If you’re struggling to make your Instagram posts stand out, you’re not alone. With research indicating that Instagram has approximately 2 billion monthly active users, it’s essential for brands to continually think of new and exciting ways to create compelling content.
That’s where online design tools can come in handy. Instead of creating content from scratch and dedicating hours to using complicated software, a user-friendly online design tool can help you create content more efficiently and creatively.
In this simple guide, we’ll go over the top online platforms in the market, along with each tool’s different features, pricing plans, and pros and cons. Let’s dive in!
The Best Features to Look for in a Social Media Management Tool
When it comes to social media management tools, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s best to consider the different features most suited to your specific business needs. For your easy reference, here are the top features you can look for in an Instagram management tool:
1. Ready-to-use templates
Instead of creating designs from scratch, we highly recommend browsing through some Instagram post templates. Not only are these designs free to use, but also easily customizable.
2. Brand Kits
To ensure that your designs remain consistently on-brand, a Brand Kit tool can be a handy feature to have. You simply need to upload your brand’s logo, color palettes, and different assets for easy customization.
3. Content Planner
Aside from various design features, a social media management tool can also help you out with managing your online performance. With a Content Planner, you simply need to schedule your posts in advance for automated posting.
4. Analytics and reporting
An effective way to gauge your social media marketing is by referring to performance reports. These can help you determine how well certain posts are performing, so you can better adjust your marketing campaigns.
The Top Professional-Grade Online Platforms for Designing Instagram Posts
For experienced marketers or agencies looking for a powerhouse Instagram management tool for multiple clients, below are the top professional-grade online platforms to boost your Instagram performance:
1. Hootsuite
Overview
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps creators, agencies, and businesses manage multiple social media pages from one centralized dashboard. With Hootsuite, users can easily monitor online engagement and collaborate with teams for seamless implementation of social media marketing strategies.
Standout features
- Social Listening for tracking trends and topics
- Integrations with other software, like CRM tools
- Advanced analytics for paid and organic campaigns
Pricing (per month)
- Standard ($149)
- Advanced ($399)
- Enterprise (Custom)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Various integrations available for other platforms | ❌May be overkill for individual users and small businesses |
| ✅Robust Social Listening features for real-time brand monitoring | ❌No free plan available |
| ✅Ideal for large teams and/or agencies managing multiple clients | ❌Steep learning curve due to its wide variety of features |
2. Sprout Social
Overview
Sprout Social is another social media management platform popular among large agencies and teams for its advanced features. With Sprout Social, users can easily collaborate with teams and reach audiences across different social media channels.
Standout features
- Review management for monitoring customer feedback
- Integrations with social commerce apps
- Automated Conversational Workflow for customer engagement
- Multi-Profile publishing from a single Compose box
Pricing (per month)
- Standard ($199)
- Professional ($299)
- Advanced ($399)
- Enterprise (Custom)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Advanced analytics and performance reports | ❌Pricier subscription tiers compared to other platforms |
| ✅Wide variety of customer engagement features | ❌Limited content creation tools |
| ✅Instagram Grid Planner for previewing posts | ❌Steep learning curve for beginner users |
The Most User-Friendly Online Design Tools for Creating Instagram Content
Whether you’re just getting started with social media marketing or looking to boost your Instagram performance, below are the top user-friendly online design tools for creating Instagram content:
3. Buffer
Overview
Buffer is a social media management tool that offers many of the same features found in platforms like Hootsuite and Sprout Social. However, Buffer offers a much more user-friendly interface and affordable pricing tiers.
While it lacks the advanced features found in other social media management tools, Buffer can be a good option for those just looking to get started with basic Instagram management and marketing.
Standout features
- Instagram scheduling features
- Custom analytics reports
- Integrations with content creation and CRM tools
Pricing (per month)
- Free
- Essentials (Starts at $6)
- Team (Starts at $12)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Beginner-friendly interface | ❌Limited content creation tools |
| ✅Affordable pricing plans | ❌Limited analytics compared to other management tools |
| ✅Basic AI-powered features | ❌Not suitable for large teams/agencies handling multiple brands/clients |
4. PosterMyWall
Overview
PosterMyWall is an all-in-one social media management, marketing, and content creation tool perfect for individual creators and small businesses looking for a cost-efficient yet versatile tool for creating and managing Instagram content.
With PosterMyWall, users can get access to a beginner-friendly interface ideal for those with little to no experience in social media management or content creation. Additionally, the app offers an extensive library of different features and customizable templates for all Instagram content needs, from Reels to simple posts.
Standout features
- AI generation tools (text-to-image, caption writer, etc.)
- Content Planner for automating posts
- 1M+ templates that are free and customizable
- Audio/Video recorder and editor for Reels
Pricing (per month)
- Free
- Premium ($9.95)
- Premium Plus ($29.95)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅User-friendly features with little to no learning curve | ❌Management features may not be suitable for large agencies/teams |
| ✅Versatile content creation, marketing, and social media management tools | |
| ✅Highly affordable and generous pricing plans ideal for small businesses and individual creators |
A Quick Guide to Designing Compelling Instagram Posts Using Your Online Design Tool
While an online design tool can help make a great difference in your Instagram posts, it always helps to refer to some useful design tips to ensure compelling content. Below are some quick and easy examples:
1. Consider your format
Before designing your Instagram content, it’s always best to consider the type of format you’re creating. Since Instagram has Reels, Stories, and Posts, the templates and overall format you’re going to use will vary.
2. Use high-quality images
As Instagram mainly relies on visual content like videos and pictures, it’s best to make sure that your posts are of high quality. This means ensuring that your media is exported in the correct format, such as PNG or JPG for images.
3. Leverage AI features
Along with the various advancements in technology, AI features are now becoming a staple in most online design tools. For text-to-image generation to a caption writer, it’s worth exploring these tools to see how you can make your design process more creative and efficient.
4. Export correctly
Once you’re done designing your Instagram post, it’s time to export. Some online design tools will have fewer and more straightforward file export types, while others will offer different options for various uses. For Instagram in particular, it’s best to export in PNGs for high-quality images and MP4 for high-quality videos.
Take Your Instagram Posts to the Next Level
Designing compelling Instagram posts doesn’t have to be stressful. By leveraging the right tools and sticking to your marketing goals, you can keep your audience engaged and bring your brand to life.
Whether you’re an individual creator or just starting your business, check out these online platforms and start designing your own compelling visual content today!