Social Media Pricing in the UK (2025): What Small Businesses Should Know

If you’re a small business looking to grow online in 2025, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:
“How much does social media management actually cost?”

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are clear benchmarks.

Whether you’re exploring freelance social media support or a full digital agency, this guide breaks down what you should expect to pay (and what you should get for it).

1. Why Social Media Costs Vary So Much

Social media pricing depends on four key factors:

• Scope: Are you looking for posting only, or full strategy and content creation?

• Experience: A seasoned freelancer costs more than a beginner, but brings expertise and efficiency.

• Content type: Reels and videos take more time than static posts.

• Frequency: The more platforms and posts per week, the higher the cost.

Pro tip: Don’t just compare prices, compare what’s included. Some “cheap” packages only cover scheduling, not strategy or design.

2. Average UK Social Media Management Prices (2025)

Here’s a realistic look at what small businesses across the UK are paying in 2025 for quality social media support:

Freelancers: £400–£1,200 per month
Ideal for small brands, cafés, and startups that want a consistent, personalised approach. Most freelancers include content planning, scheduling, and reporting.

Small Agencies: £1,200–£2,500 per month
You’ll get access to a small team, typically covering content creation, strategy, and paid ads.

Full-Service Agencies: £3,000–£6,000+ per month
Perfect for larger brands or multi-channel campaigns. Includes design, analytics, influencer outreach, and ad spend management.

3. What’s Typically Included in a Social Media Package

A well-structured social media package should include a mix of creativity and strategy.
At minimum, you should expect:

• Monthly content planning and posting schedule

• Caption writing and hashtag research

• Visual content (Reels, photos, graphics)

• Community management (comments, messages)

• Monthly analytics or progress report

Optional add-ons include paid ads management, influencer campaigns, and content shoots.

At Grace Digital, I build custom packages for each client, so you only pay for what you actually need, whether that’s two platforms or a full digital strategy.

4. The Cost of Content Creation

Content creation can often be the most time-intensive (and valuable) part of your social media investment.
If your freelancer or agency includes Reels, TikToks, or photoshoots, expect costs to reflect that.

Here’s what to budget for:

• Reels & TikToks: £100–£250 each

• Photography: £150–£400 per half-day shoot

• Graphics & templates: £50–£200 depending on volume

If you’re Manchester-based, I offer half-day and full-day content creation packages, perfect for cafés, lifestyle brands, and local businesses that need high-quality visuals without agency prices.

5. What Impacts the Value of a Package

When comparing packages, consider these questions:

• Does it include a clear strategy, or just posting?

• How many revisions or edits are included?

• Who’s creating the content, a junior assistant or a strategist?

• Will I own the visuals and data at the end?

The right partnership should feel collaborative, not transactional.

6. How to Choose the Right Option for Your Business

If you’re just starting out, begin with a freelance social media manager.
You’ll get hands-on support, direct communication, and flexibility.

If your business is growing fast, a small agency can give you more creative bandwidth and structure.

But the key is alignment, work with someone who understands your audience and goals, not just your budget.

7. Red Flags to Avoid

When comparing quotes, be cautious of:

• “Guaranteed followers” or overnight results, these are rarely authentic or sustainable.

• No access to your social accounts, you should always own your data.

• Hidden fees for strategy, design, or posting.

• No performance reporting, transparency is key.

Always ask for clarity before you commit.

8. How Grace Digital Works

Every business I work with gets a tailored package, no templates or one-size-fits-all pricing.

I start with a discovery call to understand your goals, then build a package that can include:

• Social media management

• Content creation (photos, Reels, graphics)

• Paid ads campaigns

• Digital marketing strategy

• Analytics and training for your team

Transparent pricing. No long-term contracts. Real collaboration.

FAQs

1. What’s the minimum monthly cost for social media management?
Most small businesses start around £400–£600 per month for one or two platforms.

2. How long until I see results?
Usually within 8–12 weeks of consistent posting and strategy, social media success is about long-term consistency, not overnight growth.

3. Do you offer one-off strategy sessions or audits?
Yes! I offer social media audits and one-time strategy sessions to help you build your own plan and improve performance.

If you’re ready to invest in your brand’s growth, whether that’s through social media management, content creation, or paid campaigns, I’d love to help.