What LinkedIn Plan is Best for Your Business?

WSI Team


Editor's Note: This popular blog post about the available premium LinkedIn plans was updated in May 2024 to include new data.



In this blog post, we will examine the various LinkedIn plans offered and assist you in selecting the one that best meets your company's needs. LinkedIn is a vibrant destination for businesses and professionals, not just another social networking platform. With over 1 billion users globally, it has developed into a potent tool for networking, lead generation, and brand visibility. As a leader in digital marketing, we recognize LinkedIn's relevance and its crucial role in fostering business success. 

LinkedIn Plan Comparison

LinkedIn offers several plans to suit businesses' various demands. LinkedIn premium plans offer a range of features not available in the basic free version. These plans cater to users who want to maximize their networking opportunities and advance their careers.

The LinkedIn business premium plan, in particular, is designed for small to medium-sized businesses looking to boost their presence on the platform. It offers additional tools for lead generation, detailed analytics, and the ability to reach a larger audience.

For those looking for the best LinkedIn premium plan, the business premium option may be the most suitable, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to help businesses grow.

Let's examine the main LinkedIn plans and their salient characteristics:

LinkedIn Basic Account

What you get from a basic LinkedIn account is:

  • Primary access to LinkedIn's networking features is available with the free plan.
  • This free account allows you to connect with other LinkedIn members and create a professional profile.
  • The basic LinkedIn plan includes features such as messaging, networking, and job searching or looking for suitable candidates.
  • The basic account allows you to send 10 connection requests per month. 
  • Although it has some restrictions, such as restricted InMail messages and profile displays, it's a great place to start for startups with a small budget. InMail messages have an open rate of 85% compared to emails.
  • Optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo and thorough job history, and choose relevant keywords to get the most out of the free plan.

While it may not have all the benefits of a paid LinkedIn account, you can still benefit from the platform and build your professional network. Having a basic LinkedIn account is a great way to start growing your online presence.

LinkedIn Premium Plans

LinkedIn offers three premium plans – Premium Career, Premium Business, and Sales Navigator – each tailored to meet the needs of different professionals, including digital marketers and businesses aiming to leverage LinkedIn for growth and networking. A LinkedIn plan is available for any business need.

How Much Does LinkedIn Premium Cost?

LinkedIn provides a premium membership option for users looking to gain access to premium features and enhance their use of LinkedIn. The cost of LinkedIn Premium varies depending on the premium career or premium business version of LinkedIn Premium that you choose. Many LinkedIn Premium members find the benefits of LinkedIn Premium to be worth the cost, as it allows them to engage in more advanced activities on LinkedIn and better promote their LinkedIn company page.

There are different LinkedIn Premium account types to choose from, each offering unique premium features tailored to suit individual needs. Whether you want to advance your career or grow your business, LinkedIn offers a premium business membership to help you achieve your goals. Many users find LinkedIn Premium worth the investment, as it allows for greater visibility and networking opportunities on the platform.
The prices range from anything between $30 and $100. 

1. LinkedIn Premium Career: Elevating Personal Branding and Opportunities

LinkedIn Premium Career is intended for people serious about developing their brands and careers. With the help of this plan, digital marketers and business owners can see who has visited their profile and assess the efficacy of their online presence. It provides sophisticated search criteria that let you find and get in touch with professionals in your field.

When applying for employment, Premium Career gives job seekers the opportunity to evaluate how they stack up against other candidates, giving them essential information about the competitive environment. Businesses that invest in employee personal branding can benefit significantly from Premium Career's ability to increase team members' visibility.

2. LinkedIn Premium Business: Facilitating Company Growth and Outreach

What is LinkedIn Premium Business? LinkedIn Premium Business is designed for companies wanting to expand their network reach and visibility. Digital marketers can establish direct connections with prospective customers, partners, or collaborators by using InMail credits to gain access to a broader network. Advanced insights into company pages and the ability to find people interested in your business improve lead generation efforts. In addition, Premium Business gives teams access to LinkedIn Learning, which helps them stay ahead of the constantly changing digital landscape. This plan is perfect for companies looking to grow their network, produce leads, and provide ongoing employee training.

3. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Strategic Networking for Business Growth

Sales Navigator is an effective tool for digital marketers and companies prioritizing lead generation and strategic networking. It provides sophisticated lead and corporate search features that let you more precisely target your desired clientele. Sales Navigator facilitates prompt engagement and relationship development by providing real-time sales updates and notifications on lead activity. Tools like TeamLink, which helps find and use shared relationships for more cordial introductions, allow organizations to foster teamwork. Sales Navigator is a wise investment for companies looking to stay ahead of market trends, cultivate meaningful relationships, and optimize their sales pipeline.

