Writing a Business Plan: How Many Pages Do You Need?

There are many factors you need to think about when writing a business plan. 

What sections will you include? Who is your target audience? What data or research do you need to back up your claims? What message do you want to send?

How long should a business plan be? - This is another important question you should ask yourself. 

There is no set rule on how many pages your plan needs to have. The length depends largely on its purpose, audience, and level of detail needed.

A traditional business plan can be 15 to 30 pages long. 

But 20 to 25 pages is usually enough to capture the most important aspects of your business venture. 

The golden rule is to keep your business plan as long as it needs to be, but not longer.

How Big Should a Business Plan Be?

The length of your business plan can influence how well it's received. 

A business plan that is too short may seem underdeveloped. But if your plan is too long, it can overwhelm or bore readers.

Finding the balance between informative and engaging is key. 

There is no strict page count rule for business plans. Your business plan can be 10 to 15 pages long, and it can also be 25 to 35 pages long. 

It all depends on how much information you need to provide. 

The shorter you make your plan, the easier it will be to write. But, some business plans need to be more extensive and detailed. 

Also, keep in mind that the best way to measure length might not always be the page count.

You can cram more information into a tightly packed 20-page plan than a better-organised 30-page plan. 

But, the 30-page plan might have more white space, helpful illustrations, and succinct bullet points. 

So, remember, writing a business plan is not just about piling information. The key is readability. 

In other words, quality matters more than quantity.

That's why you should always tailor your plan to your business needs and audience. That way, it will reflect your professionalism and vision.

{{cta}}

Factors That Influence Business Plan Length 

Every business is different. 

That's why the length of your business should reflect your business and what it represents. 

The format of a business plan can vary significantly. 

Some plans may be text-heavy and focus on market research. Others may use graphics and visuals to convey key information.

A succinct plan for a small team will naturally differ from one presented at a major funding meeting.

How many pages your business plan should have rests on these four factors:

1. The purpose of your business plan
2. Your target audience
3. The type of business plan
4. The industry of your business 

Purpose of Business Plan

One of the first questions you have to ask yourself is why you are writing a business plan. 

The reason you're making a business plan plays a big role in determining its length. Are you:

1. Seeking funding or investors?
2. Creating an internal strategy for your team?
3. Testing an idea?

If you're seeking funding or investors, you'll need a detailed, comprehensive plan. 

This can mean anything from 15 to 30 pages. This length shows potential investors or lenders that you've thought everything through.

This includes market research, financial projections, and growth plans.

If your plan is primarily for guiding your team, it can often be shorter. Even five to 15 pages is enough. 

This length lets you focus on goals, strategies, and operational steps.

If you're testing an idea, a brief plan of five pages may be enough. 

In other words, you're determining whether your business concept is viable before investing time and money.

For example, you could be testing if there's demand for your products or services. Or, who your potential customers could be. 

Audience

The length of your business plan should also reflect who you're writing it for. 

Your target audience could be:

• Investors or banks
• Partners or co-founders
• Your team

Investors and banks generally expect a formal, detailed plan. This means it usually has to have at least 20 pages. 

This includes financial data and market analysis to assess risk and potential returns.

Partners or co-founders might want to see a more concise plan. For instance, between 10 and 15 pages.

This length lets you focus on vision, operations, and their role in the business.

If you're writing a plan for your team, a shorter, action-oriented plan works best. Five to 10 pages is enough to communicate goals and tasks clearly.

Type of Business Plan

Different types of business plans naturally vary in length.

Traditional business plans are comprehensive and formal. They often include 15 to 30 pages. 

They cover every business aspect in depth.

A lean plan is a shorter, flexible version. It's usually up to five pages long.

It focuses on key components like value proposition, target market, and revenue streams.

You might also want to write a pitch deck. This type of plan is visual and brief, with 10 to 15 pages. 

It's often used alongside a shorter plan when presenting to investors.

Industry of the Business

Certain industries require more detailed explanations, which can extend the length of your plan.

For instance:

• Tech startups

Investors often expect longer plans, with 20 to 30 pages. These plans have detailed descriptions of technology, production processes, and scalability.

