Facebook For Business

Facebook for business, what an opportunity! Business owners can simply no longer ignore the fact that using Facebook for business is a smart way of getting a following and targeted traffic.  We all know that it started out as an opportunity for  socializing and game playing but now it has evolved into a Mammoth of opportunity. In fact, in September 2010, Facebook surpassed Google with regards to the amount of time users spent on the site. To give you a better idea, Facebook itself stated that users spend over 700 billion minutes per month on the site!

Facebook For Business

Impact On Google

Google is shaking in their shoes and for good reason. There are currently just over 500 million active users on Facebook and it is now dominating net. With its popularity across diverse age groups, integrated email application, and with the new Bing search integration, a Facebook user may simply no longer need to visit Google for Web searches or log off to use an email application.

Now people can experience the Web fully all from inside Facebook and this has Google shaking in their shoes. With more than 50% of the active users logging into Facebook every day, using Facebook for business only makes sense after all this is where your potential customers are hanging out on a daily basis.

How To Use Facebook For Business

If your going to start to use Facebook for business then you will need to setup a Business Page, NOT a personal profile as these are two very separate entities and provide different options and ways to interact with friends and colleagues.

Facebook used to call the Business Pages, “Fan Pages” and additionally, it used to be that someone “fanned you.” Now they “like you.”

To get started using Facebook for business you will need to follow these steps,

1. Create an account with the focus on your business so keep this in mind when you setup your personal Facebook profile. That’s right, a personal profile! You can’t just jump to Business Page set up you will need a professional profile first.
2. Set up your email address with a name and not a catchall email like info@mydomain.com. This makes it more personal and helps build your brand. Always create a new email address specifically for Facebook.
3. Don’t take time to add information like education and other details in your business account unless you plan on using it for your personal use. You are just setting up this account to have a platform to launch and access your new Facebook Business Page.
4. Create your business page – Once logged in to your new personal account, visit this link: www.facebook.com/pages/create.php as it will take you to the Facebook for Business Page creation tool to actually create your new page.
5. Next, on the right side of the creation page under the heading of “Official Page” look for “Create a Page for a:” and then select “local business.” Enter your page name and then tick the box next to the statement that says you are a legal business representative and allowed to own the page. It is important to understand that the name you choose for the title of your Facebook For Business Page will appear at the top of your finished page.
6. Once you click create, the next page you see will be your brand new Facebook for Business Page. It is that simple.

Now that you have set up your Facebook for Business Page, you can update your personal profile that was used to launch your Business Page. Also take a look at these 13 Facebook applications that can help your pages.

Why Use Facebook For Business Page and Not Just Use a Personal Profile?

There are several reasons to have a Facebook for Business Page rather than a personal profile page. First you will have the ability to contact all people who “Like” or who “Fan” you with one click newsletter type notes. Secondly, you will be able to interact with discussion questions like a forum, also set up events and invite fans to attend, and even create specialized welcome and shopping pages. Your Facebook for Business Page can almost be a mini website!