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Most small businesses in the UK pay roughly £400 to £1,500 a month for social media management. That is a wide gap, and it is why quotes are so confusing. Two prices can look miles apart and still be for different jobs. One might be a few scheduled posts. The other might be a full plan, designed graphics, video and replies to every comment. I could not find prices published for Dorset itself, so the figures below are UK ones, with examples from other towns. I will explain what mine includes at the end, so you can compare fairly.
The price matters less than what it covers. Always ask what you get for the money, how many posts you will get, and who replies to your comments.
The short version
- Most UK small businesses pay roughly £400 to £1,500 a month.
- Freelancers usually cost less than agencies.
- Paid advertising is almost always extra.
- Very cheap packages are often scheduled posts with no plan behind them.
- Ask what is included before you compare prices.
What does social media management include?
Social media management means someone looks after your posts so you do not have to. A good service covers more than putting a picture online. These are the parts to look for.
- A content plan. What to post and when, planned around your business.
- Writing. Captions that sound like you, not like an agency.
- Graphics and video. Pictures and short videos that match your brand.
- Posting. Everything scheduled and published for you.
- Replies. Someone keeps on top of comments and messages.
- A report. A short check each month on what is working.
Not every price includes all six. That is the main reason prices vary so much.
Typical UK prices
These are rough figures from published UK cost guides. Most guides are written by agencies and tool companies, so treat them as a guide, not a promise. Prices also change.
| Who does it | Typical monthly cost | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| You, yourself | £0, plus your time | Whatever you have time for |
| Posting only | From about £250 | Posts you supply are put online |
| Freelancer, basic help | £200 to £500 | A few posts and light planning |
| Small business plan | £400 to £1,200 | About 10 to 15 posts a month across two or three platforms, light replies and a monthly report |
| Small agency | £500 to £1,500 | A small team and a fuller service |
| Full service | £1,500 to £3,000 or more | A full plan, often with video and adverts |
What other towns pay
I could not find a published figure for Bournemouth & Poole, Dorset, but these local examples show the same range. They are a useful guide for what is fair to pay.
- Liverpool: roughly £300 to £600 a month for two or three platforms with basic content.
- Kingston upon Thames: roughly £400 to £800 a month for one or two platforms.
- London: roughly £500 to £1,200 a month for a small business.
If you are comparing quotes in Bournemouth & Poole, Dorset, ask for a written quote that lists what is included. Then set it against these ranges.
Why the cheapest option can cost you
Very cheap social media management is often posts from a template with no plan behind them. The posts go out, but nothing is working towards getting you customers.
That does not mean cheap is always bad. It means you should know what you are buying.
What changes the price
Quotes go up and down for a few simple reasons. Knowing them helps you compare like with like.
- How many platforms. Two platforms cost less than five.
- How many posts. Three a week costs less than daily posting.
- Graphics and video. Designed graphics cost more than plain text posts. Video costs more again.
- Replies. Answering comments and messages takes time, so some packages charge extra for it.
- Reports. A detailed monthly report is a bigger job than a quick summary.
- Paid adverts. Running adverts is usually a separate job with its own fee.
- Who does it. A freelancer, a small agency and a large agency all charge differently.
What is usually not included
Check the small print for these. They catch a lot of people out.
Ad spend is not part of the management fee. It is the money you pay the platform to show your adverts. Running the adverts is often a separate fee on top of that.
- Ad spend and ad management. Both are normally extra.
- Video. Filming and editing are often charged per video.
- Extra changes. Some packages limit how many times you can ask for changes.
- Setting up your accounts. A one-off fee is common.
- Tools. Scheduling and design tools can add £20 to £100 a month if you pay for them yourself.
Freelancer or agency?
A freelancer is one person who does the work. An agency is a team, with account managers, designers and writers. Agencies cost more, and for big or complicated jobs that can be worth it.
For a small local business, I think a freelancer often makes more sense. The person who plans your posts is the person you talk to, and you do not pay for an agency’s overheads.
What I charge
I work with small businesses across Bournemouth & Poole, Dorset and the wider UK. If you want to see how it works for your town, read about social media marketing in Bournemouth or social media marketing in Poole. Everything runs month to month, with 30 days notice to stop, and you approve every post before it goes live.
- Starter, from £250 a month. Your profiles set up properly, plus a small monthly content pack. It is a starting point, not a full service.
- Growth, from £750 a month. Regular posts, Reels and short videos, captions, scheduling and a monthly report in plain English.
- Video, from £1,500 a month. More short-form video and YouTube support. Content days are priced separately.
Ad spend is never included, and I will always say so up front. You can see exactly what each package covers on my pricing page, or read about social media management in more detail. If your profiles need tidying first, start with social media setup.
Questions to ask before you hire anyone
A few simple questions show you what you are really buying. Ask them before you agree to anything.
- What exactly is included in the monthly price?
- How many posts will I get each week?
- Who writes the words and makes the graphics?
- Will someone reply to comments and messages?
- Are adverts or video included, or extra?
- How long is the contract, and how much notice do I need to give?
- Who owns the accounts? It should be you.
- How will you show me what is working?
If someone cannot answer these clearly, be careful. A good provider will be happy to explain.
Is it worth paying for?
It is worth it if you do not have the time and you want steady posting that brings in enquiries. Time is the real cost of doing it yourself. Posts need planning, writing, filming and replying to, week after week.
It is not a magic fix. Social media works best as one part of being found, alongside a good website and a Google listing. Judge it by the enquiries it brings, not by the likes.
If you are still deciding where to start, my guide to the best social media platforms for small businesses will help you choose. It covers Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, and who each one suits.
Common mistakes when buying
- Comparing prices and ignoring what is included. Two quotes can be for very different jobs.
- Choosing the cheapest without checking. Templates with no plan do not bring customers.
- Forgetting ad costs. Ad spend and ad management are separate.
- Signing a long contract. A short notice period keeps you in control.
- Not owning your accounts. Your pages should always be in your name.
- Judging it on likes. Enquiries and customers matter more.
Your cost questions
How much does social media management cost per month?
Most UK small businesses pay roughly £400 to £1,500 a month. Posting-only help can start from about £250, and a full service with video and adverts can pass £1,500. The price depends on how many platforms, how many posts and what else is included.
How much does a freelance social media manager charge?
Published UK guides put basic freelance help at roughly £200 to £500 a month, and a fuller small business plan at about £400 to £1,200. Always check what the price includes.
Is paid advertising included in social media management?
Usually not. Ad spend is the money you pay the platform to show your adverts. Running the adverts is often a separate fee as well, so ask before you agree.
Do I need a long contract for social media management?
No. A monthly arrangement with a short notice period keeps you in control. Mine runs month to month, with 30 days notice to stop.
Can I do my own social media instead?
Yes, and many small businesses do. It costs no fees but takes real time every week, for planning, writing, filming and replying.
Want a straight price for your business
Tell me about your business and where your customers are, and I will give you a clear price before we start. There is no pressure and no sales pitch.
Sources for the UK prices: Whito, UK social media management costs, Birdeye, social media management pricing UK, and local examples from Bizhub365 for Liverpool, Kingston upon Thames and London. Checked in November 2026.
