A one-page business plan is the fastest way to validate your business idea and get started. Got a business idea that won’t let you sleep? Perfect. In the next 15 minutes, you’ll transform it into a clear, actionable plan that fits on a single page. No MBA required.
Fast track: One-page business plan template
|  Thank you for downloading! |
Creating your one-page business plan forces you to get crystal clear on your business fundamentals without getting lost in details. It’s your business GPS — showing where you’re going and how you’ll get there while highlighting potential roadblocks before you hit them.
Let’s get started.
1. Problem and market opportunity
❔Key question: What specific customer pain point are you solving?
Every business solves a problem. What specific problem will your business solve for a customer? Try to get down to the core issue your customer is having.
💡Tips:
- Focus on a clear, validated customer problem
- Include basic market size and trends
- Describe how urgent or important this problem is for customers
🔎Real-life example: A landscape company, Perfect Lawns, initially identified “time wasted on yard work” as their customer problem. However, the real, specific problem is “an unkempt lawn that reduces property value and creates HOA conflicts.” This concrete problem is visible, measurable, and urgent for homeowners.
2. Solution and value proposition
❔Key question: How does your solution uniquely solve this problem?
You’ve identified the problem, now you need the solution. What specific action will you take to resolve the customer’s issue? This solution is your product or service. Don’t be afraid to get specific with your solution and explain how it makes your customers’ lives better.
💡Tips:
- Outline your core product or service
- Highlight key features and main benefits
- Explain why customers would choose your solution
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns provides weekly lawn maintenance with photo updates and a “curb appeal guarantee.” It ensures lawns always meet HOA standards and maintain property value through consistent, professional care.
3. Business model & revenue strategy
❔Key question: How will your business make money and grow?
Your business model needs to show a clear path to profitability and growth. Think beyond just selling products — consider how you’ll create ongoing value and sustainable revenue streams.
Aside from specifying the product or service that will be sold, you also want to outline how and where they will be sold. Will they be sold in your own business or office? Someone else’s store or office? Will you be engaging in ecommerce — on your own website or an online marketplace such as Amazon?
During this step, you should also set your pricing—which basically means, how much will you charge? This can be difficult to figure out. Consider browsing competitor websites for pricing. You may want to call a competitor and ask for a quote.
💡Tips:
- List all the ways you’ll make money
- Figure out your prices and what profit you’ll keep from each sale
- Write down how customers will buy from you
- Make a list of other businesses you need to work with
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns generates revenue through annual service contracts ($200/month), spring/fall cleanup services ($400/job), and landscape design projects ($2,000-5,000/project). It partners with a local nursery for plants and maintain a 60% gross margin.
4. Target customer profile
❔Key question: Who is your ideal customer?
Don’t fall into the trap of saying, “Everyone needs my product.” Even Amazon started by just selling books, and Facebook initially focused only on college students. The more specific you can be about who needs your product or service most, the better you can reach them and serve them well.
💡Tips:
- Picture your perfect customer in detail (their age, income, where they live, what they do for fun)
- Think about their daily challenges and how your business helps
- Consider where these customers spend their time, both online and offline
- Write down why they would choose your business over others
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns targets dual-income homeowners in HOA neighborhoods, ages 35 to 65, with household incomes over $150,000, who value their time and property appearance but lack the expertise or desire to do yard work themselves. By being this specific, the company knows exactly where to advertise (HOA newsletters, local Facebook groups) and what services to offer (weekly maintenance with photo updates).
5. Marketing & customer acquisition
❔Key question: How will you reach and convert customers?
You’ve got a great business idea — now it’s time to get customers. Your marketing strategy should outline how you’ll attract, engage, and convert your target audience into paying customers. Think about where your ideal customers spend their time and the best ways to reach them.
💡Tips:
- Identify the best marketing channels (social media, SEO, referrals, paid ads, events, etc.)
- Outline your messaging — what key benefits will you highlight?
- Set a budget for marketing and track your return on investment (ROI)
- Consider free and low-cost tactics like partnerships and word-of-mouth
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns attracts customers through local SEO (ranking in “landscaping services near me” searches), HOA partnerships, and targeted Facebook ads. It also uses referral discounts — happy customers who refer a neighbor get a free lawn service, turning word-of-mouth into a steady growth engine.
