Best Content Marketing Software of 2023 Shortlist
Here’s the list of the 12 content marketing software that I cover in this article, with expanded explanations below
- HubSpot Marketing - Best all-in-one content marketing tool
- Contently - Best content calendar
- Mediafly - Best for interactive content analytics and insights
- Semrush - Best for organic content strategy and analysis
- BuzzSumo - Best for analyzing trends in social media
- Percolate - Best for large businesses to manage multiple campaign plans
- monday.com - Best for content planning and management
- Salesforce Social Studio - Best for social media post optimization
- Jasper - Best for AI writing assistance
- Hootsuite - Best for social media management
- Uberflip - Best for personalized content
- RELAYTO - Best for recycling content
I know how hard it can be for businesses to create relatable content that connects them with their audience. Content marketing software can help with that. They offer features that can streamline the process, and maximize the effectiveness of your content marketing.
Keep reading to find out more about content marketing software that might be just what you need.
What is Content Marketing Software?
Content marketing software are platforms designed to help businesses create and share valuable content on a consistent basis, in order to attract and retain a target audience. They provide businesses with the necessary data and tools needed to streamline the content marketing process, from ideation, to delivery to customers.
Different Types of Content Marketing Software
Different content marketing software can offer different tools, so it’s important to choose one that has the tools your business and content will need.
- Scheduling and content planning software can help you keep track of a social media campaign and make timely posts to best maximize your reach.
- Analysis software can help you track metrics, SEO, and ensure your content is engaging the right audience and performing how it should.
- Some content specializes in content creation, providing ideas, tools, and even hiring talent.
Of course, some of the software listed below will offer a combination of these features, but most will specialize in one type or another.
Overviews of the 12 Best Content Marketing Software
Here’s a brief description of each of the 12 best content marketing software, showcasing important features, pricing, pros, cons, and integrations. I’ve also included a snapshot of the interface for each tool.
1. HubSpot Marketing - Best all-in-one content marketing tool
HubSpot is a comprehensive sales, marketing, and CRM platform that provides businesses with a wide range of tools required to create, optimize and share actionable content to their audience.
Why I picked HubSpot
I picked Hubspot because it allows content marketers to create and share content within a single Content Management System (CMS), making it incredibly versatile. Its integration with the complete HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform also allows you to track your customer journey from first contact to repeat purchases, which is undoubtedly useful.
HubSpot Standout Features and Integrations
Features include offering content creators SEO recommendations to improve their search rankings, access to over 1,100 certified integrations to streamline their workflows, and detailed audience analytics to gain insights into their content's performance.
Integrations include Canva, Charm.io, Outgrow, Intulse, Hubspot CRM, SurveyMonkey, Hubspot Marketing Hub, Typeform, Hotjar, and more.
Price
- Free ($0/month)
- Starter ($23/month)
- Professional ($360/month)
- Enterprise ($1,200/month)
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Robust marketing automation features
- Good customer support and extensive training resources
- Offers a full suite of marketing, sales, and customer service tools in one platform
- Extensive integration options, including popular CRMs and social media platforms
Cons
- Expensive compared to other content marketing software
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Customization options can be limited for more advanced users
2. Contently - Best content calendar
Contently is a content marketing platform that helps brands generate relevant content ideas. It also connects them to high quality talent, and helps them schedule content on their editorial calendar. Contently is also well-known for its reliable support team, which helps brands solve any bugs that may come up along the way.
Why I picked Contently
Contently allows marketing teams to streamline the entire content marketing process from generating ideas, hiring talent to create the content, scheduling posts within the content calendar, and accessing analytics on content performance.
Contently Standout Features and Integrations
Features include access to over 130,000 freelancers that they can hire from to create high-quality content at scale. It also comes with an inbuilt content calendar that makes scheduling and publishing content a breeze.
Integrations include Mailchimp, WordPress, LinkedIn, Zapier, Hubspot Marketing Hub, Facebook, and more.
Price
- Custom
Pros
- High-quality content creation and management features
- Advanced analytics and optimization tools
- Provides access to a network of freelance writers and content creators
- Has a user-friendly interface
Cons
- Expensive compared to other content marketing software
- Limited integrations with other tools and platforms
- Complex and may require more training to use effectively
- Limited features for content optimization
3. Mediafly - Best for interactive content analytics and insights
Mediafly is a sales and content management platform that helps organizations improve buyer experience and manage content. They offer four different solutions based on the needs of the organization. Their content management solution is called Engagement360.
