The "social web" is fast becoming a dominant force in terms of driving traffic flows on the Internet, threatening the major web players such as Google, and is something you ignore at your peril.
People are spending less time navigating the Internet on their own and are now discover based on their friends' recommendations and activities. This trend has led some experts go as far as to say social media could become the Internet's next search engine.
Facebook has become an integral part of the consumer Web experience and advertisers need to figure out how to leverage this medium. Did you know that you can have a Facebook page devoted to your business and you can alter the layout and functionality of the page? The end result is your own "social" business website for a fraction of what it costs to build a traditional website.
Here's a brief rundown on some of the key Facebook features that relate to business promotion.
Facebook public profile:
A Facebook profile page is one of the most ignored options for establishing an online foundation for your business. In fact, it's actually a makeshift website that you can populate for free and prime space to advertise one's business.
Public profiles allow "fans" to initiate and participate in discussions and most importantly Facebook public profiles can be indexed by search engines, assisting your SEO efforts.
Facebook events
Launched directly from your public profile this feature lets fans know of upcoming events and meet-ups your company will be hosting or involved.
Facebook groups
When you're targeting a particular set of users, based on their interests or location, Facebook groups is useful. Once you create a group, you can use it to attract like-minded individuals and promote your business via these channels.
Facebook ads
Facebook ads are text ads mostly, but accommodate a small image. The two main concerns about using these ads, however, are that most users find them irritating, and secondly, they do not generate many clicks. Still, these ads can be used to extend your business's visibility on Facebook.
Facebook apps
Facebook applications, "apps" for short, are developed by third-parties and cover a huge variety of categories and interests ranging from gaming to music to travel to plain, silly fun. These widgets are a dime a dozen - literally. Use these sparingly.
Facebook lexicon
Lexicon gives you an understanding of what's trending within Facebook. All you do is key in single or double-word keywords and analyse millions of wall posts on Facebook.
Facebook share
This feature adds a small button to your website that lets Facebook users share your website details with their friends on Facebook - in short, it's an unassumingly brilliant marketing feature to drive incremental traffic to your site.
Facebook connect
Connect enables netizens to use their Facebook ID to log in to other websites. In short, with just one online identity, you can log in to various other sites and establish your unique identity across all of them.
With some creative thought this has huge potential to multiply you audience 10 fold.
Personal profile
To add to the authenticity of your business's presence on Facebook, we strongly recommend that you link to a personal profile from your public profile, because it adds that personal touch. You can use your personal profile to network, connect, establish contacts and grow relationships within your own circle, which will only add to your business's trust factor in the long run.
If You`d like to learn more about Facebook for business please feel free to visit www.creativebrew.com.au
Peter J Engelhardt is the founder of the highly respected marketing & design company Creative Brew. With over 20 years of branding experience Peter is now motivated by the exciting potential that new and social media has brought to the world of communications. His passion is embracing this technology to find new and better ways to help clients with their marketing challenges. He companies focus is based on merging traditional marketing practices with the emerging new media tools.
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