There are currently over 2.7 billion active users on Facebook. This makes it one of the most important social media platforms for business owners. However, simply having a Facebook page for your business isn’t enough.
If you want to really get traction, you need to learn how to set up your Facebook business page the right way. The following tips will help you optimize your page so you can easily find and interact with current and prospective customers.
1. Select the Right Categories
When you set up your Facebook business page, you can select up to three categories. Make sure you choose those that are most relevant to your business and be as specific as possible.
Choosing the right categories will help people find your business in a variety of ways. First, your business page will show up in relevant Facebook search results. There’s also a higher chance that Facebook will suggest your business when users are looking for recommendations for similar services or when they’re searching for businesses that are near their current location. You may also appear in Facebook’s list of “related pages.”
If your page is already established, you can check your categories by going to your page and clicking “Edit Page Info” on the left sidebar. Once you’re there, scroll down to the “Categories” section.
2. Complete All Your Basic Information
It’s critical that you take the time to complete all of your business information. Resist the urge to skip this and come back later. Instead, set aside a few minutes to do it right the first time.
If you have a physical location, make sure you add your address. This will help you show up in local searches and ensure potential customers can find you. Also add your website URL, phone number, and business hours. If it’s relevant, add your price range and product descriptions and link your other social media accounts.
If any of this information changes, make sure you update it on your Facebook business page right away. For example, you might have different holiday hours or temporary closures. Keeping your information current will help ensure visitors have a great experience. You can easily make all of these updates by clicking on “Edit Page Info.”
3. Fill in the “Description” Section
When users visit your Facebook page, they’re often looking for more information about you. This is your opportunity to communicate the core value of your business and the benefits of your products.
Keep your description to 155 characters or slightly less so it all fits in the search engine snippet. To complete or update this, visit your business page and click “Edit Page Info.” Then scroll down to the “Description” section.
4. Turn on Recommendations
Turning on recommendations allows people to submit reviews for your business. This will make your Facebook business page more valuable as it gives users the type of information they’re looking for. Having positive reviews also shows that your business is trustworthy.
To turn this on, go to your Facebook business page and click “Page Settings.” Then click on “Templates and Tabs” and toggle the “Reviews” button to the on position. While you’re here, take a look at the other tabs that are available and turn them on or off to fit your needs. You can also click on the dots next to the tab names and drag and drop to rearrange them.
5. Create Your Username & Allow Tagging
Anytime someone mentions your business on Facebook, you get the advantage of free advertising! Make it easy for people to promote your business by creating a simple username and allowing tagging. First, go to your Facebook page and click “Edit Page Info.” Then click on “Create a Username for This Page.” Enter the name you would like to use and click “Check Availability.” If your choice isn’t available, keep repeating the process until you find one that works.
Next, head over to the “Settings” tab. Under the “General” section, click “Others Tagging this Page,” and check the box that says “Allow people and other pages to tag [business name]”
Once you’ve completed these steps, anybody can type @username and easily tag your business! When they do, the people who see their post can click on your business name and Facebook will take them directly to your business Facebook page.
6. Add Photos and Videos
If you want people to trust your Facebook page, you absolutely must add a profile picture and a cover photo or video. Your profile picture should be a simple visual representation of your business. A logo works well. For your cover photo, opt for a high-quality image that showcases a recognizable part of your business.
If you want to really make an impression, consider adding a cover video instead of a photo. This will make your page more engaging and help keep visitors there longer.
7. Encourage Follows
Once your page is set up, start gathering followers by inviting your Facebook friends. Do this by going to your Facebook business page and looking for the box that says “Invite Friends to Like Your Page.” Click “See All Friends,” then choose the friends that are most likely to be interested in your page and want to follow it. If you really want to get their attention, check the box at the bottom that says “Also send each invite in messenger.” You can only invite your friends to follow your page one time, so you’ll if you don’t use this feature now you’ll lose the opportunity.
You can also share the page to your personal Facebook feed and ask for follows. To do this, simply copy the URL of your business page from the top toolbar, then share it just like you would any other website.
If you really want to grow your following, you’ll want to make sure your page is engaging and exciting. Post consistently and add things like updates about new products, behind-the-scenes videos, and more. You can also run a giveaway, curate viral content, or start using paid Facebook engagement ads.
8. Create Playlists
The Facebook algorithms love video content! One way to get maximum exposure from the videos you create is to upload them directly onto Facebook instead of using links to YouTube or other external sites. This will allow you to create playlists. When people visit your Facebook business page, they can easily see all of your videos and playlists by clicking the “Videos” tab. This will keep them on your page longer, giving you more time to get your message in front of them.
Feel free to get creative with your videos and playlists. It’s a great idea to make multiple playlists with different categories. For example, you could create a playlist of “how-to” videos, another of employee introductions, and a third with product reviews.
9. Share Exclusive Offers
When you set up a Facebook business page, your goal is to create a following of people who visit again and again. To make sure this happens, you need to give them a reason to check your page. Exclusive offers are a great way to do this! Try posting small discounts, product giveaways, or free trials that are only for your Facebook followers. This will encourage new followers and give the ones you already have a reason to check your page often.
10. Create Events
Creating Facebook events is another great way to generate buzz about your business. This increases the chances that your page will show up in local searches and will also help you attract more traffic. Since hosting in-person events is a challenge right now, look for ways to host fun events online. This might include a photo or video contest, a planned Facebook Live event, or even a webinar.
11. Use Keywords and Hashtags
When setting up your Facebook business page, you’ll want to optimize it for SEO just like you would your website. It’s helpful to find relevant keywords that your target audience might use when searching for businesses like yours. Sprinkle them judiciously throughout your page description and posts. Also consider adding relevant hashtags as this will make it more likely that your target audience will discover your page.
12. Follow and Interact with Other Relevant Pages
You can help your business get noticed by following other related local pages on Facebook and interacting with their posts with likes and positive comments. Don’t do this with your competitors, but look for other businesses that have a similar target audience.
Before you type in your comment, click on your profile picture next to the “share” button. You’ll see a drop-down that says “Choose How to Interact” – choose your page instead of your personal profile, then enter your comment. This way, other people visiting the page will see your business name and may click through to your page. This is a great way to subtly grab some attention and attract new local customers.
13. Stay Active
Once you’ve set up your Facebook Business Page, it’s important to stay active. Create a content calendar to ensure you’re posting regularly. However, don’t make the mistake of creating posts just for the sake of posting something. Instead, take the time to think through your strategy so every post you make adds some value by educating, entertaining, or inspiring your followers.
Encourage engagement by adding calls to action (for example, “Like this post if you agree!”). Also set aside some time each day to interact with people who are actively engaging with your page. This helps show that there’s a real human behind your brand and is one of the best ways to build your online community.
Do you need help setting up your Facebook business page or creating engaging posts? Discover Bradenton marketing is here for you! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
