8 Best Tools for Small Business Social Media Management

published on 04 November 2024

Struggling to manage your small business's social media? You're not alone. Here's a quick rundown of the top 8 tools to streamline your social media efforts:

  1. Hootsuite: All-in-one dashboard for multiple platforms
  2. Buffer: Simple scheduling and publishing
  3. Zoho Social: Budget-friendly team management
  4. Sprout Social: Advanced analytics and reporting
  5. SocialPilot: Bulk content planning
  6. Later: Visual content scheduler
  7. Canva: Easy social media design
  8. Social Media Tool Finder: Help choosing the right tools

Quick Comparison:

Tool Best For Starting Price Key Feature
Hootsuite Comprehensive management $99/month 20+ platform integrations
Buffer Easy scheduling $6/month/channel User-friendly interface
Zoho Social Team collaboration on a budget $15/month Smart posting times
Sprout Social In-depth analytics $249/month Custom reports
SocialPilot Bulk scheduling $30/month Schedule 500 posts at once
Later Visual planning $25/month Instagram grid preview
Canva Quick graphic design $12.99/month 610,000+ templates

Each tool has its strengths. Your choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and social media goals. Most offer free trials, so test a few before deciding.

Hootsuite: All-in-One Social Media Dashboard

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a powerhouse for small businesses juggling multiple social media accounts. It connects with over 20 social networks, making it a one-stop shop for your online presence.

Why Hootsuite stands out:

  1. Covers all the bases: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube - you name it. Manage everything from one dashboard.
  2. Saves you time:
    • Schedule up to 350 posts at once
    • Use AI to write captions and come up with content ideas
    • Create pro-looking posts with Canva templates
  3. Helps you grow: Get deep analytics across all platforms. Hootsuite even tells you when to post for maximum engagement. No more guesswork!
  4. Team-friendly: Unlike some other tools, Hootsuite lets your team collaborate without extra fees. Perfect for growing businesses.

Here's what it'll cost you:

Plan Price What you get
Professional $99/month 10 accounts, 1 user
Team $249/month 20 accounts, 3 users
Enterprise Custom Advanced stuff, 5+ users

Sure, it's not the cheapest option out there. But for serious small businesses, the features can be worth every penny.

Don't just take our word for it. Marketo, a marketing company, boosted their social media engagement by 25% after switching to Hootsuite.

Hootsuite's CEO, Tom Keiser, puts it this way:

"We know small businesses need powerful tools that don't require a PhD to use. That's why we've packed Hootsuite with AI features and easy-to-use dashboards. We want to help the little guys compete with the big boys in the social media game."

Bottom line: If you're ready to take your social media seriously, Hootsuite gives you the tools to manage multiple platforms, create killer content, and make smart, data-driven decisions. It's like having a social media expert on your team, without the extra salary.

2. Buffer: Simple Scheduling and Publishing

Buffer is a go-to solution for small businesses wanting to up their social media game without the headache. It's like having a social media assistant in your pocket - easy to use, but packs a punch.

What's in the Box?

  • Works with the big players: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest
  • Scheduling that's a breeze
  • AI helper for when you're stuck on what to post
  • Numbers to show you what's working

Buffer's all about keeping it simple. You can manage all your social media from one spot - perfect if you're wearing multiple hats in your business.

Here's what Buffer will cost you:

Plan Monthly Yearly What You Get
Free $0 $0 3 channels, 10 posts each
Essentials $6/channel $5/channel No limits on channels, 2000 posts
Team $12/channel $10/channel Work together, unlimited users
Agency $120 for 10 channels $100 for 10 channels Fancy features for managing clients

Joel Gascoigne, the big boss at Buffer, puts it this way:

"We're all about making social media marketing simple. Buffer helps small businesses keep their online presence strong without getting tangled up in the complicated stuff."

The AI Assistant is Buffer's secret weapon. It's like having a creative partner to help you come up with ideas and tweak your posts for better results.

Real-life win: Take Copper Cow Coffee, a small Vietnamese coffee brand. They used Buffer to handle their social media in 2022. The result? Their Instagram engagement shot up 38%, and they saw 25% more website visits from social media in just three months.

