As the year hurtles to a close, many businesses are taking a moment to reassess their social successes – and failures – throughout 2012, and it’s time well spent. This year has seen huge amounts of activity on the social playing field, and with constantly changing rules there will be no chance to rest on laurels in 2013, especially for small businesses.

Email marketing dashboard Vertical Response has contextualised the efforts of small businesses in its new infographic (below), which demonstrates the increasing attention social channels are being given by SMEs. Over 65% of small businesses are spending more time on social than last year, and businesses are putting more money into social budgets, too.

It all looks generally positive, then. However, some small businesses appear to be unhappy with the amount of man hours involved in maintaining a social presence, highlighting an issue this sector must seek to address in 2013.