5 leading Social Media Management services for local businesses

Local businesses realized the necessity of using social media platforms like Facebook , Google + and Twitter a long time ago. These platforms are useful for both maintaining a professional appearance as well as leveraging social medias marketing power to reach existing and new potential customers alike. Review sites are an additional element that can be beneficial in boosting professional reputation. Unfortunately, they can also be harmful to businesses depending on the overall customer satisfaction and review response management. One thing is certain: neglecting those sites and apps will mostly end in catastrophe, so whats an owner to do? Put the time in yourselves, give the task to an existing employee or even hire a new one just for that? Luckily there are dozens of new we-do-it-for-you services out there that will take social media duties off your hands for a monthly fee. I checked out the most prominent ones and ranked them based on best overall solution for local businesses.

5. Wizler 20/65 Points (31%)

Wizler has 3 plans to choose from (Basic, Essential and Premiere) priced from $299.00 - $999.00 per month. I used their Basic Plan ($299.00) for the rating because the cost is closest to compare. Thats also why they came in last. To be fair, I also scored their Essential package for $499.00 and they came in with a 39/65 which would have put them in 3rd place after Adler Social and Lyfe Marketing. Even though the $499.00 plan moved them up in the list, the total lack of reputation management and following growth is keeping them far away from topping the list.

4. The Social Savior 29/65 Points (45%)

The Social Savior has 4 plans to offer (Facebook Marketing, Restaurant Essentials Restaurant Facebook+ and Restaurant Social+) that are priced from $390.00 - $990.00 per month. I used the Facebook Marketing plan to compare and while I like that they offer customer interaction, even in their cheapest plan, the cookie cutter nature of the service, as well as the lack of a reputation management feature puts The Social Savior at 4th place with 29 points. In the higher plan ($690.00+) they do offer reputation monitoring as well as a FB Engagement Campaign, which makes the service much better, but also much more expensive. Furthermore, they are specialized in restaurants which would make them an odd choice for any other industry.

3. Main Street Hub 34.5/65 Points (55%)

Main Street Hub has 3 plans to choose from (Basic, Value and Premium) priced from $299.00 - $599.00 per month. They surprisingly offer a very low post frequency (only 2-3 posts per week). The most point deductions are in the lack of follower growth that is essential to a successful social media strategy, unless you only want to post to people who know of you already. In the more expensive plans they offer to blast emails for you but Instagram is nowhere to be found. Main Street Hub does engage in Twitter conversations, posing as your business. I am not sure if this is a good practice, given that Twitter conversations from businesses can feel like unsolicited advertisements. But, I gave them 2 extra points because none of the other companies offer this feature.

2. Lyfe Marketing 43/65 Points (66%)

Lyfe Marketing comes closest to an agency model of all reviewed services, which is reflected in their a la carte pricing model. Its definitely a great feature that you can pick and choose the services that are the most useful for your business, which can vary by industry. Agencies, of course, also come with a hefty price tag. I added the essential of what a successful social media strategy must contain (daily content, follower growth, promotional posts and reputation management) and were quoted $900.00+ per month that didnt even include any campaign budget. No doubt its a great service, it is just by far the most expensive.

1. Adler Social 57.5 Points (88%)

Adler Socia l offers 3 plans to choose from (Starter, Plus, Pro) priced from $199.00 $399.00 per month. Since their Plus plan ($249.00) is still more affordable than any of the other companies cheapest plans, I used this one for our comparison. Even though Adler Social only includes Instagram in their highest plan, the Plus still comes with tremendous value. With a personal social media manager who does daily relevant posts, grows your following and designs custom promotional campaigns for you on all the most important social media platforms, they placed 1st with 57.5 points. For reputation management, beside Yelp review responses, they include the Adler Social native app that helps you generate more reviews from your customers to increase your Google star rating and can even help with your SEO.