Facebook Page Upgrades: A Quick Overview
Today is the day, the last day that Facebook page owners will be able to install the Static FBML application on their page. Facebook announced last month that they would be upgrading pages to a new layout while adding many new features. Facebook has a history of making updates and changes to their site that catch both personal and business users off guard. These changes however have probably been the most accepted and anticipated changes that Facebook has ever released to date.
Up until today page owners have had the option to keep their current page the way it is or go ahead and upgrade to the new layout. Many have taken advantage of the early upgrade while others have been unaware of the changes and what would happen to their page once they clicked “upgrade”. However after today all Facebook pages will automatically be upgraded, but rest assured that these changes are good and offer you many new options for connecting with customers, other businesses and simply creating a greater user experience.
The End of Static FBML and What it Means for your Business
FBML stands for Facebook Markup Language, essentially it is Facebook’s version of HTML. The Static FBML application has been used by many businesses in order to add more customization to their Facebook page. Static FBML has allowed page owners and marketing agencies to develop additional tabs to Facebook pages that are completely customized using their own images, content and design. There are many companies that have been started in the last two years whose biggest asset has been using the Static FBML application for their clients. Does the death of Static FBML mean the end of these firms or the end of offering a great Facebook experience to your customers? Absolutely not.
With the end of Static FBML tabs Facebook has brought something bigger and better to the table, iFrames for pages. With the use of iFrames companies will now have less restrictions when it comes to having their Facebook page customized. Videos and Flash objects will no longer require being clicked first in order to be activated and you can use applications that have been developed using HTML, CSS and Javascript. These languages are more well known to developers than FBML and FBJS, meaning companies that offer Facebook page development, such as ourselves, will be able to offer more to page owners to help grow their online presence and draw more individuals to their page, their website and most importantly their business.
In Conclusion…
If you are a page owner please keep in mind that these changes are in fact good. Social Media is fluid and to succeed in Social Media we all have to be fluid and accepting of change, especially when change translates into being able to offer more to customers. We have not posted a blog going into detail about each change that has been included in the Facebook page upgrade but there have been many others who have so why reinvent the wheel? Click here to read about all of Facebook’s changes to pages from Social Media Examiner.
Please also keep in mind that we offer many solutions for your Facebook page and online presence including development, design, consulting, training and even promotion management. Have fun exploring all of the new features that Facebook has to offer and let us know if we can be of assistance to you.