If you are a small business owner, the free version of social media tools may be all you need.
Many social media platforms offer additional services with a premium account – a.k.a. show me the money.
HootSuite Pro
In August 2010, HootSuite™, a Social Media Dashboard, introduced its premium packages.
Some of the available services with a premium account include –
- Enhanced social analytics
- A free custom report (e.g., network statistics, Google Analytics)
- Unlimited social profiles (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn®)
- One free team member to manage account
- Integration with Google Analytics
- Integration with Facebook Insights (Facebook’s demographics and content analysis tool)
- Option to opt out of receiving ads posted on HootSuite™
- Unlimited RSS Feeds
The big boys have an option for an Enterprise version that offers additional services, such as vanity web address shortening, technical support and an online training program.
Upgrading the Upgrade
Recently, HootSuite™ rolled out an enhanced version of its Social Analytics.
Here are some of the services the new version offers –
- Real-time analysis of performance measurements of social networks like Twitter or Facebook
- Up to 30 report modules with interactive charts and graphs
- A custom report builder
- Reports customized with logos and your own introductory text
- Options to have reports emailed, exported as a PDF or printed
- Option to have reports emailed to you weekly or monthly
Users create the reports for tracking marketing campaigns across multiple platforms and delivering the results in one comprehensive report.
Point Taken
HootSuite™ uses a point system for reports. Depending on the type of plan selected (Basic or Pro), you receive a credit value.
- The Basic plan is free and you have access to the reports that require 0 points
- You will have to upgrade to the Pro account to purchase reports with points attached to them
- The Pro plan is $5.99 per month and you receive 50 credits towards the purchasing of reports
- Additional credits start at $50 for 50 credits
The following are some of the major reports and the points required.
- Proposal Reports – 45 points – comprehensive report of your social media impact – e.g., Most popular links, daily “Likes” from Facebook Insights, Twitter to web conversion from Google Analytics
- Google Analytics Report – 50 points – your web activity if you have signed up for Google Analytics (which you can get there for free)
- Facebook Insights – 45 points – again, Facebook’s report for those of you who have a Facebook page (also free at Facebook)
The idea of the point system for the Google Analytics and Facebook Insights reports is their data is integrated with the other available reports from HootSuite™ and can be customized with logos and has a certain degree of flexibility in design.
Freebies
My unscientific run-through of the available reports and features, shows the following are free –
- HootSuite’s Ow.ly Click Summary View – click statistics for your Twitter links
- Mentions by Influencers – most influential Twitter users according to Topsy that mention your Twitter profile
- Custom header – for designing your report
- Paragraph – can add your own text to the report
Worth it?
Only you can decide if an ongoing monthly charge is reasonable for the reports you need – or would like to have.
If you are a small business owner, but you do this type of analysis for clients, you might find the charge worth it.
Since I am neither large or into client social media analysis, I’ll stick to my Basic (free) account for now.
Do you use HootSuite™? If so, what do you think about the new and improved Social Analytics?
I can’t say your analysis inspires me to upgrade, Cathy, Since I can get two of the reports free – and have a PostRank account – there’s no point in upgrading Hootsuite.
I am right there with you, Sharon. If you are doing analysis work for a client, it’s nice to have all the different social platforms in one slick report. For a year, the fee would be under $72 so I guess it depends if you think the integration is worth it.
Thanks for sharing your point of view, Sharon.
I upgraded near the beginning because I do have a client and I think that the analysis reports are going to impress them. But I have to agree – if you don’t have clients there’s really no point in upgrading.
Hi, Danielle. I agree it may make sense if you do this kind of analysis for a client and you want multiple platforms integrated into one report. It’s also nice you can import your logo and text to make your product to your client even better.
That’s why I love choices. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Thanks, Danielle, for stopping by and sharing your perspective.