Facebook

Create a Facebook Business Account

  1. Go to facebook.com/business and click Create a Page in the top right hand corner. You’ll be presented with several business type options. Select the type of business you’re creating the Facebook Page for or – if more than one option applies to your business - select the one your customers are most likely to think of when they think about your business.

    Next, a box will open asking for a few details - business name and address, and your Page category. Categories are basically sub-types within the larger business category you’ve already chosen. When you start typing in the category field, you’ll see a list of potential category options to choose from.

    Click Get Started. Note that doing so indicates your acceptance of Facebook’s terms and conditions for Business Pages.

  2. Add Pictures. Upload profile and cover images for your Facebook Page. Make sure the photos you choose align with your brand, are easily identifiable with your business, and are good quality.

    Profile Image. This image accompanies your business name in search results and when you interact with users, and also appears on the top left of your Facebook Page (in a square). This may be a good place for your logo, or something else distinctive about your agency that people would readily associate with you. Click Upload Profile Picture.

    Cover Image. The largest image on your Facebook Business Page, this image should capture the essence of your brand and convey your brand personality. The image must be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 tall. To upload, click Upload a Cover Photo.

  3. View Features. At this point, you’ll be prompted to take a quick walk-through of a few features. Unless you’re already well aware of how Facebook Business Pages operate, we recommend clicking through the prompts, just so you know where everything is. It only takes a few seconds.

  4. Add a Short Description. Your opportunity to tell people about your business. It should be just a couple of sentences (maximum 155 characters) just share what your customers need to know as clearly and concisely as possible. Click Add a Short Description. (The About section is where you can add a longer description of your business. See step 6 below for details.)

  5. Create Your Username. Your username, also called your vanity URL, is how you’ll tell people where to find you on Facebook (example, MAIA's Facebook username is "BigIMichigan"). Make it short so it’s easy to remember. Your business name or some obvious variation. 

    Click Create a Username for Your Page to set up your vanity URL. When you’re done, a box will pop up showing you the links people can use to connect with your business on Facebook and Facebook Messenger. Click OK to continue filling in your Facebook for business Page details.

  6. Fill in About Section Fields Completely. (You’ll find the About link listed on the left-hand side of your Facebook page). Facebook is often the very first place a customer goes to get information about you and you don’t want them to see a half finished Facebook page. The About section is where you can add a longer description of your business. Click Our Story on the right side of the Page to provide a detailed description of what your business offers customers and why they should Like or Follow your Page.

  7. You're Ready to Create Your First Post!  

Tips on Engaging through Facebook

  1. Start Engaging. Invite family and friends to like the Page. Use your other channels, like your website and Twitter, to promote it. Add “follow us” logos on your promotional materials and/or email signature. Ask your customers to review you on Facebook, too.

  2. Set up the Call-to-Action (CTA) Button. By default, Facebook adds a Send Message button to your page that you can edit to allow visitors to learn more about your business. To customize your CTA, hover your mouse over the Send Message button on your Facebook Page, then select Edit Button. Choose the type of button you want, then select the specific message to appear on the button.

  3. Add a Pinned Post. Is there important information you want all visitors to your Page to see? A promotion you don’t want them to miss? A top-performing piece of content you want to show off? “Pin” it to the top of your Facebook Page, just under your cover image.

    Start by writing a normal post, or scrolling down your feed to find an existing post you want to pin to the top of your Page. Click the three dots on the top right of the post, then click Pin to Top of Page.

    Once you’ve pinned the post, you’ll see a blue thumbtack icon in the top right corner.

  4. Make the Most of Tabs. Tabs appear on the left-hand side of your Facebook Page, and include standard options such as the About section and Photos.

    You can take your Page to the next level by adding other tabs and apps.     Facebook tab apps, such as TabSite, allow you to build custom tabs so that you can run campaigns and contests, share special offers, and capture leads. If you are working with a developer, and your Page has more than 2,000 fans, you can also create custom tabs from scratch.

  5. Like Other Pages. It’s a good idea to use your Page to build a community for your business rather than viewing it as simply an extension of your online presence. One way to build community is to feature other Pages (Businesses) posts that could provide additional value for your followers (articles, tips) without competing directly with your products. (Tip: If any of your commercial clients have robust Facebook pages and share content of interest to those that follow your page, be sure to Like their pages and Share their posts if appropriate to do so.)

    To feature a Facebook for Business Page in your Page's Likes Pages section, click the more icon (three dots) under that Business Page’s cover photo, then click Like as Your Page.

  6. Review Your Settings. Think of the Settings tab as your behind-the-scenes console for every adjustable parameter available to you. Take a few minutes to go through each setting and make sure that it’s optimized for how you want to manage the Page and how you want your audience to interact with you.

    To access your settings, just click Settings at the top right of your Facebook Page.

    It’s important to check your settings regularly, as your preferences and requirements may change as your business—and social following—grows.

  7. Learn from Page Insights. Facebook’s Page Insights makes it easy to gather data about how your fans are interacting with your Page and the content you share.

    Insights gives you information about your Page’s overall performance, including data on audience demographics and engagement. You can see metrics on your posts so you can understand how many people you’re reaching. You’ll also see how many comments and reactions are gained from specific posts—data that helps you plan future content.

  8. Link to your Facebook Page from Other Web Pages. This may help improve your search engine ranking.
    Simply link to your brand’s Facebook Page at the bottom of your blog posts and where appropriate on your website. Encourage other companies and bloggers to do the same whenever possible, such as when sharing content or mentioning your business.

(Source: Hootsuite. https://blog.hootsuite.com/steps-to-create-a-facebook-business-page/)