Key takeaways
- Social media management prices vary widely by scope: number of posts, platforms, video, strategy and community management.
- Compare like with like: ask how many posts, which platforms, who creates the content and what’s included.
- Doing it yourself costs time; freelancers vary; managed services offer consistency and a team.
- Viraluna’s plans are €200, €350 and €500 a month (excluding VAT) for 24, 36 and 60 posts, with the first month at 50% off.
- The best value is the option you’ll keep consistent for a year — not the cheapest month.
“How much does it cost?” is one of the first questions business owners ask about social media help — and one of the hardest to answer from the outside, because quotes can range from a few hundred to several thousand a month. This guide explains what you’re paying for, how to compare options, and exactly what our own plans cost.
What are you actually paying for?
Social media management usually combines several jobs:
- Strategy and planning — what to post, when, and why
- Content creation — photography or editing, graphics, video, captions
- Scheduling and publishing across platforms
- Community management — replying to comments and messages (not always included)
- Reporting — what worked and what to do next
- Advertising management — usually separate from the ad spend itself
Two quotes that look very different may simply cover very different amounts of work.
What affects the price?
- Number of posts per month — the biggest factor
- Platforms — Instagram and Facebook only, or TikTok, LinkedIn and Google Business Profile too
- Video — short-form editing takes more time than photos
- Who creates the raw content — your photos, or a photographer on site
- Languages — bilingual captions add work
- Community management and response times
- Contract length — monthly or 12-month agreements often differ in price
Your options compared
Doing it yourself
The lowest cash cost, but the highest time cost. It works if you enjoy it and can stay consistent — which is the hard part when the business gets busy. Our guides to planning a month in one hour and writing captions make it easier.
A freelancer
Can be excellent value, especially for a specific skill. Prices and availability vary widely, and you depend on one person for holidays and illness. Agree clearly what’s included.
An agency or managed service
A team covering planning, design, video and copy, with a fixed monthly fee, consistent output and cover when someone is away. The trade-off is cost — so check exactly what’s included.
What Viraluna costs
We publish our prices so you can compare easily. All prices exclude VAT; visitors outside the euro area see them converted at European Central Bank reference rates on our pricing page.
- Starter — €200 a month, 24 posts. Consistent, professional posting for a busy local business: captions, a monthly content calendar, scheduling, the client portal and a monthly summary.
- Growth — €350 a month, 36 posts. Everything in Starter plus more varied formats and promotional content, selected Reels and Stories, and more detailed planning and reporting.
- Premium — €500 a month, 60 posts. Our highest volume, for businesses with lots to say: everything in Growth plus more campaign planning, a higher Reels and Stories allowance, expanded reporting and priority handling.
New clients pay 50% of the standard price for their first month. On an optional 12-month agreement, months 2 to 12 are 20% off. There’s no online checkout or hidden setup fee — we invoice you directly, and you approve every post before it goes out.
How to compare quotes
Ask every provider the same questions:
- How many posts per month, on which platforms?
- Who creates the photos and videos?
- Are Reels/TikToks included, and how many?
- Do you reply to comments and messages?
- Do I approve posts before they’re published?
- What reporting do I get?
- What’s the minimum term and notice period?
- Are ads managed, and is ad spend extra?
Then compare the cost per post and, more importantly, what results the service is designed to deliver: bookings, visits, enquiries.
Is it worth it?
A useful way to think about it: how many extra customers a month would cover the cost? For a café with an average spend of €12, a €200 plan is covered by around 17 extra visits a month. For a salon with €60 appointments, it’s fewer than four. Consistent, professional social media — plus a well-kept Google profile — routinely brings in more than that over time. Just as importantly, it gives you back the hours you’d otherwise spend on it.
Frequently asked questions
How much should a small business spend on social media management?
It depends on how many posts, platforms and video you need. Many small local businesses start with a plan covering 20 to 40 posts a month across Instagram and Facebook. Compare quotes on scope, not just price.
What does Viraluna charge?
Starter is €200 a month for 24 posts, Growth €350 for 36 posts and Premium €500 for 60 posts, all excluding VAT. New clients get 50% off the first month, and a 12-month agreement gives 20% off months 2 to 12.
Is advertising spend included in social media management?
Usually not. Management fees cover the work; money paid to platforms for ads is normally separate. Ask every provider to be clear.
Is it cheaper to hire someone in-house?
An employee costs a salary plus overheads and still needs design and video skills. For most small businesses, a managed service or freelancer is more cost-effective than a full-time hire.
Can I cancel a social media management contract?
It depends on the terms. Monthly plans usually have a short notice period, while 12-month agreements trade a commitment for a lower price. Check the terms before you sign.
The bottom line
Prices vary because scope varies. Work out what you need, compare quotes on the same questions, and choose the option you’ll keep consistent all year — that’s where the results come from.
If you’d like a clear, fixed price and a team that does the work while you approve every post, see our plans or ask for a free quote.