PML Web Creations eNews

Facebook Connection & Development for Your Business

January 9th, 2010

Hello Everyone.

I hope all is well with you, your family, and businesses. The purpose of this note is to briefly explain some things you might want to consider when setting up your business presence on Facebook.

There are three different ways to get identified on Facebook:

1. Profile (friends)
2. Group (subject)
3. Page (business, artist, public figure)

I am going to refrain from explaining ‘Profiles’ and ‘Groups’ in this message in order to keep confusion to a minimum.

As a business you need to use option 3 (Page). There are several reasons for this as follows:

• When someone searches for your business on the Internet (e.g., google.com), they will find your business on Facebook as they can find your “regular” business website.
• Your business can be promoted via Facebook Ads.
• Statistics can be collected regarding visitors to your ‘Page.’
• More applications are available to use in a ‘Page’ (e.g., video).
• It is against Facebook’s terms of service to set up a Facebook Profile on behalf of a group (business): “An organization cannot set up a Facebook account / personal profile page. Facebook’s terms of service are clear on this point. By using Facebook, you are required to “agree not to use the Service or the Site to … register for more than one User account, register for a User account on behalf of an individual other than yourself, or register for a User account on behalf of any group or entity” among other conditions of use.”

In order to do the above, you might want to consider doing the following:

• Contract/hire a web developer, or someone who is familiar with “social networking development,” to set up your business’ presence on Facebook. This person needs to be familiar with search engine optimization, multi-media, other social networks besides Facebook, web site development (coding) and the various ways to connect Facebook with your “regular” website.’
• Refrain from using a ‘Profile’ to identify your business and communicate business events and activities.’
• Use a Facebook ‘Page’ for business only; use a Facebook ‘Profile’ to communicate with friends.’
• Keep in mind that Facebook cannot replace your “regular” website, but can certainly enhance your connection with individuals and other businesses.’
• Remember to note and mention your “regular” website within your Facebook ‘Page.”
• Move all your friends from your Facebook ‘Profiles’, and possibly any of your ‘Groups,’ to your Facebook ‘Page.’

I hope the above is helpful to you and therefore to your business. If I can be of assistance, please contact me.

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