and strengths compared to them. 

5. Management team

The management team section outlines your business ’ s top, most critical personnel and their expertise, experience, and credentials. This should show your organizational hierarchy and business ’ s legal structure. 

For Marigold Panes, it may list the personnel working on the new partnership from the executive and management teams of both companies.

Ensure that every team member in your business plan is credible, competent, and quick at their job — with the capacity and ability to convey your business goals and convince stakeholders your team and organization can execute their projects. 

6. Financial plan

Not all business plans need an in-depth financial plan, but every one needs a well-done forecast and estimations to show where the business is currently and how you plan to grow from there. A financial plan section provides a snapshot of your business ’ s current and future financial health. It shows investors whether your business will become profitable, where you spend the most money, and how fast you spend it. 

For a one-page plan, you only need an overview of your financial activities and projections, including where your capital came from, how much runway you have, the cash burn rate, how much investment you need for the next round, and how you plan to use the money. 

Your finances may be in the red and making losses when you ’ re just starting your business. Investors expect this and are more interested in learning how and when you plan to break even, pay off any loans, and start to make profit. 

Our example, Marigold Panes, is a partnership between two existing companies. Its financial plan for the new joint venture would include a balance sheet summary showing assets, liabilities, and capital of the new joint venture, as well as additional financial data including periodic projections.

7. Operational plan

The operational plan section in your one-page business plan should include a summary of what needs to be done to transform your raw materials into finished products and how they will be delivered to customers. 

The operational plan outlines your business ’ s main goals and the processes, tasks, and milestones to reach them. Think of how your products and services are created from scratch. What essential tasks, expenses, and steps must be taken every time to create the product/service or achieve a goal? Operational planning is best optimized with project tracking software such as Wrike to ensure smooth and efficient collaborative workflows, encouraging progress from one phase to the next.

For Marigold Panes, the operational plan may include getting procurement quotes from international suppliers, a system for estimating production costs on each new project, manufacturing equipment to design the panes, and manufactured/sales inventory for shipping to customers.

Business plan example

Here is a one-page business plan example to inspire your own. This business plan example has fields for your: 

  • Executive summary: In this section, write a brief, compelling summary of your business plan
  • Company description: Detail a comprehensive overview of your company, including its legal structure, mission, vision, and objectives
  • Products and services: Here, you focus on the products or services your company offers, highlighting the unique selling points that differentiate your offerings from competitors
  • Management team: Introduce your management team, emphasizing their skills, experiences, and qualifications that are relevant to your industry and company
  • Marketing analysis: In this section, present a thorough analysis of your target market, including market segmentation, target audience identification, market size, growth potential, and competitor analysis
  • Financial plan: In this section, outline the company’s financial projections and goals
  • Operational plan: List the day-to-day processes, tools, and procedures required to run the business effectively

Business Plan Template: Create the Foundation for Your Business With One Page 2

Business plan best practices

Follow the following best practices to create an effective plan for your business: 

  • Be realistic: Use figures as close to current reality as possible to create budgets and estimate fixed and variable costs over time. This applies to timelines and schedules as well. Take note when the actual work being done begins to deviate from the planned work and resources . 
  • Conduct quality research: Gather the figures, dates, and other data used in preparing your business plan from reputable, unbiased, authoritative sources. Cite these sources in the appendices of your plan.
  • Review and iterate: One-page business plans are lean enough to be easily adjusted to reflect market fluctuations, economic changes, and any other variations. Iterating and updating your business plans regularly ensures your team members and stakeholders work using the latest findings and stay aligned on the same goals and timelines. 
  • Focus on your business strengths: Showcase the best reasons for anyone to want to partner, support, or invest in your business. If you have impressive financial projections or a highly skilled management team, emphasize these sections in your plan. When you illustrate weaknesses, ensure you have a solution for them in your roadmap. 
  • Have your documents on hand: Your readers may want to look deeper into some assumptions of your plan. Have answers to frequently asked questions in the appendices and hold on to copies of practical documents you can share. 

What to avoid when writing a business plan

Business plans are developed to communicate business goals and convince important stakeholders to believe in, and possibly invest in, your company. It is important to keep this in mind when creating a business plan. This way, you write to impress and convince the reader rather than simply presenting facts and figures about the business. Keep the following tips in mind and avoid commonly made mistakes in business planning:

  • Make your business plan easy to scan. Separate sections, color-code where possible, and format your document to look inviting. Avoid long blocks of text and vary the way you present your data, e.g., using visual charts and bullet points.
  • Avoid including irrelevant information in your plan. You have limited space on a single page, so make sure every sentence and section serves a purpose. Your business plan should be packed with data that shows your business is on track to increase profitability with your team and anticipated resources.
  • Avoid ambiguity. Be clear about where you are in your business and what you need to get to the next stage so your readers or investors know exactly what’s required and how they can be a part of it. Put yourself in their shoes and consider what ’ s most important for them to know to make a favorable decision. For instance, instead of focusing on your product ’ s features and technology, you focus on your audience ’ s needs, e.g., the financial viability and operational feasibility of your plan.
  • Maintain a realistic perspective: Avoid overly optimistic projections, especially in the financial projections, day-to-day capabilities of the team, and estimated output and revenue at key milestones. This helps to plan a realistic runway, show your resource management strategies, and lead your business toward success. Overconfident estimates can also damage your business’s credibility and discourage potential investors. Make sure to address your competitors’ activities to show how you plan to differentiate and position your company.

Use Wrike to create the best business plan for your growing business

Wrike helps entrepreneurs, business owners, intrapreneurs, and teams create business plans easily. You can organize your projects using folders and sub-folders and assign them to specific team members or groups with a shared timeline and completion date. Wrike takes business planning from passive to active in this way. 

You can begin writing your project objectives , invite involved team members and stakeholders, and request their input in creating the business plan where necessary. For example, the accounting manager fills out the details required in the financial plan section, while the operations manager fills out the operations guidelines. 

Even a solo team can gain many benefits from planning with Wrike. From templates to reduce rework to workload charts that show your task assignments, Wrike helps make planning and managing your business efficient. Get started with a free trial today to plan and run your business better.

Kelechi Udoagwu

Kelechi Udoagwu

Kelechi is a freelance writer and founder of Week of Saturdays, a platform for digital freelancers and remote workers living in Africa.

Related articles

Future of Work Trends for IT Leaders

Future of Work Trends for IT Leaders

The pandemic stirred a digital transformation in workplaces worldwide. Wrike's CIO Research survey uncovers key future of work trends for IT leaders.

What Are Positive Risks in Project Management?

What Are Positive Risks in Project Management?

What is a positive risk and how can they impact your next project? Identify, track, and manage positive risks in project management with Wrike.

What is a marketing environment?

What is a marketing environment?

What is a marketing environment, and why is it important for marketing managers? Read on to learn more about monitoring your organization’s marketing environment.

Get weekly updates in your inbox!

Get weekly updates in your inbox!

You are now subscribed to wrike news and updates.

Let us know what marketing emails you are interested in by updating your email preferences here .

Sorry, this content is unavailable due to your privacy settings. To view this content, click the “Cookie Preferences” button and accept Advertising Cookies there.

  • Search Search Please fill out this field.
  • Building Your Business
  • Becoming an Owner
  • Business Plans

One-Page Business Plan Templates

One-Page Business Plan Templates for Entrepreneurs

Susan Ward wrote about small businesses for The Balance for 18 years. She has run an IT consulting firm and designed and presented courses on how to promote small businesses.

example one page business plan

Having a business plan is a must , whether your goal is to start a one-person freelancing business or a multi-million dollar enterprise. However, if you are looking to start a simple product or service business as a sole proprietor or one-person corporation you don't need a 50-page business plan . A shorter plan will suffice. A quick and easy one-page business plan templates can get you started. 

If your business is a partnership  or requires multiple employees, you may need a more robust business plan. Similarly, a one-page plan will not be sufficient if you are in need of  debt  or  equity financing  and wish to impress financial institutions or potential investors. Lenders and investors will require you to provide more in-depth information in the plan such as:

  • Your relevant industry background, business, and management experience 
  • A more thorough description of your target market , proof of sufficient demand for your products or services, and how you will meet that demand and turn a profit
  • Thorough analysis of the competition and how you will compete in the marketplace
  • Detailed, realistic financial projections , including projected income statements, cash flow projections, and  breakeven analysis
  • An in-depth operating section with details on facilities, leases, equipment, and staffing.

Step-by-step guidance on how to write a business plan  can lead you through each section of a full-sized plan.

Keep in mind that a business plan is a living document and you can always start with a one-page plan and enlarge it with additional detail as required. You may be able to articulate the business overview, vision , objectives, and concise action items in a single page, but you might want more detail in the financial and marketing sections. For example, you might want to add an extra page to your pricing strategy section for income and  cash flow statements and another for breakeven analysis in advertising and promotion.

Structure of a Business Plan

A one-page business plan needs to provide concise answers to several basic questions that must be addressed such as:

  • What is the need for your product or service?
  • What is your competition and how will you differentiate yourself in the marketplace ?
  • How will you make money, for example, in terms of sales versus expenses?
  • How will you market your business?
  • How will you get started? What are your  capital  requirements?

How to Use the Templates

The sample templates can be copied into a Word, Excel or similar office document by selecting the text and using copy/paste—using Windows, outline the text to be selected with the mouse, and hit CTRL-C to copy and CTRL-V to paste. 

One-Page Business Plan Template for a Service Business

This template is suitable for freelance businesses that provide services, such as consultants, graphic designers, landscapers, and delivery services. For a one-page plan, the answers to questions should be one or two sentences.

Business Planning Template -- Service

This section should articulate your hopes and dreams for the business. You can write a . For example:

What are you building?

What do you see this business becoming in x years?

How do you plan to grow the business and to what degree? For example, will you hire employees, open up branch outlets, or take the business public?

Do you eventually plan to sell the business for profit or to provide money for your retirement?

The business overview or should describe how you intend to achieve your vision. For example:

What services will you provide?  

What is your —who will buy your services? 

How will your service offerings address the needs of customers, for example, what is your unique selling proposition?

How will you provide your services? Will you offer your services online, through your , or at a business location?

The pricing strategy section needs to demonstrate how your business will be profitable. Summarize your projected revenue and expenses:

How much will you charge for your services?

Briefly describe how your pricing will be competitive enough to attract customers but be high enough to generate a profit after subtracting expenses.

Consider and pricing strategies.

This section describes how you intend to get the word out to customers about your services. For example:

What are the most efficient ways to market your services? For example, will you market them via a business website, email, social media, or newspapers? 

Will you use methods such as pricing discounts for new customers?

What marketing materials will be used—business cards, flyers, or brochures?

What about referrals?

This section lists your objectives and metrics for success by time frame, as well as potential questions or challenges. For example:

Capture 20% of the local market share by year end

Gain five steady customers in the first six months of operation

Earn a net income of $50,000 for the first fiscal year

List any obstacles or concerns, for example:

Winter season or poor spring weather reduces demand for landscaping services.

Briefly describe the action items needed to achieve your objectives, using milestone dates. For example:

 By "date" a fully-equipped home office will be completed.

 By "date" business licenses and acquired.

 By "date" purchase of delivery van negotiated with dealer.

 By "date" launch with description of services and price list.

 By "date" social media marketing plan in place and potential customers connected via Facebook and LinkedIn.

 By "date" subscribed to cloud-based accounting software and setup customer invoice templates. 

Describe possible solutions for any potential obstacles:

If landscaping services cannot be delivered due to bad weather, look into providing other services such as snow clearing or tree pruning.

One-Page Business Plan Template for a Product Business

This template is suitable for businesses that sell products, such as food services, beauty products, and bike shops. For a one-page plan, the answers to questions should be one or two sentences.

Business Planning Template -- Product

This section should articulate your hopes and dreams for the business. You can write a vision statement. For example:

The business overview or mission should describe how you intend to achieve your vision. For example:


 

Demonstrate how your business will be profitable by summarizing your projected revenue from product sales minus your expenses:

Consider and pricing strategies.

Briefly outline the marketing plan for your products:

advertise your products business website social media

—business cards brochures

referrals

List your objectives and metrics for success by time frame, as well as potential questions or challenges. For example:

List any obstacles that may prevent you from achieving your objectives, for example:

Briefly describe the action items needed to achieve your objectives, using milestone dates. For example:

wholesalers

social media marketing plan LinkedIn

List any obstacles or concerns and how you intend to overcome them. For example:

One-Page Business Plan Template (with Examples)

example one page business plan

The first step of scaling a business is planning, and one of the easiest ways to create a scaling plan is to use the One-Page Strategic Plan (OPSP). Originally introduced by Verne Harnish in his books Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up , the One-Page Strategic Plan makes it simple to keep everyone on the same page to achieve business goals.

We’ll share with you how to create your own One-Page Strategic Plan, how companies have used these plans to scale a business , and templates to guide the strategy of managing people and processes.

These templates can be used throughout the rest of the Hub articles on scaling a business to help you implement your calling with more success. Let’s start by examining what is included in the One-Page Strategic Plan.

One-Page Strategic Plan (OPSP)

One-page business plan document

The One-Page Strategic Plan is normally two pages, but I guess the decision was made to call it a One-Page Strategic Plan because it sounds better. The first page focuses on people and long-term vision, while the second focuses on processes and quarterly results. We’ll look at each page separately.

Download the OPSP . If you print it, please use landscape mode and fit-to-page for the best results. Then use the template to follow along.

Long Term Plan

The first page of the One-Page Strategic Plan is focused on people and is broken into six sections:

  • Strengths and Weaknesses
  • People that Drive Your Reputation
  • Core Values
  • 3 to 5-Year Targets
  • 1-Year Goals

We’ll look at each of these to help you understand how they help business leaders scale a business for success.

