Facebook Pages Are All the Rage - Do You Have One?

If you've got a business, you need a Facebook page. That about sums it up. But there are so many nuances to making sure it is optimized and works to achieve your business goals. And, then how do you get people to "like" your page and get them to stay and engage with you?

Where do you start?????

This week I attended a great presentation at the Social Media Success Summit by Mari Smith, also known as The Pied Piper of Facebook. She defined quite a few elements that need to be in place for creating a active Facebook page. Coincidently, Mari's first book, Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day [aff], was also launched this week which means you can tap into her deep expertise on the subject of Facebook.

I received my copy today so I haven't read it yet, but a glance through the table of contents reveals that the book goes deep on strategy, measurement, planning and then promotion and engagement. Plus, readers are invited to a 3 part live webinar on creating Pages with the authors in June. That's a great twist and value-add for the book.

One of the key features that makes a Facebook Page so powerful is that you can add custom tabs. There are some design constrictions. It's worth understanding them and getting a custom tab added to your Page so you can add your branding and personal welcome to new visitors. You can also add opt-in forms and video.

I've personally found that creating custom tabs is not that easy. For most people I recommend you invest a little money and hire someone who knows how to design content for Facebook. Here are a few resources you can investigate for custom Facebook page and landing tab design:

• Twitterimage - Did my design (not my welcome tab - I did that and it's pretty basic)
• FanPageEngine - do it yourself for designing design custom tabs (I'm going to experiment with this but need a new banner designed first)
• FanPage Generator - a little pricey
• Mari Smith's do it yourself tips

A search on Google will also provide you with many options. When you see a custom page your like, find out who designed it.

Is there a custom landing tab that stands out for you on Facebook? EzineArticles has a great landing page and multiple custom tabs (circled in red):

Related Post:
Facebook Pages Fast Becoming Essential For Business

Comments

[Jezhug]

The world is going Facebook crazy at the moment! Loving the custom facebook tabs ;)

[Doug Taylor]

Facebook is now searched more than Google according to the latest statistics. But I am finding my self having a hard time trying to figure out how to use that media to market several of my niche website. I have to thank Denise for this list of fantastic tips which I will review and hope to utilize to ease my Facebook marketing fears. Thank you Denise!

[Digital templates]

A neat example + code for embedding an "Ajax form" on your facebook fan page can be found at the webwhispers fan page on facebook http://www.facebook.com/webwhispers
It will be under the drop down and will be called "Ajax form"