Scheduling Platforms-How to choose.

Choosing a Scheduling Platform? Here’s What to Think About (Before You Commit!)

If you’re a solo or small business owner, chances are at some point you’ve typed “best scheduling platform” into Google… and then immediately felt overwhelmed! You want to automate your posts, but don’t know how to. At this point people call and ask me just tell me which platform to use. However often times I can’t give the best advice because while I tried them all out many many years ago I don’t know what they are like now- and even then what I think may not work for YOU!

Before you jump into picking one (based only on what you need right now), here are a few smart questions to ask yourself:

1. What platforms do you actually need to schedule to?
Some tools do Instagram and Facebook easily, but others might also cover LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, etc. If you think you’ll expand later, it’s worth checking! For some clients the inbuilt and free tools might be enough.

2. Do you need to schedule Stories, Reels, or just feed posts?
Not every tool can handle Stories or Reels — and the ones that do might charge extra.

3. How easy is it to use? (User interface matters!)
A clunky, confusing dashboard will drain your energy fast. Look for a platform that feels intuitive and easy to navigate. Many offer free trials — definitely worth taking a few minutes (I spent days!) to test-drive before you commit.

4. What’s your real budget?
Some platforms are free with limited features, but paid options vary wildly — from $10/month to over $100/month. Think about what you can comfortably afford, especially if you’re just starting out.

5. Will it still suit you in 6-12 months?
Right now you might only post once or twice a week — but what if your business grows and you start posting daily across multiple accounts? Some platforms charge per account or per post volume.

6. Does it offer analytics you’ll actually use?
Basic insights (like reach, engagement, click-throughs) are usually enough for most small businesses. Don’t pay extra for fancy reports you won’t read.

7. Is customer support responsive?
If something goes wrong (like your posts not publishing), you’ll want fast help — not a support ticket that sits unanswered for days.

8. How far in advance can you schedule?

Many schedulers only allow scheduling for a month in advance. This may or may not suit your needs.

9. Can you easily upgrade, downgrade, or cancel?
Some platforms make it tricky to change plans — it’s worth checking before you get locked in.

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A few popular options for solo and small business owners

(These aren’t endorsements — just a starting point for your research! Comments correct at time of publishing this post)

• Meta Business Suite (Free and good for FB + Insta basics)
• Later (Great visual planner, 4 months free with sign up to yearly plan, free trial)
• Buffer (Simple, affordable, good for beginners)
• Planoly (Especially good for Instagram)
• Plann (Built for solo businesses, Aussie-founded!)
• Hootsuite (Well-known but can get expensive fast)
• Metricool (popular with many solo business owners)
• Canva Scheduler (If you’re already designing in Canva Pro account, then check that out -and let me know I haven’t delved into this as yet but theres a video here)

Tools that have more than 30 day scheduling limit.

Pricing correct at time of researching. Please check on each platforms site as pricing and plan changes occur regularly.

Scheduling Tool	Scheduling Limit	Pricing	Platforms Supported
Buffer	Unlimited; schedule indefinitely	Essentials: $5/month per channel; Team: $10/month per channel	Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube
Later	Unlimited; schedule months in advance	Starter: $25/month; Growth: $45/month; Advanced: $80/month	Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok
Sendible	Unlimited; schedule years in advance	Creator: $29/month; Traction: $76/month; Scale: $170/month; Advanced: $255/month	Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, and more
Metricool	Unlimited; supports scheduling months ahead	Starter: $18/month; Advanced: $45/month; Enterprise: $139/month	Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube

Extra things to consider

• Watch for hidden costs. Some tools charge extra for “premium” features like multiple users, analytics, or even basic customer support.
• Make sure it’s platform-approved. Stick with schedulers that use official APIs — it keeps your account safer.
• Look for content recycling. Some platforms let you easily repurpose or re-share posts, saving you time down the track.
• Check if they include a link-in-bio tool. If you’re posting on Instagram, this could save you paying for a separate tool.
• Think about future teamwork. Even if you’re solo now, you might want a platform that can grow with you if you bring on a VA or social media help later.

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