Strengths and Weaknesses (Bottom)

I’ve included the strengths and weaknesses first because the One-Page Strategic Plan (OPSP) was created with the intent for people to work their way from the bottom to the top. The first step of solving any problem is recognizing there is one.

Given that we’re using it to scale a business, you’ll probably want to focus on areas where you are:

  • Struggling to meet core customer demands
  • Spending too much time
  • Reaching a point that you need to hire more people

If your strength is serving customers but you’re spending 20 hours a week performing accounting tasks, your weakness is likely your accounting process. By reducing the time spent on accounting, you can focus more on serving your core customer base.

Take this portion seriously, as it will drive the rest of the plan. While you’re working on it, check out our interview with Mike about writing business plans.

People Drive Reputation (Top)

People are the key to running a successful business. Whether the people are employees, customers, or owners, they can impact the business’s success. Let’s look at each concept and how they affect planning to scale a company.

The creator of the One-Page Strategic Plan intends for you to use metrics that show the company is succeeding, but you need to understand the stakeholder expectations to create meaningful metrics. So we’ll discuss expectations.

Successful business idea words written in puzzle piece

Employees (1st Question)

If the scaling opportunity you are working on only involves certain employees or divisions, you might want to include who they are in this section. You will probably want to consult with employees as you develop the scaling strategy because they will be the key to success during the implementation stages. 

The Harvard Business Review outlines why change management fails —ultimately, all of the reasons focus on the inability of management to get employees to buy into the strategic plan. Include employees early and often to get the most out of your scaling plan.

If it is the whole company, you may want to include information on how you measure success. If you have never created metrics before, the Academy to Innovate HR lists 21 employee performance metrics that help measure employee success. I suggest reading it.

Customers (2nd Question)

Customer service support team

Without customers, there is no company. It’s just a glorified hobby. You’ll want to include customers in various ways when scaling a business. Consider drawing upon customer knowledge and opinion in the following ways:

  • Customer service surveys
  • Beta testing
  • Market research
  • Requests for new product features. Craft.io has a blog on collecting feedback , and it sounds like many product managers love their feedback portals.

If you’re going to include customer metrics in this section, you may want to have ones like Net Promoter Score, Customer Satisfaction Score, and Churn Rate. Check out Hubspot’s 15 customer success metrics to learn more about customer metrics .

Owners and debt holders (3rd-6th Question)

This section was called shareholders in the original One-Page Strategic Plan, but in today’s business world, there are many more potential stakeholders than just shareholders.

Scaling opportunities might need approval for business decisions from:

  • Shareholders
  • Debt holders

You may also need to disclose your new strategies and risks in quarterly or annual reports.

Make sure to include anyone who can help or hinder your scaling strategies. The executive team will be the driver that ties the company’s core values with the brand promises and a Big Hairy Audacious Goal® (BHAG). Without them on board, this powerful tool may not achieve the key results.

Boston Research Group surveyed 60 CEOs to understand what the most important metrics are for new members of their executive teams and found that the three most important measures of executive success are:

  • Exceeding performance goals
  • Establishing a reputation as an expert, both within the company and externally
  • Fitting the company’s culture

The same can be used to establish whether owners provide measurable results to help the company achieve scaling goals that improve revenue and profitability. Keep reading for information on how core values guide a growing firm.

Core Values (Column 1)

Core values of business drawing

Core values are the first column in an OPSP tool because the scaling strategy owners implement should stay in line with the core values and vision. Reminding the team of how the company sees the world is key to keeping the implementation in line with the company’s focus.

If you have a mission statement and values, include them in this column. Also, include behaviors and values the team should and should not emulate as they implement the strategy. Here is an example of an email Elon Musk sent emphasizing how important it is for every team member to keep the brand promise:

Elon Musk company message

Be clear, compassionate, and honest when communicating core values with your company and customers. This column and the next are driven entirely by the small business owners, CEOs, or the executive team.

Keep reading to learn about how the purpose column fits into the one-page personal plan and how it guides the company scaling strategy.

Purpose (Column 2)

The purpose column in the one-page plan focuses on why you are doing what you are doing. It is meant to be inspirational. When originally written, the column was meant to be worked on from bottom to top. It takes an approach where you must build the foundation first and then build upon it. 

Screenshot of ebook on Amazon website

The foundation is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal ®, a term registered by Jim Collins and introduced in his book Built to Last . The next step is how the company wants to measure profits, followed by actions, and finally, the purpose, which is the summary.

An example of what the purpose might look like would look something like the statement below:

“XYZ LLC aims to triple the number of millionaires in the US by providing content that makes starting and running a business more profitable. To drive revenue, we partner with companies with a Trust Pilot score of 4.5 or higher and provide referrals that help clients and partners create better results.

We are looking to scale the company revenue by using AI to identify, apply, and insert referral links into our blogs in meaningful places.”

The above statement summarizes how a company might try to scale revenue from blogging.

Big Hairy Audacious Goal ®

Big Hairy Audacious Goal ® is simply a statement of how you will change the world. An example is Meta’s (formerly Facebook) intended goal “to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.” It’s big and nearly impossible to achieve fully without merging us all as one.

Most people will create a BHAG using four strategies:

  • Numerical: Hit a specific revenue, profit, or customer number.
  • Aspirational: Attempt to be like another company, for instance, become the “Nike” of backpacks.
  • Market Leader: General Electric once aimed to be one of the top two companies in the industry or exit the business.
  • Transformational: Change how the industry operates. For instance, Airbnb and Uber changed their industries by making it so that homeowners and restaurants can earn additional income. Both companies’ main asset is tech playing the middleman between consumers and owners.

When you started your company, you probably had a meaningful reason. What was that reason? Write it down on your OPSP template.

We’ve given you a few ideas of what you should include as the foundation, so let’s go to the next section of the One-Page Strategic Plan, measuring profits.

Measuring Profits

Man measuring the word profits

Measuring profits can be done in a variety of ways, but the goal is to give a meaningful way of defining how much profit you want to make from a venture. For scaling a business, the primary goal, as discussed in The Ultimate Guide to Scaling a Business , is to reduce the marginal cost of sales. That means you might want to consider profit metrics like:

  • Profit per Customer
  • Profit per Transaction
  • Profit per Employee
  • Profit per Piece of Content

Once you’ve defined how to measure profits as the company grows, it’s time to look at the actions to achieve success.

The actions are the changes you make to reduce the marginal cost of increasing revenue. Include the high-level goals of your scaling projects in this section, such as comparing automated accounting, training people on process changes,  and implementing dashboards to monitor progress.

Paul Akers encourages focusing on making improvements that save 2 seconds per task completed. He finds this a great strategy to improve his company and life using LEAN mindsets. Listen to our interview with Paul to hear how easy it is for small improvements to build up.

Once you have some high-level priorities outlined, it’s time to look at what you want the company to look like in a few years.

3 to 5-Year Targets (Column 3)

In this column, you want to get more specific about where you want to be in the next three to five years.  At the top is a box for the date you want to accomplish everything by, the revenue you want to generate, profit margins, market cap, or cash on hand.

This column will consist of brand promises, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure them, primary capabilities, and the sandbox. Start from the bottom and work your way up. You’ll also want to update this section when the execution of the action items is complete.

Let’s look at each.

Brand Promises (Column 3, Bottom)

Brand promises are what you agree to deliver. The specifics will vary by industry, but there are six main ways of differentiating your company from competitors:

  • Product: Explain your product features, performance, efficiency, warranty, etc.
  • Service: Explain how your services compare to the industry.
  • Channel: Explain how you deliver your product or service to the customer.
  • Relationship: Explain how your customer service differs from the competition. Are you faster or friendlier? For instance, the HVAC company One Hour Air promises “ALWAYS ON TIME…OR YOU DON’T PAY A DIME!®”
  • Reputation: This can be accomplished through marketing or by combining the differentiation strategies so when people ask about your service, your clients immediately think of you.
  • Price: Are you a premium brand, a low-cost provider, or priced based on client needs?

Check out 6 Ways to Differentiate Your Business by MarketResearch.com to learn more about these strategies.

Screenshot of Market Research website

Once you have established your brand promises, it’s time to create KPIs to measure their success.

Measuring Brand Promises with Key Performance Indicators

Promises are only as good as the emphasis put behind them. To fulfill a brand promise, you’ll need to measure the results across the entire organization using key metrics. Jack Welch once said:

There are only three measurements that tell you nearly everything you need to know about your organization’s overall performance: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow.

No company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.

Your business may need more KPIs than employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow to identify whether you are meeting the brand promise. Datapine has a list of over 300 KPIs to consider based on the job, industry, and technology you are using. Find the ones that drive your business to match the company identity you are trying to create.

Screenshot of Data Pine website

Keep reading for information on how to define the primary capabilities of your organization.

Primary Capabilities

Primary capabilities are focused on what you want the organization to be able to achieve. As it relates to scaling, these might be steps like:

  • Automate fulfillment
  • Start using a phone app for employees to input receipts into the accounting system
  • Create a database for customer feature requests

These are also referred to as key thrusts. As long as they align with the core purpose and can be verified with a measurable target, they should help the team complete its business goals.

The owner of Urbanity wrote nearly 100 page business plan and got a business loan without any experience in the boutique business. Find out how below.

Keep reading to learn how the sandbox impacts the ability to scale a business.

Sandbox (aka Target Market)

The sandbox is a term used in Mastering the Rockefeller Habits to describe what we more commonly call the target market. You likely already know the target market because most people looking to scale a business have already reached their ideal customers. The focus here is to remind the team of who the organization serves and who it doesn’t.

Keep reading to define the annual goals of an organization.

1 Year Goals (Column 4)

Fast-growing firms can see over 100% growth per year. An organization growing at this rate will need to define its goals and fast-track them to maintain the customer service and quality control level executives expect. 

The top of the column has space to input the targets for financial targets and should be updated before the beginning of each year. To give even more clarity to employees, I suggest including the percentage change over the last year, which we’ve included in the templates. The picture below shows what direction I would expect each to move.

One year goals table chart

This column includes sections on initiatives, critical personnel goals, and critical profit and loss numbers that the company needs to meet. We’ll look at each to help you create a strategic plan to scale a business.

Key Initiatives

Key initiatives break down the primary capabilities into smaller, more manageable tasks. For instance, you may want to break down fulfillment automation into:

  • Research alternatives
  • Plan layout for implementation
  • Implement a fulfillment automation plan
  • Train employees on the process

Critical Personal Numbers (Columns 4, 5, and 7)

In this section, you’ll want to include critical numbers for hiring to meet your annual revenue targets. Make sure to break it down to the skills, too. For instance, a construction company might want to add:

  • 50 general construction workers
  • Four project managers
  • Two accountants
  • Four delivery drivers

Verne Harnish’s OPSP separates critical numbers into four categories:

  • Dark green: Meets 100% of the goal
  • Light green: Can successfully meet the goal, over 75%
  • Yellow: 25% to 75% of the goal
  • Red: Under 25% of the way to the goal

You can use the color coding in an online dashboard to help the executive team quickly review the execution of the plan on a routine basis. Don’t check them daily, but weekly or monthly would make sense. You can emphasize action items with your team to meet the critical numbers based on the information in the dashboard.

Critical Profit  and Loss Numbers (Columns 4, 5, and 7)

Critical profit and loss numbers

Like the critical number for hiring, profit and loss numbers help identify what has been completed and what should be emphasized to meet future growth. In this section, you are looking for leading indicators that show whether the work is being performed to meet the objectives.

Some examples of leading indicators are:

  • Emails collected
  • Requests for bids
  • Phone calls received
  • The number of people who click on your ads
  • Anything that can be used with other data to approximate the number of sales you can expect

Most industries average a 5% to 10% closing rate. Hubspot industry data shows that a 2% growth in traffic creates a 1% increase in transactions, but analytics will show better estimates.

That concludes the first page of the One-Page Strategic Plan. The second page focuses more on the actual actions to meet future growth expectations. Let’s look at the processes plan.

Process Plan

Marketing team working together on a table

The process plan is where you get into the real details of how to scale your business. It covers industry trends, productivity drivers, quarterly actions, the theme of the quarter or year, and how to measure each person’s success. Create this page before the beginning of each quarter or after you successfully build the processes.

Let’s look at each to see how the One-Page Strategic Plan can help you scale a small business.

Trends (Bottom)

The process plan starts with a solid foundation at the bottom of the page. In every industry, some trends occur. How well you can recognize and respond to trends impacts how profitable the company can be.

List the ones you see going on in this section. If you aren’t already keeping up with the pulse of your industry, I suggest becoming more active on:

  • Trade Organizations
  • Location of searches
  • Historical trends
  • Related topics
  • Related search terms
  • Check out the picture below for what comes up with eCommerce:

Screenshot of trends in google website

Keep reading for more information about using a strategic plan to scale an organization.

Productivity Drivers (Top)

The top of the page is broken into three categories that drive productivity:

Make or Buy

Record and report.

Each of these should be focused on meaningful results that will help drive revenue and profitability during the quarter.

This section is focused on inventory and manufacturing. You may want to measure metrics like inventory per SKU, turnover per SKU, gross margin percentage, and loss. Remember, the goal is to increase revenue and profit by becoming more efficient.

In this section, you’ll focus on growth statistics in sales and marketing. You may want to include the sales leads, consultations, and closing percentages. You might also want to have or review metrics like average transaction value, average discount, and revenue per employee.

This section focuses on accounting and should include items like how long it takes for accounts receivable to be paid, EBITDA , and other metrics that show the company’s financial health.

