Well I finally did it: I created and customized a Facebook Page for my business.  If you’re looking to brand your own Facebook Page and help it stand out from a sea of Facebook pages, this article will show you what you need to do in order to have your own Facebook makeover.

Two Options: Static FBML or iFrames

This article will focus on FBML.  I’ll be posting the iFrames process in the near future.  In the meantime, let’s learn a bit about what FBML is and how to add it to your Facebook page.

FBML stands for Facebook Markup Language and it’s similar to HTML.  Static FBML is a Facebook application that allows Facebook page administrators to create custom tabs on their Facebook pages (not personal Facebook profiles).

How To Add Static FBML

Adding the static FBML application to your Facebook page is as easy as 1… 2… 3…

Step 1: Go to the Static FBML application

Step 2: Click “add to my page

Step 3: Select the page to which you want to add FBML to from the window that pops up and voila Static FBML is now added to your page.

(Note: You must be an administrator of the Facebook Page before you’ll be able to use FBML)

How To Setup FBML As A Tab

Now that you’ve added the application to your Facebook page, you’ll want to make it accessible to your fans as a tab on your page.

To set up your FBML tab, click on the “Edit Page” icon at the top right of your page.

From the menu at the left, find the Apps link and then the FBML link.  Click on edit settings and then click on the add link next to Available.

Click okay and you now have an FBML tab on your page.

Adding Content To Your FBML Tab

Now the creative part begins.  Your FBML tab can be customized to contain any content you want.  You can set up a tab that will serve as a welcome page for anyone who comes to your Facebook page.  You can set up an FBML tab that serves as a mini-salespage for a program or product.  You can set up a static FBML tab to house training videos that may be of interest to your fans.  The options are limitless.

To add content, click on the “Edit Page” icon at the top right of your page. From the menu at the left, find the Apps link and then the FBML link.  This time, instead of clicking on edit settings, click on Go To App to open the FBML editor.

Here you’ll be able to change the box title of your page (the default is FBML) to something more descriptive of your page content and then enter HTML into the FBML edit area.

If you want to add another static FBML tab (you can have up to 10) then scroll down to the bottom of this page and click Add another FBML box.

Be sure to save your changes and your static FBML tab is ready.

How to Set the FBML Box as the Default Landing Tab

If you want to use your first static FBML page as a welcome page or video for your Facebook page, then you’ll need to set the page as the default landing tab for your Facebook page.

To do this, go to the “Edit Page” icon at the top right of your page. From the menu at the left, find Manage Permissions.

Under the heading Default Landing Tab, select the FBML page you created and click Save Changes.

That’s all there is to it!

Get Inspired

Here are some screen shots of static FBML pages to spark your creative juices


 

iChat: Have You Pimped Your Facebook Page?

  • Do you use Facebook for your business?
  • Have you customized your Facebook Page using FBML?
  • Is there are reason why you haven’t?

Let’s chat by posting a comment below.