If you run a business and you’re doing your own social media, you’ve probably tried a free tool to make it easier. They help. But most owners find the tool was never the problem. The problem is the hours it takes to plan, create and post content every week, on top of running the business.
This guide compares the real cost of doing it yourself with free tools against paying someone to do it for you, so you can decide what makes sense for your business.
The short answer: free tools like Buffer and Meta Business Suite help you schedule posts, but they don’t write them, design them or reply to customers. Most UK small business owners spend 15 to 20+ hours a month on social media. If your time is worth £50 an hour, that’s £750 to £1,000 a month. A managed social media package costs from £219 + VAT a month.
What free tools actually do (and don’t do)
| Free tools help with | You still have to do |
|---|---|
| Scheduling posts in advance | Decide what to post, every week |
| Seeing all accounts in one place | Write the captions |
| Basic stats on likes and reach | Create or find the images and videos |
| A simple content calendar | Reply to comments and messages |
| Work out what’s bringing in customers, and change course |
In other words, a free tool saves you a few clicks. It doesn’t give you your time back.
Free tools worth knowing about
If you want to keep doing it yourself for now, these are the ones we’d look at first. Free plans change often, so check each tool’s current limits before you commit.
- Meta Business Suite: free, made by Meta, for scheduling Facebook and Instagram posts.
- Buffer: simple scheduling for a few accounts, with a basic free plan.
- Canva: easy graphics for posts, with a generous free version.
- Later: visual planning, popular for Instagram.
- Zoho Social: a good option for small teams managing several channels.
The real cost of doing it yourself
Here’s where the time typically goes for a business posting three to five times a week across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn:
| Task | Typical time per month |
|---|---|
| Planning what to post | 2 to 3 hours |
| Writing captions | 3 to 5 hours |
| Creating graphics and videos | 5 to 8 hours |
| Scheduling and posting | 1 to 2 hours |
| Replying to comments and messages | 3 to 5 hours |
| Total | 14 to 23 hours |
A business owner earning £60,000 a year who spends 20 hours a month on social media is effectively spending around £1,000 a month of their own time. And that’s time not spent on sales, customers or the work that actually pays.
Clear, published prices
Want it done for you? See exactly what it costs.
Social media management from £219, ads management from £450 and SEO from £550 + VAT a month. No contracts, no setup fees.
DIY vs freelancer vs agency
| Do it yourself | Freelancer | Agency (e.g. OptiModo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | £0 to £50 in tools, plus your time | Varies widely | From £219 + VAT |
| Your time | 15 to 20+ hours | A few hours managing them | About 1 hour approving content |
| Consistency | Drops when you’re busy | Depends on one person | A team, so no gaps |
| Strategy and reporting | Up to you | Sometimes | Monthly reports and reviews |
| Contract | None | Varies | None with us |
When doing it yourself makes sense
We’ll be honest: hiring help isn’t right for everyone. Stick with free tools if:
- You’ve just started and money is very tight
- You enjoy creating content and have the time
- Social media isn’t how your customers find you
Signs it’s time to hand it over
- You keep meaning to post but weeks go by without anything going out
- You’re spending evenings and weekends on content
- Your posts get likes but no enquiries
- Your competitors look more professional online than you do
- One new customer a month would more than cover the cost
What our social media packages cost
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Start Up | £219 + VAT/month | 2 Instagram posts a week, weekday posts on Facebook and LinkedIn, custom content, dedicated account manager |
| Most Popular | £439 + VAT/month | Daily Instagram posts, twice-daily Facebook and LinkedIn posts, monthly reports, end of month review |
| Premium | £499 + VAT/month | Daily posts on all networks, replying to customers, custom video and graphics, audience growth strategy |
No contracts. You approve everything before it goes live. See full package details.
Questions business owners ask us
How much does social media management cost in the UK?
Most UK small businesses pay between £200 and £1,000 a month for professional social media management, depending on how many platforms and posts are included. Our packages start at £219 + VAT a month.
Is paying for social media management worth it?
It’s worth it when the time you get back, and the customers it brings in, are worth more than the monthly fee. For most owners spending 15+ hours a month on social media, it pays for itself quickly.
Can’t I just use Buffer or Hootsuite?
You can, and they’re good at scheduling. But they won’t plan, write, design or reply for you. That’s the part that takes the time.
Do I have to sign a contract?
No. We don’t use contracts. You stay because it’s working.
Want your evenings back? Book a free strategy call. We’ll look at your current social media and tell you honestly whether it’s worth handing over, and what it would cost. Book a free call →