Quarterly Actions (Column 5)

Quarterly actions in column five

Column 5 is focused on the quarterly results. It includes a table with the financial goals for the quarter, followed by your “Rocks” and critical numbers. We discussed the critical numbers earlier, but be aware that each column will have different critical numbers.

Keep reading to learn about what Verne Harnish calls rocks.

Rocks are the goals you must accomplish to stay on track. They are things like hiring a new developer, increasing your seller ranking on Amazon, or completing 20 consultations with prospective clients. You will have some goals with which you must succeed. If you fail to meet those goals, you may have to cancel the initiative.

Make sure to specify who is responsible for each Rock.

Quarterly and Annual Theme (Column 6)

The theme needs to focus on helping motivate employees. It consists of a theme name, scoreboard design, celebration, and reward for meeting the goals. Depending on your company size, you might need to have a single theme or a theme for each division.

Your theme name should be catchy to get people’s attention. For instance, if you run a business in which most of the revenue is generated during the summer, you might want to run a quarterly theme in the spring called “Heating Up,” then “It’s a Scorcher” for the summer months. If the reward is specific, you can base the name on that, too.

Scoreboard Design

A scoreboard is a fun way to measure progress and what it should look like as you go. Common methods of showing the progress are with a thermometer scoreboard like the one pictured below. Alternatively, you can use a baseball diamond or a football field if you plan to take the team to a game.

Thermometer scoreboard goals

You can also have a graphic designer and developer create something to view it in the company’s tech stack. Get creative and fun with it for the best results, but don’t spend a lot of time overcomplicating it.

Celebration and Reward

A celebration and a reward are similar but different. A celebration might be a pizza party, while a reward would be a bonus or taking the team to a sporting event. Doing both is a way of thanking the team and each individual. If you do a reward for individuals, try to make it something meaningful to them.

Keep reading for info on the accountability column.

Accountability (Column 7)

Team looking to accountability drawing

Accountability is about the individual and their performance. It should include the KPIs for the team and break them up based on each person. In addition, this section should spell out what each worker’s priorities are. At the bottom, it will include the critical numbers to meet.

Let’s look at individual KPIs and priorities to see how they impact when you scale a business.

Personal KPIs

You’ll want Personal KPIs that are meaningful to each position. As a writer, I might be judged on words per article, affiliate links clicked per blog, or an average Google ranking.

KPIs and priorities should be the basis for your promotions, reviews, and bonuses. Otherwise, they aren’t significant or specific and might easily be overlooked.

Personal Priorities

Personal priorities are the specific tasks to be accomplished for an employee to be successful. When focusing on how to scale a business, an accountant might need to have a personal priority of categorizing all vendor spending within the first eight weeks of the quarter. A salesperson might need to increase sales by 10%.

Scaling a business means you’ll consistently improve the processes, but that doesn’t mean you need an overly complex business plan to get great results. Once you’ve created the first page, you can use it until you surpass your three-to-five-year goals. Then, you just need to use the second page to plan new and improved processes. If you’re applying for financing you might want to go with a more traditional business plan .

What KPIs do you find most useful for scaling and managing your business?

80% of businesses fail... Learn how not to.

Learn from business failures and successes in 5 min or less. The stories, frameworks, and tactics that will make you a 10x better founder.

example one page business plan

Brandon Boushy

Related articles

How to Get Clients for a Cleaning Business (in 2024)

428 Cute Business Names Perfect for 2024

The 5 Simple Steps to Brand Building (2024)

Become a business owner in less than 90 days

Start your 10-day free trial of the UpFlip Academy and learn how to start your own business from scratch.

Get business advice straight to your   Inbox 

How To Successfully Write a One Page Business Plan (With 3 Templates)

  • by IdeaBuddy Team
  • March 13, 2023
  • 48 shares 4 0 44
  • 6 minute read

one-page-business-plan

Table of Contents Hide

What is a one page business plan, advantage #1 condense your thoughts.

  • Advantage #2 See the big picture
  • Advantage #3 Build a business model

One Page Plan Template: Idea Plan

One page plan template: business model canvas, one page plan template: lean canvas, 1. market needs, 2. business solution, 3. competition, 4. target market, 5. sales and marketing, 6. budget and sales goals, 7. milestones/roadmap, 8. team summary, 9. key partners, 10. funding needs, start writing your one page business plan.

Writing an old-school business plan can be painful, so we’ve put together a quick guide where we’ll teach you how to make its simplified version, a one page business plan.

So, in the next five minutes of reading, you will learn the following things:

  • Why it can be better than a traditional business plan
  • What templates to use
  • What information should you include in each of the sections

Now, without further ado, let’s dive right into it!

It’s a great tool for the earliest stages of your business because it helps you structure your thoughts and brainstorm your business ideas with partners, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Also, you can explain on a single page what your product portfolio will be, how you will handle distribution and sales, how to prepare a market analysis,  and how to select the right brand strategy .

In a nutshell, your one page business plan should explain:

  • Who your customers are?
  • What their problems are?
  • How you can solve them?
  • Who are your competitors?
  • How can you set yourself apart?
  • Who is on your team?
  • How will you make money?
  • What are the costs you anticipate?

Basically, it should cover all the same points as a full-length business plan, but in a condensed format.

IdeaBuddy banner

The advantages of a one page business plan

It’s possible to boil everything down to a single page if you’re economical with words.

It will help you to map out your idea in under an hour, and explain your business model to the potential investors. If they like what they see, it will make them want to read the full-length version.

As we’ve just covered, a one page business plan makes it more likely that investors or banks will give you the time of day. One page is a quicker read than a pamphlet – although you will need a comprehensive business plan!

In the meantime, there are other advantages to a one page business plan that will come in handy. So read on, if you’re still not convinced that you can work magic with a single page.

It’s easy to get carried away when you are dreaming about your future business. A one page business plan will force you to condense your thoughts and formulate them as clearly as possible.

Advantage #2  See the big picture

You’ll cut out all the fluff when you’re limited to one page. That automatically makes you look at the big picture. And that will also help guide your decisions when you put your plan into action.

Advantage #3  Build a business model

It will help you to identify all the internal and external factors that form the building blocks for the business model that can tell everything about the business, like the product, target customers, competition, or any other element of your business.

Popular one page business plan templates 

You know why it’s a good idea to write a one page business plan, and you could now open a blank Word document to get started. But why do that when there are ready-made templates?

Let’s have a look at some of the popular one page business plan templates below.

Idea Plan is created by the IdeaBuddy team, and it is inspired by more popular business model templates, like Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas.

idea plan

What makes it unique, and why it’s more practical than the other one page plans?

It is very well organized, easy to understand, and it can be used by people who are not experts in business planning. Also, it has templates for the most popular business ideas.

The story starts from the inner, core blocks.

There you are defining the problem/solution and product/market fit that together represent your value proposition, or what makes you stand out from the rest.

Then you are moving on to the remaining blocks, in order to build your business model, and also to understand the external business elements, like competitors and market conditions.

Get started IdeaBuddy for free and create your one page plan in no time!

AI Business Plan Genetartors - IdeaBuddy Banner

Strategyzer is the team behind Business Model Canvas (BMC), which is a strategic tool for sketching, visualizing, analyzing, and pivoting business models.

one page business plan - BMC

This is the most popular one page business plan template and is has nine building blocks. These blocks allow you to map existing business models, design new ones, and manage a portfolio of models.

Lean Canvas was created by Ash Maurya, and it represents an adaptation from the original Business Model Canvas, inspired by the book Lean Startup by Eric Ries. This one page business plan can help you deconstruct your idea into its key assumptions.

one page business plan - lean canvas

What’s so special about this template is that it follows the problem-solution approach, and it’s more suitable for startups and entrepreneurs.

Sections Of Your One Page Business Plan

Hopefully, you’ve picked a template that looks visually appealing and suits your specific needs. Now it’s time to fill it in with all the information we mentioned at the beginning of this blog post.

You should describe the market needs right at the beginning of your business plan. Your entire business idea relies on solving a specific problem, so make sure you describe it clearly.

Once you’ve described the problem, it’s time to explain how your business is going to solve it. Whether you want to design a product or provide a service, this is where you sell it to the world.

Chances are that you’re not the only one who wants to solve that particular problem. Make sure you analyze your direct and indirect competition so you know what you’re up against.

Who has the problem your business wants to solve? Where are they in the world, what do they do, and what are their greatest hopes and worst fears? Describe your ideal customer in detail.

It’s not enough to know who’s interested in what you sell. You also have to sell it to them. Make a plan for how you want to promote your product or service and convert people into customers.

For example, are you going to use email newsletter software to create appealing newsletters and communicate over email? Or do you want to take the social media route and build an audience there? You can also create a combination of channels that works for you.

You need some money to get this baby off the ground. So what’s your startup budget and how do you plan to spend it? More importantly, how much do you plan to sell and over how long?

Your business will (hopefully!) evolve over time as you build a reputation. What does the future look like? Create a roadmap with milestones to mark significant progress along the way.

No matter how awesome you are, you’re only one person. It’s good to have a team to help you out. Who are they and what do they bring to the table in terms of skills and experiences?

Are you selling a product? Then who manufactures it, who distributes it, and who promotes it? You should list your key partners, without which your business can not exist.

Finally, we’re at the bottom line… literally. Make a list of people or resources you need but don’t have the capital to afford without the help of outside investment. Specify how much you need.

Congratulations! Now you know why you should write a one page plan, where to find some great templates, and what you should include in it.

But knowing is only half the battle.

Now it’s time to put your knowledge into action and actually write the damn thing! Fortunately, you don’t need to go back to Google for a solution to that problem – you’ve already found it.

IdeaBuddy is an excellent platform you can use to go from zero to a fully-fledged business. And the best part? You can write your one page plan completely for free!

So what are you waiting for? Start writing your one page business plan today, it’s much easier than you think!

one page business plan banner

IdeaBuddy Team

Ideabuddy is now mobile friendly, how to start a home business (6 steps guide), you may also like.

lean-startup-methodology

How To Succeed With Lean Startup Methodology

  • October 17, 2023
  • 34.8K views
  • 30 shares 24 0 6

financial projections for startups

  • 7 minute read

How To Make Accurate Financial Projections For Startups

  • September 28, 2023
  • 12.1K views
  • 4 shares 3 0 1

example one page business plan

Why Do You Need a Business Plan To Start A Business?

  • by IdeaBuddy
  • May 10, 2023
  • 6 shares 5 0 1
  • Start free trial
  • Get Started

Home >> #realtalk Blog >> Manage a business >> Writing an Effective…

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

By Homebase Team

Person writing in a notebook

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?

If you find yourself just sharing your executive summary with your business’s interested parties, it may be that your business plan is too long! Consider a one-page business plan as your business’s elevator pitch, or a longer executive summary.

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.

Example of 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

Download your Homebase One-Page Business Plan Template Word document

As you think about starting your business, think about how you’re going to keep track of your team! Get your business on track with one app to manage everything from employee scheduling to team communication.

Get your team in sync with our easy-to-use, all-in-one employee app.

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.

Related posts

July 15, 2024

How To Start A Small Business in 2024: 12 Simple Steps To Jump Start Your Dream

Considering starting a business in 2024? You’re not alone. There are over 6 million small businesses in the US, and…

Restaurant Business Plan Template: Grow Your Business the Right Way

Planning the best way forward for your new restaurant can be a daunting task. Whether you’re living the dream of…

July 3, 2024

Your go-to checklist for starting a small business (+ free download!)

Maybe it all started with your EZ bake oven marketing plan, and it’s been your long-time dream to start a…

June 26, 2024

How to Start a Construction Business in 8 Easy Steps

Being able to build something from the ground up is an incredible skill: a skill you can monetize into your…

Top 4 Strategies to Grow Your Construction Business

For those in the construction business, laying the foundation for a house can be a piece of cake. But what…

How to Start a Retail Business: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you want to start a retail business. What now? There’s the idea, the products, the space, taxes, the employees,…

Subscribe to our newsletter

Looking for ways to stay up to date on employment laws and small business news?

Homebase makes managing hourly work easier for over 100,000 local businesses. With free employee scheduling , time tracking , and team communication , managers and employees can spend less time on paperwork and more time on growing their business.

  • Hiring & onboarding
  • Team communication
  • Employee happiness
  • HR & compliance
  • Integrations
  • Food & beverage
  • Beauty & wellness
  • Medical & veterinary
  • Home & repair
  • Hospitality & leisure
  • Education & caregiving
  • Contact sales
  • Become a Partner
  • Careers – We’re hiring!
  • #realtalk Blog
  • -3 more templates
  • No results for

One-Page Business Plan

Alex Noles | Making Life Easier avatar

Alex Noles | Making Life Easier

9 templates

example one page business plan

About this template

Bring your business planning into one simple page with the One-Page Business Plan template. Clean, simple, and easy to navigate, this template streamlines your strategy, objectives, and action plans onto a single page. Customize it to reflect your brand and add your own content to make it unique. When you're ready, just hit publish to share your plan effortlessly. It's the perfect tool for anyone looking for a concise and effective way to present their business vision.