Bonus tip: If looking for local customers, consider claiming and optimizing your free Google My Business (GMB) listing. Additionally, once you create your GMB listing, set up your free one-page website. Affordable!
6. Competitive edge
❔Key question: Why will customers choose you over competitors?
Your business isn’t the only one out there — so why should customers pick yours? Your competitive edge is what makes you stand out, whether it’s better pricing, superior service, unique features, or an unbeatable customer experience. Identify what sets you apart and make it clear in your branding and messaging.
💡Tips:
- Highlight what you do differently or better than your competitors
- Focus on unique offerings, expertise, or customer experience
- Leverage testimonials, case studies, or guarantees to build trust
- Keep an eye on competitors and adjust as needed
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns stands out by offering a “curb appeal guarantee” — if a homeowner’s lawn doesn’t meet HOA standards, they’ll fix it for free. It also provides weekly photo updates so customers can see the work done, building trust and transparency.
7. Financial projections
❔Key question: What are your expected costs and returns?
Your financial projections give you a clear picture of your business’s potential profitability. Even a simple estimate of your revenue, costs, and profit margin will help you make smarter decisions. Focus on realistic numbers based on market research and competitor pricing.
💡Tips:
- List your expected revenue streams (product sales, services, subscriptions, etc.)
- Estimate fixed costs (rent, salaries, software) and variable costs (materials, marketing)
- Calculate your break-even point — how much you need to earn to cover costs
- Plan for best-case, worst-case, and realistic financial scenarios
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns expects:
- Revenue: $200/month per contract × 50 clients = $10,000/month
- Costs: Labor ($4,000), equipment ($1,000), marketing ($500), insurance & overhead ($1,500) = $7,000/month
- Profit: $3,000/month after expenses, with plans to reinvest in hiring an additional crew for expansion.
8. Funding and resources
❔Key question: What do you need to launch and grow?
Every business requires resources — whether it’s startup capital, equipment, or expert support. Identify what you need to get off the ground and where you’ll get the funding, whether through personal savings, loans, investors, or grants.
💡Tips:
- List essential startup costs (equipment, software, inventory, marketing, etc.)
- Identify potential funding sources (personal funds, business loans, crowdfunding, grants, investors, business credit cards)
- Consider non-monetary resources like mentorship, partnerships, or free business tools
- Plan for future funding needs as your business scales
🔎Real-life example: Perfect Lawns starts with $10,000 from personal savings, covering a commercial mower, trailer, and initial marketing. As they grow, they plan to reinvest profits and explore a small business loan for additional equipment and hiring.
One-page business plan alternatives
A one-page business plan is a great starting point, but depending on your goals, you may need a more detailed plan. For example, securing funding from banks or investors typically requires a traditional business plan with in-depth market research and financial projections.
Alternatively, startups and agile businesses might prefer a Business Model Canvas or Lean Canvas for flexibility. If you’re unsure which type of business plan suits your needs, check out our guide on types of business plans for a detailed comparison of different formats and their best use cases.
One-page business plan frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Click through the sections below to read answers to common questions about one-page business plans:
A one-page business plan should briefly outline your business name, target market, revenue model, and competitive advantage. It should also highlight the problem you’re solving, your solution, and key marketing strategies. Keep it concise, focusing on the most critical details for clarity and impact.
To write a simple short business plan, outline your business idea, target market, revenue model, and key strategies in a clear and concise format. Include essential sections like your value proposition, operations plan, marketing strategy, and financial projections. Focus on clarity and brevity to ensure the plan is actionable and easy to follow.
To create a one-page proposal, clearly outline the problem, your proposed solution, the benefits, and the implementation plan in a concise format. Include key details such as objectives, timeline, budget, and a call to action. Keep the language straightforward and focused on delivering value to your audience.
Bottom line
Your one-page business plan isn’t just a document — it’s a tool for growth. Revisit it regularly to track progress, compare actual performance against predictions, and identify what’s working or needs adjustment. Stay flexible, update your plan as needed, and use it to keep your business on course.
