‍The 2025 Lowdown: How Much Does Social Media Marketing Cost in the UK?

If you’re trying to work out how much social media marketing really costs in the UK, you’ve probably noticed one thing - the prices vary a lot. And with constant changes to algorithms, advertising costs and content trends, it can be difficult for businesses to know what a realistic budget looks like in 2025.

This guide breaks it all down clearly: UK pricing ranges, what impacts the cost, whether to hire an agency or freelancer, and how much businesses should be budgeting to see real results.

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1️⃣ Average Social Media Marketing Costs in the UK (2025)

Here’s what businesses typically invest depending on the level of support they need:

✔ Freelancers

• £200–£800/month for light management
• £800–£1,500/month for multi-platform, content-heavy work

Best for: early-stage businesses, simple content needs.

✔ Social Media Agencies

• £800–£2,000/month for standard packages
• £2,000–£5,000/month+ for multi-platform, strategy-heavy support
• £5,000–£20,000/month for enterprise or paid-media-led campaigns

Best for: brands wanting a long-term strategy, paid ads and content consistency.

✔ In-House Hire

• £28k–£45k+ salaries depending on experience
• Plus employer NI, software, training and equipment

Best for: companies needing someone embedded day-to-day.

2️⃣ What Actually Impacts the Cost?

The reason two businesses can pay vastly different fees comes down to several factors:

Platform choice

More platforms = more content, scheduling, reporting.

Content volume

Do you want 4 posts per month or a full funnel of Reels, TikToks, carousels and ads?

Paid advertising budget

Ad spend is separate from management fees.

Your business goals

Brand awareness, lead generation and e-commerce each require different approaches.

Industry competitiveness

Finance, beauty and hospitality normally require higher quality creative and more testing.

3️⃣ Typical Social Media Budgets for UK Small Businesses (2025)

We work with hundreds of SMEs across the UK, and the pattern is consistent:

Business SizeAverage Monthly BudgetStart-ups£300–£700/moSmall businesses£800 –£2,000/moGrowing SMEs£2,000–£4,000/moScaling brands£5,000–£10,000/mo

If a business wants to grow rather than simply “maintain presence”, they need to invest enough to produce content, test creatives, and run paid ads.

4️⃣ Should You Hire an Agency or Freelancer?

A freelancer is ideal for:

• Simple posting
• Basic engagement
• Low content needs
• Keeping costs down

An agency is better when you need:

• A full funnel content strategy
• Paid ads management
• Reporting & optimisation
• Regular professional content creation
• Faster results

5️⃣ How Seasonal Trends Affect Costs (Including Q4 Surge)

Many people underestimate how much the festive period changes ad performance.

Expect:

• Higher CPMs
• Higher CPCs
• Higher cost per result across Meta & TikTok
• More competition from retail and e-commerce brands
• Better results for businesses who prepare creatives early

This is also where agencies often outperform DIY strategies because they pre-build seasonal funnels and test creatives in advance.

6️⃣ How Much Should Your Business Budget?

Here’s an easy formula:

If your goal is brand presence only:
➡️ £1,000 - £1,5000/month

If your goal is lead generation or sales:
➡️ £1,500 – £4,000/month including ads

If your goal is aggressive scaling:
➡️ £5,000/month+

Most UK SMEs fall comfortably in the middle bracket.

7️⃣ FAQs

What is the average cost of social media marketing in the UK?

Most UK businesses spend between £800–£3,000 per month depending on platforms, content volume, and whether they use an agency or freelancer.

Is hiring a social media agency worth it?

Yes - especially if you need strategy, paid ads, content creation or results beyond basic posting.

Does social media marketing include ad spend?

No. Ad spend is separate unless a package explicitly states otherwise.

Why are prices higher during Q4?

Competition increases across all industries, which raises CPMs and CPCs.

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Ready to Make Your Social Media Budget Work Harder?

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start scaling, let’s talk.

👉 Book a call with Evolve My Media today and we’ll audit your channels, review your ad performance, and show you exactly how to get more from your 2025 marketing budget.

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