  • Project Roadmap
  • Team Strategy Doc
  • Company Planning

About this creator

  • Email the creator
  • alexnoles.com
  • linkedin.com/in/alex-noles
  • instagram.com/gypsyrascal
  • twitter.com/alexander_noles
  • facebook.com/nolesconsulting

More by Alex Noles | Making Life Easier

A template preview for Travel Packing List

Travel Packing List

A template preview for Travel Planner and Assistant

Travel Planner and Assistant

A template preview for Online Portfolio

Online Portfolio

More like this

A template preview for One-Page Business Plan

Joni Silvennoinen

A template preview for Business Plan Template

Business Plan Template

Sinaia Notes

A template preview for Business model canvas

Business model canvas

Featured in

Top 7 free company strategy templates, 7 templates.

example one page business plan

Top 7 Free Business Agreement Templates

example one page business plan

Top 10 Free Team Strategy Doc Templates

10 templates.

example one page business plan

Financial modeling spreadsheets and templates in Excel & Google Sheets

  • Your cart is empty.

eFinancialModels

One Page Business Plan Examples That Inspire Success

One Page Business Plan Examples That Inspire Success

In the dynamic world of business, being able to communicate your company’s vision efficiently is critical for success. Entrepreneurs, investors, and finance professionals alike benefit from tools that streamline this process. One such tool is the one-page business plan, which distills complex strategies and objectives into a succinct, easily digestible format. This approach is especially useful when time is of the essence, and you need to convey your business model quickly and convincingly. By focusing on brevity and clarity, a one-page business plan ensures that your key priorities and tactics are front and center.

Why should you consider such a concise format? Not only does it enhance understanding, but it also forces you to hone in on what truly matters for your business. For startups and small enterprises, this can be a game-changer. Whether you’re seeking investment, partnership, or simply aiming to align your team, a well-structured one-page plan can make all the difference. In the following sections, we will delve into one page business plan examples and outline the essential components that make up a compelling and effective plan.

One Page Business Plan Examples: Crafting a Concise Vision

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the ability to effectively communicate your vision is paramount. A one-page business plan serves as a strategic tool that condenses your insights, objectives, and strategies onto a single sheet. Such succinctness not only improves clarity but also enhances focus. Let’s explore examples of one-page business plans and the elements that contribute to crafting a concise vision.

Why Use a One Page Business Plan?

A one-page business plan can be particularly beneficial for startups and small businesses that need to quickly convey their business model. Here are some key reasons to adopt this approach:

  • Clarity: Simplifying your business model on one page helps clarify your vision for you and your stakeholders.
  • Focus: Keeping your plan concise forces you to prioritize your goals and actions, ensuring better alignment of resources.
  • Communication: A single page makes it easier to share your business plan with potential investors, partners, or team members.

Core Components of a One Page Business Plan

Every effective one-page business plan typically includes the following components:

  • Vision Statement: A brief statement that captures your long-term goals and why your business exists.
  • Mission Statement: This defines what your business does, who it serves, and the unique value it provides.
  • Target Market: Identifying your ideal customer helps tailor your offerings to meet their specific needs.
  • Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets your business apart? Highlighting your unique features can be game-changing.
  • Revenue Streams: Clearly outline how your business intends to make money, whether through sales, subscriptions, or other models.
  • Marketing Strategy: Describe how you plan to attract and retain customers, from traditional methods to digital campaigns.
  • Financial Projections: Include simplified financial expectations like sales goals and major expenses for the next year.
  • Action Plan: A brief overview of the steps you’ll take to achieve your goals, complete with timelines.

Real-Life One Page Business Plan Examples

Understanding the essence of a one-page business plan can be illustrated through real-life examples. Let’s look at a few scenarios:

Example 1: A Coffee Shop

Vision Statement: To be the go-to coffee destination in our community, promoting local culture.

Mission Statement: We serve high-quality, ethically sourced coffee while fostering community connections.

Target Market: Millennials and local professionals seeking a cozy workspace.

USP: We feature local artists and musicians in our café to create a unique environment.

Revenue Streams: Coffee sales, merchandise, events, and catering.

Marketing Strategy: Use social media, local partnerships, and community events to build awareness.

Financial Projections: Expected revenue of $200,000 in the first year with a 30% profit margin.

Action Plan: Secure location by Q1, begin marketing by Q2, and open doors by Q3.

Example 2: A Digital Marketing Agency

Vision Statement: To transform how businesses connect with their customers online.

Mission Statement: Deliver innovative digital marketing solutions tailored to small businesses.

Target Market: Small businesses lacking digital marketing expertise.

USP: Personal, hands-on approach with dedicated account managers for each client.

Revenue Streams: Service fees for consultations, SEO services, and online advertising management.

Marketing Strategy: Leverage content marketing and network at local business events.

Financial Projections: Anticipate $150,000 in revenue within the first year and steady growth thereafter.

Action Plan: Build a website by Q1, launch social media campaigns in Q2, and onboard clients by Q3.

Tips for Crafting Your Own One Page Business Plan

Creating an effective one-page business plan doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some pointers to help you get started:

  • Simplicity is key: Use clear language and avoid jargon
  • Be concise: Limit each section to just a few sentences to maintain clarity while providing essential information.
  • Visual elements: Consider using charts or graphics to represent important data, which can enhance understanding.
  • Iterate frequently: As your business grows, revisit and revise your one-page plan to ensure it stays relevant.

In a world where attention spans are dwindling, a one-page business plan can be your best ally. This format enables you to succinctly present your business’s vision and operational strategy, ensuring stakeholders remain engaged and informed. Embrace the simplicity and clarity that comes with a one-page layout, and you’ll find it easier to steer your business towards success.

The Benefits of a One Page Business Plan for Startups

When launching a startup, every entrepreneur knows that a solid business plan is crucial for success. However, traditional business plans can be lengthy and cumbersome, often making it difficult to pivot quickly in the fast-paced startup world. This is where a one-page business plan comes in, offering numerous benefits tailored to the needs of modern entrepreneurs.

Clarity and Focus

A one-page business plan forces entrepreneurs to distill their ideas into clear and concise statements. You’ll hone in on essential elements such as:

  • Vision: What do you aim to achieve?
  • Mission: What is your purpose?
  • Target market: Who are your ideal customers?
  • Unique value proposition: What sets you apart from competitors?
  • Revenue streams: How will you make money?

This compact format encourages you to prioritize and focus on what truly matters, enhancing your decision-making process.

Time Efficiency

In the startup ecosystem, time is often of the essence. A one-page business plan significantly reduces the time spent on planning while allowing you to jump into action sooner. With a clear roadmap condensed onto one page, you can allocate more time to product development, marketing strategies, and building relationships with potential partners and customers.

Easy Communication

Clear communication is vital for startups, especially when seeking investment or partnerships. A one-page business plan is straightforward and easy to share with stakeholders. It helps you effectively communicate your ideas without overwhelming them with excessive detail. Investors or potential partners can quickly grasp your vision and understand the core value of your business, creating a strong first impression.

Flexibility and Adaptability

The startup landscape is ever-changing, and entrepreneurs must be ready to pivot as needed. A one-page business plan allows for adjustments without the burden of overhauling a lengthy document. Here’s how it promotes flexibility:

  • Quick updates: You can easily modify your plan to reflect new insights, market demands , or changes in strategy.
  • Iterative process: Reworking your plan regularly can help you assess your progress and refine your business model based on real-world feedback.

This adaptability is key to navigating the unpredictable nature of startups and ensures your business remains aligned with evolving goals.

Enhanced Accountability

Providing a single-page guideline helps keep your team accountable. When every team member understands the core mission and goals through a succinct document, it fosters a culture of alignment and responsibility. It’s easier to hold everyone accountable to the key objectives laid out in one page, leading to a more productive and focused team dynamic.

Encourages Lean Thinking

Startups often operate on limited resources, making lean thinking essential. A one-page business plan encourages you to think critically about how to deliver value using the least amount of resources. This approach pushes you to innovate and find cost-effective solutions, which is crucial for your survival and growth in the early stages. You can concentrate on developing the most valuable features rather than getting caught up in unnecessary details.

Ideal for Pitching

Whether you’re pitching to investors or going through an accelerator program, a one-page business plan is an ideal tool. It serves as a powerful visual aid that highlights your startup’s potential. You can turn it into a slide or handout during presentations, ensuring that your audience can quickly grasp and retain the key points.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, adopting a one-page business plan can streamline your startup journey, providing clarity, focus, and efficiency. By emphasizing critical elements and fostering accountability within your team, it lays the groundwork for a more adaptive and innovative business model. As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, consider crafting a one-page business plan—it’s a strategic move that could significantly enhance your chances of success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Key Elements to Include in Your One Page Business Plan

Creating a one-page business plan can streamline your business planning process and offer clarity in your objectives. This format is especially beneficial for entrepreneurs who need a quick and efficient way to outline their vision without diving into lengthy documentation. To develop a successful one-page business plan, consider incorporating these key elements.

Business Overview

Provide a concise description of your business, including its name, location, and the nature of the business. This section should clarify what your business does and its core mission. For instance, state whether your business focuses on providing products, services, or both, and highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) that distinguishes you from competitors.

Target Market

Identify and describe your target audience. Who are your ideal customers? Consider essential demographic factors like age, gender, income level, and geographic location. Additionally, include psychographic details—such as interests, habits, and purchasing behavior—that help define your market segment. This information guides your marketing strategy and helps tailor your offerings to meet customer needs.

Value Proposition

Your value proposition is a clear statement that explains how your product or service solves your customers’ problems or improves their situation. It should articulate the benefits of your offerings and the values they provide. This is a crucial element as it directly influences marketing strategies and customer engagement.

Goals and Objectives

Outline specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your business. For example:

  • Increase sales by 20% within the next fiscal year.
  • Acquire 500 new customers in the first quarter.
  • Expand product offerings by introducing two new items in six months.

Setting clear goals helps maintain focus, motivates team members, and tracks overall progress.

  • Revenue Streams

Clearly define how your business will generate income. Outline primary and secondary revenue sources, whether through direct sales, subscriptions, licensing, or other methods. Understanding your revenue streams is crucial for financial planning and predicting the sustainability of your business model.

Marketing Strategy

Summarize your overall approach to reaching your target market. Identify the marketing channels you plan to use, such as social media, email marketing, or traditional advertising. Consider discussing promotional tactics like discounts, collaborations, or influencer partnerships that can boost visibility and attract customers.

Operational Plan

Include a brief overview of how your business will operate. This section can cover essential details such as:

  • Key processes and workflows
  • Personnel and roles
  • Technology and tools utilized

By outlining these operational elements, you can ensure the efficient running of your business and maintain a solution-oriented perspective.

Financial Projections

Provide a quick snapshot of your expected financial outcomes. This might include projected revenue, costs, and profit margins over the first year or two. Keep this section straightforward—utilize charts or graphs if it helps communicate the figures better. Remember, potential investors will look for clear indicators of projected profitability.

Funding Requirements

If you require funding, include a section detailing the amount needed and how you intend to use it. Specify what the funds will cover—product development, marketing, hiring, or infrastructure. Clarity about your financing strategy and expected outcomes builds credibility with stakeholders.

Define significant milestones that will mark your company’s progress in the coming months. For instance, securing initial customers, launching your marketing campaign, or breaking even financially are essential checkpoints. Having these milestones mapped out helps in tracking progress and adjusting strategies when needed.

These key elements into your one-page business plan creates a detailed framework that effectively communicates your business vision. The ultimate goal is to have a clear, accessible document that can guide your strategies, attract investors, and show potential partners what your business is all about.

How to Tailor Your One Page Business Plan for Different Audiences

Crafting a one-page business plan can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs, especially when you consider how to tailor it for various audiences. Different stakeholders, from investors to employees, have distinct interests and focuses. By understanding these differences, you can customize your one-page plan to communicate effectively and resonate with each group.

Identifying Your Audience

Understanding who you are addressing is the first step in tailoring your business plan. Here are some key audiences to consider:

  • Investors: Seek financial viability and growth potential.
  • Partners: Want to know about synergies and shared goals.
  • Employees: Look for clarity on their roles and company vision.
  • Customers: Desire understanding of how your product meets their needs.

Customizing Content for Investors

Investors are primarily concerned with the financial aspects and growth potential of your business. Here’s how to customize the content:

  • Focus on Financial Projections: Include key metrics like revenue forecasts, profit margins, and return on investment (ROI).
  • Highlight Market Opportunity: Clearly define the target market, market size, and competitive advantage.
  • Showcase Your Team: Briefly note the expertise and experience of your management team.

By presenting solid numbers along with a clear narrative, you can capture their attention effectively.

Tailoring Content for Partners

When addressing potential partners, emphasize collaboration and shared vision. Include sections that cover:

  • Mutual Benefits: Explain how your partnership could lead to shared success.
  • Complementary Strengths: Highlight how your business and theirs can create synergy.
  • Joint Goals: Establish clear objectives that both parties can strive to achieve.

By articulating the value of partnership, you make it easier for potential partners to see the advantages of collaboration.

Engaging Employees

Your employees are crucial to executing your business plan, so ensure that the content resonates with them. Key areas to focus on include:

  • Vision and Mission: Clearly state the company’s purpose and long-term goals.
  • Roles and Responsibilities: Briefly outline how each team member contributes to the overall strategy.
  • Culture and Values: Share what makes your organization unique and the values you stand for.

An engaging narrative will foster a sense of ownership and motivate employees to align with the company’s objectives.

Connecting with Customers

In today’s competitive landscape, understanding customer needs is paramount. To attract and retain customers, consider including:

  • Value Proposition: Explain what sets your product or service apart.
  • Customer Journey: Briefly outline how you intend to engage and support customers.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Mention how you will gather customer insights to improve offerings.

By presenting a customer-centric approach, you can build trust and loyalty among your audience.

Finalizing Your One Page Business Plan

Once you tailor your one-page business plan for each audience, ensure it remains concise and focused. Here are some tips to finalize your plan effectively:

  • Be Concise: Use bullet points and clear headings to make information easily digestible.
  • Utilize Visuals: Consider incorporating graphs or charts to illustrate key ideas.
  • Edit Ruthlessly: Eliminate any fluff or unnecessary jargon that could confuse the reader.

