If you are a business owner and haven’t been using the Facebook Pages for business till now, then you must be seriously missing out! Facebook has developed from being just a social media platform to connect with friends and family all around the world to a powerful marketing tool to promote your online store and connect to customers all around the world.

Mind you, Facebook Pages for business is completely different from the Facebook page that you normally use to post your latest pictures and chat with friends. The Facebook Pages for business enables you to connect and interact with your existing customers, meet with new and potential customers, and build a business community for yourself. In case you don’t know how to go about getting your online store set up with Facebook Pages for business, here is a beginner’s guide for you, simply follow the steps.

Sign Up for Facebook Pages for business

The first step is to sign up for a Facebook page. This step is pretty easy and straightforward. Log on to www.facebook.com ! Where you would see the log in or signup option – you should be very familiar with this screen. However, you should be careful to note that this is for personal page sign up. You would see the sign up for the business page at the bottom of the screen. Click on “Create a Page,” select “Business or brand,” fill in the required information to get you started on your new Facebook business page.

Choose a Category

The next screen would present you with a list of business categories where you’ll need to specify your business.

Choose the “Brand or Product” category. A majority of online business owners may be tempted to choose either “local business or place” or even “company, organization or institution.” Don’t choose either of them unless you have a physical shop.

“Brand or Product” category is the most flexible and offers the most functionality and will provide you with the most flexibility. When you click on that category, a drop-down menu containing lots of categories would be presented to you.

From these categories, choose the most appropriate one. Then provide the name you would want to give your business page, check to agree to the terms, and click on “Get Started.”

If you already have a Facebook personal account, you may choose to link it to your new Facebook business page. However, if you don’t have a Facebook personal account yet, you would be prompted to create one. Don’t worry, it’s just simple steps to follow.

Setting Up Your Facebook Page

Now that your Facebook page is ready, the next step is to add awesome and appealing content. You may start by uploading a display picture, maybe your business logo, add a description for your business, and then add more pictures.

When you choose web address for your Facebook page, choose carefully and wisely. The web address can no longer be changed when chosen. Most business owners choose “http://www.facebook.com/theirbusinessname”

After you click “Save Info,” you’ll be prompted to add the profile picture for your page.

This should be the same profile photo you use on other profiles for your business — such as your logo, photo of your building, professional headshot, etc.

The setup wizard would ask you to add your new Facebook page to your Favourites menu, which is on the left-hand side of your Facebook home screen. Doing this will allow you easy future access to the Facebook Page.

Take your time to play around the interface of the Facebook Page, note those things you can add or do. But take it slowly, don’t get stressed or overwhelmed. Gradually build your business profile and add content related to your business.

Now that your Facebook Pages for business is ready, next I will explain how you can maintain your Facebook Business Page to maximize your business.

Maintaining Your Page

To get some inspirations, you can take a look at this Facebook Shopify Business Page

Posting

The major way to communicate with your customers and fans on yourFacebook Business Page is by posting. Either you need to share new products, give out cool info industry info, show pictures, or even send links to interesting websites… you do all these through posting.

Any post you write is displayed on your Facebook Business Page wall and your visitors would be able to read it. More so, people who read your post can comment on it, or give it a “Like.” Always note that some of these comments may include questions or inquiries, and they expect to hear back from you. So, always ensure there is a feedback.

More so, always give your visitors reasons to always check your page often. Post rich and engaging content, interact with them through replies to their comments just like you would with mouth advertisement.

Sharing

Sometimes, any of your customers may write a really complimentary or great comment on your Business Page wall. Well, you can “share” such comment so that everyone who visits our page would see it.

Things to take note of

Don’t expect a miracle from an imaginary Facebook pro. Here are some considerations and practices that would help develop your Business page:

Observe regular posting and updates about what’s going on with your business i.e. new information or new deals. Remember, it is key to keep all your customers and fans updated as much as possible.

Be interactive and give feedback, answer any question posted on your wall.

Acknowledge great comments with a “Like” and share complimenting comments. Liking and sharing would bring positive attention to your Business page.

Experiment with other Facebook features that may improve your page.

Focus more on your NewsFeed than on your Wall. Most fans don’t visit your wall but will see your content in their NewsFeed. So, always focus more on each post seen in the Newsfeed.

Always check and scrutinize post made by others on your Wall. Sometimes, some real good posts may get pushed to the “Hidden” section, check them and move them over to your Wall. If you have an unwanted post, simply move them to the “Hidden” section.

Final Note

Facebook is all about engagement. According to Facebook’s algorithm, content with more interactions (comments, likes, and shares) are deemed more valuables. Hence, always try your best to post trending, rich and engaging content.

On the left sidebar of your page, there are the “Like this” and the “talking about this” numbers, which will both help you to know how well your business page is doing, though the “talking about this” numbers is far more important to your business than the “Like this” metric.

Carefully follow this guide to set up your Facebook Business page. It wouldn’t take you a long time to start planning events, posting, promoting, and advertising your page to generate huge traffic to your online Business store through the Facebook Business Page.