Now, Buffer isn't perfect. It doesn't have everything you'd find in bigger tools like Hootsuite. For example, there's no single inbox for managing private messages across platforms. If customer service via social media is your thing, that might be a drawback.

But for small businesses just starting to take social media seriously, Buffer hits the sweet spot. It's easy to use, doesn't break the bank, and gets the job done. Even if you're new to the social media game, you'll get the hang of Buffer quickly.

If you're a small business owner looking to post regularly and grow your online presence without losing sleep over it, Buffer gives you the tools you need to make it happen in the social media world.

3. Zoho Social: Budget-Friendly Team Management

Zoho Social

Zoho Social is a cost-effective solution for small businesses looking to manage their social media presence. It offers a range of features at a price point that won't break the bank.

Here's what you get with Zoho Social:

  • Connect to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google My Business
  • SmartQ feature for optimal posting times
  • Team collaboration tools

Let's look at the pricing:

Plan Monthly Price Features
Standard $15 1 brand, 10 channels, 1 team member
Professional $40 Standard + livestream, notifications
Premium $65 Professional + custom roles, integrations

But does it deliver? Here's what one user says:

"Zoho Social has allowed my whole team to get involved. Someone is always monitoring it, even if I'm in a meeting. There are never missed chances to engage, and we've seen our following increase across all platforms." - Alex Oriani, Writer-Journalist

The "Collaborate" tab lets team members share info about user interactions across different channels. It's like a virtual huddle for your social media strategy.

Why Zoho Social works for small businesses:

1. It's cheap: Starting at $15 a month, it's WAY less than Hootsuite's $99/month.

2. It's easy to use: If you're new to this, Zoho's interface is simpler than some other tools.

3. It's data-driven: Get the stats you need to make smart decisions.

4. It plays well with others: If you use Zoho CRM, you can generate leads straight from social media.

Here's how it stacks up:

Feature Zoho Social Hootsuite SocialPilot
Starting Price $15/month $99/month $30/month
Accounts 100 10 10
Team Members 5 1 1
Scheduled Posts 350 Unlimited Unlimited

Zoho Social isn't perfect - no unified inbox for messages across platforms, for example. But for small businesses just getting serious about social media, it's a solid mix of features and affordability.

4. Sprout Social: Advanced Analytics and Reports

Sprout Social

Sprout Social is a game-changer for small businesses aiming to supercharge their social media strategy. It's not just about basic metrics - this tool dives deep into the data, giving you insights that can transform your approach.

What makes Sprout Social stand out? Let's break it down:

  • It integrates with over 100 platforms, so you can manage all your social profiles in one place.
  • You can customize reports to fit your specific needs.
  • It measures your social ROI, showing you the real impact of your efforts.
  • You can see how you stack up against your competitors.
  • AI-powered insights help you spot trends and optimize your content.

But here's the kicker: Sprout Social doesn't just throw numbers at you. It gives you actionable insights. Take their "Optimal Send Times" feature. It tells you when your audience is most likely to engage with your content. Post at these times, and you could see a big jump in your reach and engagement.

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what Melissa Fasano, Director of Audience Engagement, has to say:

"Before Sprout Social, there was no real way to see what the return on our messaging was. I pretty much live in Sprout's Group Report and from there, I'll drill down to see which profiles are getting maximum engagement, including how many messages have been sent out this month and the impressions that those messages are receiving, which helps us to better evaluate what the next steps should be for the program and our future strategy."

This kind of insight can help you make smart, data-driven decisions that boost your social media game.

Now, let's talk price. Sprout Social starts at $249 per month for the Standard plan. Yes, it's not cheap. But for many businesses, the ROI potential makes it worth every penny. Here's a quick look at the plans:

Plan Price What You Get
Standard $249/month 5 social profiles, all-in-one social inbox
Professional $399/month Unlimited profiles, competitive reports
Advanced $499/month Custom workflows, AI-powered insights

One of the coolest features? Sprout Social can separate your paid and organic performance. This means you can see exactly what's working in each area, helping you fine-tune your ad spend and content creation.

Bottom line: If you're serious about using social media to grow your business, Sprout Social is worth a look. It gives you deep insights into your audience, your content performance, and your competition. With this knowledge, you can make smart decisions that drive real results on social media.

