Guide
What digital marketing actually costs a UK SME
Realistic monthly budgets for SEO, paid ads, content and automation.
Read guideSocial media marketing
Get in touch about social media marketing — planning content, posting consistently and growing engaged followings across the platforms your customers actually use.
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How social media marketing works
Organic social media marketing covers content planning, creation and posting across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok, without paid ad spend behind it. Done well it builds brand awareness, supports customer service and gives paid ads a stronger base of trust to convert from, though it rarely drives sales on its own for most sectors.
UK providers typically charge a monthly retainer covering content creation, scheduling and light community management, with pricing driven by how many platforms you need covered and whether original photography or video is required. Businesses relying on stock imagery and templated graphics pay less than those wanting bespoke content shot on location.
Results are slower and harder to measure than paid channels, so a good manager will agree realistic goals upfront, whether that is follower growth, engagement, website clicks or simply consistent brand presence. Be wary of anyone promising rapid follower growth, since most organic growth now comes from platforms actively pushing content to non-followers via their algorithms.
What affects the cost of social media marketing
- Number of platforms managed, since Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Facebook each need different content approaches
- Posting frequency, from a few posts a week to daily content across Stories, Reels and feed
- Whether original photography or video production is included or billed separately
- Community management, meaning who replies to comments and messages, and how quickly
- Whether strategy and reporting are included or purely execution
Why compare social media marketing with us
Platform-specific content
Content should be adapted for each platform's format and audience, not the same post copied across all of them.
Consistent posting schedule
Algorithms reward consistency, so a realistic cadence you can sustain beats an ambitious one you abandon after a month.
Clear, honest goals
Organic social builds brand presence over months, and a good manager sets expectations accordingly rather than overpromising.
Typical monthly social media management fees
Fees below assume organic content only, without any paid ad spend behind the posts.
| Package | Typical monthly fee | Platforms covered | Posting frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | £300 - £600 | 1 to 2 platforms | 2 to 3 posts per week |
| Growth | £600 - £1,200 | 2 to 3 platforms | Daily posts plus Stories |
| Established | £1,200 - £2,500 | 3 to 4 platforms | Daily content, Reels and community management |
| Full-service with video | £2,500 - £5,000 | Up to 4 platforms | Daily content with regular on-site filming |
One-off social media content costs
Useful when you want a content boost, brand refresh or one-off shoot without a long-term retainer.
| Service | Typical one-off cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day content shoot | £300 - £700 | Photography and short video for one to two months of posts |
| Content strategy document | £250 - £600 | Content pillars, posting plan and platform recommendations |
| Brand template design | £200 - £450 | Reusable graphic templates for ongoing posts |
| Profile audit and setup | £100 - £300 | Bio, highlights and profile optimisation across platforms |
Expert advice
Our team reviews UK agencies, platforms and software pricing throughout the year.
“Consistency beats cleverness on social media. A business posting three solid times a week for a year will outperform one that posts brilliantly for a fortnight then goes quiet.”
social media marketing: pros and cons
Pros
- Builds brand familiarity and trust that supports every other marketing channel
- Free organic reach is still possible, particularly with short-form video content
- Gives you a direct channel to respond to customer questions and feedback publicly
- Content produced can often be repurposed for ads, email and the website
Cons
- Organic reach has declined significantly, particularly on Facebook
- Results are slow to show and hard to attribute directly to sales
- Requires ongoing content supply, which can be a burden if you are relied on for input
How to choose a social media marketing partner
Marketing quotes vary wildly for the same scope. Check these points before you sign.
- 1
See examples for similar businesses
Ask for accounts they manage in a comparable sector, not just their most impressive client.
- 2
Agree who supplies raw content
Clarify whether you need to send photos and updates or whether they visit to film on your premises.
- 3
Check response times for messages
If community management is included, confirm how quickly comments and DMs will be answered.
- 4
Set goals beyond follower count
Engagement, website clicks or enquiries are more meaningful measures than follower growth alone.
Compare social media marketing
See what's available for your business today. It takes just minutes.
How to compare social media marketing
It takes a couple of minutes and there is no obligation to proceed.
1. Tell us about your business
Sector, size, current setup and what growth looks like for you.
2. See matched providers
We shortlist UK providers who work with businesses like yours.
3. Compare scope and price
Deliverables, contract length and reporting — not just the monthly fee.
4. Start when you're ready
Onboarding usually takes one to three weeks depending on scope.
Things to watch out for
Providers who guarantee a specific number of new followers each month
Generic content clearly reused across many different clients' accounts
No agreement on who owns the content and account access if you switch provider
Our social media marketing service
We compare social media marketing from vetted UK providers so you can see scope, pricing and contract terms side by side.
Comparing is free, and we will say plainly when your current setup is already competitive.
Getting started
1
Set one clear goal
More enquiries, more bookings or more online sales — pick the one that matters most.
2
Agree how success is measured
Fix the reporting metrics before work starts, not after month three.
3
Start small, then scale
A short initial term lets you prove results before committing long term.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad range of UK providers so you can find the option that actually fits how your business operates.
Exclusive offers
We work hard to bring you exclusive deals, switching incentives and cashback where they're available.
Simple and fast
It takes just a few minutes to compare with us — and the deal you find could be well below what you pay today.
Types of social media marketing
The right approach depends on your market, budget and how quickly you need results.
Content creation and posting
Planning, writing and scheduling posts, graphics and short-form video across your chosen platforms.
Community management
Responding to comments and direct messages promptly and in your brand's tone.
Influencer and creator partnerships
Working with relevant creators to extend reach to audiences you would not otherwise access.
Strategy and reporting
Setting content pillars, growth goals and monthly analysis of what is actually driving engagement.
Providers we compare
Logos are shown for identification only. We are not affiliated with every platform listed and do not compare the whole market.
Google
Meta
HubSpot
Shopify
WordPress
Salesforce
Semrush
Zapier
Mailchimp
Klaviyo
Ahrefs
MicrosoftComparing with us is a no-brainer
“We finally stopped posting randomly and started seeing real engagement once someone planned it properly each month.”
Owner, independent cafe, Manchester
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Measuring return on marketing spend
The handful of metrics that tell you whether the spend is working.
Read guidesocial media marketing FAQs
Which social media platforms should my business be on?
Focus on one or two platforms your customers actually use rather than spreading thin across all of them; most B2C brands prioritise Instagram and Facebook, and B2B favours LinkedIn.
How long does organic social media take to show results?
Meaningful engagement growth usually takes three to six months of consistent posting, and follower growth alone should not be the main measure of success.
Do I need to appear on camera myself?
It helps, since audiences respond well to real people, but a good manager can build strong content around your products, team or premises without you being the face of it.
Should I combine organic social with paid ads?
Yes, most successful accounts use organic content to build trust and paid ads on top to drive specific actions, since the two work well together.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 26 July 2026