A company’s Facebook business page is one of the most important tools for your digital marketing strategies to reach out to your potential customers. It allows you to interact with current and future clients in real-time and present your business in a professional manner.
This guide covers all the necessary steps for creating a professional business page account google sheet with a checklist for easier implementation and planning.
How to access your Facebook business page after you created it?
You can access it via Facebook Business suite or through your personal Facebook page by clicking on the name of it.
Step 1 – Click on your business Facebook page.
Step 2 – click on the settings
Basic business page structure:
The basic structure of the business page you need to cover.
General segment
This section covers general information and page restrictions you may want to implement on your business page. We will cover each section and include tips where we see necessary.
Page Visibility:
It offers 2 options, just be sure everything is set up correctly before publishing:
-Page published
-Page unpublished
Visitor Posts
Option 1: Allow photos and video posts
Are you allowing visitors to post anything to your page? As the fundamental rule of Facebook is engagement, it should be on in most cases for photos and video.
Option 2: Review posts by other people before they are published to the page.
If you want a more granular approach you can review posts before they are published on your site. It is useful when you are working with sensitive content that needs to be moderated to a higher degree such as youth content or socially sensitive content.
Option 3: Disable posts by other people on the page
Disable only if you know and are absolutely sure that content people will post will not add any significant value to your page.
News Feed Audience and Visibility for Posts
This option allows you to target the audience by selecting an interest, gender, age, location, and language. It is a useful option if you have a large page where you can segment your audience and better coordinate content push and in return get higher engagement.
Auto-Generated Captions
There are 3 options under Auto-generated options,
It is recommended to have captions for videos that are not self-explanatory, since users cannot always watch videos with sound.
1. Option of fully auto-generation
Use in best case when you do not have time for post-production of video, or you do not know how to add a custom-crafted caption. Automated captions are available only in English for advertisers in the United States and Canada, and can only be used on Facebook and Instagram.
2. Option is auto-generation with review and edit
The best option for fast and easy caption implementation.
3. Option Do not auto-generate captions
Post and Story Sharing
Allow people to share your story and post. This method extends reach and engagement as people do not share content they do not like.
Messages
Facebook is an interactive two-way platform for communication with users and clients via posts, messages, or ads. This should be on by definition.
Tagging Ability
Tagging photos or videos from users is beneficial. By tagging their photos while using a company product or service, users allow the company to better understand how the product or service is used or notify them of problems they encounter while using the product or service.
Country Restrictions
Restrict page access per country. There are two options:
Option 1: Only show this Page to viewers in these countries, select countries.
Option 2: Hide this Page from viewers in these countries, select countries.
Age Restrictions
For the underage restriction, you can choose several settings, Age restriction should be set according to your country’s laws and Facebook terms of use.
Page Moderation:
Under page moderation, you choose a list of words, phrases, or emojis you want to hide from your page. This option should be used when you are dealing with sensitive content and you expect polarised engagement between users. The maximum number of blocked words is 1000 per page in any language, word variation will be excluded automatically.
Other options are:
Option 1: Variations of keywords that use numbers, symbols, or different spellings are automatically hidden. Learn more
Option 2: Hidden comments with these words remain visible to the people who wrote them and their friends. For everyone else, they’re no longer visible.
Option 3: add words manually
Option 4: add words via CSV file.
Profanity filter
Automated filter that filters commonly reported offensive words.
You can learn more on the link: https://www.facebook.com/help/131671940241729
Similar Page Suggestions
Turn on to get suggestions to people who are searching or might be interested in your page.
Page Updates
We are personally not a fan of this option, as it updates each change directly to feed and can clutter your timeline. All important updates should be presented via posts that best represent that information.
Post in Multiple Languages
This option should be turned on and used under this condition:
-You have one page and your audience is multilingual and you do not have the option of creating a page for each country or language. Translating post text, phrases and meaning is a difficult job in languages you do not intimately know and requires additional resources to be effective and correct.
Translate Automatically
Can be used as people are already used in imperfect AI translations and can choose to have an original post instead. If you can use a professional translator in your native language, use them instead.
Comment Ranking
Turn this option on, as Facebook is pretty good at determining relevant and engaging comments.
Content Distribution
You can block video downloading from Facebook if you want to. Video downloading is blocked by default on mobile.
Download Page
You can download your entire page including posts, photos, video, and page info if you need it.
Merge Pages
You can merge pages if you have similar pages and you want to combine them into one page.
An option can be useful in situations when two pages are not differentiated enough and will confuse users in their actions.
Remove Pages to
Remove the page from the system after 14 days. This action is permanent. Use cautiously and only when you are 100% sure your page has run its course.
Messaging
General Settings
-Use the Return key to send messages
This option can be turned off to reduce the chance of sending unfinished messages by accident.
