Facebook Timeline for Business will take effect for everyone on the 31st of March.
We have put together a quick list of Facebook Timeline changes you need to know!
Cover Photo
Timeline’s cover photo allows you to create an eye-catching, descriptive visual of your brand.
Image Dimensions - 851 x 315 pixels
Use every pixel of screen real estate available (851 x 315 pixels), and change the image occasionally, in line with campaigns or other events relevant to your business. You cannot have ANY calls to action in this cover image area.
Profile Image
This image represents your business' identity and should remain unchanged.
Image Dimensions - 180 x 180 pixels
About Us Section
Your profile’s “About” section is prime, above-the-fold real estate to feature a short and punchy overview of who you are as a business or entity and why people need to find out more about your business' story.
Character Limit - 170, ensure you use your web address as appropriate
Review Facebook’s updated Page Guidelines to ensure your page is up to the latest standards, noting in particular the information around cover images.
Milestones
A milestone is a major event that is particularly relevant to your brand, such as a product launch,
personnel announcement, store opening, or other moment that is significant to your brand’s
growth and development.
Make the most out of milestones:
- Use photos & videos to tell your story
- Tailor the content to the industry to which your brand belongs
- Include questions to prompt conversation with your fans
Pin Posts
A pin post is a post that a brand may “pin” to the top of its Timeline for 7 days at a time, as a way
to curate its Timeline content and encourage a post’s “stickiness.”
Image Dimensions - 404 x 404 pixels
Make the most out of pin posts:
- Showcase links and other information about tabs and promotions that you want to drive
visitors to - such as encourage people to LIKE your page
- When you’re running a contest or campaign, pin a post that calls attention to a particular
phase of the promotion, and schedule the post to run the length of the promotion’s phase
Stars
Highlight an important post on your brand’s Timeline by “starring” it. When you star a post, it will expand to widescreen and always be visible. Milestones cannot be starred, so aim to star non milestone posts that you wish to call particular attention to.
To star a post on your Timeline, simply hover over the post and click the star icon that appears.
Image Dimensions - 843 x 403 pixels
What tabs should I features below the cover photo?
Tabs are more narrowly scoped in the Timeline format: there are four tabs featured on the top navigation, and brands can customize three of them (the Photos tab is fixed).
Since the featured tabs are always visible to users who visit your Timeline, you should choose them strategically.
To see additional tab applications, users must expand the tab panel by clicking a drop-down box located in the top navigation. If you wish to integrate new features here, we are happy to help!
Make the most of tabs:
- Focus attention on the photos you upload, as this tab is always front and centre!
- Switch up your three customizable tabs periodically, according to current brand objectives, product releases, or product popularity. You may not have 3 tabs! Do not worry if you don't!
- Choose tab images that are descriptive and are good 'CALL to ACTION ' images
- Assign names to your tabs that clearly indicate what the tabs is about - again this is another 'CALL to ACTION' here
- If you drive users to a landing tab, include an on-brand call to action in the tab name that encourages users to click (e.g., “Shop Now” or “Book Here!”)
Image Dimensions - 111 x 74 pixels
What do I need to know about direct messages?
Timeline gives users the ability to send private, direct messages to brand pages. It is a great potential customer service tool. Make sure that you put processes in place to check these messages sent to your Facebook Page so that messages your page receives are responded to or escalated in a timely, appropriate manner.
It’s worth noting that Timeline does not give brands the ability to direct message fans or other users. You can respond to a user up to two times, but only after that user starts the conversation with your brand.
