Why Do People Use Facebook

Whether you are a small business owner who already incorporates online marketing techniques into your marketing campaigns, or you're just starting to use social media in your business, there are always new tools to explore, tips to learn, and resources to review in order to stay up-to-date and use each social media site effectively.

This guide will help maximize your business use of Facebook, the most popular social networking site online. Explore the tips, tools, and resources provided in this guide to develop a powerful and effective Facebook presence.

The Difference Between Facebook Profiles, Pages, and Groups

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There is often a great deal of confusion among new Facebook users about the difference between Facebook profiles, pages, and groups. The most important point to keep in mind is that profiles are meant to be for individuals only, not businesses. Creating a profile for a business is against Facebook's terms of use, and it can be deleted at any time.

Small business owners should always create a Facebook page for public promotion of their businesses. It's also worth exploring a Facebook group that can facilitate a discussion among members and loosely promote your business, but a page should always be the first step for a business.

Why You Need a Facebook Page

Saying that you need to create a Facebook page because everyone else is doing it isn't on its own enough of a reason to get your business on Facebook, but it is one of the top six reasons.

The reasons for creating a Facebook page for your business are plentiful, from having an opportunity to build a community around your business, to discovering more about your target audience, to adding a public face to your brand. If you are marketing your business online, you can't afford to be without a Facebook page for your business.

How to Create a Facebook Page

You already know that your business needs a page, not a profile, on Facebook. But in order to create a page, YOU need a profile. Each page on Facebook is attached to a personal account, so to get started with your business page, you will need to sign up for a personal profile on Facebook first.

Once you have a personal profile, the process of creating a Facebook page for your business isn't too difficult or time-consuming, but it's even easier if you have an easy-to-follow list of steps that guide you through the process.

How to Create a Custom Welcome Tab on Your Facebook Page

There is a lot you can do with your Facebook page, aside from simply uploading your logo as your profile graphic. In fact, the more you customize your page and the easier you make it for new visitors to get involved, the more your Facebook page will thrive.

One of the first steps in building an active and engaging Facebook presence for your business is creating a customized welcome tab. This will be the first thing new visitors will see when they visit your page, and it's an excellent opportunity to talk right to your audience, get them involved, and guide their actions on your page.

Must-Have Business Apps for Your Facebook Page

Once your page is created and your welcome tab has been customized, you can do even more to enhance the user experience for your fans. Adding applications can not only make it easier for you to manage your page but also make your page an interactive and fun place for your fans.

There is an endless supply of Facebook apps that let you do things like creating polls, adding e-commerce, setting up blog feeds, and even using Facebook for teleconferences and meetings.

How to Grow Your Community on Facebook

A lot of things change on the social media scene every day, but one thing is certain. It takes a lot of work and consistency to take a Facebook page and develop it into a community. It all starts with creating a customized and useful page, but then it comes down to the everyday interaction that makes the difference.

While your type of business, your customers or clients, and your industry can play a role in how you use your Facebook page, there are some universal things you can do to make your business page memorable, relevant, and a favorite place for your fans.

Facebook Advertising 101

Advertising on Facebook is one of the best ways to get the word out about your business and your business page. Facebook's Marketplace Ads allow you to promote your page right on Facebook, and Facebook provides a number of tools to help you do this effectively.

In fact, Facebook's own "Guide to Facebook Ads" walks you through the entire advertising process, including planning, creating ads, testing, and understanding insight statistics. It's a great starting place for any small business owner interested in trying Facebook advertising.

Using Facebook for Professional Networking

Using Facebook to promote your business can go beyond your page and promotion of your page. You can also use your personal account to make connections with colleagues and prospects, start conversations and network online.

The biggest challenge here is managing the personal/business line and taking care to make sure all of your interactions remain professional. With clear objectives and plan for managing your connections, you can use Facebook to network and develop great business relationships.