By tightly structuring your business plan, you enhance clarity and improve the chances of making a positive impression on each audience.

Tailoring your one-page business plan to different audiences allows you to communicate your vision effectively. Focus on the specific interests of each group while maintaining clarity and conciseness. This strategy not only boosts your chances of success but also builds a strong foundation for meaningful connections.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a One Page Business Plan

Creating a one-page business plan is an efficient way to define your business model, outline your goals, and establish a roadmap for success. However, many entrepreneurs make some common mistakes that can hinder their business planning process. Avoiding these pitfalls can lead to a clearer, more effective business strategy that propels your startup toward growth and sustainability.

Neglecting to Define a Clear Vision

One of the most significant errors is failing to articulate a clear vision for the business. Without a defined vision, it’s challenging to communicate your business’s purpose and direction effectively. Your vision should encapsulate your long-term goals and the impact you want your business to have on your industry or community.

Overcomplicating the Document

Since the goal of a one-page business plan is simplicity, adding too much detail can overwhelm readers and dilute the central message. Instead of including every minor detail, focus on the crucial elements that drive your business forward. Here’s what to prioritize:

  • Value Proposition: Explain what unique value you offer to customers.
  • Target Market: Define who your customers are.
  • Revenue Streams: Identify how you plan to generate income.

Ignoring the Importance of Market Research

Another mistake is neglecting to perform thorough market research before writing the plan. Your one-page business plan should reflect a solid understanding of your market, including trends, challenges, and competitive forces. Inadequate research can lead to misguided strategies and unrealistic expectations. Make sure to back your claims with data and insights from credible sources.

Disregarding Financial Projections

Many entrepreneurs overlook the financial aspect, which is a critical component of any business plan. Even on a one-page format, you’ll need to include basic financial projections , such as expected revenue, expenses, and profitability within the first few years. Not addressing this aspect can make your plan seem unsubstantiated and unconvincing to potential investors or partners.

Failure to Describe Marketing Strategies

Another common mistake is failing to articulate how you plan to reach your target market. Include a brief overview of your marketing strategies such as:

  • Online Marketing (SEO, social media, etc.)
  • Traditional Advertising (print, radio, etc.)
  • Partnerships and Collaborations

Clarifying your marketing tactics demonstrates your understanding of customer engagement and potential growth avenues.

Omitting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Without metrics, you cannot effectively measure the success of your business plan. Including a few key performance indicators will help you track your goals and evaluate your progress. Some essential KPIs might include:

  • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
  • Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)

Being clear about how you’ll measure success will enhance the credibility of your plan.

Rushing the Process

Many entrepreneurs feel pressured to finalize their plans quickly; however, this can result in subpar content. Take your time to brainstorm, gather feedback, and revise as necessary. A polished, well-thought-out business plan is far more effective than a hastily assembled one.

Not Including a Call to Action

A one-page business plan should not only outline your strategy but also serve as a persuasive document. If you plan to share your plan with potential investors or partners, be sure to include a clear call to action. Make it easy for them to understand what you’re asking of them—whether that’s securing funding, providing mentorship, or simply engaging in a conversation.

Failing to Revise and Update

Many entrepreneurs forget that a business plan is not a static document. Circumstances change, and markets evolve, which means your one-page business plan should adapt accordingly. Regularly revisit and revise your plan to ensure it reflects the current state of your business and the marketplace.

Avoiding these common mistakes can significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of your one-page business plan. By keeping your plan focused, grounded in research, and flexible, you’re setting yourself up for a greater chance of entrepreneurial success.

Real-Life Success Stories: Impact of One Page Business Plans

In the world of entrepreneurship, the clarity and simplicity of a one-page business plan can sometimes be the key to focusing efforts for success. Understanding this concept is enriched through real-life success stories where entrepreneurs harnessed this streamlined approach.

Take the case of Jay, a startup founder who had a brilliant idea for a tech product but found himself overwhelmed with the complexities of traditional business plans. He decided to utilize a one-page business plan, which allowed him to simplify his thoughts into concise sections. Within this framework, he outlined the problem his product solved, described his target audience, defined his unique value proposition, and articulated his revenue model. The result? Jay secured funding through a venture capitalist who appreciated the straightforwardness of his vision. The clarity provided by the one-page plan allowed him to engage stakeholders effectively, paving the way for a successful launch.

Another compelling story is that of Maria, who opened a boutique coffee shop. Rather than getting lost in elaborate forecasts and multi-page documents, Maria drafted a one-page business plan that highlighted her mission, core offerings, and marketing strategy. The simplicity of her plan enabled her to share her vision easily with potential investors and partners. By focusing on her brand’s identity and community connection, she highlighted how her shop would stand out in a saturated market. The clarity around her objectives attracted a loyal customer base from day one, leading to steady growth and profitability.

Building on these examples, it’s clear that one-page business plans are not only suited for startups but can also be highly effective for established businesses looking to pivot or innovate. For instance, a local gym, struggling with low membership rates, created a one-page plan to strategize its rebranding. The gym’s owner focused on key areas, such as market analysis, competitive advantage, and financial projections, all simplified into one document. This exercise helped the owner devise a clear and compelling marketing strategy that resonated with potential clients, resulting in a significant membership increase.

Utilizing a one-page business plan also fosters adaptability. When the pandemic hit, many businesses faced immediate challenges. A restaurant that had traditionally relied on dine-in customers transformed its business by reflecting on a concise one-page plan. The owner evaluated current trends, pivoted to a robust takeout and delivery system, and even leveraged social media for marketing. The agility afforded by the one-page plan allowed the restaurant to not just survive but thrive amidst adversity.

Here are some benefits that illustrate the transformative impact of a one-page business plan:

  • Clarity of Vision: With defined goals, businesses can focus on what truly matters.
  • Enhanced Communication: Sharing a one-page plan simplifies discussions with team members, investors, and partners.
  • Quick Adaptation: In a rapidly changing environment, having a succinct plan enables quicker shifts in strategy.
  • Streamlined Decision-Making: Less clutter means decisions can be made based on clear priorities.
  • Increased Accountability: A concise outline allows teams to hold each other accountable for key objectives.

In another example, an online retailer looking to diversify its product line utilized a one-page business plan to identify potential new offerings. By outlining target audience segments and product projections, the retailer quickly transitioned into a new niche market, resulting in a successful expansion. The clarity afforded by this simplified plan meant they could assess performance metrics regularly without losing focus on their original mission.

This narrative of success through simplicity resonates across various industries. From tech startups to local shops and established businesses, entrepreneurs who embrace the one-page business plan discover a pragmatic roadmap for navigating the complexities of business development. They maintain a clear focus on their objectives, allowing their enterprises to thrive even within challenging environments.

To further illustrate, consider businesses that used this method in competitive fields. An innovative marketing agency adopted a one-page business plan approach, highlighting its unique strategies and target demographics. This bold move not only attracted high-profile clients but also secured long-term contracts that significantly enhanced its revenue.

Real-life success stories underscore a powerful truth: sometimes, less is more. One-page business plans empower entrepreneurs to distill their ideas down to essentials, fostering engagement and collaboration that leads to tangible results.

Tools and Resources for Designing Effective One Page Business Plans

Designing an effective one-page business plan requires the right tools and resources to streamline the process and ensure clarity of vision. A simplified and visual representation of your business strategy can be profoundly impactful. In today’s fast-paced world, conveying essential insights succinctly is crucial. Below are some invaluable tools and resources that can help you create a compelling one-page business plan.

Online Templates and Tools

Utilizing online templates can save time and provide a solid framework for your business plan. Many platforms offer free or paid templates specifically designed for one-page business plans. Here are some popular options:

  • Canva: This user-friendly graphic design platform allows you to create attractive business plan layouts. With customizable templates, you can easily input your business information while focusing on aesthetics.
  • LivePlan: An online business planning software that offers straightforward templates to create not just one-page plans but complete business plans too. It guides you through each section, making it easier to articulate your ideas.
  • Google Docs: By leveraging templates available in Google Docs, you can easily collaborate with team members. The simplicity of editing documents online ensures that your plan can evolve with your business needs.
  • Bizplan: This platform provides structured tools to help you create a business plan step-by-step. It additionally offers resources for financial planning, which can be vital for projecting your business’s future.

Visual Mapping Tools

Visualizing your business model can significantly enhance understanding among stakeholders. The following tools allow you to create visual representations of your ideas:

  • Miro: A collaborative whiteboard platform perfect for brainstorming and visualizing your business model canvas. It allows team members to contribute in real-time, fostering a constructive discussion around your plan.
  • Lucidchart: This diagramming tool can help you create flowcharts or diagrams that illustrate your business model. Use it to show the relationships between different components of your plan effectively.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management tool that provides a visual framework for developing new or documenting existing business models. It consists of nine essential building blocks:

  • Customer Segments
  • Value Propositions
  • Customer Relationships
  • Key Resources
  • Key Activities
  • Key Partnerships
  • Cost Structure

By focusing your one-page business plan on these components, you can ensure that you cover every critical aspect of your business strategy.

Writing and Collaboration Tools

Engaging multiple perspectives as you create your business plan can enhance its quality. Various writing and collaboration tools can facilitate this:

  • Trello: An excellent task management tool that can help you track your progress and organize your ideas. Create cards for each section of your business plan and move them through various phases until completion.
  • Slack: A communication platform that promotes interaction between team members. Using specific channels for your business plan discussions keeps everything organized and accessible.
  • Evernote: A note-taking app that allows you to capture ideas, web articles, and snapshots linked to your business plan research. Organizing information in one place can inspire new insights and clarify your objectives.

Educational Resources

To design an effective one-page business plan, understanding the best practices and structures is essential. Educational resources can provide the knowledge needed:

  • Books: Reading books on business planning offers detailed insights and methodologies. Consider titles like “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries or “Business Model Generation” by Alexander Osterwalder.
  • Online Courses: Websites such as Coursera or Udemy offer courses on business strategy and planning, helping you learn at your own pace. These can be invaluable for grasping key concepts that will inform your plan.
  • Webinars and Workshops: Attend industry-related webinars and workshops to gather insights from successful entrepreneurs. They can provide practical examples of one-page business plans in action.

Employing the right mix of tools and resources not only simplifies the creation of a one-page business plan but also enhances its effectiveness. By focusing on clarity, conciseness, and creativity, you can artfully map out a plan that resonates with stakeholders and propels your business toward success.

Creating a One Page Business Plan offers a fantastic opportunity to distill your vision into a digestible format that captures the essence of your business. The examples we’ve explored illustrate how a well-crafted one-page plan can serve as a powerful tool for articulating mission, objectives, and strategies succinctly. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, the ability to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively can set you apart in a competitive market.

The benefits of adopting a one-page business plan, especially for startups, are numerous. It forces you to critically assess your core goals and the key elements that drive your business forward. You’re not just writing a document; you’re engaging in a process of reflection and prioritization. This clarity allows you to pivot quickly in response to market needs, making your business more adaptable and responsive. Moreover, having a concise plan simplifies the communication to potential stakeholders, partners, or investors, ensuring they grasp the potential of your idea without wading through pages of text.

Key elements to include in your one-page business plan are vital for ensuring that you cover all essential aspects. From your value proposition to your revenue streams, each component should tie directly back to the overall vision for your company. It’s crucial to be strategic about what you include—ideally focusing on what will resonate most with your audience, whether they’re investors, customers, or team members. By defining these elements clearly, you not only establish a strong foundation for your business but also create a roadmap that facilitates your growth.

Tailoring your one-page business plan for different audiences is equally critical. The information that captivates an investor may differ significantly from what you’d share with a potential collaborator or even your internal team. Understanding your audience and customizing your message can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your plan. This could mean emphasizing financial projections for investors while focusing on operational plans and team dynamics for internal stakeholders. The ability to adapt your plan to various contexts showcases versatility and intelligence, which are appealing qualities in a leader.

However, it’s important to steer clear of common pitfalls when crafting your one-page plan. Often, entrepreneurs pack too much information into their documents, losing the clarity that makes a one-page plan effective. Additionally, failing to focus on actionable items or overlooking the importance of design can dilute your message. Ensuring that your layout is clean and that your language is straightforward can vastly improve how your plan is received.

Real-life success stories highlight the tangible impact that a thoughtfully executed one-page business plan can achieve. Many startups have transformed their ideas into thriving businesses by leveraging this approach. For instance, an entrepreneur may start with a basic framework that evolves as they refine their model, which enables them to attract investment and gain traction in their market. These narratives not only inspire but also validate the effectiveness of this streamlined method.

To assist in this journey, various tools and resources are available for creating effective one-page business plans. From templates available online to software designed for business planning, leveraging these resources can save time and enhance the quality of your planning efforts. It’s an investment in clarity and direction that pays dividends as your goals become more attainable.

Ultimately, the one-page business plan is more than just a document—it’s a living representation of your vision, strategy, and potential. By embracing this approach, you empower yourself to communicate effectively and act decisively in pursuit of your goals. Whether your concept is still on paper or taking its early steps in the market, the clarity offered by a concise business plan can be a game changer. So take the time to craft one that not only defines your objectives but also captures the passion and drive behind your entrepreneurial journey. By doing so, you position yourself for success, navigate challenges with confidence, and inspire others to join you on the journey toward realizing your vision. Harness the power of a one-page business plan, and watch how it transforms not just your approach to business but also your trajectory toward achieving success.

