Item: Hootsuite
Rating: 9
Author: Justin Shook

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Hootsuite is used to manage 30+ social accounts. It is currently being used centrally by our marketing department. Hootsuite addresses three business problems for us. First, it allows us to easily schedule posts across multiple accounts and social platforms simultaneously with relative ease. Second, it provides fast and flexible reporting on key performance indicators across any and all key social accounts. Third, Hootsuite provides social community management tools that make it easier to stay informed and engaged.

Pros and Cons

Hootsuite is inexpensive. We subscribe to the Pro Team Plan.
Hootsuite is easy to use out of the box.
Hootsuite's reporting is easy to use and comes with a catalog of preset metric widgets that you can use to create your own social reporting dashboard.
Hootsuite allows you to manage your GMB listings and post across multiple listings at once.

Hootsuite doesn't allow the user to post video to GMB listings.
Hootsuite provides the ability to post videos over 60 seconds and carousel posts to Instagram; however, you have to take an extra step and use the Hootsuite mobile app to post the content on Instagram. Note, videos under 60 seconds and single image posts can be scheduled and posted directly from a web browser.
There are a few metrics that Hootsuite does not provide, such as FB response time.
The reporting GUI could use a facelift for 2021.

Return on Investment

Improved local organic social performance
Improves marketing department efficiency
It is easy to post content on the wrong brand page at times when managing multiple brands across many social platforms in one account. Fortunately, it is a quick fix.

Alternatives Considered

Agorapulse

I have also used Agorapulse, Sprinklr, and Spredfast. I chose Hootsuite based on price point, features, and the size of the current managed brands.

Support Rating

Support levels are based on your selected plan. With an entry-level pro/team plan, you do not get an account manager. You can use the general tech support option, which can take days before receiving resolution. Fortunately, I haven't experienced many issues.

Likelihood to Recommend

Hootsuite is well suited to stay within a tight budget. It provides most, if not all, of the functionality a business would need to stay on top of their social accounts. There are a lot of choices when it comes to social media management tools. Some may have more features, while others have less. We feel that it has the right balance of features and price point for our needs.

Hootsuite, a definite social management tool to try for small to medium businesses.

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Hootsuite