How much does social media management cost?
A straight answer for small businesses in Bristol, Bath and across the UK, from the lowest-cost options to a full agency. Last updated October 2026.
What does it cost to have your social media managed?
For a small business, affordable done-for-you social media management costs from £150 to £350 + VAT a month for branded static posts published every week. A full agency with strategy, video and photo shoots starts from around £500 + VAT a month. Socially Active, from Bristol agency Compelite Pro, costs £150, £250 or £350 + VAT a month for one, two or three posts a week on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Business Profile, and you approve every post.
What you get at each price
| Do it yourself | Affordable done-for-you | Full agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example | Compelite Studio (LinkedIn) | Socially Active | Compelite Pro |
| Monthly cost | Lowest, plus your time | £150 to £350 + VAT | From around £500 + VAT |
| Who makes the posts | You | Our team, designed to your brand | Our team, with strategy |
| Platforms | Usually one | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google, every post | All relevant channels |
| Video and shoots | No | No (photo shoots as an add-on in Bristol and Bath) | Yes |
| Best for | Owners with time to post | Small businesses that need to look active and credible | Businesses ready to grow with video and strategy |
When cheap social media costs more.
Low prices are not always what they seem. Check these before you sign up anywhere:
- Per-platform pricing: is a “post” one platform or all of them? Socially Active posts go to all four.
- Set-up fees: are they shown up front? Ours is one month, and it is on every plan.
- Approval: can you check posts before they go live? With us, nothing publishes without your say-so.
- Generic content: are posts designed for your business, or stock and generic AI? Ours use your logo, colours, fonts and photos.
- Contract length: how long are you tied in? Ours is 3 months, then rolling monthly.
Socially Active plans. All prices + VAT.
Active
One post a week. The minimum to look open for business.
- 1 branded post a week
- 4 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £300 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £150 + VAT a month.
Active Plus
Two posts a week. Enough that people notice you’re busy.
- 2 branded posts a week
- 8 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £500 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £250 + VAT a month.
Always On
Three posts a week. Never a quiet week on your feed.
- 3 branded posts a week
- 12 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £700 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £350 + VAT a month.
The one-off set-up fee is the same as one month. It covers building your brand kit, tidying your profiles, setting up your upload link and scheduling, and planning your first month. 3-month minimum, then rolling monthly with 30 days’ notice. All prices + VAT.
Social media costs: your questions.
How much does social media management cost for a small business?
It depends on what is included. An affordable done-for-you service that designs and publishes branded static posts, like Socially Active, costs £150 to £350 + VAT a month. A full agency service with strategy, video and photo shoots costs more, and Compelite Pro packages start from around £500 + VAT a month. Doing it yourself with a tool costs less, but takes your time every week.
What is the cheapest way to get my social media done for me?
Our lowest-cost plan is Active: one branded post a week, published to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Business Profile, for £150 + VAT a month. You approve every post before it goes live.
Is £150 a month enough for social media?
For most small businesses that just need to look active and credible when people check them out, yes. One good branded post a week on four platforms keeps your profiles current. If you want to grow faster, Active Plus (two posts a week) or Always On (three a week) give you more presence.
Why are static posts cheaper than video?
Video takes filming, editing and often a shoot day, so it costs more to make. Static posts are quicker to design, which is how we keep Socially Active affordable without cutting corners on quality or branding.
Is the price different in Bristol, Bath or the rest of the UK?
No. Plans are £150, £250 or £350 + VAT a month wherever you are. Photo shoots are available in Bristol and Bath as an add-on.
Are there any hidden costs?
There is a one-off set-up fee equal to one month, which covers your brand kit, profile tidy-up, scheduling set-up and first month of planning. Plans have a 3-month minimum, then roll monthly with 30 days’ notice. Approval, amends and a monthly summary are included.
Local to us? See affordable social media management in Bristol and in Bath.
Affordable social media, done properly.
Pick a plan and sign up online in about ten minutes. Your first posts usually go live within two weeks.
Questions first? That’s fine.
Book a 15-minute call, or email [email protected].