On March 30thall Facebook Business Page will look differently. If it has not been done, Facebook will automatically update all business pages to the Timeline format which personal pages now have. If you wish to see what your present business page will look like, select the preview option in the Facebook advisory message at the top of page.
Preview the new format of your page and tweak it before publishing
You can choose to adopt this format now but here are eight important things to know that will help to make this transition as smooth as possible.
1. Cover Photo
The first page your fans will see will have a large image or cover photo. You can now use your own cover photos at the very top of your timeline to show a new, striking visual layer to your service or product offerings.
The image is quite large and it will be public, so choose something or have an image created that represents and enhances your company and brand. If you are into retail like Walmart you could use this image.
Walmart's cover photo reflects the brand
If you want a really memorable cover photo, there are third-party applications such as SiteCanvas, my FBcovers.com and Cover Creator that can create jazzy cover images using your photos.
The cover photo can be up to 850 pixels by 315 pixels but may not contain any of the following:
- Price or purchase information, such as “30 percent off” or “Download it at our website.”
- Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s About section.
- References to user interface elements, such as ‘like’ or ‘share’, or any other Facebook site features.
- Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends.”
2. A Smaller Profile Picture
The height of the profile picture has drastically changed and is now only 180 by 180 pixels. You could use your logo or another image that summarizes your brand so visitors will know immediately what you are about.
3. Changes To The About Section
The about section has long been a part of your Facebook page, but now it’s more predominately featured at the top of your timeline.
About section for companies with a physical location
It’s important that you update this section of your timeline, depending on which of the two versions of the about section applies to your timeline.
i) Local businesses: If your timeline is associated with a physical location, then it will look like the image on the right.
About section for companies without a physical location
ii) No physical location: If your timeline features a brand without a single physical location, then it will look the image on the right.
The section lets you add a description of up to to 255 characters. It’s important to be extremely clear and concise, giving first time visitors a clear understanding of what your company is about since this is on the fist page they will see.
4. Default Landing Tabs Will Be Things Of The Past
Facebook has removed the ability to create a default landing tab, so if you have one your customized welcome tab will not be the first page new visitors to your site will see. Instead they will see what will be your cover photo and Business Page time line. You can use your other customized tabs and they can now be up to 760 pixels wide.
5. Photos, Likes, and Apps Are At The Top Of The Page
Photos show in the first spot, but you can change the order of everything else so people see what matters most. You can show a maximum number of 12 apps, so make sure to put your most important ones first.
With 12 apps make sure to have your most important ones first
6. New Administrator Panel
The administrative panel is small, compact and track all activities on your page. You can see at a glance your new ‘likes’ , who comments or share your post. The insights of post engagement and reach are displayed on a graph which is easy to understand.
7. Message Fans Directly
Now people can contact you privately using messages. Notifications about new messages will appear right in your admin panel.
8. You Can Change Your Business Page Name
Another great this that this change brings is the ability to change your Facebook Business name. If you did not make the best choice for your business page name, you can now request to change it by using this link .
As Facebook continues to grow, develop and change we can be certain that more changes will come so be on the look out. Do feel free to share with us any challenges you face, comments or questions you might have as you transition to this new Facebook format for Business Page.
