You may have recently been wondering what has happened to your brand’s Facebook page. Things look out of place, your tabs have disappeared, etc. Don’t panic. Facebook has redesigned the look for brand’s pages and has slowly begun to roll out these changes over the last few months.
The redesign includes a streamlined look for Pages which will make it easier for people visiting the page to sort through information and help Page admins find the tools they use the most. While there will be some initial adjustments on your part to tidy up the look of the page, the redesign will make your business Page look cleaner and more organized.
Below are five things you need to be aware of as your Page switches over to the new design and layout.
[hr style=”3″ margin=”40px 0px 40px 0px”]
1. Adjust Your Cover Photo
The most noticeable difference at first glance will be the adjusted look to the cover photo, profile photo and company name. The profile photo will be the same size but is now moved up farther into the cover photo image, while the title of your page and category are also now incorporated in the lower half of your cover photo. The like button and Share button will also be positioned in the bottom portion of your cover photo.
You will need to adjust your cover photo appropriately which will include removing any writing or logo in the lower 65 pixels of your cover photo. As a side note, make sure your category is correct as well. The category is more prominent in the redesigned look.
[hr style=”3″ margin=”40px 0px 40px 0px”]
2. Left Column vs. Right Column
Thankfully, Facebook has decided to get rid of the two-column timeline format that made it hard to follow posts. A new single-column format has been introduced with this redesign which will make the page more aesthetically pleasing.
The right-side column now displays all your Page’s posts. This one-column display means that all of your posts will appear consistently on your Page and in your news feed. The left-side column features brand information, including photos, videos, etc.
While the previous multiple-column display was simply too confusing for fans to follow, the single-column format allows for easier navigation and a more organized look.
[hr style=”3″ margin=”40px 0px 40px 0px”]
3. Easy Access to Admin Tools
Not only has this redesign made the page look better for the fans, Facebook has made it much easier and faster for admins to access the features that help you manage the page. No matter where you are on your Page, you can now view information about the ads you’re running, new likes on your Page, unread notifications and messages.
There are also new navigation options at the top of the Page, that make it easier to access your activity, insights and settings. Facebook has also added a Build Audience menu at the top of the Page that gives you direct access to your Ads Manager account.
[hr style=”3″ margin=”40px 0px 40px 0px”]
4. Tabs / Apps
I think the biggest complaint people will have with the new Page design is the fact that your tabs no longer exist as boxes immediately below your cover photo. They are now accessed within a “More” drop-down menu.
Although tabs are valuable for first impressions, most fans don’t visit brand pages unless they have a specific reason to. In order to drive engagement to your “apps” and tabs, you will need to drive traffic to them using posts and ads. Remember, your top three tabs will still be accessible on the left-hand column within your brand information.
[hr style=”3″ margin=”40px 0px 40px 0px”]
5. Pages to Watch
An added bonus that Facebook has included with this redesign is a Pages to Watch section. This section allows admins to create a list of Pages that reach a similar audience and compare those brand’s performance to your own . You’ll be able to see key stats about the Pages you’re watching, including their most engaging posts from the week prior.
You can use this feature to see what kinds of content your competitors are using successfully. This information can be helpful as you plan your content strategy and work to increase your organic engagement.
Of course with every major change, there is a period of adjustment and learning. In the long run, this new look for the Facebook Page is mostly cosmetic but will make the management of your Page easier. This redesign is a great opportunity for marketers to reevaluate how they manage their Facebook presence.
Like most aspects of marketing social media is constantly changing, but embracing these changes and staying ahead of the curve can give your marketing efforts the edge they need to beat your competitors.
[acf field=”cta_2″ post_id=”option”]
