Managing social media can easily feel overwhelming, especially in case you’re publishing content on multiple accounts. Luckily, Hootsuite simplifies the method by offering a centralized platform to schedule, publish, and analyze content across all of your social media accounts!
On this Hootsuite review, I’ll discuss the professionals and cons, what it’s, who it is best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you the best way to use Hootsuite, from establishing boards and streams to creating and scheduling social media posts!
I’ll finish the article by comparing Hootsuite with my top three alternatives (Circleboom, StoryChief, and Content Studio). By the top, you may know if Hootsuite is true for you!
Verdict
Hootsuite is a strong tool for managing multiple social media accounts with advanced scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration features. Nevertheless, it could be too expensive for some people and the educational curve may feel steep, especially for beginners.
Pros and Cons
- Manage multiple social media accounts from a centralized dashboard
- Robust scheduling features, including bulk uploading and auto-scheduling
- Get comprehensive analytics and customizable reports
- Great for team management and collaboration for larger organizations
- Offers app integrations with tools like Canva, Dropbox, and Google Drive
- Includes features for monitoring brand mentions and industry trends
- Costlier than some competitors, especially for advanced features
- It may be overwhelming for beginners attributable to its quite a few features
- Direct posting to Instagram is restricted attributable to API limitations
What’s Hootsuite?
So what’s Hootsuite? Let’s take a have a look at its principal features and core functionality.
Overview of Hootsuite’s Core Platform
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that was created by Ryan Holmes in 2008 in Vancouver.
What began as a tool for managing Twitter (fun fact: it was originally called BrightKit) has grown into this powerhouse platform that supports multiple social networks including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok, and is utilized by over 18 million users worldwide.
Hootsuite has some pretty impressive stats. They’re utilized by over 800 of the Fortune 1000 corporations, and the platform supports integration with greater than 35 social networks. The last time I checked, users were publishing something like 40 million posts through Hootsuite every month!
Foremost Features & Core Functionality
The core of Hootsuite is its boards and streams. It has multiple columns laid out side by side, each showing different social media feeds, mentions, and scheduled posts.
The sport-changer is how you’ll be able to customize these streams to observe multiple clients’ accounts concurrently. You may see every little thing happening across all of your social platforms in a single place!
Hootsuite has quite a couple of features, but let me break down an important ones:
- The Scheduling Tool: With this tool, you’ll be able to schedule posts across multiple platforms concurrently which saves countless hours! The majority scheduler is especially handy when planning content for a complete month.
- Analytics reporting: This tool permits you to track every little thing from engagement rates to follower growth. The custom report builder permits you to give attention to the metrics that matter to your online business.
- Task & Approval Workflows: In case you’re someone who works with teams, the project and approval workflows are lifesavers for stopping social media mishaps. You don’t need to be that one that by accident posts personal content to a client’s account!
- Keyword Streams: This tool helps you monitor industry terms and competitor mentions. It helps spot countless opportunities for client engagement that might’ve been missed otherwise!
The thing I actually appreciate about Hootsuite’s evolution is how they’ve managed to remain relevant. They’ve kept adding features like social listening tools and AI-powered content recommendations.
Price-wise, it might sound a bit steep at first (especially for small businesses). But once you consider the time it saves and the features you get, it is smart. They provide various plans ranging from individual users as much as enterprise-level solutions, and every tier unlocks more features and social profiles you’ll be able to manage.
Who’s Hootsuite Best For?
Hootsuite is best for a various range of companies and social media professionals, from small startups to large enterprises. More specifically, Hootsuite is best suited to:
- Organizations seeking to manage multiple social media accounts from a centralized platform.
- Corporations seeking to boost their social media engagement and customer interactions.
- Businesses wanting to develop and optimize their social media strategy.
- Retail corporations for social media customer support.
- Marketing agencies to see their analytics and use social listening tools to trace campaign performance.
- Social media teams to develop comprehensive social media strategies.
- Social media managers to plan, schedule, and publish content across multiple platforms.
