Best Social Media Platforms for Jacksonville-Based Brands in 2025

Where Local Businesses Should Focus Their Energy Online This Year

Navigating social media in 2025 can feel overwhelming, but for Jacksonville small business owners, it’s also one of the most powerful tools for growth. The key? Choosing the right platform for your industry and audience. Whether you're a real estate agent in Riverside, a restaurant owner in the Beaches, or a tour operator downtown, there’s a social media channel that fits your goals and your bandwidth.

At Social Southern Creative, a Northeast Florida marketing company, we help brands thrive online through strategic, industry-specific content. Below, we break down the best platforms for local businesses in Jacksonville and how to use them effectively.

1. Instagram – Best for Visual Branding & Local Engagement

Ideal for: Real estate agents, restaurants, boutiques, lifestyle brands

Instagram remains a top choice for Jacksonville-based brands, especially those with strong visuals. With features like Reels, Stories, and Geo-tags, it’s easy to reach both tourists and locals nearby. Reels continue to dominate in 2025 especially when paired with trending audio or voiceovers.

Local Tip: Use a few niche hashtags like #JacksonvilleEats, #JaxRealEstate, and #NortheastFlorida to increase reach. Geo-tagging your posts with local hotspots or neighborhoods (e.g., San Marco, Five Points) helps boost visibility with Jacksonville audiences.

2. TikTok – Best for Going Viral & Building Personality

Ideal for: Food trucks, local experiences, real estate tours, service-based businesses

TikTok is no longer just for dancing teens! It’s become a powerhouse for small business marketing in northeast Florida. From behind-the-scenes kitchen prep to walk-throughs of historic homes, TikTok is ideal for storytelling.

Real estate agents in Jacksonville are using TikTok to give quick tours of properties or share local tips, while restaurants and coffee shops are showcasing delicious menu items and customer reactions.

Local Tip: Create a series (like “Hidden Gems in Jacksonville” or “3 Things to Know Before Buying in Riverside”) to boost retention and encourage follows.

3. Facebook – Best for Community Building & Events

Ideal for: Local events, small business networking, service providers

While some view Facebook as outdated, it’s still highly relevant!! Especially for Jacksonville small businesses looking to reach an older, local demographic. Facebook Events, Groups, and Marketplace remain powerful tools for business promotion in Northeast Florida.

Local Tip: Join and post in neighborhood groups like “Jax Beach Locals” or “Southside Small Business Owners.” People trust recommendations from locals, and these groups are highly active.

4. LinkedIn – Best for B2B and Professional Services

Ideal for: Coaches, consultants, real estate brokers, legal/financial services

If your target audience is other business owners or professionals, LinkedIn is essential. It’s the best platform for thought leadership, networking, and forming strategic partnerships in the Jacksonville market.

Local Tip: Use your profile and company page to share blog posts, behind-the-scenes insights, and local success stories. Commenting on posts from Jacksonville influencers or business pages can expand your local visibility.

5. Pinterest – Best for Visual Planners and Lifestyle Brands

Ideal for: Event planners, wedding venues, interior designers, boutique retailers

Pinterest is an underrated platform for Northeast Florida small business marketing, especially if your product or service is visually appealing. People use Pinterest to plan, making it great for driving traffic to your site or booking page.

Local Tip: Pin content like “Beach Wedding Venues in Jacksonville FL” or “Southern-Inspired Menus for Events in Florida” to tap into niche markets.

Bonus: Don’t Underestimate YouTube Shorts

With Google integrating more video results into search, YouTube Shorts is becoming a top discovery platform for small businesses. Short-form, value-packed videos (1 minute or less) can serve as evergreen content and help you show up in local searches like "best brunch in Jacksonville" or “moving to Riverside FL.”

Final Thoughts: Choose the Platforms That Fit You

As a small business owner, your time is limited. You don’t need to be everywhere just in the right places.

At Social Southern Creative, we specialize in affordable digital marketing for Jacksonville businesses. Whether you need help with social media management, content creation, or building a strategic posting schedule, we are here to help local brands grow online.