Whenever Facebook changes its design or introduces something new, users tend to accept it with mixed emotions. First they hate it, then they like it, then they start to really like it, and just when they get used to it...things change again.
It took me a while before I got used to the new layout for my profile, and now again I have to go through the entire process of accepting and adapting to the latest changes on Facebook Pages. Having said that, I must admit that this time its no mixed emotions, I really like what they've done with it; especially receiving notifications and commenting/liking as a page part of it.
This latest design gives a page similar privileges and exclusivity that a personal profile enjoys. And I think its high time that Page admins enjoy the benefits of interacting with other pages as a Brand rather than using their personal profile for networking.
So here's a detailed report of everything that you need to know about these latest changes:
LAYOUT
The layout is pretty much same as a user profile with images placed where tabs used to be, and navigation menu on the left column. All the applications or customized tabs including wall, info, photos or events will appear below the display picture of the page. The images displayed are the most recent images that a page admin posts, or the photos that the page has been tagged with. In case you don't want a certain image to be displayed, then simply take the cursor to that image and you will see 'x' appear on the top right of the image, clicking on which will hide that particular image.
The size of the profile picture has changed from 200x600 to 180x540.
MUTUAL CONNECTIONS
Whenever a fan visits a page, he/she can see mutual friends who also like that page (mutual fans per se). Also it will display mutual likes as page, i.e. one can see not only common friends who like a particular page, but also common likes between you and a page that you've liked previously. Which means that now 'pages' can also like other pages...Facebook is not social networking anymore...its business networking as well.
PAGES HAVE AN IDENTITY OF THEIR OWN
Like I said in the previous point that Pages can now like other pages as well...not only can they like other pages but also comment on other pages. Once you start using Facebook as a page, you will receive notifications for your page , view news feed and can also post on other pages. Suppose E-junkie page 'likes' Startups.com, then Startups.com's activity will appear on E-junkie's news feed. You can also choose to receive notifications via email for latest posts or comments on your page.
Another interesting introduction to the latest changes is "featured pages and admin" option. As a page admin you can choose to display other pages or "likes" just below the navigation panel on the left side of the page. You can also display "page owners" in this section.
WALL FILTERS
Admins have the option of organizing the content displayed on their page's wall. There are two publicly displayed Wall filters:
"Posts By Page"
"Everyone"
Here's how Facebook explains it:
"When viewing a Page Wall with the "everyone" filter, the most engaging posts will appear at the top (i.e., posts will not appear in chronological order). Page admins will be able to view additional filters - 'Most Recent' and 'Hidden Posts'."
iFRAME
iFrame is a Facebook model for building applications on Facebook. "Many useful applications have been built for Facebook Pages like Bandpage for artists to share their music with fans and Shop Now to help Pages sell their merchandise." But now, one can build such applications using iFrame rather than FBML. Which means that now Facebook is not limited to FBML only, one can use standard programming tools like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. "In addition, you can easily integrate social plugins and the Graphic API within your tab." explains Facebook. Visit Facebook's Developers page for detailed information on this feature.
Pages can also post on user's wall or comment on individual profiles/status/links, as long as the user has opted for "everybody" in their privacy settings. Currently, page admins can take a tour for this latest development in Facebook pages, and choose to upgrade to this new version; from 10th March, it will be mandatory for all pages and will be updated automatically.
So if you are a Facebook page administrator, then do take a tour of this latest version, and get glimpse of what lies ahead; upgrade your page if you like it (once you do, there's no going back). Personally, I think this latest revamp will take business networking within Facebook to a new level, specially because Pages are now treated as any other user profile, thereby increasing the horizon of interactions, networking and visibility. What do you think?
As a page admin, you may also like to read:
iFrame is a Facebook model for building applications on Facebook. "Many useful applications have been built for Facebook Pages like Bandpage for artists to share their music with fans
ASSEMBLY
VALVE PLATE 32293904
Pages can also post on user's wall or comment on individual profiles/status/links, as long as the user has opted for "everybody" in their privacy settings.
ASSEMBLY
VALVE PLATE 32293912