Hootsuite Key Features
Listed below are Hootsuite’s key features.
Social Media Scheduling & Publishing Tools
Hootsuite’s scheduling system might be the feature I exploit most religiously. It’s far more sophisticated than simply queuing up posts!
I learned this trick where you should use the majority scheduler with a CSV file to plan out a complete month’s content in about half-hour. The very best part is you could preview exactly how each post will look on different platforms before it goes live!
There’s also an AutoSchedule feature that mechanically selects one of the best times to post based on user engagement data. This could enhance the effectiveness of your social media campaigns by optimizing posting times!
Analytics & Reporting Capabilities
Hootsuite’s analytics capabilities are really impressive. You may track every little thing from basic engagement metrics from multiple platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok to deep-dive custom reports.
Listed below are the engagement metrics you’ll be able to track:
- Reach
- Engagement rate
- Impressions
- Likes
- Shares
- Comments
- Video views
- Recent followers
I’ve spent hours manually tracking social growth before discovering you could possibly create automated weekly reports. The platform permits you to measure things like team response time, sentiment evaluation, and even ROI tracking in case you’re running paid campaigns.
Pro tip: arrange custom report templates for various stakeholders. Your boss probably wants different metrics than your social team!
Team Collaboration & Workflow Features
Hootsuite’s team collaboration features is where the platform really shines for larger organizations. The platform has this intuitive permission system where you’ll be able to assign different access levels to team members.
One feature I like is the content approval workflow where you’ll be able to arrange multiple approval stages. No more accidental posts from interns going live without review!
Plus, team members can collaborate on social media posts by creating drafts, providing feedback, and managing tasks throughout the platform. Hootsuite also contains a team inbox that aggregates social media messages, to prepare communication amongst team members.
Social Media Monitoring & Listening Tools
Hootsuite’s social listening tools are like having your ear to the bottom 24/7. With this tool, you’ll be able to arrange custom streams to observe keywords, hashtags, and mentions across platforms. It permits you to monitor mentions across various platforms, including as much as 150 million web sites and 30 social media channels in 187 languages.
You may catch some amazing opportunities this fashion, like if a customer has a difficulty but doesn’t directly tag your brand. Plus, the sentiment evaluation feature helps you understand not only what persons are saying, but how they feel about it.
Hootsuite uses AI-driven insights through its Blue Silk™ AI model, which helps predict trends and analyze consumer sentiment effectively. This enhances the flexibility to have interaction with audiences based on real-time data.
Content Curation & Suggestion Features
Content curation might look like a minor feature, but it surely’s grow to be certainly one of my favorite time-savers.
Hootsuite suggests relevant articles, blog posts, and news stories based in your topics of interest, and you’ll be able to easily share them together with your audience. Once you have found the content you wish to share, you’ll be able to schedule your posts individually or in bulk.
You’ll find some absolute gems through this feature that’ll get great engagement. Just remember to truly read the articles before sharing them!
Using Hootsuite for content curation is useful in a pair of how:
- By providing relevant content suggestions, Hootsuite significantly reduces the time spent looking for shareable articles (a standard challenge for social media managers)
- Sharing curated content helps maintain audience interest and encourages engagement by providing helpful information relatively than simply promotional material
- Commonly sharing high-quality, relevant content will help establish your brand as an authority in your industry, fostering trust and loyalty amongst your followers
Security & Compliance Features
Security measures may not sound exciting, but they’re crucial in case you’re managing enterprise-level social media. Hootsuite offers two-factor authentication, single sign-on, and detailed audit logs of all actions taken throughout the platform.
I particularly appreciate the IP address restriction feature. It permits you to limit platform access to specific locations, which is great for compliance-heavy industries.
Listed below are some additional security measures:
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Network protection with firewalls and intrusion detection mechanisms
- Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
- Compliance with standards resembling SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS
Hootsuite Mobile App
The mobile app deserves a special mention too. While it doesn’t have all of the features of the desktop version, it’s perfect for on-the-go management and crisis response!