Coffee Shop Financial Model Excel Template

Coffee Shop Financial Model Excel Template

Download Coffee Shop Financial Model Template. Allows you to start planning with no fuss and maximum of help Highly versatile and user-fri... read more

  •   Excel - Multi-User  –  $129.00 Version 1
  •   Excel - Single-User  –  $99.00 Version 1
  •   Free Demo  –  $0.00 Version 1

Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Check Our Cafe Budget Template. Creates a financial summary formatted for your Pitch Deck. Ready to Raise Capital. Creates 5-year cafe financial model... read more

  •   Excel - Multi-User  –  $129.00
  •   Excel - Single-User  –  $99.00
  •   Free Demo  –  $0.00

Juice Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Juice Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Get Your Juice Bar Financial Model. Impress bankers and investors with a proven, strategic business plan that impresses every time. Five year juice ba... read more

Restaurant Key Performance Indicator Tracker (Sales, Average Customer, Top 10 Menu & Worst 10 Menu, etc.)

Restaurant Key Performance Indicator Tracker (Sales, Average Customer, Top 10 Menu & Worst 10 Menu, etc.)

This financial report explained the trend in quantity sold, sales per day, number of pax, average spending per person, and customer turnover for the r... read more

Tea Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Tea Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Check Our Tea Cafe Pro-forma Template. Excel template - robust and powerful. This is your solid foundation to plan your business model. Five year tea ... read more

Coffee Truck Financial Model Excel Template

Coffee Truck Financial Model Excel Template

Get the Best Coffee Truck Financial Projection Template. Creates a financial summary formatted for your Pitch Deck. Ready to Raise Capital. Coff... read more

The Customer-Centric Financial Model for Restaurants

The Customer-Centric Financial Model for Restaurants

Starting a restaurant without a financial plan is like driving a car blindfolded. You wouldn´t do it because you are a careful person! As a business ... read more

  •   Full Excel Version  –  $79.00 Version 1.2
  •   Free PDF Demo  –  $0.00 Version 1.0

All-day Restaurant & Bar – 5 Year Financial Model

All-day Restaurant & Bar – 5 Year Financial Model

Financial Model providing an advanced 5-year financial plan for an All Day Restaurant & Bar.

  •   Financial Model - Premium Version  –  $109.00 Version 1
  •   Financial Model - Standard Version  –  $89.00 Version 1
  •   PDF Free Demo  –  $0.00 Version 1

Cigar Lounge Financial Model Excel Template

Cigar Lounge Financial Model Excel Template

Order Your Cigar Lounge Pro Forma Projection. There's power in Cash Flow Projections and the insight they can provide your business. Five-year financi... read more

Gourmet Food Store Financial Model Excel Template

Gourmet Food Store Financial Model Excel Template

Gourmet Food Store Financial Model Allows you to start planning with no fuss and maximum of help . Shop Now Highly versatile and user-friendly Gourmet... read more

Wine Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Wine Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Download Wine Bar Financial Model. Generate fully-integrated Pro-forma for 5 years. Automatic aggregation of annual summaries on outputs tabs. G... read more

Coffee Shop – The Customer-Centric Financial Model

Coffee Shop – The Customer-Centric Financial Model

Starting a Coffee Shop without a financial plan is like driving a car blindfolded. You wouldn´t do it because you are a careful person! As a business... read more

  •   Full Excel Version  –  $79.00 Version 1.3
  •   Free PDF Demo  –  $0.00 Version 1.2

Karaoke Bar Business Plan Financial Model Excel Template

Karaoke Bar Business Plan Financial Model Excel Template

Order Karaoke Bar Pro Forma Projection. Spend less time on Cash Flow forecasting and more time on your products. Generates 5-year Karaoke Bar Cashflow... read more

Golf & Entertainment Center – 5 Year Financial Model

Golf & Entertainment Center – 5 Year Financial Model

Financial Model providing an advanced 5-year financial plan for a startup or operating Golf & Entertainment Center.

  •   Financial Model - Standard Version  –  $69.00 Version 1
  •   Financial Model - Premium Version  –  $99.00 Version 1

Multi Cuisine Cafe – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection & Valuation

Multi Cuisine Cafe – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection & Valuation

This Multi-Cuisine Café business Plan Model is a perfect tool for a financial feasibility study on launching a cafe.

Bubble Tea Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Bubble Tea Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Discover Bubble Tea Cafe Financial Model Template. Creates a financial summary formatted for your Pitch Deck. Ready to Raise Capital. Five year bubble... read more

Coffee and Snack Financial Model

Coffee and Snack Financial Model

This is a financial model for starting a coffee shop with snacks. The model supports both sitting clients as well as take away, additionally the model... read more

  •   Full Excel Model  –  $79.00
  •   FREE PDF Preview  –  $0.00

Food Sector Bundle (6 Models)

Food Sector Bundle (6 Models)

Planning to start a food business but can’t decide on the profitability of your investment? Why don’t you use our food bundle with 6 templates as... read more

  •   Template Bundle  –  $370.00 Version 1

Coffee Shop – 5 Year Financial Model

Coffee Shop – 5 Year Financial Model

Financial Model providing an advanced 5-year financial plan for a startup or operating Coffee Shop.

  •   Excel Model - Standard Version  –  $69.00 Version 1
  •   Excel Model - Premium Version  –  $89.00 Version 1

Pizzeria – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

Pizzeria – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

The Pizzeria FM is a perfect tool for financial feasibility of launching a Pizzeria.

All Day Bar & Restaurant Financial Model Excel Template

All Day Bar & Restaurant Financial Model Excel Template

All Day Bar & Restaurant Budget Template There's power in Cash Flow Projections and the insight they can provide your business . Shop Now Five-yea... read more

Start Up Bar Financial Model

Start Up Bar Financial Model

Start Up Bar Business Financial Model presents the case of an investment in a bar business and its operations. The model generates the three financial... read more

  •   Excel Model  –  $79.00
  •   Free PDF  –  $0.00

Brewery – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection & Valuation

Brewery – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection & Valuation

This Brewery Business Plan Model is a perfect tool for a financial feasibility study on launching a brewery. The model can be used by the start-up to ... read more

  •   Excel Model  –  $99.00 Version 1

Cat Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Cat Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Cat Cafe Budget Template Enhance your pitches and impress potential investors with the expected financial metrics. Buy Now Five-year Cat Cafe budgetin... read more

Beer Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Beer Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Get the Best Beer Bar Financial Plan. Create fully-integrated financial projection for 5 years. With 3 way financial statements inside. A sophis... read more

Snack Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Snack Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Get Snack Bar Financial Model Template. Creates 5-year financial projection and financial ratios in GAAP or IFRS formats on the fly. Generates 5... read more

Coffeehouse Financial Model Excel Template

Coffeehouse Financial Model Excel Template

Discover Coffeehouse Financial Projection Template. Creates 5-year financial projection and financial ratios in GAAP or IFRS formats on the fly.... read more

Startup Business Plan – Coffee Shop

Startup Business Plan – Coffee Shop

If you dream of owning a coffee shop, the template is the first step in making your dream into reality, It is constructed based on solid experience an... read more

  •   Excel Version  –  $69.00 Version 1
  •   PDF Version  –  $0.00 Version 1

Juice Bar- 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

Juice Bar- 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

This Juice bar FM is a perfect tool for financial feasibility of operating a Juice Bar.

Karaoke Lounge Financial Model

Karaoke Lounge Financial Model

The idea of this Karaoke Lounge Financial Model is, that you offer 3 separate Karaoke rooms for little private groups, that can be rented, a bar/resta... read more

  •   Full Excel Version  –  $79.00
  •   Free PDF Demo  –  $0.00

Fast Food Franchise – Financial Plan

Fast Food Franchise – Financial Plan

The Franchise Fast Food Excel Financial Model is tailored to evaluate the feasibility of a Fast Food Franchise, and will give you full visibility into... read more

  •   PDF Preview  –  $0.00
  •   Full Excel File  –  $40.00

Sports Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Sports Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Discover Sports Bar Financial Model Template. Creates a financial summary formatted for your Pitch Deck. Ready to Raise Capital. Creates 5-year ... read more

Tea Store Financial Model Excel Template

Tea Store Financial Model Excel Template

Try Tea Store Budget Template. Enhance your pitches and impress potential investors with the expected financial metrics. Five-year tea store 3 way fin... read more

Confectionery Shop Financial Model Excel Template

Confectionery Shop Financial Model Excel Template

Confectionery Shop Financial Plan Allows investors and business owners to make a complete financial projection in less than 90 mins. Buy Now Highly ve... read more

Restaurant Financial Model: Adaptable to all Types of Outlets

Restaurant Financial Model: Adaptable to all Types of Outlets

Our full-fledged financial model in excel format has the functionality to run unlimited activity scenarios. It is built due to our vast experience in ... read more

Coffee And Snack Financial Model Excel Template

Coffee And Snack Financial Model Excel Template

Coffee And Snack Pro Forma Template Create fully-integrated financial projection for 5 years With 3 way financial statements inside. Shop Now Creates ... read more

Breakfast Restaurant Financial Model Excel Template

Breakfast Restaurant Financial Model Excel Template

Order Breakfast Restaurant Financial Projection Template. Allows you to start planning with no fuss and maximum of help Five-year horizon financial mo... read more

FAST FOOD The Customer-Centric Financial Restaurant Model

FAST FOOD The Customer-Centric Financial Restaurant Model

Starting a fast food restaurant without a financial plan is like driving a car blindfolded. You wouldn´t do it because you are a careful person! As a... read more

Market Entry Feasibility Study for Coffee Shops Industry

Market Entry Feasibility Study for Coffee Shops Industry

This model include market entry feasibility study in word format and business plan to convert the literature into numbers excel format for coffee shop... read more

  •   PDF Demo Version  –  $0.00 Version 1
  •   Excel Model + Feasibility Study  –  $195.00 Version 1

Restaurant Financial Model

Restaurant Financial Model

This Restaurant Financial Model is tailored for those who aim to start a business from scratch, and it is specifically designed for restaurants, cafes... read more

  •   Excel Model  –  $89.99 Version 1
  •   PDF Preview  –  $0.00 Version 1

Golf Range & Restaurant Financial Model

Golf Range & Restaurant Financial Model

The idea of this financial model is a golf range with a restaurant, like the concept of Topgolf in the USA. The model assumes to set up a building wit... read more

Restaurant Monthly Forecast Model Template

Restaurant Monthly Forecast Model Template

The Restaurant Monthly Forecast Model provides a 3-year annual and monthly forecast specific to a restaurant operation.

  •   Full Excel Version  –  $55.00

Coffee/Tea Lounge – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

Coffee/Tea Lounge – 3 Statement Financial Model with 5 years Monthly Projection and Valuation

This Coffee/Tea Lounge FM is a perfect tool for financial feasibility of operating a lounge.

Subway Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Subway Cafe Financial Model Excel Template

Subway Cafe Financial Model Allows investors and business owners to make a complete financial projection in less than 90 mins. Shop Now Highly versati... read more

Sandwich Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Sandwich Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Download Sandwich Bar Pro-forma Template. Allows investors and business owners to make a complete financial projection in less than 90 mins. Cre... read more

Ice Cream Shop – 5 Year Financial Model

Ice Cream Shop – 5 Year Financial Model

Financial Model providing an advanced 5-year financial plan for a startup or operating Ice Cream Shop.

  •   Financial Model - Premium Version  –  $89.00 Version 1

Tapas Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Tapas Bar Financial Model Excel Template

Get Your Tapas Bar Financial Model. Spend less time on Cash Flow forecasting and more time on your products. Five year tapas bar 3 way forecast ... read more

Bistro Financial Model Excel Template

Bistro Financial Model Excel Template

Check Our Bistro Financial Model. Requesting a loan without a financial model for paying it back is a common way to land in the rejection pile. Create... read more

Restaurant and Bar Financial Model Template

Restaurant and Bar Financial Model Template

Financial model template for an eating establishment in which customers are served food and drinks at their tables. The model uses a detailed breakdow... read more

  •   Excel model  –  $30.00 Version 1

Light-Meal Food Bar Financial Model-5-year DCF Valuation

Light-Meal Food Bar Financial Model-5-year DCF Valuation

This model provides a full 5-year financial model for a light meal bar or light meal stand startup demonstrating its revenue segments, cost structure,... read more

  •   Full Excel Version  –  $38.00
  •   Free PDF Version  –  $0.00

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

example one page business plan

How to Create a Business Plan

By Scott McDowell

Download our free guide to learn how to measure and analyze your website performance.

The email you entered is invalid.

Thank you for subscribing.

By entering your email, you indicate that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and agree to receive marketing from Squarespace.

A business plan is a helpful step to create a roadmap as you start or start to grow your business. This guide will explain the value of having a business plan and provide a detailed, step-by-step process to help you create one.

Think of a business plan as more than just a theoretical overview. It is a practical, actionable resource that informs your business as you grow.

What is a business plan?

At its most basic, a business plan is a formal document that outlines your objectives, strategy, and timeline to profitability. It includes basic information all in one place: your mission , organizational structure, product offerings, financial projections, and more.

A good business plan will:

Clarify your vision and strategy

Guide growth and help you stay on track

Provide a framework for making informed decisions regarding your business

At the end of the day, a business plan helps you stay focused on your goals and demonstrates that you have a viable strategy for growth. 

Why create a business plan?

Even if you don’t need one right now, a business plan can help you clarify your goals and lay out the steps to grow your revenue and customer base, so you can keep doing work you enjoy. A solid business plan can keep you on track and provide a benchmark for measuring progress. Plus, you’ll likely need a comprehensive business plan if you plan to attract outside investors .

How to develop a business plan

Before you start putting together your business plan, there are a few key pieces of thinking and research that will inform the details. 

1. Evaluate your business idea

Take some time to evaluate your new business. This step helps you hone in on your mission and vision for the business and what makes it unique. 

Ask and answer the following questions:

What problem does my business solve?

Is there a demand for my product or service?

What are the potential pitfalls and risks?

