Whether you like it or not, Facebook is here to stay. If your company has not gotten into the social media world, this is a great place to start.

With over 500 million people who have joined Facebook since its inception back in 2004, it has quickly become the “social media hub” for any business trying to reach out to its customers on a “one-on-one” basis.

Initially, Facebook allowed you to create Groups to promote your business, but in recent years, the “Fan Page” was started, which allows you to customize your presence on the site. But, beginning last month, the “Fan Page” transformed into a “Company Page” where users no longer become “fans” of a company, but rather “like” a company (coinciding with Facebook’s “Like” feature on user’s status updates).

If you have not yet created a page for your business, follow this link. Once you are set up, you will want to add applications to “pimp out” your page.

Here are five essential page applications that will maximize your company’s presence on Facebook:

1. Static FBML
   While Profile Pages and Company Pages (aka “Like” Pages) currently do not allow HTML in their main content section, Static FBML (Facebook Markup Language) will allow you to add more customized features to your page via HTML coding. This could include clickable images, anchor text, or even interactive content.

   

   As noted in the picture above, this example of the Stuffitts Shoe Savers Facebook page showcases the product and information, with a clickable link to their purchase page.

   Facebook created this application, so it will run smoothly compared to other third party apps. Let your imaginations run free with this one, but you may have to learn some HTML coding first.

2. Twitter for Pages
   If you are thinking of starting a Facebook Company Page, you should also consider getting into the world of Twitter. Many people compare Twitter to a Facebook status update, but that’s a discussion for a future post.

   If your company already has a Twitter account, the Twitter for Pages app is a perfect addition to your Company Page. Created by Involver, this free app allows you to integrate all your Twitter activity into a nicely organized tab.

   
   Unlike an RSS feed, this app displays your Twitter avatar, recent tweets, and also a direct link to your Twitter account.  Another great feature, is the “share with friends” section which allows you to send page invitations to all of your Facebook friends.

3. Promotions
   Everybody loves free stuff. Contests and giveaways are a great way to reach out to customers and also reel in prospective ones. There have been multiple occasions where I have “Liked” a company just to get a coupon or free product.

   The Promotions application is different from other Facebook apps because the content you create for it lives on the developer’s website. To get started, simply sign up for a free account at WildFireApp.com.

   Once you create an account and connect the app to Facebook, the promotions you generate on WildFire will populate a tab on your Company Page. Promotions are easily built through a step-by-step process including the dates of the contest, the types of prizes, and other options.

   

   Having the app on Wildfire will also allow you to promote the content on other social networking sites, even your website. The cost to start a promotion on Wildfire is $5 plus $.99 for each day you want to run the contest. Rates can vary with how many additional “bells and whistles” you want to add onto the promotion.

4. Poll
   Input from your customers should be one of your top priorities. I mean, social media is built on engagement and interaction, right? Do this with the Facebook Poll application.

   The poll app is very simple to get started. Just add it to your page and customize the settings to your liking. Polls can be very helpful for a new product launch or even getting an idea on what visitors think of your business.
   

   It’s as simple as selecting your question and filling in the options to what you want your customers to choose from. Once it is live, it can feed from your page’s wall, go on a custom tab, or be placed into your left-hand navigation where visitors can check it out anytime they go your page.

   If you have questions you want answered about your company, the poll app is an easy and effective option to your page.

5. YouTube for Pages
   Another key social media website that every business should be using is YouTube. Uploading video to this site is a key component to helping make your company more visible online.

   YouTube for Pages is another great application from the guys over at Involver. Simply install it to your page and watch your video views fly in.Once it is live on your page, it will give you the option to import both your uploads and favorites via your YouTube channel. Also, it will allow you to select what video you want to feature from your video catalog.

   

   The interface will display a direct link to your YouTube channel, a spotlight video, and the recent three videos that you have uploaded. Visitors can watch the videos directly from Facebook, so they will not be directed to a third party site.

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These are just a few examples of great applications that will make your Facebook page “shine” over the competition, with little or no cost to you. The Facebook Application Directory also gives you hundreds of additional apps to choose from.

Everyone has a different direction for their social media strategy, but creating a Facebook Company Page should be priority number one. If you have any questions about starting a page, see these Facebook FAQ’s answered directly from the Facebook team.

All in all, being present on such social media websites as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube is key. It will give your business exposure to millions of people with just a click of the mouse. If your business needs help maximizing its social media potential, consider giving BLASTmedia a call.

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