Why I picked Mediafly
I picked Mediafly because it helps businesses easily create interactive content experiences and presentations for their customers. It provides detailed content engagement tracking, which shows how your audience interacts with your content and provides data on how to improve content engagement.
Features include the ability to track content engagement, allowing businesses to gain insights into what content is resonating with their audience and informing future decisions.
Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Hubspot CRM, Gmail, Hubspot Marketing, and more.
Price
- Essential ($30/month)
- Pro (Custom)
- Enterprise (Custom)
Pros
- Customizable and scalable for businesses of all sizes
- Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop functionality
- Good for sales enablement
Cons
- Some users report that the software can be slow or buggy at times
4. Semrush - Best for organic content strategy and analysis
Semrush is a comprehensive digital marketing toolkit that provides a wide range of tools for SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, PPC, and market research. These tools help businesses identify opportunities for improvement and make better marketing decisions.
Why I picked Semrush
Semrush is great at helping businesses conduct content analysis, in particular, organic website content. It also offers tools to audit your website and offers solutions on how to optimize your website through better SEO practices.
Features include a backlink audit tool that helps businesses identify and remove harmful links, which improves SEO. It’s platform also allows businesses manage and measure the effectiveness of their content marketing campaigns
Integrations include WordPress, HubSpot, CRM, Amazon, Google Ads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Yoast SEO, and more.
Price
- Pro ($119.95/month)
- Guru ($229.95/month)
- Business ($449.95/month)
Pros
- Robust SEO and content optimization tools
- Advanced keyword research and tracking features
- Extensive competitor analysis and reporting options
Cons
- Limited customization options compared to other content marketing software
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- May not be as effective for businesses with a focus on non-SEO marketing channels
5. BuzzSumo - Best for social media content
BuzzSumo is a content research and analysis platform designed to help businesses discover trending topics and create popular content. Businesses can analyze their content performance, as well as that of their competitors.
Why I picked BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo greatly improves the virality of a business’ content, as it provides insight into top trending topics and offers tools necessary to take advantage of those trends. It also enables businesses to grade their content strategy against their competitors.
Features include an easy-to-use interface, which makes it simple to find and analyze top-performing content in any industry, as well as track specific topics and trends using content alerts. The software also features an influencer identification tool that enables businesses to connect with industry leaders and amplify their reach.
Integrations include Hootsuite, Buffer, Trello, Salesforce, Zapier, Slack, Google Sheets, WordPress, and more.
Price
- Basic ($119/month)
- Content Creation ($249/month)
- PR & Comms ($249/month)
- Suite ($399/month)
- Enterprise ($999/month)
Pros
- Offers data-driven insights for content creation
- Good for competitor research
- Integrations with a wide range of tools and platforms
Cons
- Limited content creation and management features compared to other content marketing software.
- Expensive pricing options for smaller businesses
6. Percolate - Best for multiple campaign planning
Percolate is a cloud-based content marketing solution that enables businesses to coordinate and manage effective content marketing campaigns. They are a subsidiary of top global sales enablement platform, Seismic.
Why I picked Percolate
Percolate’s management tools allow content marketers to easily manage multiple content campaigns from a single dashboard. This removes the need for multiple content systems, which helps to save time and money.
Features include advanced analytics tools, which enable businesses to gain insights into their content's performance, and optimize their strategy accordingly. The platform also features workflow management tools, which help businesses streamline their content creation process.
Integrations include Zendesk, Salesforce, Bynder, Facebook, Twitter, Adobe Experience, WordPress, and more.
Price
- Custom
Pros
- Good for brand management
- Offers a range of content creation, management and distribution tools
- Provides an easy-to-use interface
- Customizable workflow management features
Cons
- Expensive pricing options for smaller businesses
- Some users report that the software can be difficult to learn and use effectively
7. monday.com: Best for content planning and management
monday.com is a flexible project management platform that enables businesses to track and manage their projects and workflow. It is a great tool for content management as it helps schedule content from the ideation process all the way to fulfillment.
Why I picked monday.com
monday.com offers a highly-customizable platform that can be tailored to meet your particular needs. Its intuitive navigation makes it easy for marketing teams to adapt and use.
Features include its time tracking and resource management tools, which allow businesses to allocate resources efficiently and track their time spent on each project.
Integrations include Zendesk, Salesforce, Twilio, Hubspot CRM, Zoom, Slack, Mailchimp, Asana, Hootsuite, and more.