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5. SocialPilot: Bulk Content Planning

SocialPilot

SocialPilot is a social media management tool that's perfect for small businesses. It's all about planning and scheduling content in bulk across multiple platforms.

Here's what you get with SocialPilot:

  • Connects to 8 major social networks
  • Bulk scheduling for up to 500 posts at once
  • Content ideas based on your industry
  • Team collaboration at no extra cost

Let's talk money:

Plan Monthly Price What You Get
Professional $30 10 social accounts, 1 user
Small Team $50 20 social accounts, 3 users
Agency $100 30 social accounts, 6 users
Agency+ $200 50 social accounts, unlimited users

You can try any plan free for 14 days.

SocialPilot is cheap and flexible. The $30/month Professional plan beats Hootsuite's $99/month starter price. That's great news if you're watching your budget.

The Content Library is a real time-saver. Save and reuse posts and hashtags to cut down on repetitive work. And the drag-and-drop calendar? It makes planning your social media a piece of cake.

Melissa Fasano, Director of Audience Engagement, loves using SocialPilot:

"I pretty much live in SocialPilot's Group Report. From there, I can drill down to see which profiles are getting maximum engagement, including how many messages have been sent out this month and the impressions those messages are receiving. This helps us better evaluate our next steps and future strategy."

SocialPilot has tons of features, but it doesn't connect with as many third-party apps as some other tools. It does work with Zapier, though, which can link you to over 1,000 other apps.

If you're a small business looking to step up your social media game without spending a fortune, SocialPilot might be just what you need. It's affordable, easy to use, and can save you loads of time with its bulk planning features.

6. Later: Visual Content Scheduler

Later

Later is a visual content scheduler that's perfect for small businesses wanting to level up their social media game, especially on Instagram. It's not just about posting - it's about creating a social media presence that looks good and works well.

Here's what Later offers:

  • Connects with Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest
  • Calendar-focused scheduling with drag-and-drop
  • Media library to store and organize your content
  • Instagram grid preview to plan your feed's look

Let's look at the costs:

Plan Price (Monthly) Posts per Profile Users Social Sets
Starter $25 30 1 1
Growth $45 150 3 3
Advanced $80 Unlimited 6 6

For small businesses, the $25/month Starter plan is a good starting point. It gives you enough to manage your social media without spending too much.

Later helps small businesses by:

  1. Saving time: You can upload and schedule up to 500 posts at once.
  2. Making your feed look good: The Instagram grid preview helps keep your brand looking consistent.
  3. Finding content: Later suggests hashtags and gives you access to free images from Unsplash.
  4. Tracking performance: You get basic analytics, even with the Starter plan.

"Later has made our social media work much easier. The visual planner has really improved our Instagram strategy", says Melissa Fasano, who manages audience engagement for a small e-commerce brand.

Here's a tip: Use Later's "Best time to publish" feature to get more engagement on your posts. This smart tool looks at when your audience is most active and suggests the best times to post.

While Later is great for visual content, it now also works for text-only posts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This makes it a good all-around tool for managing different parts of your social media.

If your business focuses a lot on Instagram, Later's features are tough to beat. And now that it works with other social networks too, it's a solid choice for small businesses looking to grow their presence across multiple platforms.

7. Canva: Social Media Design Made Easy

Canva

Canva is a small business owner's secret weapon for creating stunning social media content. It's like having a pro designer on speed dial, minus the hefty price tag.

Here's what Canva offers:

  • A super simple interface
  • 610,000+ pro templates
  • 100 million+ photos, videos, and graphics
  • Brand kit to keep your look consistent

Let's talk money:

Plan Price Key Features
Free $0 250,000+ templates, 5GB storage
Pro $12.99/month 100M+ stock photos, 1TB storage, background remover
Teams $14.99/month (5 users) Everything in Pro, plus team tools

The free plan is great to start, but $12.99/month for Pro? That's a steal for serious social media players.

Why small businesses love Canva:

1. Saves time: Whip up pro designs in minutes.

2. Budget-friendly: No need to hire a designer for every post.

3. Keeps things consistent: Templates and brand kits for a cohesive look.

4. Team-friendly: Easy collaboration on designs.

"Canva has been a game-changer for us. The visual planner has really boosted our Instagram game", says Melissa Fasano, audience engagement guru for a small e-commerce brand.

