BetterBusinessTools.co.uk is reader-supported. We occasionally use affiliate links from trusted partners when they fit naturally with our content. Find out more here.
Social media is a powerful tool that can help level the playing field between small businesses and big players in their niche. In fact, many businesses have undertaken massive growth as a result of smart social media strategies.
In this article, we offer you insight into some of the very best (& free) online tools which you can use to create social media posts for your business.
Ready to take your brand's social media accounts to the next level? Then read on!
TL;DR
Social media design tools can help small and growing businesses create high-quality social media posts for little/no cost.
Some great design tools with free options include Canva, Tailwind Create, Adobe Express, Visme and Pablo by Buffer
As your business grows you may need to consider working with a designer to meet your needs.
Why Use Free Social Media Design Tools?
Small and growing businesses should always be on the lookout for tools that:
Help them grow
Are easy and quick to use
Don’t cost the earth (or better yet - are FREE)
Using a great social media design tool can help you achieve all three.
Social media design tools are typically online platforms that help individuals and businesses create visually appealing and engaging content specifically for social media platforms.
These helpful online platforms often offer a range of features such as templates, customizable graphics, fonts, filters and free social media schedule tools.
Most importantly for small businesses, using a social media design tool streamlines the design process, saves time and effort, enhances brand consistency, and enables users to create professional-looking posts that stand out and attract attention on social media.
5 Best Social Media Design Tools
Canva
When it comes to free online social media design tools, Canva is probably the best known. The Canva platform allows users to create a wide range of visual content, including social media posts, presentations, infographics, posters, and more.
It offers small and growing businesses a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, a vast library of customizable templates, stock images, fonts, and design elements. Canva is particularly beneficial for small businesses as it offers a cost-effective solution for creating professional-quality designs without the need for advanced design skills or expensive software.
TOP TIP: Canva's online blog is a great place to get advice and social media design tips.
Canva Pricing
Canva offers a free version with limited features, this is great for businesses that are just getting started and don’t need access to advanced features.
However, Canva also provides a premium subscription plan called Canva Pro, priced at £10.99 per month, per user. This unlocks additional features and resources.
Tailwind Create
Tailwind Create is a design tool offered by Tailwind, a popular social media scheduling and analytics platform.
Tailwind Create simplifies the process of creating visually appealing social media posts by generating customized designs based on user inputs. It provides features like pre-designed templates, image suggestions, colour palettes and automated branding.
The tools and features available on Tailwind are really useful in helping small businesses create professional-looking content quickly and easily.
Tailwind Create Pricing
The costs of using Tailwind Create are included within the pricing plans of Tailwind's overall platform.
There is a free version of Tailwind available with limited functionality. Premium plans start at $12.99 per month and offer a greater number of tools and functions.
Adobe Express
Adobe is a well-known and trusted software company.
Their Adobe Express platform is a creative software suite that allows users to create visually stunning graphics, web pages, and videos. It offers a range of user-friendly tools to create social media posts and templates for designing social media posts, flyers, TikToks, resumes, Instagram Reels and more.
Small businesses can benefit from Adobe Express's intuitive interface, professional-looking templates, and integration with other Adobe products (such as Photoshop and Lightroom), enabling them to create engaging visual content that aligns with their brand.
Adobe Express Pricing
Adobe Express offers both free and premium subscription options, with the premium plan priced at $9.99 per month. Premium members can access additional features such as branded content, custom fonts, and collaboration capabilities.
Visme
Visme is a powerful online design and presentation tool that empowers users to create visually captivating content, including infographics, presentations, reports and more.
It offers users a wide range of customizable templates, charts, icons, and interactive elements, along with easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality. Visme is an excellent choice for small businesses as it allows them to create professional-quality designs without the need for advanced design skills.
Visme Pricing
Visme offers affordable pricing plans, including a free option with limited features.
They also offer premium plans starting at $12.25 per month, providing access to a broader range of features, templates, and collaboration options.
Pablo by Buffer
Pablo by Buffer is a simple and user-friendly social media design tool specifically designed for creating engaging and shareable images.
It offers a streamlined interface with easy-to-use features, including a library of high-quality stock images, text overlays, filters, and customizable templates.
Pablo by Buffer is especially beneficial for small businesses as it allows them to quickly create visually appealing social media graphics without the need for complex design skills or expensive software.
Visme Pricing
The Visme tool is available for free with limited features.
They also have a paid option called "Pablo Premium" priced at $6 per month, which unlocks additional features such as custom logos, font uploads, and access to premium image collections.
Best Stock Images for Social Media Designs
Look, when it comes to images for your social media, branded photos are the gold standard.
But for busy small businesses with a limited budget, having a vast bank of professional product/branded images just isn't possible.
This is where great stock imagery can really come into play. Here are some of the best options for stock images:
Social Media Design Alternatives: Hire a Designer
Great social media is all about quality and quantity. This can make it tricky for small and growing businesses, putting pressure on their time and resources in an attempt to consistently publish great content.
As your business grows you may want to consider moving away from using free tools in-house and instead employ a professional designer to help you keep up.
Luckily, there are lots of great platforms that can help you find a designer that meets your needs and your budget. Here are a few options to consider:
99designs by Vista (freelancer platform)
PeoplePerHour (freelancer platform - get £30 free credit when you sign up with this link)
UpWork (freelancer platform)
LinkedIn (simply create a post highlighting what you are looking for)
Free Social Media Design Tools: Summary
It is clear that there are some great tools out there for helping you create high-quality social media designs for your business. Many of these tools are free or offer free versions with limited functionality.
As your business grows, it can be worthwhile to invest in the paid version of the platform you choose or move to use a specialist designer to help you keep up with demand.
Do you have any recommendations or tips to add to this article? Perhaps a question for our experts?
Drop a comment below and don’t forget to share this article with your network.