• Retail or brick-and-mortar businesses

These typically require shorter plans, with 10 to 20 pages. They focus on customer experience, marketing, and pricing.

• Manufacturing/production

Usually 20 to 30 pages long, with a focus on the production process and operations plan. Other key details include equipment and facility needs, supplier management, and cost control strategies. 

• Food and beverage 

Food and beverage plans can span 15 to 25 pages. The most important element is the menu and product descriptions. 

• Service-based businesses

This can include consulting, cleaning, freelancing, etc. These business plans can have 15 to 25 pages, depending on the service. 

• Healthcare

Healthcare business plans should be longer. They include more information on regulatory compliance, licensing, patient care standards, etc. They should have at least 20 and up to 40 pages.

• Finance and insurance

Similarly, these business plans should be 20 to 40 pages long. Key details needed include regulatory compliance, risk assessment and mitigation, financial models and projections, etc.

How Many Pages Should Each Section Have

There's no universal rule for exactly how many pages each section should have. 

The goal is always clarity and relevance. You want to cover everything necessary but avoid overwhelming your reader.

Here's a general guideline based on standard business plan expectations: 

1. Executive summary: 1 page
2. Business description: 2-3 pages
3. Market analysis: 3-5 pages
4. Organisation and management: 1-3 pages
5. Products/services: 2-3 pages
6. Marketing and sales: 2-4 pages
7. Operations plan: 2-4 pages
8. Financial plan: 3-7 pages
9. Conclusion: 1 page
10. Appendix: as needed

Remember, flexibility is okay. These are just estimates.

Each part might be shorter or longer, depending on your business.

Some sections are always recommended to be short. For example, the executive summary and conclusion. 

Other sections need to be explained in detail so they span more pages. These are the market analysis, marketing, and finance sections. 

These sections require more depth, which is why they're longer. 

Dos and Don'ts - Business Plan Length 

If you're still not sure how long to make your business plan, here are some dos and don'ts to help you find that balance:

Dos:

• Keep your business plan concise. 

Try to communicate your ideas clearly and efficiently. Focus on quality over quantity.

• Tailor your business plan to your audience.

If you're presenting to investors, keep it sharp and to the point. If it's for internal planning, you can provide more details.

• Cover key sections.

Regardless of length, make sure you cover essentials. This includes the executive summary, market analysis, financial projections, and operations plan.

• Use visuals.

Incorporate charts, graphs, and bullet points to present complex information quickly and clearly.

• Stay focused.

Keep your plan aligned with your goals. Avoid adding unnecessary details that don't support your business strategy.

• Use a template.

You can use a business plan template. This will help you focus on what you'll write rather than worrying about the length of your business plan. 

Don'ts:

• Don't overload with details.

Avoid lengthy descriptions and excessive data. Stick to what's most relevant.

• Don't be vague.

Being brief doesn't mean being incomplete. Make sure every section answers the key questions investors or stakeholders might have.

• Don't skip the executive summary.

An executive summary is crucial, especially if your plan is lengthy. It gives readers a quick understanding of your business idea.

• Don't ignore formatting.

A well-organised, easy-to-read plan is more likely to hold attention than a cluttered, text-heavy document.

• Don't assume one size fits all.

Different purposes may require different lengths. A quick pitch plan may have 1 to 2 pages, while a detailed investor plan could be 20 to 30 pages.

Striking the Perfect Balance: How Long Should Your Business Plan Be?

When it comes to writing a business plan, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the perfect number of pages. 

The ideal length depends on several key factors. This includes the purpose of your plan, your target audience, the type of business plan you are creating, and your industry. 

Traditional business plans typically range from 15 to 30 pages, but keeping it 20 to 25 pages is perfectly fine. 

If you need help writing a business plan, Launch Crew Consulting offers custom-made business plans made by experts.

We handle each step of the planning process from start to finish. What's more, it only takes us seven days to create a first draft and a total of two weeks to deliver your plan.

If you're interested in our services, feel free to contact us.

{{cta}}