How to Create a Facebook Business Page

Social networking in this day and age is essential to businesses. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to create a business page on the new Facebook.

1. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
2. Select Local Business and choose the type of local business. Insurance agencies can select Professional Service.
3. Enter the name of the Agency. It's best to enter the name of the Agency rather than a slogan or catchphrase, it makes it better for branding in the long run.
4. Review the Facebook Terms and check the box to agree.
5. Click Create Official Page
6. Select whether or not you have a personal Facebook page. It is more advantageous if you have a personal page, as Facebook allows a lot more capabilities for Page Administrators who have personal accounts.
7. If you do have a personal page, you will be asked to login.
8. If you do not have a personal page then type in your email address.
9. Enter your password.
10. Enter your date of birth.
11. Enter the Captcha form – to make sure you’re human.
12. Review the Facebook Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and check the box to agree.
13. Click Sign up Now!
14. Facebook asks that you confirm your email address. Login to your email and click on the link to complete registration.
15. Your page has been created!

Now that you have completed the basics, it’s time to customize your page. It’s crucial that you fill out as much information as you can to gain trust from your customers. Fill in the Basic and Detailed Info, as well as adding pictures to your profile. This can be a picture of yourself or your agents. A people picture is more favorable to a logo or storefront, as this builds trust with the potential customer and makes your agency more accessible and personable.  Be sure to add a succinct description in the box under the profile picture.

For Advanced Users
Add the Static FBML application. It stands for Facebook Markup Language which is Facebook’s version of HTML. Unfortunately you can only add the application if you have a personal page. Click on the link to Add to My Page. You will be able to add simple formatting like bold and italics, and you can also add anchor text.

And there you have it, a comprehensive guide to creating a Facebook page.

Additional Resources

• Facebook Page Help
• Business Page Tips from Facebook
• Give your Facebook Business Page a Username
• How Facebook boosts Rankings
• Set up Automatic Tweeting from your IWB website
• Link Facebook with Twitter 
• Comprehensive Facebook Page information
• Social Media and the Insurance Industry
• Getting started with Facebook for Your Business.