Pro tip: Use "Smartmockups" to see how your designs look on different devices before posting.

But wait, there's more! Canva's not just for static images. You can create eye-catching animated posts and short videos to stand out in crowded feeds. And with the content planner in paid plans, you can schedule posts right from Canva. Talk about streamlining your workflow!

Bottom line: If you're a small business looking to crush it on social media without crushing your budget or sanity, Canva's your go-to tool. It's easy, powerful, and helps you create content that pops in the noisy world of social media.

8. Social Media Tool Finder: Find the Right Tools

Social Media Tool Finder

Picking a social media management tool can be tough. Social Media Tool Finder makes it easier. This platform helps you find tools that fit your needs.

Here's what makes it useful:

  • It's packed with tools for different tasks
  • You can filter by price, features, and platforms
  • It matches tools to your business goals

Social Media Tool Finder helps you choose tools like this:

What It Does Why It's Helpful
Lists lots of tools See many options in one spot
Lets you filter by use Find tools that do what you need
Shows price options Pick tools in your budget
Filters by platform Get tools that work with your social networks
Includes AI tools Find new ways to create content

Nicolas, who started Social Media Tool Finder, says:

"Know your goals and audience before picking tools. Ask yourself what you want from social media. This will help you find the right tools."

When using Social Media Tool Finder, keep these things in mind:

  1. Know what you want to do. Are you trying to get more likes? Schedule posts? Analyze your results?
  2. Think about your team size. Some tools work better for one person, others for big teams.
  3. Check if tools work with your other software. This can make your job easier.
  4. Try before you buy. Use Social Media Tool Finder to make a short list, then test your top picks.

Conclusion

Picking the right social media tool can make or break your small business online. Let's recap the top options and help you choose.

Here's a quick look at the tools we covered:

Tool Best For Starting Price Key Feature
Hootsuite All-in-one management $99/month Lots of platform integrations
Buffer Easy scheduling $6/month/channel Simple to use
Zoho Social Team work on a budget $15/month Smart posting times
Sprout Social Deep analytics $249/month Custom reports
SocialPilot Bulk planning $30/month Schedule 500 posts at once
Later Visual scheduling $25/month See your Instagram grid
Canva Quick designs $12.99/month 610,000+ pro templates

When choosing, think about:

  1. What you really need
  2. Your budget
  3. Room to grow
  4. How easy it is to use
  5. If it works with your other tools

The right tool should save time and boost your social media game. Nicolas from Social Media Tool Finder says:

"Know your goals and audience before picking tools. Ask yourself what you want from social media. This will help you find the right tools."

Try before you buy. Most tools offer free trials, so get your hands dirty before you commit.

FAQs

What tools do I need for social media management?

If you're a small business owner, you might be wondering what tools can help you manage your social media. Here's the scoop on some key tools that can make your life easier:

1. All-in-one platforms

These are like Swiss Army knives for social media. Hootsuite and Sprout Social let you manage multiple accounts, schedule posts, and check how you're doing - all in one place.

2. Content creation tools

Ever struggled to make your posts look good? Canva's got your back. It's perfect for creating eye-catching posts, even if you're not a design pro.

3. Scheduling tools

Buffer and Later are popular choices here. They help you plan and schedule your content across different platforms. No more scrambling to post at the last minute!

4. Analytics tools

Want to know how your posts are performing? Most management platforms include basic analytics, but if you need more in-depth info, check out Sprout Social.

5. Engagement tools

SocialPilot and Zoho Social can help you keep up with comments and messages across platforms. It's like having a virtual assistant for your social media!

Here's a quick look at some top tools:

Tool Best For Starting Price Key Feature
Hootsuite Comprehensive management $99/month Integrates with 20+ platforms
Buffer Easy scheduling $6/month/channel User-friendly interface
Canva Visual content creation $12.99/month 610,000+ design templates
Sprout Social Advanced analytics $249/month Detailed performance reports

Nicolas from Social Media Tool Finder has some advice:

"Know your goals and audience before picking tools. Ask yourself what you want from social media. This will help you find the right tools."

So, what's the best way to choose? Start with free trials. Test out a few options and see which one feels right for you. As your social media game grows, you can always upgrade to fancier tools with more bells and whistles.

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