Very early this year, Facebook made many significant changes that effect how fan pages are created and maintained. If you are a fan page owner, knowing and understanding these new changes can help you to better administrate and customize your new Facebook fan page to make the most of the new exciting marketing potential it now offers.

Facebook user profiles underwent a bit of a transformation. Most Facebook users responded positively to easier usage and simpler navigating on the site. Then Facebook gave fan pages a serious makeover and the new iFrames system was implemented in early February 2011. Though these changes are the key to improved maximizing of the marketing potential of Facebook fan pages, they do mean significant differences for current fan page owners. From page creation to page administration and down to the very way fan pages look, the new changes to Facebook fan pages involved many changes you need to know and understand. Once you do, you will realize the great business possibilities and new growth potential these changes can make for your business.

This is What you need to know about the new Facebook changes to (business) fan pages:

1. Static FBML is a thing of the past.
Facebook announced the plan to phase out their own brand of code and implement the usage of traditional FTML. This means big changes in the ways Facebook fan pages are created and new horizons of creativity when it comes to page designs. For now, pages that have not made the switch from FBML will still be supported, but new pages must contain FTML code.

2. Simplified fan administration.
The fan page count is no longer a cluttered-looking mass of fan photos. Instead, a tidy count box accomplishes the same task and leaves more room for what you want. Deleting or banning fans is simple to do by clicking the “people like this” link located directly below the fan count and accessing a thorough list of fans only when you need it.

3. Better information about you.
The “About Me” box has been removed in favor of a more comprehensive solution that allows you to share as much information about yourself as you would like. No longer are you limited to the small space the box allows; go ahead and share your story on an iFrames page section dedicated solely to you!

4. New masthead encourages socialization.
The new banner-style Photostrip along the top of every page instantly adds a fresh new update to your fan page every time a picture is added to the page. Fan photos and brand name advertising immediately show up along the top, keeping things new and up-to-date on your page with little effort.

5. Say farewell to page tabs.
Tabs along the top of the page may be gone, but Facebook has revamped these navigational tools and moved them to the left column of every page. This change allows page owners to utilize page design techniques to make these new page sections as customized and unique as their clients desire. Customize these further by placing them in order of importance as you see fit. The options are endless!

6. Quick viewing of popular posts.
With new administration tools now available, page admins can quickly sort comments on their pages and rank those that have generated the most response. This is a great time-saving tool for page admins and keeps their fingers on the pulse of their pages with ease.

7. Easy identity swap for page administrators.
Previously, page admins were limited in their capacity to browse, comment on and “Like” other pages. Now, with a simple click, admins can toggle between identities as a page or a person, enjoying freedom to browse and comment on all types of pages without complicated logging out and logging in under different identities.

8. Featured “Likes” share networking connections.
Along the left navigation column, the most recent “likes” from your page will appear, potentially connecting your page visitors with others who might share similar interests or sell products that compliment your own. Select these carefully and switch often to offer relevant and timely changes to your page that are simple and easy.

The new changes to Facebook mean big differences in the way Facebook looks and feels, but most importantly, in how Facebook pages are run behind the scenes. Though many of the changes are mostly cosmetic, the most significant and impressive changes will not be seen by Facebook users at all. Facebook page administrators and developers are most affected by the changes to Facebook, but they also stand to reap the most reward from the new networking and marketing potential that has resulted from Facebook’s revamp of its most popular features.

Great Facebook fan pages get noticed! Find out how the Facebook marketing experts at LotCon Biz Solutions can help create a customized Facebook fan page for your business that gets results. For more information about the new changes to Facebook fan pages and what they mean for you, contact us.

Tags:,,,

Tagged with: • • •

Filed under: Facebook • Facebook Fan Pages

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!