Should My Business Be On Facebook?

It seems like everyday we hear of someone creating a Facebook profile and connecting with a long lost friend on Facebook. It sounds blissful and easy but often times I am asked, for an individual or business what is the benefit to this social networking site and is it right for my company?

There are 150 million people on Facebook and it happens to be one of the top 10 Web 2.0 applications and social networking sites in the world. Like most great things it began as a social experiment and was intended to help friends keep in touch. It still does this but for years it was mostly college students that used this application but it has expanded into all age groups of adults.

Members of Facebook can upload pictures, search for friends, leave a message on profiles of others. The problem we all might be familiar with is the type of information that college students and teens were uploading and the repercussions that this had. Videos, photos and comments can go viral and spread. This taught us all a lesson on just how the internet is not private and has to be used with caution.

As previously mentioned, Facebook has fanned out to be more than just for a teen or college student. Businesses can use it for networking, connecting with other businesses and targeting potential customers. Using Facebook applications that are developed to brand a company, having discussions with customers, posting coupons, deals, incentives and the list goes on.

The plus, it is free for business owners to create a profile and to communicate with customers they can create a Fan Page under their business name. Every registered member gets their own home page to create a profile and become friends with others they trust. With Fan pages a business creates a page for their business name and others can become a fan to stay up to date with the company, show support, post comments and questions.

Entrepreneurs can use their Facebook profile to tell others all about themselves. Many times, businesses never really have a chance for potential clients to learn more about the person or people who run the business. More focus is put on advertising, growing the business and promoting its products or services. With a social networking page on social sites like Facebook, customers and other business associates get a chance to find out about the person behind the business.

Anyone can join or create a group on Facebook. These groups bring together like minded people according to business, personal, or other social factors. Groups talk to one another; share business tips and create a useful connection in many different ways.

Businesses use Facebook pages to showcase products or give customers a place to ask questions and record comments about the products they have used. They can talk to each other and compare notes. Big businesses with famous brand names use Facebook to gain insights into consumer trends. It may be free but all businesses using Facebook to communicate and listen to their consumers have to spend time and money to do so. Need help with this, the 3 Green Angels have you covered!