Price
- Individual ($0/month)
- Basic ($8/month)
- Standard ($10/month)
- Pro ($16/month)
- Enterprise (Custom)
Pros
- Provides customizable workflow management tools
- Offers a range of templates for content management
- Robust collaboration and communication tools
Cons
- Limited content creation and management features
- Limited reporting and analytics options
- Can be expensive compared to other project management software options
8. Salesforce Social Studio - Best social media post optimization
Salesforce Social Studio is a powerful social media marketing and management platform. It's part of Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and is used by businesses to draft, schedule, post, and review social media content.
It's important to note that Salesforce will officially shut down Social Studio on Nov. 18 2024.
Why I picked Salesforce Social Studio
Social Studio allows businesses to manage all their social media platforms from a single location, removing the need for multiple systems. It also has a lot of tools to help businesses track and review the success of their social media campaigns.
Features include integration with other Salesforce Marketing Cloud products, making it easy to manage social media campaigns alongside other marketing activities. Its real-time social monitoring helps them stay up-to-date on the latest trends and engage with customers in real-time.
Integrations include Instagram, monday.com, Wrike, 3CX, Twilio, PandaDoc, Birdeye, Tango, and more.
Price
- Basic ($1000/month)
- Pro ($4000/month)
- Corporate ($12000/month)
- Enterprise ($40000/month)
Pros
- Comprehensive social media management and monitoring tools
- Provides data-driven insights for content optimization
- Good for customer engagement
Cons
- Expensive pricing options for smaller businesses
- Limited customization options compared to other social media management software
- Steep learning curve for beginners
9. Jasper - Best for A.I writing assistance
Jasper AI, formerly known as Jarvis AI, is an AI writing assistant that helps businesses write content faster. It employs Natural Language Processing and machine learning to analyze your writing and provides real-time suggestions to improve content.
Why I picked Jasper
Jasper is an essential tool to help content marketers overcome writer’s block. It also provides real-time suggestions on how particular content can be improved upon. If you need content writing fast but don’t want to hire a writer, this is perfect for your company.
Features include improving readability and tone analysis, which helps businesses ensure that their content appropriately reflects their brand's tone and voice. Its grammar and spell check also helps businesses catch errors and ensure that their content is error-free.
Integrations include WordPress, Amazon, Shopify, Facebook Ads, YouTube, and Gmail.
Price
- Starter ($29/month)
- Boss Mode ($59/month)
- Business (Custom)
Pros
- Offers an AI-powered content optimization tool
- Provides data-driven insights for content creation
- Customizable and flexible workflow management features
- Good for small businesses
Cons
- Not suitable for large enterprises
- Limited integrations with other tools and platforms
- Some users report that AI-generated content can be hit or miss regarding quality
10. Hootsuite - Best for Social Media Management
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that lets businesses manage their social media presence across multiple social media accounts. It provides organizations with actionable insights into their social media performance.
Why I picked Hootsuite
Hootsuite gives social media managers the ability to schedule content across multiple social media platforms. At the same time, it’s versatile enough to allow individual changes to be made to each post. Hootsuite also helps brands to manage their brand’s online reputation, making it great for overall social media management.
Features include social media analytics tools, which enable businesses to track their performance across social media channels and optimize their strategy accordingly.
Integrations include monday.com, Slack, Zapier, Gmail, Instagram, Google Calendar, Facebook, YouTube, and more.
Price
- Professional ($99/month)
- Team ($249/month)
- Business ($739/month)
- Enterprise (custom)
Pros
- Good for team collaboration
- Extensive integration options with other tools and platforms.
- Customizable and scalable for businesses of all sizes
Cons
- Limited content creation tools
- Expensive pricing options for smaller businesses
11. Uberflip: Best for personalized content
Uberflip is a content experience platform that lets businesses create, manage and optimize content experiences for their users.
Why I picked Uberflip
Uberflip allows brands to create tailored content experiences for their customers. This leads to better engagement and improved conversions. It also offers indepth reporting tools that enable businesses measure the performance of their content
Features include tools for creating interactive and personalized content experiences, such as quizzes, polls, and personalized content streams.
Integrations include Mailchimp, Google Analytics, WordPress, Hubspot CRM, Hootsuite, Dropbox, Box, LinkedIn, and more.
