What Facebook’s Timeline Means to Your Business Page

Unless you never ever go on Facebook, you no doubt have seen what Timeline pages look like as your friends start to adopt the new look. The essence of the Facebook experience is the same, but things are rearranged just enough be annoying as you re-learn how to navigate the page.

Annoyance factor aside, the new look promises to be advantageous for most small businesses, particularly the ones who have never spent much effort on their Facebook marketing before. Those who did invest in their Facebook pages have two major concerns vexing them:  You can no longer institute a Default Landing Page and Third Party Apps will be affected.

Many a lunch-and-learn over the last couple of years has preached the praises of Third Party Apps and the Default Landing Page to personalize Facebook for business. If you currently are using these techniques, experts advise hanging on until Facebook forces the change to get the most out of your marketing efforts.

The change is now scheduled for March 30, although industry bloggers have their doubts. But as long as the option is available, you may as well see what you can do in Timeline and get ready.

If you are an admin of your business page, “Use Page As” yourself and you’ll see a “Coming Soon” message at the top of your business page with a “Preview” button.  With “Preview” you can play with the new look but everyone else will still see the old look. Keep in mind, however that if you add something like an “Events” page to the preview, an “Events” page is also added to the page everyone else sees.

One other caveat:  The “Preview” button becomes a “Publish” button when you’re at the new look, so don’t click that if you’re not ready to go live.

Do click on the “Learn More” button. It’s an at-a-glance overview of what’s available to you on Timeline.  For a little more information, click on “Preview” and then “Start Tour.” Don’t be afraid – it’s easily-digestible for non-techies.

So what should you do to make the most of Timeline?  The features to focus on are:

The Cover Photo

Timeline is very graphic-oriented. This is the place to make the biggest splash. If you can’t afford to hire a graphics person, do your very best to make this picture both intriguing and correctly sized so it impresses well.

Photos, Likes and Apps

You can order these thumbnails now to promote some and downplay others. For example, a brick-and-mortar business would place the map app prominently; a home business can bump it off the page.

Story Posts

“Pinning” a post will keep it at the top of the page for seven days, to highlight a sale for instance. You can also change the size of certain posts for emphasis and change the date on a particular post to keep it more visible at the top.

The Timeline idea is sparking some fun amongst certain brands, like Captain Morgan Rum whose first posts start in 1800, but many bloggers are questioning the usefulness of posting a company’s full history at Facebook. It may work for your company, however, so at least consider it.

Take a look at some of the most creative Timelines for ideas, but don’t fret too much over making your page imitate the wildest of them. A clean, professional look will always stand the test of time – and Timelines!

You have no control over Facebook’s changes, but you do have control over your website. That’s why even if you use social media you need a website backing you up.  If your site doesn’t no longer reflects your business properly, contact us today. We’re happy to help!

 

Kate GingoldKate Gingold

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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Full biography

I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.

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