5 Best FREE Social Media Mangement Tools to Keep your Social Profiles even when you're busy

One of the biggest challenges of small business owners as regards social media marketing is how to manage their social media networks and choosing the best social media management tool to handle this.

 

What If I told you that there are FREE yet powerful social media management tools to help you manage social media platforms, schedule and publish updates and also analyse how well your content resonates with your audience.

While there maybe a whole lot of them, I will take you through my 5 best FREE social media management tools for small businesses.

Please note that the Pros and Cons I will cover here are for the FREE versions of the social media management tools and what may seem as disadvantage maybe averted in the Paid version.

Buffer FREE PLAN

The simplicity of this social media management tool has earned it first spot on the list. It’s quite easy for any user who is new to social media management and Buffer lets you schedule up to 10 free updates daily.

PROS

1. User Friendly Interface: The Buffer dashboard is absolutely easy to understand with jargon free  social media analytics to get you started.
2. Ability to Republish Old Content – With a simple click of the “Rebuffer” button you can republish and re-share your old content on your social platforms and increase visibility on a post.
3. Mobile Support and Browser Extensions– Buffer has mobile support for both IOS and Android which helps you schedule content even on the go, with browser extensions for Chrome, Safari and FireFox.
4. Pablo Integration – Buffer has an Image editing tool Pablo which helps you create social media customised images for your social platforms.
5. Tweriod Integration – Buffer integrates with Tweriod a Twitter-Tool which helps determine when your followers are active and tailors your Buffer posting times to suit these times.

CONS

1. No social monitoring which hopefully will no longer count as Buffer as recently acquired Respondly
2. Buffer also pulled out of providing users with content suggestions for scheduling thereby removing the content discovery feature.
3. No Instagram Integration – Instagram support is currently unavailable on Buffer.

Hootsuite FREE PLAN

Hootsuite is one of the most popular social media management tools, it is also packed with social monitoring and engagement features.

PROS

1. All- in- One Dashboard – Hootsuite presents an all round social media report of all your social media engagements and activities in one place.
2. Advanced Social Analytics – social analytics report is advanced and detailed
3. Mobile Support and Browser Extensions – Hootsuite has mobile support for both Android and IOS devices withHootlet browser extensions
4. Apps Integration – Hootsuite integrates with a good number of social apps, though most of them are available on the Paid Packages, a good number of them are also available on the free plan
5. Social Media Campaigns – Though still in BETA, hootsuite campaigns allow you to create social media campaigns on your dashboard. Choice of campaigns are however limited in the free plan
6. Languages Support – The Hootsuite Translation Project has enabled international users access the social media management tool. It is currently available in Japanese, French, Spanish and Italian for desktop with other ongoing translation projects for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
7. RSS Integration – enables you automatically share content from RSS Feeds

P.S RSS Feed Integration is also available on Buffer but only accessible by Paid Users

CONS

1. Complex Interface – Hootsuite can be overwhelming for a new user, with so many tabs and functions to apprehend, understanding your dashboard may take a while.
2. Free Plan is limited to only 3 Social Platforms
3. Full Analytics report are limited on free plan and are often expensive
4. Singular Option for Link Shortening – link shortening is restricted to Ow.ly

MAV SOCIAL FREE PLAN

Mav social is a simple yet powerful visual content management and social media management tool

PROS

1. Comprehensive Dashboard – Mav Social dashboard features a social inbox which integrates all your social notifications in one place with ease of use.
2. Built in Photo Editing – Photos for publishing can be edited while using the Tool
3. Visual Content Library – Mav Social manages all your uploaded images and videos and also includes access to royalty free stock photos
4. Campaign Management – You can create simple and complex social media campaigns.
5. RSS Feed Integration – Add up to 5 feeds for Free

CONS

1. No Mobile Support – Tool is unavailable on mobile devices
2. Singular Option for Link Shortening – link shortening is restricted to mvnt.us

DRUMUP

DrumUp is a content discovery and social media management tool for small and medium sized businesses

PROS

1. Content Discovery – DrumpUp carefully curates the best content around the web based on your selected keywords
2. Hashtag Recommendations
3. Ability to Republish Old Content –  the DrumpUp Repeat Post feature enables you increase visibility on old posts
4. RSS Feed Integration
5. Mobile Support with Chrome Browser Extension

CONS

1. Limited Social Platforms – Available for LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter
2. No Social Analytics and Reports

FRIEND PLUS ME FREE PLAN

Friends plus me is a very popular social media management tool among active Google+ users and also helps in sharing content across other social media platforms.

PROS

1. Complete Google Plus Management – Includes posting to Google+ Profile, Page, Community and a Collection
2. Browser Extension – Browser extensions available for Safari, Chrome and FireFox
3. User Friendly Interface – Ease of Use

CONS

1. No RSS Feed Integration
2. No Social Media Analytics Report
3. No Mobile Application

BONUS TOOLS

Mentia – Curates content from Twitter feed based on suggested keywords to other social networks.

TweetDeck – Mainly for twitter scheduling, tracking and engagement.

Will love to hear all your thoughts and questions on these social media management tools in the Comments.

by Iboro Gordon