The app includes essential features resembling:
- Streams: Monitor various social media activities and interactions in real-time
- Composer: Create and schedule posts across multiple platforms
- Inbox: Manage and reply to messages from different social media accounts in a centralized location
- Publisher: Schedule and publish content efficiently
Do not forget that these features are spread across different pricing tiers. Start with the core features you absolutely need, then expand as your social media presence grows. No sense paying for enterprise-level features in case you’re just managing a handful of accounts!
How you can Use Hootsuite
Here’s my hands-on experience with Hootsuite’s each day workflows:
- Go to the Hootsuite Homepage
- Select a Plan & Connect Your Accounts
- Set Up Boards & Streams
- Create Posts
- Create Social Media Captions
- Create a Post with the Caption
- Schedule Posts with the Content Calendar
- Schedule Bulk Content
- Set Up & View Analytics
- Set Up Scheduled Reports
Step 1: Go to the Hootsuite Homepage
I began by going to hootsuite.com and choosing “Start your free trial.”
Step 2: Select a Plan & Connect Your Accounts
Next, Hootsuite asked me to pick my plan: Standard or Advanced. I went for the 30-day trial of the Standard plan.
After signing up, Hootsuite asked me to attach a minimum of two social accounts.
Step 3: Set Up Boards & Streams
After creating and connecting my accounts, I used to be taken to my Hootsuite dashboard! But before getting ahead of myself, let’s speak about establishing the dashboard.
After I first began using Hootsuite, I made the classic mistake of diving in with out a proper setup. But taking time to configure things properly makes an enormous difference in the long term!
The very first thing you will need to do is ready up boards and streams. Hootsuite Streams are essential for managing and monitoring social media activity across various platforms.
To access your streams on Hootsuite, select “More” and “Streams.”
Hootsuite may have already created boards for the social media accounts you have connected. I can view my analytics, past posts, and scheduled posts on each social media account on one screen!
If you wish to create a brand new customized board, select “Recent Board” on the highest left.
On the best, you may see different board types you’ll be able to pick from:
- Social media content monitoring
- Discover latest trending content
- Create custom streams based on any theme or activity
- Get RSS feeds to post your favorite stories from web sites and blogs (paid)
- Create a link-in-bio for Instagram
- View and share TikTok videos on Hootsuite
- Find more apps to enhance your productivity
Customize your boards and streams in a way that works best for you!
Step 4: Select How You Wish to Create a Post
You may as well create posts with Hootsuite! Access different posting options from the house page on Hootsuite:
- Create from scratch
- Post across networks
- Post a few trend
- Start with AI
I used to be interested by the AI option so I chosen “Start with AI.”
Step 5: Create Social Media Captions
Next, Hootsuite asked me how I desired to create social media captions with their writing generator OwlyWriter AI:
- Repurpose your top posts to achieve more people
- Create latest captions from scratch
- Get inspiration for post ideas and captions
- Turn blog posts and other content into captions
- Create captions for upcoming holidays
I chosen “Start from scratch.”
From here, Hootsuite presented me with various kinds of posts I could get OwlyWriter AI to jot down a caption for. These included captions for various social media platforms, captions for followers to take motion, “hook” captions to reel in prospects, etc. I chosen “LinkedIn post.”
Hootsuite asked me what sort of LinkedIn post I wanted to jot down about. I typed “Easy budgeting suggestions for first-time savers” and hit “Create Caption.”
Step 6: Create a Post with the Caption
Inside seconds, Hootsuite generated three captions with emojis that were perfect for LinkedIn!
From here, I could select any three of them and hit “Create post” to post on social media.
Step 7: Schedule Posts with the Content Calendar
Next, I desired to explore the content calendar to create a posting workflow. To do that, I began by choosing “Plan” from the navigation bar on the left.
On the highest right, you’ll be able to change the content planner view (I just like the calendar view best for an summary of the content I’ll post for the complete month).
