Timeline for Facebook Business Pages is here! Previewing your page and getting acquainted with it’s new features and functions is a must, as all pages must be converted by March 30, 2012.
You have the option to take a tour of the page and even take a helpful interactive video learning course. You probably already have an idea of the look and feel and how to navigate Timeline, if you’ve bee using Timeline for your personal profile.
Timeline Cover Photo
You now have the opportunity to express yourself and brand your business in a unique and creative way that makes a visual statement. Think outside the box here..Less may be More!
The large cover photo feature is now the first impression that people see when they land on your page. Cover photos are 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall. High resolution photos are the best. Be careful not to upload a photo smaller that 399 pixels wide or the photo will stretch. If you do not have a larger photo consider putting a few smaller photos together that represent your brand or business as a collage.
The profile photo is now positioned in the lower left corner of the Timeline cover photo. The image is now much smaller and must be no smaller than 180 pixels wide.
Your cover photo must NOT contain the following:
- Price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it at our website”
- Contact information, such as web address, email, mailing address or other information intended for your Page’s about section.
- References to user interface elements, such as Like or Share, or any other Facebook site features
- Calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends”
Be respectful of Facebook policies at all times, as you never want to have the risk being outside of Facebook Terms of Service and the chance of having your page shut down.
With the new layout comes the improved page width of 810 pixels for apps and hosted iframes. Prior to the change was a 520 pixel page restrictions. This is good news; more space to work with, more space to share your message!
The apps designed at 520px wide still look good displayed in the 810 pixel wide canvas and there is no need for redesign unless you would like to take the opportunity to do so.
Tabs and apps are now located just under the Timeline cover photo in boxes that are 111 pixels by 74 pixels. You have the option to upload new images to the boxes by clicking the pencil icon and additionally can order the boxes to desired a position. The downside is that you are able show three of the custom tabs but have the capability of having up to 12 total. Photo is in first position and is set as default. Fans can access other tabs by clicking the arrow on the right.
Staring a post
This allows you to highlight the posts you think are important. When you star a post, it expands to widescreen.
Pinning a Post
Pinned posts are Page posts that display prominently at the top of their Page. A pinned post always appears in the top left of a Page’s timeline and remains for 7 days.
Milestones
Milestones are key moments you’ve decided to highlight on your Page that are relevant to your business such as a grand opening, the start of a new clothing line a merger or the initial offering of an IPO. Milestones are automatically expanded to widescreen and display at 843 pixels wide at 402 pixels tall. You can actually go back as far as January 1, 1800.
Messaging
Private messaging is now available between page admins and fans. Messages for Pages will permit admins to have a private conversation with people who have contacted the Page. However, admins can only message or reply to people who have contacted the page. You can’t message someone who likes your Page, unless they have messaged the Page first.
Fans can now View a Portion of Your Page Insights
Fans are now privy to a portion of the page insights such as the Pages most popular week, the most popular city, the most popular age group as well as total likes and who’s talking about this. The insights can be accessed under the top right under the cover photo.
You can no longer set a default landing for your page. Facebook’s reasoning behind this change is that they desire to create a “consistent user experience”.
There is now a fragmented wall, that isn’t as convo friendly as previous Facebook Pages and there is no longer a photo strip on the top of your page.
Overall, I think that the changes are GOOD and will be an asset for your business or brand. Like anything new, it just takes some getting to. What do you think?
This post was originally written by my team member Kimberly Gerhart, she’s a wonderful asset to me, and truly goes the extra mile to ensure that all of our clients are 110% satisfied with their Custom Facebook Pages and now Timelines! This is her website.
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