How Much Does Social Media Marketing Cost in the UK?

Let’s get straight to it.

If you’ve searched “cost of social media marketing”, you’re probably asking one of these questions:

• Is it actually worth paying for?
• Why do prices vary so much?
• What do you really get for your money?
• What should a small business expect to spend?

The frustrating answer most agencies give is:

“It depends.”

That’s true - but it’s not helpful.

So in this blog, we’re breaking down exactly what social media marketing costs in the UK, what affects the price, and how to tell if you’re getting value or just paying for posts.

Quick Answer: How Much Does Social Media Marketing Cost?

For most UK small and medium-sized businesses, the cost of social media marketing typically sits between:

• £500 – £1,000 per month (basic support)
• £1,000 – £2,000 per month (strategic growth)
• £2,000 – £3,000+ per month (scaling with ads and content)

Anything cheaper usually cuts corners.
Anything more expensive needs to justify its impact.

Why There’s No Fixed Price

Social media marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all service.

The cost depends on:

• your goals (awareness vs leads vs sales)
• how competitive your industry is
• how many platforms you’re on
• how much content you need
• whether paid ads are involved
• how quickly you want results

This is why comparing agencies purely on price rarely ends well.

What Actually Affects the Cost of Social Media Marketing

Let’s break it down properly.

1. The Level of Support You Need

This is the biggest factor.

Basic support

Usually includes:

• posting content provided by you
• light scheduling
• minimal strategy
• limited reporting

Lower cost - but limited growth.

Strategic support

Usually includes:

• content planning
• brand messaging
• organic social media management
• performance review
• advice on what’s working

This is where most growing businesses sit.

Full support

Usually includes:

• content creation (especially video)
• paid ads and lead generation
• optimisation and testing
• reporting tied to results

Higher investment - but far more impact.

2. Organic Only vs Organic + Paid

Organic content builds trust.
Paid ads drive scale.

Businesses relying on organic alone often grow slowly.

According to Wordstream, the average UK business spends between £500–£3,000 per month on paid social advertising - separate from management fees.

A good agency helps you:

• avoid wasting ad spend
• promote the right content
• target the right audience

Bad ads cost money.
Good ads save time and accelerate growth.

3. Content Creation

This is where prices differ the most.

Posting stock graphics is cheap.
Creating high-quality, brand-led video is not.

According to Hootsuite, short-form video delivers the highest ROI on social platforms - but only when it’s done properly.

This is why content quality has a huge impact on pricing.

4. Your Industry & Competition

Some industries are simply more competitive online.

If you’re in:

• property
• fitness
• trades
• professional services
• e-commerce

You’re competing for attention - which means strategy matters more.

Businesses working with a marketing agency in Shrewsbury often underestimate how competitive local markets have become.

Cheap Social Media Marketing: What You’re Actually Paying For

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

Low-cost social media marketing usually means:

• generic content
• no real strategy
• minimal optimisation
• poor reporting
• posting for the sake of it

It looks fine on the surface - but rarely drives results.

That’s why many businesses come to Evolve My Media after trying cheaper options that didn’t move the needle.

So… Is Social Media Marketing Worth the Cost?

It depends on how it’s done.

Well-executed social media marketing:

• builds trust
• increases visibility
• supports sales
• shortens buying cycles
• creates predictable growth

Poorly executed social media marketing:

• wastes time
• drains budget
• creates frustration
• delivers vanity metrics

The cost isn’t the issue.
The return is.

What Small UK Businesses Should Budget For

Here’s a sensible way to think about it.

If your goal is:

• brand awareness only → lower investment
• consistent enquiries → mid-level support
• scaling leads or sales → higher investment

Most small businesses investing £1,000–£2,000 per month in social media marketing see the best balance between cost and results — when the strategy is right.

Key Takeaways

• Social media marketing costs vary for a reason
• Cheap rarely delivers results
• Strategy matters more than frequency
• Organic builds trust, paid creates scale
• The right investment depends on your goals

FAQs: Cost of Social Media Marketing

Why do agency prices vary so much?

Because the level of strategy, content and support varies massively.

Can I do social media marketing myself to save money?

Yes - but growth is usually slower and less consistent without support.

Is social media marketing a monthly cost?

Yes. Consistency and optimisation are what drive results over time.

Is paid ad spend included in social media marketing costs?

Not always. Ad spend is usually separate from management fees.

How Evolve My Media Approaches Social Media Marketing Costs

At Evolve My Media, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all packages.

We help businesses across Shrewsbury, Shropshire and the wider UK:

• understand what level of support they actually need
• avoid overspending
• invest where it makes the biggest difference
• grow online without wasted budget

Our focus is simple:
👉 clear strategy, honest guidance, and marketing that actually works.

📞 Want to Know What Social Media Marketing Would Cost For You?

If you’re trying to work out whether social media marketing is worth the investment, let’s talk it through properly.

➡️ Book a free discovery call with Evolve My Media
We’ll help you understand what makes sense for your business - no pressure, no hard sell.

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