Using Facebook For Local Business – 10 Top Tips for Getting Started

Using Facebook for Local Business can be quite a challenge. When you see your peers and competitors furiously spamming Facebook groups with 2, 3 or even more profiles used for business, it’s tempting to fall into the same trap.

While the news that the reach for Facebook Pages is lower than ever, having a well set up Facebook Local Business Page can help you in other ways. Getting your Page found on Facebook searches and the use of super targeted Facebook ads are both very valid reasons for sticking with your Page.

Get Started Using Facebook For Local Business

1. Create a Facebook Page

It is important to create a page for your local business and not just use your Facebook personal profile. If Facebook feels you are using your profile primarily for commercial use, they can (and often do) shut down accounts.

2. Check your Category

Do make sure you have selected the “Local Business” category for your Page. You get extra features such as a map and address, opening hours, check-ins and ratings on your Page. Not to mention, it will be easier to find you for local people using Facebook’s search feature, especially on mobile.

3. Upload a cover photo

Cover photos are 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall. With the Timeline changes (June 2014) your Business name, category and like buttons are now placed on the cover image – do take that into account when designing your Page cover.

Update your cover photo often to reflect any promotions you have going on.

4. Upload a profile image

Your profile pic will show next to your updates. It’s best not to change it too frequently as people skiming their news feed may not recognise you. It’s difficult enough to get attention in the newsfeed, don’t make it harder than necessary!

Upload a square image so your profile pic displays correctly. The minimum size you should use is 180 x 180 pixels.

5. Complete your About section

Add your information to as many of the boxes as you can. Use words and phrases people associate with your business (yes, your keywords). It makes it easier for your Page to be found.

6. Update regularly

The more other people like, comment and share your updates, the more likely Facebook will show you in the newsfeed. Mix and match your updates – images generally get liked more often, text updates often have a further reach.

Post content that your fans like and care about. Encourage fans to share their images or videos of them in your shop or using your products on your Page.

A timeline full of sales pitches isn’t very engaging – give people a reason to like your updates. Experiment a bit, see what works for you.

7. Find Fans

• invite your friends
• take part in groups
• comment on other peoples pages
• cross promote across your social profiles letting people know about your Page
• put a like button on your website
• put your Page address on your paperwork, email signature, a sign in your window
• try some local targeted FB ads

Here’s a video I made last year for Sue Worthington’s FanPage Challenge – the plugins are still available, except the InboundNow Like Gate is now a plugin for WordPress not a copy and paste code.

Get More Likes Using Your WordPress Website

Whatever you do, never (ever) buy Fans.

8. Review Your Insights

Check your insights regularly. What days and times are people visiting your page? What type of updates are they engaging with? Do more of those.

9. Schedule posts

Use the Facebook scheduler or an external app like Buffer to schedule updates at your more popular times.

10. Be human

Respond to people who leave comments on your Facebook Page, acknowledge and chat. You really can’t expect people to engage with you if you aren’t prepared to engage back!

Over to you…

Do you have any tips to add to get started using Facebook for local business?