Facebook Updates Now Give Businesses an Even Better Way to Connect

Facebook just rolled out some major changes to its Pages layout.   This new layout and functionality brings the Facebook pages for businesses much closer in look and feel to the current personal pages for individual users.  With these changes businesses find a new chance to brand and connect with customers through a visually richer experience.  The new functionality changes also allow businesses to better align with the way their customers and fans use the social networking site.  Excited yet?  You should be.

The changes will go into effect for all Facebook Pages on March 10, which gives you as a business owner four weeks to navigate the changes, learn your way around the new layout and functionality, and utilize these benefits to better reach your audience.

Some of the changes include:

• a photo strip above the company’s wall (with the most recent photos you posted or tagged)
• tabs moved to the left panel
• profile photo is slightly smaller
• business profile pages can now “like” other pages instead of just adding them as favorites
• the page category is displayed about your business, such as business service or restaurant, etc.
• a new “mutual friends and interests section”
• news feed of updates from liked pages
• optional email notifications whenever users post or comment

I personally think the photo strip gives business pages a much more colorful and fun way communicate to their audience. The photos seen are the most recent ones that are posted to each Facebook Pages site, but do not include any photos that are posted by fans.  You can also hide any photos you don’t like or want to be shown on the top photo strip.

The new functionality allows Page admins to begin to fully interact with customers on an individual basis, as well as as a company.   Page admins can also set filters on your Wall so that visitors see relevant posts first, and you can receive email notices when anyone posts on the wall or comments, allowing for immediate response and interactions.

These new changes allow brands to better engage with their audience and develop deep, richer experiences.  A very important note that you should take into account is you can preview the new layout but once you decide to upgrade, there is no way to revert back to the old design.  I suggest you preview the changes before converting over.  And please let us know if you have any questions or comments on how this will continue to change the way brands use social media to connect.

JustRED it here.

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?” – Seth Godin, Seth’s Blog