Custom Facebook tabs can help you deliver a better social media experience to your fans. Basically, these tabs are nothing but your regular Facebook apps, which over time, have evolved.
You don’t have to be intimidated by the new changes in FB’s layout either; for most part, they do not make the task of creating custom tabs challenging. We’ll show you how to go about it, in step-by-step format, so you can try it as you read on, or bookmark this page to try out tab creation at a later time.
#1: Log in and authorize. Go to https://developers.facebook.com/apps and log in with your current Facebook details. As a first-timer, you will be asked to authorize the developer tools, something you can do in a matter of few seconds. To do this, you will need to type your mobile phone number, upon which you will receive a code. Use this code for authorization, and you’re all set to move on!
#2: Start creating your app. Once you’re done with #1 above, you will be able to see a ‘Create New App’ button on the right hand side of the page. Click on this – a dialog box asking for ‘App Name’ and ‘App Namespace’ will appear on screen.
The App Name is just a readable name while the App Namespace is like a unique identity for your app. In the screen shot below, you can see that we have named the app as ‘New Tab’ and added ‘newwtab’ as the app namespace.
#3: App information and image. The next step is to fill in the basic information, such as contact email, your website’s URL, the tab name you prefer (‘Godot’ or ‘New Tab’). Keep the Sandbox Mode disabled.
You will also be adding the URL of the web page that will be pulled into the tab page in the Inline frame/iframe, as well as its secure page tab location (without this, your page content won’t be visible to users opting for secure browsing).
Upload a suitable graphic in the ‘Page Tab Image’ box. Make sure it is 111×74 pixels in size.
#4 Upload to your Facebook page
To upload your custom app to your Facebook page, you have to paste a URL given below into your browser, in a modified form. That is, replace ‘APP’ with your app id and ‘URL’ with your site url. To get this information, you can look at the app’s summary tab.
Upon finishing this, a dialog box will pop up, asking you to choose the Facebook pages on which you want your newly-created custom tab to appear. You will then be able to see your new tab on the chosen FB page(s).
Are FB custom tabs a good change? With Timeline came custom page tabs, allowing you to add 111×74 pixel images for greater clarity as opposed to the previous single-line text and favicon. In fact, this is one of the benefits that Facebook’s Timeline has brought with it – the extra space to work with your custom tabs.
The greater width means that you can now explore more design options. This in turn can help you identify a design that complements your custom tab. Under the cover image of your FB Timeline, you can feature three tabs with names and images. This gives you an opportunity to focus on anything you are trying to sell/promote, such as events, specials, new product, contests, etc.
Using Facebook tabs to market your brand. Now that you’ve understood how to go about creating custom tabs on Facebook, here’s a look at how you can use them to market your brand effectively.
One idea you can explore is accommodating all your Facebook contests under your newly created custom tabs on top of the timeline.
Bring out announcements prominently by using a striking image and putting the spotlight on your contests. You can just swap out the tab images with each passing contest. This apart, you can use the custom apps for different calls to action such as (a) liking your Facebook page (do this without going against FB’s policies) (b) participating in a promotion or making a purchase (c) visiting your website and (d) experiencing your brand.
To get results from your custom tabs, you can try a few tactics. First, decide which tab you want to drive most traffic to – this will be your most important tab, one that has the potential to deliver the best results.
Once you have zeroed in on this, link directly to the app as much as you can.
This means linking to it from your website, blog and other social media networks on which you have a presence. A good option is to shorten the url using Bit.ly instead of using the full, lengthy one. Bit.ly will also give you the click statistics, telling you where fans are trickling in from.
Add an attractive call to action, but with care! Even as you link directly to your custom app, many people will land on your Facebook page. Display your custom app on top of your FB page. Make sure that the thumbnail you use for it is eye-catching and click-worthy.
It is also important that you name the thumbnail appropriately; for instance, if you’re giving away a discount or a free gift, add a catchy call-to-action like ‘grab your free gift now’ or ‘huge discount for limited time.’ However, keep in mind Facebook’s rules when adding a call-to-action for your Timeline cover. For instance, you cannot invite people to ‘like’ your page in exchange for a free gift.
You can also consider creating posts that link to your custom tab, every few weeks. This will encourage new users to see what your offer is all about and prompt your present fans to act on it. Solicit your fan’s opinions on your offers and keep the conversation going with questions, feedback and other requests. If you do not have the in-house resource for creating blog and social media posts, you can hire a writer for a top-notch output.
There are many Facebook custom app creation tutorials online. If you want, you can also look for an app that helps you simplify the process of creating custom Facebook tabs. It also helps to look at a few custom tabs from leading brands, for inspiration and ideas!
