2024 How to Create and Publish a New Facebook Business Page Step-by-Step
Why Does My Business Need a Facebook Page?
In today's world of social media, it's essential for businesses to have a Facebook presence. I often hear from clients that they don't like Facebook and none of their customers are even on the platform, so it doesn't matter if they have a page.
I do get why they feel that way, but chances are your customers are on Facebook unless they're under 13 which is restricted.
As of this writing, there are 2.98 Billion Facebook users! That makes up almost half of the planet, so even if all your potential customers aren't using Facebook, you still have an extremely large population.
Creating a Facebook page is a simple yet effective way to establish an online presence and reach a wider audience.
Facebook Business Pages are different than personal profile pages, which can be confusing to a lot of people.
I always recommend to every business owner to create a Facebook Page, even if you hate Zuck, Facebook, ads, social media, and all the rest. Think of it as your public digital storefront.
If someone gets a referral for your business, they will do Google checks, and see if you're on Facebook, so if you're not there, you've lost some credibility.
Can't I Just Use My Personal Profile?
Having a business page on Facebook offers numerous advantages.
Okay, now that we know why you need that Facebook Page, let's dive into how to get it done.
Step 1 :
If you don't already have a Facebook account, sign up for a personal profile, because to create a Facebook page, you'll need a personal Facebook account or Facebook profile.
If you already have an account, skip to step 2. If not, visit www.facebook.com and sign up by providing the necessary information, including your name, email address or phone number, password, date of birth, and gender.
Once you've completed the signup process, you'll have access to your personal Facebook account.
Step 2 :
Please Note:
Facebook changes faster than most people can keep up, and at any given time there could be hundreds of different versions of Facebook. so as you create your new page, things might look a little different. Fun Fact: Just in the time it took me to write this guide it changed!
Step 3:
Provide a name for your page. Try and get the name of your business, and if that's not available, make sure the name is concise, memorable, and reflective of what your page offers.
Take some time to brainstorm and choose a name that resonates with the right audience for your business.
Step 4
You'll be prompted to select a category that best describes your page. Facebook offers various categories, including “Business or Brand,” “Community or Public Figure,” “Entertainment,” and more. Choose the category that aligns with the purpose of your page
Pro Tip
Try and choose your business name if possible and while you're at it, grab all the social media platforms in your business name, even if you're not planning on utilizing them
Step 5: Customize Your Page
Once you've selected a category and provided a name, you'll be directed to your new Facebook page.
Now it's time to customize it and make it visually appealing.
Start by adding a profile picture and cover photo that aligns with your brand or content. Your profile picture could be your company logo or you if you're the face of the brand.
The cover photo is the background and can showcase your brand's personality or highlight key aspects of your page.
Pro Tip:
Your Facebook page cover photo is free valuable real estate, so change it to reflect offers and happenings in your business. For example, in my business, I change it up if I'm participating in any events, or have a new offer.
See the image below: my current promotion was added to my background on my page.
Additionally, craft a compelling description for your page. This summary should contain basic information that conveys what your page is about, its purpose, and what visitors can expect to find. This description will appear prominently on your page, so make sure it accurately reflects your brand and engages potential followers.
☺️ There's no need to overthink this step as you can change it any time you want. The main goal is to get your business's Facebook page published.
Also, make sure to take advantage of the additional information section to provide contact details, website links, Instagram profiles, operating hours, and any other relevant information. This will help visitors easily access the information they need and establish credibility for your page.
Edit Action Button:
This is a hidden gem that new page owners don't always know about. You can have a built-in call to action on your page! It can link to your scheduling, a lead magnet, call you, or send you a message on Facebook Messenger. Click the right arrow below to see where to find the button.
Step 6: Configure Page Settings:
Before you start publishing content and engaging with your audience, it's important to configure your page settings according to your preferences.
Access the settings tab on your Facebook page, and explore the various options available.
Who can post on your page?
