Facebook is an absolute necessity when running a small business given that it is the largest social media network in activity as well as size. A significant percentage of users engage on this platform daily, some of whom market their businesses here. Facebook algorithms and its practices are the only things you need to understand for you to thrive on this platform.
This step-by-step guide will help small businesses set off from the ground.
Why you need Facebook
Despite the Facebook algorithm changes, which has seen most businesses drop, the advantages still exist. Consumers and customers still rely on social media have a high likelihood of finding you through Facebook as compared to other websites. It is also easier to interact on Facebook, especially through the Messenger app, where customers have direct contact as compared to other contact forms. Facebook has a built-in business feature for your company that allows for interactions with customers, bookings, interviews, and appointments directly.
Building a Facebook business page that is top-performing
The following are steps to create a Facebook business Page for a starting small business to capture customers’ attention;
Your “About” information should be completed.
Starters are advised to give sufficient information about their business. Here you should highlight the number of years you have been operating, the number of served customers, and the unique propositions for your business, your business history, including the awards received. This tab helps you sell to those who are new to your business.
The Services tab gives comprehensive services provided by your company. Your contact and location information is also necessary for those using mobile phone gadgets and keeps this information updated.
Choose your Profile Imagery
Your profile picture is probably the first thing people look at on your Facebook page, and therefore, they should be eye-catchy, for example, by using bright colors. Facebook profile pictures should never be crowded. You can use either the company logo or the single businesses can use the owner’s headshots. Besides the profile, upload customer photos and your business’ snapshots to the photo galleries. These assets create an image of customer satisfaction to the visitors.
Use Messenger to provide faster service
Messenger provides direct and instant access to your business for your visitors. Here customers’ concerns are addressed directly, questions are answered, and your business is available for full-time access.
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Pin a CTA button
A call-to-action button gives access to visitors on your page to get in touch with you once they get to your profile.
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Encourage Customer Reviews
Reviews and feedback improve the level of interactions on your Facebook page, and this helps build your business reputation.
Facebook Posts for Small Businesses
Given these few elements of your page, let’s now look at the Facebook content. The following are some of the types of posts a small business should consider.
- Community news and local announcements
Connecting directly with the local community is probably the most significant Facebook benefit for small businesses.
- Industry articles and news
Facebook provides both entertainment and news for most of its users
- Content on humor and memes
Taking a break from your strictly business posts and entertaining your followers will keep them entertained and engaged, and this is a good gesture for the Facebook algorithm.
- Content on Videos and Animations
Facebook believes videos tend to strike most engagement. Videos do not necessarily imply high expenses, and they can be kept simple and still attract more followers.
- Posting question-based content
This creates more engagement with your followers.
- Include tag-a-friend posts
This motivates followers to bring visitors into your News Feed.
- Post your new promotions, products, and specials
Your promotions should be engaging rather than salesy, for example, by using personalized messages and emojis.
- Facebook Ads
Although Ads are becoming a great strategy to reach the target audience by most companies, they require a little bit of more time for small businesses.
Practices for your marketing strategies on Facebook
Here are a few tips to stay on the right side of algorithms and attract more followers
- Schedule the time of your posts for maximum engagement
Identify the time when your audience is active on Facebook and use that time to release your posts, and that way, most people will view your posts and respond accordingly. For small and starting businesses, daily posts are recommended.
- Use links and include compelling captions
External links are not recommended on Facebook; instead, use post links to share your content. In short, let your captions, posts, and links be more engaging.
- Pay attention to your followers
What your customers think about your products and services means a lot for your business on Facebook. Track social activity to get the customers’ overall feelings about your business.
- Give responses to the comments and reviews in time
It shows how attentive you are and how you value your customers. You should make it your routine to respond to concerns, questions, and reviews on your Facebook posts.
- Review your Facebook Analytics
This will show you what content is works out best for you. Your Facebook audience should match your customer personas. For small businesses, your approach to Facebook should be based on data. To determine whether your social followers result in your customers’ website, you should monitor your Facebook Traffic.
- Motivate your close allies and colleagues to share your posts
Your company promotions on Facebook are strongly influenced by employee advocacy. Instead of focusing on a page where reach is limited, sharing among coworkers introduces new audiences and attracts more shares and clicks.
- Create meaningful relationships
Honesty, trust, and being human strengthens any link that you have between you and your customers. When interacting with people on Facebook, don’t be too serious; be real, crack jokes, and establish a rapport between you and your followers.
Using Facebook for small business
The tips provided above cover the basics of creating a Facebook Profile up to marketing your small business on Facebook. No platform exceeds the advantages that Facebook offers for small businesses. The Sprout Social and Copper tools give your followers on Facebook more reason to crowd on your page for more posts.