2. Conduct market research

Market research involves gathering information about your industry, target audience, and competitors to understand your market and identify gaps and sales opportunities. This helps you look more closely at where you stand among similar businesses and how you can differentiate yourself.

Industry analysis: Look at industry trends, growth potential, and market size.

Target market: Identify who your customers are, their demographics, preferences, and buying behavior.

Competitor analysis : Analyze your competitors' strengths and weaknesses, their market positioning, and their strategies.

Read our guide to audience research

3. Understand your audience

Developing a clear understanding of your target audience will help you figure out how to speak to them effectively, how to market your brand to them, and their unique needs.

Once you know your target market, dive deeper into their needs. Ask yourself:

How do you solve a problem or fill a need for them?

What are their priorities?

How do you reach them online or in person?

What type of message or behavior is likely to gain their trust or loyalty?

Creating a customer or buyer persona —a fictional version of your ideal customer—can be a helpful way to summarize these details. 

The elements of a business plan

A formal business plan includes several parts, including details about your business, how it’s structured, marketing plans, financials, and products. Which parts you need for your own business plan depends on its purpose. If you plan to present this to a potential partner or investor, you likely need most of the elements. If the business plan is to help you log your goals and plans, you can remove sections that don’t feel relevant to your needs.

Executive summary

The executive summary is the first section of your business plan, but you should probably write it last. It’s a one or two paragraph high-level summary of your entire plan. Remember, the executive summary is the first thing someone will see, so it needs to be concise and engaging.

What to include in your executive summary:

Business name: Your business' name and any relevant branding

Mission statement: A brief description of your business’s purpose and core values

Products/services: A summary of the products or services you offer

Market opportunity: An overview of the market need you are addressing

Financial highlights: Key financial projections, including expected revenue and profit

Example: For an eco-friendly clothing line, the executive summary might highlight the growing demand for sustainable fashion, the unique designs offered, and projected first-year revenues of $100,000.

"Our eco-friendly clothing line, GreenDress, is dedicated to providing stylish and sustainable fashion alternatives. With the mission to reduce fashion waste, our products are made from organic and recycled materials. Addressing the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly options, we aim to capture a significant share of the sustainable fashion market, projecting first-year revenues of $100,000 with a profit margin of 20%."

Try the Squarespace Business Name Generator

Company description

Provide a comprehensive overview of your company, including its structure, history, and the problem it solves. This is similar to the About section you might write for your website bio .

What to include in your company description:

Business structure: Describe your legal business structure (for example, sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC ).

History: Provide a brief history of your business, if applicable.

Market needs: Reiterate the problem your business solves and why there’s a demand.

Example: “ GreenDress is an LLC founded in 2023 by Joan Campion, a fashion stylist and designer with over 10 years of experience in sustainable manufacturing. Our mission is to offer fashionable, eco-friendly women’s clothing options that minimize environmental impact. With growing awareness of fashion’s ecological footprint, there is an increasing demand for sustainable fashion.”

Market analysis

Conduct market analysis to help you understand your industry, market size, and competitors. This helps you and others understand where you sit among competitors, who your brand is for, and what makes you unique.

What to include in your market analysis:

Industry overview: Summarize the industry landscape and trends.

Target market: Define your target market, including demographics, location, and purchasing behavior.

Competitive analysis: Identify your main competitors and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

Example: “The sustainable fashion industry is growing at an annual rate of 10%. Our target market consists of eco-conscious consumers aged 18-35 who value sustainability and unique design. Competitors include established brands like Patagonia, independent sustainable fashion brands, and direct-to-consumer startups like Everlane. GreenDress differentiates itself by offering more affordable and fashion-forward options.”

Organization and management

Highlight the experience and expertise of your team members. If you’re creating a business plan for your own planning purposes, you can likely skip this section unless it’s helpful to sketch out your team structure.

What to include in your organization and management section:

Organizational structure: Include an org chart and provide a one or two sentence overview of your business’s organizational structure. 

Management team: Introduce team members, their roles, and relevant experience.

Advisors: Mention any advisors or board members.

Example: “ GreenDress is led by CEO Joan Campion, with over a decade of experience in sustainable fashion design. Our team includes COO Carlos Silver, who has a background in supply chain management, and CFO Emily Deschutes, an expert in financial planning for startups. We also have a board of advisors consisting of industry veterans and sustainability experts.”

Products or services

Describe your products and explain what makes them unique. Writing this out can help you clarify how you talk about your products and the process for creating and selling them.

What to include in the products or services section:

Description: Provide detailed descriptions of your products or services.

Benefits: Highlight the key benefits to your customers and the unique selling points of your products.

Lifecycle: Outline the lifecycle of your products or services, including development and future plans.

Example: “ Our product line includes organic cotton dresses, jeans, t-shirts, and jackets made of recycled and repurposed materials. Each item is designed with style and sustainability in mind. Our clothing is durable, stylish, and eco-friendly, appealing to consumers who want to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing fashion.”

Marketing and sales strategy

How will you attract and retain customers? Include information about your preferred marketing channels, sales tactics, and customer retention plans.

What to include in the marketing and sales strategy section:

Marketing channels: Describe the channels you will use to reach your target market (for example: social media , email marketing , influencers).

Sales strategy: Explain your sales process and tactics.

Customer retention: State how you plan to retain customers and encourage repeat business.

Example: “ We will leverage social media platforms, fashionistas, and eco-influencers to promote our brand. Our sales strategy includes an ecommerce website and pop-up shops in vibrant neighborhoods. We will implement a customer loyalty program, offer discounts for repeat buyers, and regularly update our product line to retain customers and keep our brand fresh and appealing.”

Read our guide to creating a marketing strategy

Financial plan

Provide an overview of your business’ financial projections. You may need to talk to a financial expert or ask a friend who understands the financials of starting a business. 

What to include in the financial plan section:

Revenue model: Explain how your business will make money.

Funding requirements: Detail any funding you need to start or grow your business.

Financial projections: Provide projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for the next 3-5 years.

Example: “ Our revenue model is based on direct-to-consumer sales through our website and pop-up shops. We are seeking $50,000 in seed funding to cover initial production costs and marketing expenses. Projected first-year revenue is $100,000, with a net profit margin of 20%.”

Include any additional information that supports your business plan in an appendix. Consider what additional questions your audience might have. If this business plan is for your records, think about what business documentation would be useful to keep in your plan for easy reference.

The appendix can include things like:

Resumes: Detailed resumes or bios of the management team.

Product photos: High-quality images of your products .

Legal documentation: Any relevant legal documents, such as patents or trademarks.

Creating a simple starter business plan

Depending on your business stage and goals, you may only need a truncated, straightforward business plan outline. Focus on the essentials and don’t get bogged down in too much detail. Instead of including everything listed above, start with these sections:

Financial projections

A shorter business plan may be all you need to get your venture off the ground. It will provide enough of a framework to take the idea in your head and make it a real, viable business.

4 tips for writing a good business plan

A few best practices apply no matter how long your business plan is or who it’s for. A great business plan is clear, realistic, and based on research.

Use clear and straightforward language. Avoid jargon and overly technical terms, use short sentences and paragraphs, and be specific and direct.

Support your claims with data and research. Use credible sources for market data, provide references and cite your sources, and use charts or graphs to illustrate data and make it easy on the eyes.

Set feasible and achievable goals.  Base your projections on realistic assumptions and don’t be overly optimistic, consider potential challenges and risks and how you plan to address them, and be able to explain for your projections.

Seek feedback from friends, mentors, and advisors. Share your plan with someone you trust, ideally with more experience than you and use the feedback to refine and improve your plan.

Crafting a well-structured business plan is an elemental step for starting a new business or side hustle. You can start with a simple bare-bones plan or develop a more robust one, depending on your needs. The process can seem daunting, but armed with a clear and detailed plan, you will be ready to guide your business to success.

Posted on 01 Aug 2024

Related Articles

How to Design a Fashion Ecommerce Website

By Sam Edmonds

21 Sep 2023

How to Create a Marketing Strategy

By Annie Zaleski

03 Jul 2024

Subscribe to receive the latest MAKING IT blog posts and updates, promotions and partnerships from Squarespace.

By providing your email, you indicate you have read and understood our Privacy Policy .

example one page business plan

How to Make an Effective Business One-Pager (With Examples)

A one-pager is a resume for your business. It’s a short, distilled message that gives readers a quick overview of your business, product, open role, or event.

In the same way that a fine-tuned resume can help you win your dream job, a well-designed one-pager can help you win the hearts (and money) of customers.

In this article, we'll explore the benefits and purpose of a one-pager. We’ll also show you several real-world one-pager examples—so that you leave inspired to create an effective one-pager of your own.

What is a one-pager?

Let’s begin with the basics. As the name suggests, a one-pager is a promotional or informative message that fits onto a single, one-sided page.

The most common purpose of a one-pager is to promote something like a business, product, feature, or event.

As a marketing tool, this single page can be used to highlight the various strengths of your business. The best one-pagers are skimmable and use a combination of written content along with graphics and careful formatting.

‍ But one-pagers shouldn’t be created in a vacuum. Think of your one-pager as a resume. The most effective resumes are dynamic. A proactive job seeker may have several versions of their resume, which they use to target slightly different roles.

The audience impacts the message. In that same way, the key to writing an effective one-pager is first to determine your audience. (More on that later.)

The benefits of creating a one-pager

One-pagers have two primary purposes: to promote and to educate. Powerful one-pagers achieve both: using simple, clear communication to showcase the best elements of a business.

Here are several benefits of creating a one-pager:

‍ Codify how you talk about the business: In many companies, every department—sometimes every individual—has their own way of describing the company. This can be confusing to people not on the inside (namely customers). With a one-pager, you can get everyone on your team on the same page about how to describe your business and offerings.

‍ Equip your sales team: One of the key benefits of a one-pager is that it offers a product deep dive, without requiring much time or sacrifice from the reader. An effective one-pager is great for sales teams, which often need to provide prospects with a clear, fast overview of the benefits of the company.

‍ Workshop your product descriptions: Great one-pagers use a combination of snappy headlines and short, descriptive copy. Once you’ve created a one-pager, you can use the same copy across other marketing collateral like your website or ads.

‍ Publish and promote in multiple formats: A one-pager can be emailed as a PDF, downloaded from a website, printed and passed out at conferences, or simply published as an image on your blog or favorite social media website. They’re easy to publish and share, making it easy for your message to get in front of the right people.

Best practices for making an effective one-pager

Towards the bottom of this article, we’ve included a handful of one-pager examples for inspiration. But before we show you what a one-pager looks like, let’s dive into the core elements that the best one-pagers have in common.

Here are our guidelines for what to include in your one-pager.

1. Formula: One audience per one-pager

Before you begin crafting your one-pager, it’s important to consider your ideal reader. As the saying goes, if you try to appeal to everyone, your message will catch the attention of no one. It’s better to use a clear, focused message for a specific audience than to speak so generally that no one cares about your one-pager.

‍ As a rough formula:target one audience per one-pager.

‍ You can create multiple one-pagers for different audiences. A startup looking for funding, for example, may create several one-pagers to ensure their message is clear and relevant to each one. If the startup has multiple target customers, they can design individual one-pagers for each persona .

But the one-pagers don’t have to stop there.

The startup may also create a one-pager targeted to investors, giving them specific financial information that only prospective investors care about (e.g., market size, profit margins, and revenue). The dev team may have a one-pager that describes the technical specs of the product. This can be used for onboarding or as internal marketing to teach their own team about the product.

The startup may create a recruiting-style one-pager that showcases the benefits of working for that company. The list goes on.

2. Determine the most important information (then only use 20% of it)

Lean into the Pareto Principle here: use the 20% of information about your business that sparks 80% of the reader’s interest.

‍ By eliminating the other 80% of information, you will keep your one-pager lean. You’ll also have ample white space so that your design doesn’t feel “busy.”

Focusing only on the top 20% of features and information also leaves space for reader curiosity. That’s because the most interested readers are sure to have questions. You want readers to feel hungry to learn more about your product or services. That’s when they’ll contact you or buy your product.

3. Test and adjust

The only way to confirm the effectiveness of your one-pager is to run it by members of your target audience. You can use paid services like UserTesting.com to have people go through the one-pager live with you. This can be a great way to determine if your copy and messaging are not only interesting, but also clear.

The other way to test your one-pager is to simply send it to your target customers. If you receive interest from people reading your one-pager, you may be onto something. If all you hear is crickets, that’s a good sign that you should take another stab at the one-pager.

4. Combine text with visual content

Your copywriter and designer should tag-team this project.

A good one-pager combines precise copy with informative graphics. A nice layout is also helpful. The designer can help organize the written content so that the most important information is easiest to find and read.

What to include in a one-pager

One-pagers can cover a vast range of topics from recruiting and investment prospecting to product marketing. Those are broad categories that require slightly different information. However, as a general rule, you should try to include the following information in your one-pager:

  • The value of your product and its relevance to the reader: This is the essence of good copywriting. Where do the deepest needs of your readers overlap with the core benefits of your company or product? That’s the sort of information you should include in your one-pager.
  • The foundational information: Provide dates for deadlines. Tell readers your rates. One of the key functions of a one-pager is to inform the reader. So whatever you want the reader to know, tell them.
  • Just enough context: Give readers enough information to understand why your product is relevant to them, right now. But don’t overdo it. Your audience doesn’t need your entire backstory.
  • Use social proof: This is how you’ll convey to the reader that other people love your product. Use numbers, reviews, logos—whatever it takes to communicate that there’s demand for whatever you’re selling.
  • Include a call-to-action or contact information: Interested readers need a way to order your product, contact the sales team, or learn more about what you’re promoting. Give readers the information to take the next step.

Designing a one-pager

One-pagers can be simple. They can be complex. No matter where your one-pager falls on that spectrum, it should always include these three elements:

  • Clear writing: How else will you get your message across? Clear writing is the ultimate marketing tool for a good one-pager. Relevant information, presented succinctly, is a recipe for good copy.
  • Relevant visuals: What graphics and pictures can you use to enhance the message of your one-pager? As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. The best one-pagers communicate just as much through their visual presentation as they do through their words.
  • White space: Just as important as knowing what to include in your one-pager is knowing what not to include. With too much information, your one-pager can easily begin to look like a wall of text. You don’t want your one-pager to resemble a high schooler’s exam cheat sheet. Keep it simple: A little white space goes a long way.

8 one-pager examples (based on use cases)

We’ve discussed the best practices for creating a one-pager. But instruction only gets you so far. Eventually, you need to see what a good one-pager looks like out there in the wild. Without further ado, here are several one-pager examples:

1. B2C one-pager example

Simplicity sells. We liked this B2C one-pager example because the designer leaned heavily into aesthetics. They used minimal copy and used most of the one-pager space to showcase a graphic. The value here is expressed visually. Copy enhances the graphics by providing social proof.

B2C one-pager example

2. B2B one-pager example

Most one-pagers are designed to fit the average size of a sheet of paper. This makes them easy to print. But in the internet age, not every one-pager needs to be printed. Many are made purely to be shared and presented as PDFs. As a result, many companies push beyond the 8.5x11 design size. Here’s a B2B one-pager example where the designer formatted their information like a website.

B2B one-pager example

3. Education one-pager example

Some one-pagers exist purely for educational purposes. In this case, combining instructional design techniques with clear language and graphics can help you get your message across in a memorable way. The more substance that’s contained in an educational one-pager, the more shareable and effective it will be. Consider this one-pager example .

Education one-pager example

4. Course one-pager example

You can promote your course with a one-pager as well. The example below uses a simple format and minimal copy to convey its message. The designer used three sections at the bottom to highlight the core benefits. And when readers want to learn more, all they have to do is read the brief “About” section. Short. Sweet. To the point.

Course one-pager example

5. Mobile app one-pager example

Want to tell the world about your new app? You can create a one-pager for it. This mobile app one-pager example uses minimal copy, offers a QR code to easily download the app, and leverages white space for a show-don’t-tell approach to one-pager design.

Mobile app one-pager example

6. Investor one-pager example

Here is an investor one-pager. This was created as an example and template by Alexander Jarvis . What we like about this example is its simplicity. The creator emphasized the important numbers using large fonts. There’s space for a purpose statement, investor bios, and other key details from investors.

Investor one-pager example

7. Biography/speaker one-pager example

One-pagers aren’t exclusive to businesses. A good one-pager can be used to promote a book, your speaking page, or a specific service or event. Here’s an example from author and columnist, Tom Goodwin . He uses headlines to give readers a quick summary of his experience–and leverages brand logos as social proof. When readers want to learn more, they can read the sharp bio Goodwin included.

Biography/speaker one-pager example

8. Recruiting one-pager example

One-pagers are a great way to showcase an open job position. Recruiting one-pagers like the one below can be as simple or in depth as you like. For more technical roles (like specialized developer roles), the more information, the better. For less technical roles, you can use a simple graphic like the one below. Publish it on LinkedIn. Send it directly to prospects. Or share it with your team to find referrals.

Recruiting one-pager example

Tools for creating a one-pager

One-pagers can be as simple or complex as you like. You can design them using anything from Google Docs to professional graphic design tools. Create them from scratch or make them using a template. There are many options when it comes to one-pager design tools, so here are just a handful of our favorites:

  • Canva : This is the top freemium online graphic design tool. Canva provides many great templates, making it fast and easy to draft simple one-pagers without downloading software.
  • Stencil : This is another popular online graphic design tool. Stencil lets you quickly design graphics and edit photos. It uses a drag-and-drop design format that’s easy to learn—and great for creating one-pagers.
  • Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop : Likely the most famous graphic design and photo editing programs ever built, Illustrator and Photoshop by Adobe will give you all the features you need to create sleek one-pagers.

Creating an eye-catching one-pager starts with selecting your favorite graphic design tool. If you’re looking for more tool options, here’s our list of 16 top graphic design tools .

Make marketing simple with a one-pager

One of the most common mistakes in marketing is that people overcomplicate it. The same applies when it comes to creating a one-pager. Sure, it helps to have examples for inspiration and to know how others have created them for their businesses.

But at the end of the day, the goal of your one-pager is simply to distill the core elements of your message down into a short, digestible message that readers can skim and quickly comprehend.

That means most of the work goes into distilling your message down to its shortest and clearest points. It may take a few tries. Clarity is often the result of revision. But once you have your one-pager in place, it can be a go-to marketing and sales resource for years to come.

example one page business plan

Don't miss these stories:

8 above-the-fold optimization ideas to engage site visitors.

You might think that user attention is attracted by stunning imagery or unique claims. And you’re not wrong. But the success of web design that converts largely depends on the way you position high-value elements on the page.

example one page business plan

Content Strategy Template: 10 Steps + Examples

Creating a content strategy for your small business or clients? Here’s the step-by-step content strategy template you can steal from.

example one page business plan

Updated: 80 Best Email Subject Lines (With Formulas and Examples)

Do you want to increase your email open rates? We got exactly what you need. Use these 80 AMAZING email subject lines to get more of your emails opened.

example one page business plan

Part of the Sumo family with SendFox and TidyCal

IMAGES

  1. 10+ One-Page Business Plan Samples

    example one page business plan

  2. FREE 14+ One-Page Business Plan Samples in MS Word

    example one page business plan

  3. How To Create a One-Page Business Plan

    example one page business plan

  4. One Page Business Plan with Examples, Samples & Templates

    example one page business plan

  5. One-Page Business Plan: The Step-By-Step Guide

    example one page business plan

  6. One Page Business Plan Template

    example one page business plan

COMMENTS

  1. Free One-Page Business Plan Templates

    This one-page business plan template is intended for an entrepreneur or a small startup business to document a plan as they determine if an idea is feasible. This template provides space to describe the problem and solution, the product or service, the target customer, existing alternatives, the unique value proposition, a marketing and sales ...

  2. How to Write a One-Page Business Plan [2024 Guide]

    Here are the eight necessary sections to include when developing your one-page business plan. Try and keep each section limited to 1-2 sentences or 3-4 bullet points to ensure that you stay within one page. It's always easier to add more later rather than cutting back from lengthy sections.

  3. How to Write an Impressive One-Page Business Plan [Including ...

    Here are the key elements of a one-page business plan: The executive summary, business opportunity, value proposition, team members, industry analysis, target market, marketing plan, revenue model, implementation time, financial summary, funding requirements and contact information. To design a startup one pager, you should create an outline ...

  4. One-Page Business Plan: The Step-By-Step Guide

    The One-Page Business Plan will walk you through each step of planning your business idea. Once you know your financial projections, you can finish the basics of this plan in less than 15 minutes. Planning is a great way to thoroughly understand the costs and income potential of your business idea. Before continuing, download our one-page ...

  5. Free One-Page Business Plan Template (Word, PDF)

    Step-by-step guidance and world-class support from the #1 business planning software. The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan. Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy. Download our free One-Page Business Plan Template for a quick and easy way to plan your business. Over 21K downloads.

  6. Free One-Page Business Plan Template

    Just download the template and start building your business strategy's big picture. Alternatively, you could use our document builder, the fastest and easiest way to create your single-page business plan. Create a simplified version of a traditional business plan with a one-page plan. Download a free template here Step-by-step builder.

  7. Free One Page Business Plan Template for Word

    Operations software. Free and premium plans. To save time and get your business venture off to a winning start, download HubSpot's free one-page business plan template in Word or PDF and fill it in.

  8. How to write a One Page Business Plan: templates, ideas, and a ...

    Secondly, don't get stuck at this phase. If you have to, time yourself. Set a time limit of 45 minutes (or whatever amount makes sense for you). And when the timer's up, it's time to get back to work actually starting or building your business. Finally, use this one page business plan as a compass, but be flexible.

  9. One Page Business Plan Template & How-To Guide [Updated 2024]

    Free Downloadable One-Page Business Plan Example PDF. Download our one page business plan template pdf here. Download Growthink's One-Page-Business-Plan-Template for Microsoft Word . Final Thoughts. Remember to focus on your business' strengths as much as you can. If your market analysis reveals you have a strong position then highlight it ...

  10. Free One-Page Business Plan Template Download

    Build your one-page business plan with LivePlan. Work online. Collaborate with your team on your plan. Simple, but powerful financial forecasting tools. Performance tracking. And much more! Learn more about LivePlan. Use a simple business plan format that you can fit on a single page. Download a free lean business plan template to finish your ...

  11. How To Write & Use A One-Page Business Plan

    Download our free one-page business plan template to get you started. Nicolette began writing on small business topics in 2020. After hundreds of hours researching, testing, and assisting small business owners with web building and point of sale software, she is now an expert on all things eCommerce and point of sale.

  12. How to Create an Effective One-Page Business Plan (2024)

    A one-page business plan is particularly designed to provide a brief overview of your business, including your business idea, goals, strategies, and key metrics. Here are the sections you need to include: 1. Problem. Note and mention the problems of the target customers that your product or service will solve.

  13. PDF ONE-PAGE BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE

    one-page business plan template 1 - 2 sentence max per response what do we do? how do we do it? who do we serve? define customer problem define solution provided pricing + billing strategies income streams customer reach strategy referral generation strategy top competitors our competitive advantage

  14. Easy-to-use one-page business plan template

    A one-page business plan template helps you map out what elements are the most important to include and how you'll organize them to make the most sense to the audience. A traditional business plan goes into great detail and could be dozens of pages long. With a one-pager, the idea is to condense all the important information into one high ...

  15. Single Page Business Plan

    This Single Page Business Plan Template already has a stunning design, but you can quickly customize it to meet your business needs with our drag-and-drop PDF Editor. Easily add fields for additional information such as milestones, market or competitive analysis, and financial summary. Don't forget to represent your business by adding your ...

  16. The Ultimate Business Plan Template (Free Download)

    Business plan example. Here is a one-page business plan example to inspire your own. This business plan example has fields for your: Executive summary: In this section, write a brief, compelling summary of your business plan; Company description: Detail a comprehensive overview of your company, including its legal structure, mission, vision ...

  17. One-Page Business Plan Templates

    One-Page Business Plan Template for a Service Business. This template is suitable for freelance businesses that provide services, such as consultants, graphic designers, landscapers, and delivery services. For a one-page plan, the answers to questions should be one or two sentences.

  18. One-Page Business Plan Template (with Examples)

    One-Page Business Plan Template (with Examples) by Brandon Boushy. November 10, 2022. The first step of scaling a business is planning, and one of the easiest ways to create a scaling plan is to use the One-Page Strategic Plan (OPSP). Originally introduced by Verne Harnish in his books Mastering the Rockefeller Habits and Scaling Up, the One ...

  19. How to Write a One-Page Business Plan

    You should describe the market needs right at the beginning of your business plan. Your entire business idea relies on solving a specific problem, so make sure you describe it clearly. 2. Business solution. Once you've described the problem, it's time to explain how your business is going to solve it.

  20. Free Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (2024)

    Lean business plan example. A lean business plan format is a shortened version of your more detailed business plan. It's helpful when modifying your plan for a specific audience, like investors or new hires. Also known as a one-page business plan, it includes only the most important, need-to-know information, such as: Company description ...

  21. Writing an Effective One-Page Business Plan: What You Need ...

    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.

  22. One-page business plan: what is it and how to write one?

    A one-page business plan is a standalone concise document that provides financial and strategic information about your business. On the other hand, an executive summary is a section that is included in a traditional comprehensive business plan. The aim of an executive summary is to grab the reader's attention.

  23. One-Page Business Plan by Alex Noles

    Bring your business planning into one simple page with the One-Page Business Plan template. Clean, simple, and easy to navigate, this template streamlines your strategy, objectives, and action plans onto a single page. Customize it to reflect your brand and add your own content to make it unique. When you're ready, just hit publish to share ...

  24. One Page Business Plan Examples That Inspire Success

    In the following sections, we will delve into one page business plan examples and outline the essential components that make up a compelling and effective plan. One Page Business Plan Examples: Crafting a Concise Vision. In today's fast-paced business environment, the ability to effectively communicate your vision is paramount.

  25. How to Create a Business Plan: A Complete Guide

    A business plan is a helpful step to create a roadmap as you start or start to grow your business. This guide will explain the value of having a business plan and provide a detailed, step-by-step process to help you create one. Think of a business plan as more than just a theoretical overview.

  26. How to Make a Business Plan: The Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses

    Even if you're a one-person show, a business plan keeps you focused and organized. It helps you prioritize tasks, manage your time effectively, and make informed decisions about where to invest your limited resources. Your business plan becomes a crucial communication tool as you grow from a solo operation to a small team.

  27. How to Write a Restaurant Business Plan (+Free Template)

    Why you need a restaurant business plan. Before we get into how to create a restaurant business plan, let's talk about why you need one. A restaurant business plan: Sets expectations and creates a common set of goals for you and your business partner(s). Acts as your North Star to keep you on track as you open and run your restaurant.

  28. How to Make an Effective Business One-Pager (With Examples)

    7. Biography/speaker one-pager example. One-pagers aren't exclusive to businesses. A good one-pager can be used to promote a book, your speaking page, or a specific service or event. Here's an example from author and columnist, Tom Goodwin. He uses headlines to give readers a quick summary of his experience-and leverages brand logos as ...