From there, click on the date you wish to create a post. On the best, a panel will open with a button for you to begin to make a post. Inside this panel, Hootsuite will even offer a really helpful time so that you can make a post based on the last 30 days of your posts!
Step 8: Schedule Bulk Content
Pro tip: use the majority composer for normal content, but at all times schedule time-sensitive posts individually. You may create content libraries by going to Plan > Content and hitting “Bulk Message Upload.”
Step 9: Set Up & View Analytics
The analytics section could be a bit daunting at first, but here’s what works best!
Start by establishing a couple of key report templates. You may do that by choosing “Analytics” and hitting “Create a report.”
Hootsuite comes with different report templates:
- Multiple networks overview
- Brand awareness
- Audience growth
- Post reach
- Link clicks
Simply to name a couple of. Select the reports that align with the metrics you wish to track. For instance, in case you’re running a campaign, create a custom report tracking campaign hashtags, engagement rates, and click-through rates.
Step 10: Set Up Scheduled Reports
Also, it is advisable to schedule these reports to be delivered to your inbox weekly to remain within the loop!
To schedule your reports, select the report from the “Analytics” tab, select “Export,” and hit “Recent Scheduled Report.”
How you can Use Hootsuite the Most Effectively
- For team collaboration, establish clear workflows from the beginning. Arrange approval paths based on content type. For instance, perhaps regular posts only need one approval, while campaign content needs two.
- Use the project feature for customer support messages to avoid duplicate responses.
- All the time use the notes feature when assigning tasks to team members. Future you’ll thank past you for the context!
- The mobile app is your friend for on-the-go management, but don’t depend on it for every little thing. For instance, you should use it for monitoring and quick responses, saving the heavy lifting like bulk scheduling and analytics reviews for desktops. The interface is pretty intuitive when you get used to it, especially for checking urgent notifications or approving scheduled content.
- Do not forget in regards to the security points. Enable two-factor authentication for all team members, commonly review user permissions, and arrange IP restrictions if needed. These might look like annoying extra steps, but they’re way less annoying than coping with a compromised account.
- Make friends with the support team. Hootsuite’s help docs are pretty comprehensive, but sometimes you wish human help. I’ve found their support team to be super helpful, especially when coping with API changes or latest feature rollouts.
Top 3 Hootsuite Alternatives
Circleboom
The primary Hootsuite alternative I’d recommend is Circleboom. What I like most about Circleboom is its balance between simplicity and functionality, making it easy to administer multiple platforms without feeling overwhelmed!
Each tools are powerful social media management platforms that help individuals and teams streamline their workflows.
On the one hand, Hootsuite stands out with its advanced analytics, extensive integrations, and social listening features which can be excellent for larger organizations. Alternatively, Circleboom focuses more on simplicity and affordability with tools for designing, automating, and scheduling posts. It’s particularly useful for Twitter management.
While Hootsuite’s robust features cater to enterprises with more extensive needs, Circleboom keeps things easy by emphasizing ease of use and essential tools without unnecessarily complicating things. Its user-friendly design ensures even beginners could make use of its features. Meanwhile, Hootsuite’s breadth of features might be intimidating to latest users but rewarding in case you seek more advanced insights and control.
For a comprehensive, enterprise-level solution with in-depth analytics and integrations, select Hootsuite. For an easier, budget-friendly tool with a give attention to Twitter management, select Circleboom!
Read my Circleboom review or visit Circleboom!
StoryChief
The following Hootsuite alternative I’d recommend is StoryChief. It is a content marketing platform that streamlines the creation, collaboration, and distribution of content across multiple channels. What I like about StoryChief is its ability to unify marketing workflows into one platform to save lots of time and boost collaboration!
While each Hootsuite and StoryChief offer tools for social media scheduling, their core focuses differ. StoryChief takes a broader approach to content marketing. It focuses on strategies like multi-channel publishing, website positioning copywriting, and content planning across various platforms.