The Difference Between LinkedIn Business Premium, LinkedIn Career Premium and Sales Navigator

In summary, while Premium Career enhances personal branding, the difference between LinkedIn Business Premium and Sales Navigator is that Premium Business facilitates company growth, and Sales Navigator is tailored for strategic networking and lead generation. The choice depends on digital marketers' and businesses' specific goals and priorities in their LinkedIn journey.

The Benefits of Choosing the Best LinkedIn Premium Plan

Making the best Premium LinkedIn plan choice for your company demands significant thought. The following are some essential considerations:

  • Determine your budget and how much you are willing to spend on LinkedIn marketing. Although premium plans are more expensive, they offer improved features that may be worthwhile.
  • When using LinkedIn, consider your target audience. Are you trying to make connections with business people, professionals, or a larger customer base?
  • Specify your company's goals on LinkedIn. Are leads, brand exposure, or hiring new people your top priorities?
  • Assess your content plan. Content producers can benefit from premium plans' enhanced visibility and access to analytics.

Sign up for a free trial if any of the features of LinkedIn would be beneficial for your business.

Case Studies On LinkedIn Premium Account Success

Let's look at a few real-world case examples to show how beneficial LinkedIn premium subscriptions are:

1. Leveraging Sales Navigator for B2B Success

Company A (names have been changed)

Challenge:

Company A, a B2B software provider, aimed to enhance its lead generation strategy by targeting specific industries and job opportunities.

Solution:

The company opted for LinkedIn's Sales Navigator, which enabled it to precisely identify and connect with potential leads in its target industries. With advanced search filters and real-time updates, it strategically engaged with decision-makers and key stakeholders.

Results:

Within three months of utilizing Sales Navigator, Company A experienced a remarkable 30% boost in lead generation. The platform's targeted approach empowered them to nurture meaningful connections, increasing business opportunities and market expansion.

2. Personal Branding Success with Premium Career

Professional: Sarah Johnson (names have been changed)

Challenge:

Sarah Johnson, a self-employed graphic designer, sought to expand her client base and showcase her portfolio to a global audience.

Solution:

Opting for LinkedIn's Premium Career plan, Sarah strategically utilized advanced search filters and personalized insights to identify potential clients. She displayed her impressive portfolio, leveraging the platform to enhance her personal brand and reach a broader audience.

Results:

By utilizing the Premium Career plan, Sarah received collaboration offers from clients abroad, significantly expanding her business. The plan's features allowed her to effectively showcase her skills and connect with a diverse range of clients, contributing to the substantial growth of her freelance graphic design business.

3. Premium Business Empowering Company Visibility

Company: ABC Marketing Agency (names have been changed)

Challenge:

ABC Marketing Agency aimed to strengthen its presence on LinkedIn, improve outreach, and generate leads for its services.

Solution:

The agency subscribed to LinkedIn's Premium Business plan, providing increased InMail credits for direct communication with potential clients. The plan's advanced analytics empowered the team to refine their outreach strategy, ensuring they connected with the right audience.

Results:

By leveraging the Premium Business plan, ABC Marketing Agency witnessed a notable increase in company visibility and lead generation. The enhanced analytics and InMail credits facilitated direct engagement, allowing the agency to build meaningful connections and secure new business opportunities.

These case studies demonstrate LinkedIn programs' adaptability and influence in various industries and business sizes. The different LinkedIn account types cater to the needs of both career vs business users, providing valuable business insights and sales navigator tools for professionals across the board. Whether you opt for a LinkedIn Premium Career Account or a free LinkedIn account, the platform offers LinkedIn help and support to all its users. Understanding LinkedIn pricing is crucial for deciding how much a Premium or Sales Navigator plan will cost you. The detailed comparison between LinkedIn Sales Navigator Core and Advanced Plus can help you make an informed choice regarding your LinkedIn outreach strategy.

For premium members, the LinkedIn premium price is a consideration when upgrading to a premium account. The LinkedIn Recruiter Lite option is also available for those looking to enhance their recruitment capabilities. With LinkedIn premium costs varying based on the features you require, it's important to determine how much LinkedIn is worth investing in for your business or career growth.

Further LinkedIn Tools

LinkedIn can give additional solutions in addition to subscription plans to help you with your marketing:

  • Run specialized advertising campaigns on LinkedIn to reach a particular audience.
  • Sponsored Content: You can increase your content's visibility by paying to have it show up in users' feeds.
  • Send customized communications with inMail campaigns to interact with prospects and decision-makers.

These resources can supplement the features of the LinkedIn plan you've chosen and improve the visibility and engagement of your company.

Success Monitoring and Evaluation

Key performance indicators (KPIs) allow for measuring success on LinkedIn. LinkedIn Premium includes tracking analytics like lead generation, relationship growth, engagement rates, and profile views. Using this information, adjust your outreach and content strategy. Adapt your strategies based on data-driven choices to guarantee ongoing success with your LinkedIn marketing initiatives.


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By Pamela Bell • April 21, 2025
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