Why don't social media agencies publish their prices?

Key takeaways

Most social media agencies don't publish prices because the cost depends on channels, volume, video and how much input you supply. A price list would either overcharge simple clients or undercharge complex ones. You can still get a clear figure quickly with a short written brief and published market ranges.

• Most UK SMEs pay in the £950–£2,500 a month band.
• Prices vary with channels, volume, video and your own input.
• A one-page brief gets you a comparable figure quickly.
• Ask for the hours and people behind any quote.

Why do agencies avoid price lists?

Social media work varies more than it looks. Two businesses asking for "12 posts a month" can need very different hours, depending on whether photos are supplied, how many people approve and whether video is involved. A fixed price list hides those differences, so many agencies quote case by case.

• Social media agency pricing in the UK
• How social media agencies set their prices

Does Global Bridge Labs publish prices?

No. Global Bridge Labs (GBL) does not publish a rate card either, for the same reasons. What we do publish is sourced market ranges, such as the £950–£2,500 a month band most UK SMEs fall into, so you know roughly where you will land before you talk to anyone.

• Social media packages vs custom quote: which is fairer?

Are published packages more honest?

Not necessarily. Published packages are easy to compare, but they can include things you do not need or leave out things you do, which then appear as extras. A package is only transparent if it states the hours, people and exclusions behind it.

• Social media agency hidden fees and how to spot them

How do you get a clear price quickly?

Send a one-page brief with your channels, posting volume, video needs, who supplies photos and how fast messages need replies. Ask each agency for a written figure with the hours and people behind it. That gets comparable quotes without long sales calls.

• A social media brief that gets comparable quotes

When is a missing price a warning sign?

It is a warning sign when an agency will not give any figure until a long pitch, will not explain what the fee covers, or quotes very differently each time you ask. A good agency can give a range early and a firm figure once it understands your brief.

• Social media agency pricing red flags to walk away from

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see with UK businesses comparing agencies: they spend weeks on calls before seeing a single number. Global Bridge Labs (GBL) shares the relevant market range at the first conversation and a written costed plan once the brief is clear, so the decision is about fit, not guessing.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

Price request checklist

Ask every agency for these.

• A price range at the first conversation.
• A written figure after the brief.
• Hours and people behind the fee.
• What is excluded and priced as extra.
• Contract term and notice period.

• Will my social media agency work for my competitors?
• Are social media agency fees tax deductible?

Next step

Send us your channels and what you want each month. We will tell you which band you fall into, in writing.