About the author. Jessica Davis is a Content Strategy Specialist with Godot Media. She has years of experience in working closely with online businesses, helping them refine their marketing strategy through optimum use of content. She works closely with other blog writers at Godot Media.
View Comments (32)
Jamie, there are also lots of great 3rd party app companies that will let you build custom apps for your Facebook page. I'm currently using Heyo for one client, and iWipa is another one that's free. What do you think is the benefit of adding the custom app in the way you described in your blog?
Hi, Karen -- Thanks for letting us know about the options out there (in addition to Godot). Your question about the benefit is a good one and the simple answer is two-fold: 1) It creates deeper engagement with your fans, and 2) It can be a differentiator from your competition. Great question -- spot on. Keep 'em coming!
Jamie, I feel another essential benefit is branding. Unless you can afford to white label, 3 party apps require you showcase their brand and link in a highly visible area. To use 3 party apps or not to use 3rd party apps depends of your or your client's goals and budget as well as you creating an environment for repeat business and residual income.
Good point, Taylor Adams. I'm glad you mentioned that. It's a nuance, but an important one. Thanks for sharing!
yeah...but i would rather work 1 hour instead of paying them a monthly subscription for a simple tab. if i use the tab for one brand for 1 year...the value i get for that hour of work is $100+ this is why i personally hate 3rd party apps...they are just greedy.
The one I'm using for one of my clients is only $42 per year. I think that's worth less than 1 hours of my time. And look how great the app looks: https://www.facebook.com/JoeyReimanPurpose/app_102068836552678
Thanks for chiming in on this question, Karen. I was hoping you'd see it. You have more expertise on this kind of stuff than I do, so I appreciate your contribution!
I previously was able to create and upload custom tab images but now I get an error message saying "The image you are trying to upload are invalid. It may be corrupt, of wrong file format or the wrong size." I've tried changing sizes, formats, everything, even tried to upload an image that I successfully used in the past. It's frustrating that Facebook offers no help desk. Any thoughts or advice on how to get help? I know it's not just me. Other people have said they're having the same problem.
try jpeg...i had the same problem, changed the format and it worked.
I actually had to put my photo into Paint, and resize it in there. No matter how many times i tried to resize in other softwares, it wouldn't upload.
I tried that, too, and it still didn't work (sigh). Getting frustrated.
Hang in there, ShariS. I know it's a challenge. It just took me 3 hours to set-up my wife's email account on Outlook. Technology is a blessing ... and a curse!
Keep trying different formats and, hopefully, something will work.
Have you found any solutions? I am having the same issue.
Having same error message. Tried everything.
Hi, Shari. I agree with Doru -- try a jpg and that should solve the problem. Let us know if that works! Thx.
Unfortunately, that didn't work. Most of the images I've been trying (for days and days) have been .jpg files. None will upload.
can i make this work with HTTPS?
Hi, Doru -- I don't actually know the answer to that question. You've got me stumped. Perhaps one of our other community members knows. No matter what, if you track down the answer, please feel free to come back and share it with us.
Cheers,
Jamie
what i meant is get it to work for people with https...
tried shared ssl certificate still nothing...
the cheapest i could find was from Hostgator $50 + $2/month...but i still consider it expensive considering the goal is just a facebook tab.
Hmmm...i don't see an "app summary tab," so where do i find the URL??
Found it! :)
Glad you found it, Steph!
Cheers,
Jamie
Can I do this for friends or clients, or would I need to use their Facebook login to add the info?
Hi, Pete -- You'd need to use your client's Facebook login to do this.
Good luck!
-- Jamie
Where would I find the app’s summary tab
Hi Steve --
I believe you go to Apps --> Demo Tab, There should be a summary with your App ID and Site URL
Hope that helps!
If you have a lot of Facebook Tabs to create, try using Heyo's tab builder software. Easy to use, templates are available, and it can also build mobile apps and websites. Great for social media companies because it can also be whitelabeled. http://zfer.us/pVrGm
Thanks, Trevor. We're fans of Heyo. Much appreciated!
I just can´t get over the first stept...I didn´t receive any confirmation code on my phone...and I´m trying for 2 days. Any suggestions?
It really isn't that difficult to create a custom social media tab or profile IF you have the right graphic design software. If you aren't confident the look will be designed well hire a professional team like http://www.storytapmedia.com
"To upload your custom app to your Facebook page, you have to paste a URL given below...."
Where is this URL?
Hi Craig -- Thanks for your question about the URL. That seems to be missing. Apologies. That said, this is a post written in 2013, so I'm not sure the techniques outlined here would still work on the new Facebook dashboard. My suggestion would be to go to Facebook Help and search for the same topic there. That should give you updated information. I hope that helps. Cheers, Jamie