StoryChief also offers robust content collaboration features, simplifies workflows for teams, and incorporates tools to spice up organic growth through content marketing. Meanwhile, Hootsuite is a powerhouse for businesses seeking to manage their social media presence, track social media performance, and improve social media ROI.
In case you’re in search of comprehensive social media management with advanced social analytics, Hootsuite is your best bet. Nevertheless, if you wish to focus more on streamlining your overall content marketing strategy and multi-channel content distribution, StoryChief is the better option!
Read my StoryChief review or visit StoryChief!
Content Studio
The ultimate Hootsuite alternative I’d recommend is ContentStudio. Like Hootsuite, ContentStudio offers social media management and content curation tools. Its intuitive workflows make managing social media campaigns easy and efficient.
Each tools provide scheduling and team management capabilities, but they differ in key areas. Hootsuite is favored by large organizations for advanced analytics and social listening, while ContentStudio appeals to smaller teams looking for efficient content management and discovery tools.
ContentStudio distinguishes itself with:
- Unique content discovery features
- AI-powered content generation
- More flexible integration options
While each platforms integrate with tools like Canva, ContentStudio offers more specialized features for content creators like hashtag suggestions.
For comprehensive enterprise-level social media management with robust analytics, select Hootsuite. For smaller teams prioritizing content creation, automation, and discovery, ContentStudio provides a more agile and user-friendly solution!
Read my Content Studio review or visit Content Studio!
Hootsuite Review: The Right Tool For You?
After trying Hootsuite for myself, I can see why it is so popular. It’s a wonderful tool for managing multiple social media accounts, scheduling content, and collaborating together with your team.
It’d initially feel overwhelming with all of its features. However it’s price overcoming the educational curve due to how much time it saves and the way helpful the insights are. It’s also a bit pricey, however the advanced features like custom reporting and social listening are price it for larger campaigns.
In case you’re interested by Hootsuite alternatives, here’s what I’d recommend:
- Circleboom is best for anyone who loves simplicity. While it supports multiple social media platforms, it’s particularly useful in case you’re specializing in Twitter and wish a budget-friendly tool to schedule posts and stay organized without feeling lost.
- StoryChief is best for managing content across multiple platforms like blogs and social media. I also love the way it streamlines website positioning content creation and collaboration.
- ContentStudio is best for smaller teams or solo marketers. Its AI features and content discovery tools have made managing campaigns feel effortless, especially when needing quick inspiration for posts.
Thanks for reading my Hootsuite review! I hope you found it helpful. Hootsuite offers a free 30-day trial of their Standard and Advanced plans, so why not try it for yourself and see the way you prefer it?
Ceaselessly Asked Questions
Is Hootsuite good to make use of?
Hootsuite is a well-rounded social media management platform. It comes with multi-account management, advanced scheduling capabilities, and comprehensive analytics to assist businesses streamline their social media presence. Nevertheless, it’s pretty expensive and the features could be overwhelming for beginners.
What are the disadvantages of Hootsuite?
Hootsuite has several disadvantages, including a high cost and a potentially steep learning curve. Also, direct posting to Instagram is restricted attributable to API limitations.
What does Hootsuite actually do?
Hootsuite is a comprehensive social media management platform that permits you to manage multiple social media accounts from a single dashboard. You may create, schedule, publish, and analyze content across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It comes with tools for content scheduling, social listening, team collaboration, analytics, and engagement. This helps businesses and individuals streamline their social media marketing and grow their presence online.
Is Hootsuite a Canadian company?
Yes, Hootsuite is a Canadian company. It was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Is Hootsuite still free?
No, Hootsuite discontinued its free plan on March 31, 2023. It now only offers a 30-day free trial for its paid plans. After the trial, you should select a paid plan starting at $99 per 30 days for the Skilled plan.
Is there a free alternative to Hootsuite?
Yes, Metricool offers a free alternative to Hootsuite that lets you schedule as much as 50 social media posts per 30 days across multiple platforms without charge. Other free Hootsuite alternatives include Buffer, which provides a freemium model for social media scheduling and basic analytics.
