When you arrive on a new Facebook business page, that page usually has an iFrames welcome tab. This may be the deciding factor in whether or not your potential fan likes your page or not. It’s important to know how to use this tab, so that you don’t limit your chances of gaining as many fans as you can. Here’s how to properly use your new iFrames tab.
Courtesy of gap.com
What is an iFrames Tab?
iFrames is Facebook’s way of making customizing your business page easier. It’s basically a way for developers to make apps, inside the Facebook platform. Custom welcome tabs are the most popular of these apps. They are used to persuade new visitors to like your page. This is either done with a plain welcome tab, or with a reveal tab – that changes once the fan has liked your page.
A welcome tab usually contains the name of the brand, and a design leading towards the like button at the top – or a please ‘like’ us plea on the page. This initial tab should be in line with your corporate identity, and show a little of your unique flavor. Some of the best iFrames welcome pages also contain video, live links and persuasive text. Remember, the goal is to get that like, as quick as possible.
How Do I Use The iFrames Tab?
Your welcome tab will become your Facebook landing page tab. The easiest way to get one, is to hire a design and development team to create one for you. If you’d rather do it yourself, however – it’s not that difficult.
1) Add the Static HTML: iFrame Tabs app on Facebook.
2) All simple HTML code works in this frame.
3) Copy and paste code, or work up some live text in Dreamweaver.
4) Once you’re done creating your code – copy it into your app.
5) Save and click view as a fan.
You’ll have the option to create another tab – the ‘reveal’ tab, that fans will be able to see once they have liked you. A few enterprising brands have popped some free downloads in there, as a reward. Rewarding your new fans is a great way to begin a relationship with them. Ideally you want them to return, or invite friends to join, so anything you can do to get them on your good side, is a move in the right direction.
There has been a lot of debate whether you should lock certain parts of your Facebook page away from your non-fans. It’s a good idea to keep your wall available to everyone, as it can be a strong selling tool. Fans often want to see if your page has merit before liking it. It’s best to lock down other tabs – exclusive info that’s for fan eyes only. Lock away your wall – and it could scare people off.
To get some ideas on what a great welcome tab looks like, search for other niche businesses and see what they’ve been doing. The common denominators seem to be simplicity, wit or instant appeal because of something hidden that the fan wants to see. Red Bull and Victoria Secret do it best. Good luck!
Which iFrames welcome page do you like the most? Add the URL here, and let’s spread the FB love!
Guys
You have to check out this post on this topic. It’s fabulous!
http://www.incomediary.com/20-best-designed-facebook-fan-pages/#comment-93498
Cheers
Mark
@Mark – Great post, Gary’s Facebook page is definitely one a lot of people can learn from.
Dear SMM, Thank you for sharing this. I have been a little intimidated to tackle a Welcome page, I am glad is is simpler than I thought.
However, I have a question – where is the best place to store the graphic or picture that I may choose to use?
Also, I recently read something about iframe pages needed to refer to sites with SSL certificates. Could you please clarify this? Thank you!
Cheers, Regina
@Regina – Yes you do have to host the images you use on a site – but that’s also easy – the awesome team that created static HTML tabs has also created a free hosting site, that offers it’s users a free SSL certificate. Host your images here, and you won’t have a problem!
I’m not tech-geeky enough to do this on my own. You mention that a “design and development team” can do this for me (and probably any teenager!). We are a VERY small company and don’t have an IT dept. What type of company should I look for to make a welcome page for me?
@Carol – the best advice in this situation is to outsource. The reason why small businesses are able to grow so quickly, is that they use outsourcing platforms like Elance or Odesk to get design and development done according to THEIR budget. If you can only afford $200.00, just post it in the job. Then you’ll be able to choose from a list of companies or freelancers willing to do the work for you. Choose wisely!