Facebook Fanpages. What is the best tool to create them?

12 years ago

Hi

I use headway theme to create customised wordpress blogs, and this can be used for building customised facebook pages - there are a number of tutorials which show you how to build app and then syncronise this with blog, using the facebook iframes format.

headway does cost more than a $100.

You will probably also need some kind of photo editing tool. GIMP is free and I use the free version of xheader for creating customised header graphics.

Thanks

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Rob Richards

12 years ago

There are a ton of ways to put up a FB Fan page using the new i-frame platform. You've mentioned a couple and I just wanted to add one more.

This one is:

1. free (not even hosting is required)
2. easy
3. quick

Really.

The only drawback is that the html (that info which is shown on the Fan Page through the i-frame) is hosted by someone else. Now this may not be a biggie for 98% of offliners making Fan Pages for local businesses, but for those who want full control over 100% of the site, it may be.

I built a Fan Page in less than 10 minutes, that includes the 2 step "Reveal" function using a free app from a company called Involver. Their blog says they power over 250,000 apps.

Involver Blog: The Web's Most Trusted Social Marketing Platform

This may not be for everyone, but definitely will fit the bill for some.

Hope that helps.

Rob

Originally Posted by buddy7

I know there a few different methods for creating facebook fanpages for offline customers. What is the best tool to create them? A wordpress blog? Something that can use html 5 like facebook maxed? Artisteer or another html editing tool?

Four requirements for the tool:
1. Reasonably priced (hopefully under $100)
2. Easy to learn
3. