The Best Social Media Platforms for Small Businesses in 2025 (And How to Pick Yours)
- Sarah Ferraina
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Reaching the right audience on social media can feel overwhelming, especially for small businesses trying to grow in 2025 without a clear social strategy.
Nowadays, business owners are spoiled (and stressed) for choice – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, TikTok - the list goes on. And then it's the social media formats you need to navigate too!.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to show up where it matters.
At Save My Marketing, we’ve done the research for you. We’ve sifted through the latest reports, tools and trends to bring you a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of which platforms are actually worth your time in 2025, and how to choose the right ones for you
Why You Don’t Need To Be on Every Platform in 2025
Choosing the best social media platform comes down to where your audience spends their time and how they prefer to engage with content.
There’s often pressure to be on every social platform – more channels must mean more reach, right? And if other businesses are doing it, shouldn’t you?
The truth is, visibility doesn’t come from spreading yourself thin. It comes from consistency, relevance and real connection.
Posting daily on five platforms with different strategies is a recipe for burnout. You’ll get better results by showing up consistently on one or two platforms your audience actually uses.
The Top Social Media Platforms for Small Businesses in 2025
Best for: Local businesses, community-driven brands, and slightly older audiences.
Despite rising competition, Facebook is still the most-used social platform, with over 3 billion monthly active users worldwide. Features like Facebook Groups and Reels offer valuable ways to create community and boost organic reach, while Facebook’s robust ad targeting tools make it easy to reach the right people based on location, interests and behaviour.
Best for: Lifestyle brands, creators, visual products, and service-based businesses with strong visuals.
Instagram continues to be a powerhouse for visual storytelling and brand building. 70% of shoppers use Instagram to find inspiration and discover new products, making it a valuable platform for lead generation and sales. With features like Reels, Stories and in-app shopping, Instagram allows small businesses to showcase products, share behind-the-scenes content, and connect directly with followers in a way that feels personal and authentic.
Best for: B2B services, consultants, coaches, and professional service providers.
LinkedIn is leveraged by 96% of B2B marketers for organic reach. Its features, like LinkedIn Articles, enable you to publish long-form, blog-style content directly on the platform, helping to establish yourself or your business as an industry expert. On the paid side, LinkedIn’s Sponsored Content and InMail ads offer highly targeted marketing opportunities, with 80% of social media leads originating from LinkedIn. Moreover, LinkedIn Ads are effective at reaching a global audience and can boost purchase intent by 33%.
TikTok
Best for: Bold brands, educators, creators.
TikTok has quickly become a powerful platform for engagement and discovery. 45% of small businesses using TikTok attribute a meaningful portion of their success to it. With an average weekly follower growth rate of 3.24%, TikTok offers rapid reach, making it ideal for brands willing to experiment with authentic, entertaining content and lean into viral trends.
Best for: Visual inspiration, DIY, design, events and evergreen content.
In 2025, Pinterest is great for time-strapped business owners. With over 500 million monthly users and a smart, AI-enhanced algorithm, it’s designed to match your content with people who are already searching for what you offer. In fact, Pins have a 120x longer shelf life than a typical social post, meaning one hour of work each week can continue working for your business for months or even years!
X (formerly Twitter)
Best for: Real-time news, customer service and thought leadership.
According to Hootsuite’s 2025 Social Trends report, 41% of SMBs have tested outbound engagement strategies like commenting on others’ posts to grow visibility. For small businesses, this tactic can yield big results with no additional cost. Joining in on cultural moments, niche trends or relevant industry chatter can quickly increase reach and build community. The best part about X? You don’t need flashy graphics or long-form posts to form engagement – quick updates, witty replies and repurposed blog links go a long way.
YouTube
Best for: Educators, how-to content and content with a long shelf life.
YouTube remains a key player in video marketing, with 86% of SMBs using the platform to reach broader audiences and drive lead generation. 90% of users say they’ve discovered new products or brands through YouTube, making it a powerful tool for brand awareness and product discovery. It’s the most-used mobile app globally by time spent and has over 2.6 billion monthly active users, offering massive reach for consistent content creators. The platform also supports evergreen content, generating views, engagement and traffic months or even years after publishing.
Other Platforms to Watch in 2025
Threads - A newer platform, great for text-based conversations and tapping into Instagram’s audience.
Snapchat - Popular with younger demographics for more casual, ephemeral content.
Reddit - Ideal for niche communities and authentic discussions, but requires careful and considered engagement.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
Your business goals
Start by getting clear on what you want your social media presence to do for your business. Are you aiming to attract new clients, stay connected with existing ones, build credibility as an expert or expand into a new audience? Your overall marketing and business goals should guide your choice of platform.
What your competitors are doing
Take a look at where your competitors are showing up online. If they’re finding success on certain platforms, chances are your audience is there too. Most social algorithms suggest content based on what users already engage with, allowing you to show up in the same spaces and capture some of that interest.
Your time and capacity
Managing social media takes more than just posting. It involves planning, creating content, engaging and tracking results. It’s a labour of love! So be realistic about how much time or support you are willing to have.
Your Next Step: Pick One or Two and Go All In
It’s better to do one or two platforms well than to spread yourself too thin and miss key engagement opportunities. Choose the platform that fits your business, goals, and audience, commit for 90 days and track what works.
With focus and strategy, social media can shift from a time drain to a powerful growth tool for your small business.
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