You can choose to allow anyone to post, only people who like your page, or restrict posting entirely.
This setting depends on your page's purpose and the level of control you wish to maintain. If you decide to allow anyone to post it's a good idea to monitor what your page visitors are sharing.
You can also choose how you'd like to receive notifications, which is handy.
Privacy Settings
Take the time to review and customize your privacy settings, and determine your page visibility as to whether it's public.
Step 7: Add Content and Engage with Your Audience
With your Facebook page set up and customized, it's time to start populating it with engaging content.
There are many different types of social media content, so try and mix it up a bit!
You can publish posts that share photos and videos, and interact with your audience through comments and messages.
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining an active presence on Facebook, so don't be discouraged at first if you don't have much traffic.
As long as you regularly update your page with fresh and valuable content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more, your traffic should increase.
Consider creating a content calendar to help you plan and schedule your posts in advance. You can get one here if you don't already have one. This will make it easier to maintain a consistent posting schedule and ensure a steady flow of content.
You also want to respond promptly to comments, messages, and any inquiries from your audience.
Engaging with your followers fosters a sense of community and strengthens the relationship between your brand and its supporters.
Encourage discussions, ask questions, and provide valuable insights to encourage interaction and boost engagement.
Step 8: Promoting Your Page:
When you're first starting out an easy way to promote your page is by inviting your friends, customers, or followers from other platforms to like and follow your page.
Use the “Invite Friends” feature to send out invitations and encourage them to engage with your content
Another great benefit of having a Facebook page is built-in analytics tools, such as Insights, to gain valuable insights into your page's performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics.
This data can help you make informed decisions, refine your content strategy, and optimize your page's reach and impact.
I'm not going to go into all the data you can track since the goal is just to set your page up.
Pro Tip
On your personal page, add a clickable link to your business page for the work prompt as shown in the image below.
Facebook Advertising
When you first create your page, you might get some promotional material from Facebook offering you free advertising.
Use caution before you jump into creating a Facebook ad campaign unless you are well-versed in the process, and your business is ready to spend money on ads.
It's common for business owners to advertise on Facebook because it seems easy enough, but the reality is many people feel discouraged, disappointed, and even angry because they feel like they lost money and that ads don't work. (they do work, but a lot goes into making sure an ad campaign is successful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a Facebook page without a personal account?
No, you need a personal Facebook account to create and manage a Facebook page. The page will be associated with your personal account, and you’ll be able to switch between your personal account and page when using Facebook.
Can I change my page category and name later?
Yes, you can make changes to your page’s category and name at any time by accessing the settings section of your Facebook page. However, it’s recommended to choose a category and name that accurately represent your page from the beginning to avoid confusion.
Do I need to have a website to create a Facebook page?
No, having a website is not a requirement. You can create and manage a Facebook page even if you don’t have a website. However, if you do have a website, you can include the link in the additional information section to direct visitors to your website for more information.
Can multiple people manage a Facebook page?
Yes, you can assign different roles to individuals who can help manage your Facebook page. Roles include admin, editor, moderator, advertiser, and analyst. Each role has different levels of access and responsibilities, allowing you to collaborate with others to manage and grow your page effectively.
Why does Facebook make it so difficult to understand?
I don't know my friend.
To Sum Up:
- Create Personal Profile
- Create Page
- Name Your Page
- Choose Your Category
- Customize Your Page
- Configure Your Settings
- Add Content
- Promote
Creating and publishing a Facebook page is a straightforward process that can significantly benefit your brand, business, or community.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can establish a strong online presence, engage with your audience, and promote your content effectively.
Remember to keep your page updated with fresh and valuable content, interact with your followers, and utilize Facebook's features, such as analytics, to maximize the impact of your page.
With dedication and a well-executed content strategy, your Facebook page can become a thriving platform for connecting with your audience and achieving your goals.
Read about the benefits of actively being on social media as a small business.