Updated October 2026
Social media can bring steady customers to a small business, but only with a routine you can keep up. The right tools save hours each week, and most small businesses can start with free ones.
Choose your platforms first
Table of Contents
Pick one or two platforms your customers actually use:
- Facebook: local communities, events and groups, especially for customers over 35.
- Instagram: visual businesses such as food, beauty, fitness, fashion and home improvement.
- TikTok and YouTube Shorts: short, entertaining how-to and behind-the-scenes video.
- LinkedIn: professional and business-to-business services.
- Nextdoor: neighborhood services and local recommendations.
An abandoned account looks worse than none, so start small.
Social media tools by job
| Job | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Meta Business Suite, Buffer, Later, Hootsuite | Meta Business Suite and Buffer have free options; Hootsuite no longer has a free plan |
| Design | Canva, Adobe Express | Free plans with templates for every platform |
| Short video | CapCut, your phone’s built-in editor, Instagram and TikTok editors | Keep videos short, useful and well lit |
| Inbox and comments | Meta Business Suite, the platforms’ own apps | Reply within a day |
| Analytics | The platforms’ built-in insights | Track what brings visits, calls and sales, not just likes |
A simple weekly routine
- Plan three posts on Monday: one helpful tip, one example of your work, one about your team or customers.
- Batch-create them in one sitting with your phone and a design tool.
- Schedule them for the week.
- Reply to comments and messages every day.
- Review once a month: which posts brought calls, bookings or website visits?
Content ideas that work for small businesses
- Before-and-after photos of your work.
- Quick answers to common customer questions.
- Behind-the-scenes moments and team introductions.
- Customer stories and reviews, with permission.
- Local events, partnerships and seasonal tips.
Rules to follow
- Disclose paid partnerships. If you pay or gift creators to promote you, the FTC requires them to disclose it clearly.
- Use music and images you have rights to.
- Run contests by the platform’s rules and your state’s laws.
Keep learning
Related guides
Sources
Last reviewed October 24, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
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