Starting a Messenger Conversation
-Show a greeting
This options should be always on and you should customize greetings according to your company needs. It should always include customer names as it is a form of personalization.
Your Messenger URL
Direct link to your inbox, you can use it in emails, SMS, or any other channel. Simply copy and paste.
Add Messenger to your website
Ability to add a direct link from your website to your Facebook inbox. People access it by simply clicking on it and interacting with you. It requires a little bit of coding proficiency. Implementation is outside of this guide scope and we advise you to consult your developer regarding implementation.
Set up automated responses
Great option to automate and predefined questions your customer may ask and therefore reduce chance of non interaction after opening messenger.
Instant Reply
The instant reply should be sent on Messenger and Instagram and Message should be customized according to your company needs.
Away Message
Use on both platforms, set timing after working hours.
If you receive messages after working hours automated system will notify customers that you are currently unavailable or any other information you decided to communicate via away message.
Frequently asked questions
Under FAQ set questions and responses you know customers often ask and reduce needed time to respond and increase your business efficiency.
Job Application Received
Use it if you are willing to accept Job application via messenger.
Appointment reminder
Great option for small business to remind their customer about their appointment.
Show who’s sending messages on behalf of your Page
Tell people who’s responding to them in Messenger on behalf of your Page. People can choose how their name appears.
Page Info
Under page info you should populate information regarding you company:
-Name
-Username
-Description
-Categories(ones that best represent your company)
-Contact
-Website
-Location – under location you have several option such as:
If you are only online service only or you do not want customer visiting your street address than uncheck options:
Customer visit my business at my street address.
Does your page have a physical location that customer can visit?
Yes if you have physical store for more foot traffic.
Does your page travel to its customers?
Yes If you are travelling service, then check.
Can customers buy your goods or services online?
Yes if you have webshop
Service Area
Define range of your service area to your customer by simply adding up to ten neighborhoods, cities or region.
Hours
Under hours add your working hours to better inform your customer.
There are four options:
No Hours Available
Visitors won’t see business hours on this Page
Always open
e.g. parks, beaches, streets
Permanently closed
This business has permanently closed
Open on selected hours
Input your own hours
Temporary Service Changes
Open With Service Changes
This business has new or changed services (e.g. pickup, delivery, online service, etc.)
Use for all essential service changes.
Temporarily Closed
This business isn’t currently open but will open again in the future.( Can be checked if you are for example renovating)
Operating as Usual
This business doesn’t have any temporary service changes.
Choose an option to indicate how your services have changed due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
More
Under more, you can add additional information in 4 segments.
Privacy policy
If you are processing any kind of personal data you should link or describe your privacy policy. It is often required by law. Consult with your data privacy company.
Template and Tabs
Templates and tabs define your Facebook page look, you can choose between several templates or you can customize it according to your need.
Templates you can use are.
Services
Designed to help people find your services and get in touch.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Business
Designed to help you manage your business, including ways to post jobs and special offers.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Shop tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Venues
Designed so you can highlight useful info like your venue’s hours, location and upcoming events.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Shop tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Nonprofit
Designed to highlight your cause and encourage people to fundraise and donate to your nonprofit.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Shop tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Politicians
Designed to help politicians reach their supporters and communicate their message.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Reviews, Shop, Jobs tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Public Figures
Designed to help public figures reach their supporters and communicate their message.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Reviews, Shop, Jobs tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Restaurants & Cafes
Designed to highlight photos and important info about your menu, hours, and location.
Primary button
Your primary button will change to Get Directions.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Shop tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Shopping
Designed to showcase products and make it easy for people to shop online.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services tab will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Video Page
Designed to showcase video content on your page.
Buttons on toolbar
Follow, Like, Share, Save
Tabs
The Live tab will be visible, and your Services, Reviews, Jobs tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Standard
Good for all Page types, with buttons and tabs to help showcase what’s important to you.
Buttons on toolbar
Like, Follow, Share, Save
Tabs
Your Services, Shop, Jobs tabs will be hidden. The order of your tabs will change.
Tabs
Click and drag to rearrange tab order. tab order also determines the order how people see sections at the top of your Page.
Notifications
Under notification segment we have number of customisable options, you can explore list under.
You can turn off all notifications or limit the number of notifications you receive per day.
Page interactions
These are notifications you receive when people interact with your Page.
Receive notifications for
We can group notifications under 2 groups:
Essential (messages)
Non Essential (All others)
We consider messages essential notification in business and only notification that must be on at all times. All other notifications are useful but they do not require immediate attention.
Advanced Messaging
Advanced messaging settings where you can implement additional automation and bots.
We will make a short cover of this segment to allow you to understand what you can do. This is an extensive topic and falls out of scope of this guide.