Price
- Custom
Pros
- Provides a personalized content experience for each visitor
- Offers a wide range of customization options for content branding and design
- Easy to use drag-and-drop interface for creating and publishing content
Cons
- Pricing can be high for smaller businesses
- Limited social media integration compared to other platforms
- Doesn't offer a built-in CRM system
12. RELAYTO: Best for recycling content
RELAYTO lets you transform static content such as PDFs and images into engaging and interactive content experiences.
Why I picked RELAYTO
RELAYTO helps businesses save time and create more interactive content without having to come up with totally new content. If your current web content is solid but the visuals or interactivity of it is lacking, RELAYTO can help you transform your content to be more visual and engaging.
Features include the ability to create engaging and interactive content with built-in animations, videos, and interactive elements. Relatyo also offers a range of templates and design tools, enabling businesses to customize their content to reflect their brand's look and feel.
Integrations include Salesforce, Miro, Microsoft 365, Google Analytics, Wordpress, Slack, Zoom, Hubspot,and more.
Price
- Public (Free)
- Pro ($80/month)
- Team ($600/month)
- Pro Team ($2000/month)
Pros
- Offers a unique approach to content marketing with interactive and personalized content experiences
- Allows users to easily embed and share interactive content across different channels
- Good for engaging and converting customers
Cons
- Limited features compared to other content marketing software on the market
- Steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with creating interactive content
- Pricing plans can be expensive for small businesses or individual users
Other Content Marketing Tools
Here are a few other top content marketing software that weren't mentioned in the article.
- StoryChief - Best for multichannel collaboration
- Upland - Best for enterprise work management
- PathFactory - Best for improving content experience
- UpContent - Best for content discovery
- Ion - Best for creating interactive infographics
Selection Criteria for Content Marketing Software
With so much content marketing software available, it can be difficult to decide which platforms offer the best utilities for your business. Here's a short summary of the selection criteria I used to develop my list of the best content marketing software for this article:
Core functionality
Every software on the list needs to have core features that are necessary in any content marketing software. Content marketing software, at its base, needs:
- Content creation features
- Planning and scheduling capabilities
- Distribution and promotion capabilities
Key features
To deliver on the core functionalities that are required of content marketing software, some key features are needed:
- An easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface that helps create a user-friendly environment
- Content planning and scheduling tools, like a calendar or queue
- Collaborative features that allow multiple team members to work together on content
- Range of content creation tools that can easily integrate with graphic design tools
- Distribution across multiple channels, including social media, email, and website
Usability
One of the most important criteria for selecting content marketing software is a user-friendly interface. A user-friendly interface is essential for any software, but it's especially important for content marketing software, as it's used to create and publish content. Time spent having to learn a new software is time taken off from creating valuable content for your customers. Look for software that has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. The software should allow you to create content quickly and easily, without needing extensive training or technical expertise.
Analytics and reporting
Analytics and reporting are essential features to look out for when selecting content marketing software. The platform should provide you with in-depth insights into how your content is performing, including metrics such as page views, engagement rates, and conversion rates. Look for a platform that provides you with customizable reports and real-time data, allowing you to make data-driven decisions quickly.
Integrations
To ensure a seamless workflow, it's important to consider the software's integrations with other tools and platforms. Such platforms include digital marketing tools, CRM, and different social media platforms. This will help streamline your workflow, avoid the need for manual data entry, and allow for efficient content creation and distribution across different channels.
Pricing
Some software are free, while others may require a monthly or annual subscription fee. The price of the software generally ranges by the features they offer, but usually range from $10 per month to as much as $300 per month. Make sure the software fits your budget and provides the features you need. Most content marketing platforms offer a free trial or demo version, which can help you evaluate the software before making a purchase.
Customer support
It's important to consider the level of support and training the software provider offers. Look for a software provider that offers a range of support options, such as email, phone, or chat support to help users with any technical issues they may have.
Some software providers may also offer training resources, such as video tutorials, webinars, or documentation. This is particularly important for beginners who may need extra guidance to get started.
People Also Ask
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Other Marketing Software Reviews
Here are a few other reviews that cover other, similar types of software. These tools can not only help you with content marketing, but they can also help you with their particular use case:
Conclusion
Content marketing is indispensable to the growth of any business. However, to remain competitive, you need to adopt content marketing software so you can improve the quantity and quality of content your organization produces.
Get started by thinking about your content marketing goals, and plan for how you’d like to use content marketing software to improve your marketing strategy. It’s a vital step to ensure your business remains competitive and reaches its target audience in a crowded digital landscape.
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