So last night I started playing around with our Facebook page to try and create something of added value by using some of the applications that have already been created for Facebook. I must say it was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life as the whole process of finding and installing is about as painful as pulling teeth. The one thing that I would say is that used correctly they can change the whole dynamic of the page and make your page far more engaging and sticky for your fans. The trend of the day is to build custom Facebook applications but these are expensive and usually more suited to large brands with bigger marketing budgets so for those of you out there just trying to spice your page up a little by using what is out there for free here is our list of Facebook applications that will liven up your Facebook fan page…
Top Apps For Facebook Fan Pages
Ustream
This is one of the most interactive and popular video streaming apps on the web and the integration on Facebook through this application allows you to broadcast live to your fans with increased interaction all happening from within your Facebook page.
Flash Player
This Application really lets you do pretty much whatever you want using flash as one of the tabs on your page. Simply install the application and upload a flash file as desired and matching their guidelines and you’ll be able to brighten up your page considerably.
Slideshare
For those of you sharing your presentations and wanting to show off your knowledge after an event why not install the Slideshare application to your Facebook page and allow your fans not only to view your slides but also to interact with them in a whole new way through Facebook
Skype
A very simple but effective Skype application for Facebook that allows you to integrate your skype credentials and let your network of fans reach you using the popular free calling service. You can also start group calls within your network and use a ton of other social features built around this really useful application.
Testimonials
It is always great to have testimonials (as long as they are positive) for your business and this app allows you to collect them on your page on Facebook and show them off there for all your Facebook fans to see. The beauty of seeing testimonials like this is that people will see that they are from genuine Facebook users and the trust factor will be huge meaning that they are more likely to contact you and do some business.
This is the official Twitter application on Facebook and as you would expect you can import your tweets automatically and have them display on your Facebook fan page with a few customization options. Probably more useful for the light user of Twitter who only wants the odd tweet to appear cross platform.
Fairly simple but effective application that shows off you Linkedin info in a box and allows users to connect with you. A good way of moving people who are more serious about connecting rather than viewing your information and connecting on the more business orientated Linkedin.
YouTube
This is one of the most popular and useful applications on Facebook that will allow you to pull in either your own videos or if you don’t have any a play list related to your page or your business.
My Documents
Works in very much the same way as Google Docs does but this application allows you to upload documents, photos and files from your computer so as you can share with your fans through your Facebook fan page.
Delicious
The popular bookmarking site delicious has an application for Facebook that allows users to pull their bookmarks in to Facebook automatically and display them as they see fit. A great way of keeping your Facebook page up to date with great content as you find it on the web without even having to go to your page.
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Ilike and Reverbnation applications for Facebook are really great for bands/artists fan pages …
Yeah cheers for those. It will be interesting to see if there will be a huge migration of bands over to Facebook from Myspace now that the numbers are on the dwndle. My guess is that there will be as they will have to go where the eyeballs are!
Thanks for the great list. What are your thoughts on RSS feeds, I use NetworkedBlog and it works but sometimes slow.
Well I am a little split on it TBH. We used to pull our posts in to facebook but there more I thought about it the more I wanted people to actually be reading them here on the blog and interacting here rather than on Facebook. There are some very good uses for it if you get it right but there is nothing worse than somebody who just uses RSS to populate their Facebook page, I think it gets boring very very quickly!
Thanks for sharing Niall. I would definitely include “Static FBML” to include customized tabs and HTML into your page.
Yeah I had it in there but then realized I had one too many! You are right though Fred that it is crucial for people trying to do something innovative with their Facebook page. I was pitching this list at non techie people though who could just install something simple and not have to be too techie
Makes sense man
Hmmm… Facebook is something I’ve just been using the basics. I’ve been wanting to create a fan page for people to join for my lifestyle development blog. This is actually something I’ve been putting off because 1. I don’t know how to do it and 2. I get bogged down in other blogging chores.
Maybe I can start looking into this a bit more and using it to direct readers to my blog?
Jason there are tons of guides on here on how to get your Facebook page set up. Looks like you are creative by looking at your own design so you should have no problem getting the most out of Facebook! Will defo help you build a little bit of a relationship with your readers and build community!
Brilliant, thanks! In the middle of creating a fanpage myself. Nearly pulled out all my hair lastnight trying to figure out that static FBML malark… Thanks for the useful info… btw, i uploaded the Twitter and Linkedin app which worked well, however the Linkedin is showing in my profile rather than on my Fan page.. any insight?
Thanks,
Susan Heslington
Also, here is a useful site full of FB Fanpage apps that i found:http://www.involver.com