Overview:
General Settings
Connected Apps
Apps that are connected to your page and have certain permissions and access to your data.
For more information regarding configuration of hardware Protocol check documentation on:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/messenger-platform/handover-protocol/
Whitelisted domains
Third-party domains that are accessible in the Messenger webview for use with the Messenger Extensions SDK(software developer kit), and for Messenger plugins.
Requested Features
Additional features you can request from Facebook messenger team and include:
One-Time Notification
This allows your Page to send one message to people in Messenger that may fall outside of the 24-hour messaging window. Only people who have chosen to receive each one-time notification will receive one.
Info About People
This allows business integrations connected to your Page to access specific info such as gender, language locale, and time zone about the people that send you messages.
Gender (The gender of people who message your Page)
Language Locale (The language locale of people who message your Page)
Time Zone (The time zone of people who message your Page)
High-Volume Messages
If your Page sends too many messages in Messenger in a short time period, or is constantly sending or receiving messages in a large number of conversations at the same time, your Page will lose access to Inbox. Your Page should then begin managing messages through the platform APIs.
Feature Availability
Notification in availability that has been reduced by GDRP laws.
Page Roles
Page roles allows you to designate roles to your employee with certain limitations that allow you to protect you facebook page asset.
Admin Role:
Can manage all aspects of the page, publish and send Messenger messages as the Page, respond to and delete comments, post from Instagram to Facebook, create ads, see who created a post or comment, view insights, and assign additional page roles. If an Instagram account is connected to your Facebook page, the admin can post from Facebook to Instagram, respond and delete comments, send direct messages to other accounts and most importantly delete your page.
Editor Role:
Can publish content and send Messenger messages as the Page, respond to and delete comments on the Page, create ads, see who created a post or comment, post from Instagram to Facebook, and view insights. If an Instagram account is connected to the Page, they can post to Instagram from Facebook, respond to and delete comments, send Direct messages, sync business contact info and create ads.
Moderator Role:
Can send Messenger messages as the Page, respond to and delete comments on the Page, create ads, see who created a post or comment, and view insights. If an Instagram account is connected to the Page, they can respond to Instagram comments, send direct messages, and create ads.
Advertiser Role:
Can create ads, see who created a post or comment, and view insights. If an Instagram account is connected to the Page, they can create ads.
Analyst Role:
Can see which admin created a post or comment and view insights.
Custom Role:
These roles are specifically created per company needs when default cannot be used due to permission segmentation and limitation.
People and other Pages
Under this section you can check people and companies that liked or followed your company facebook page, ban people from pages or block people from messenger.
Issue, Electoral or Political Ads
To run Electoral or Political ads, you are required to get approval and accept and follow additional terms of use for these sensitive ads.
Ad limit
This ad limitation was imposed by facebook. Limit is set up to 250 ads per ad account.
Branded content
Branded content is content created by a publisher or content creator in exchange for service, products or other monetary value. Creators and publishers must tag a business partner’s Page when posting branded or influenced content.
- Creators include celebrities, influencers or public figures
- Publishers are media companies and entities that post branded content.
- Business partners may include brands, advertisers, marketers or sponsors that sponsor branded content.
We can divide branded content per facebook and instagram platform.
Branded content on Facebook can be used with these types of formats:
- Photos
- Videos
- Links
- Text
- Live broadcasts
- Carousels
- Stories
Branded content that is not allowed in the post is dictated by Facebook branded content policies that can be found: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1190980254246452
Information for branded content on Instagram can be found on this link: https://help.instagram.com/116947042301556
Under instagram section you can add and connect your business instagram profile with your business facebook page and review additional information.
Under Whatsapp section you can add your number to easily connect with your audience via page button or ads.
Featured
Place where you can check what pages did you liked with your page.
Crossposting
Crossposting allows you and another Page to post videos on each other’s behalf.
Crossposting can only happen between Pages that have added each other. You control which videos are eligible to be crossposted. When a Page crossposts your videos, they will also be able to view video insights for their posts.
You can add Pages or remove them.
Page support inbox
Under Page support inbox you can access reports you created and check for possible violations.
Page management History
Place where you can check all changes that people that have access to your page made.
With filters you can choose filtering by:
All actions: page info, page roles or group,
By name of page manager
By time: Newest or old
Activity Log
In the activity log you can check details of all changes occurred on your page during time.
You can filter by: Activity log, Profiles, Photos, Video, Spam, Post, Comments, Others posts to your timeline, Notes, Events, Groups, Other records.
This guide can be used over and over again when you have to change something on the page and you either don’t know where to find that feature or when you’re setting up a new page for yourself or your client. This is a walkthrough guide that will ensure you did all the right steps to correctly set up your Facebook page and everything connected to it.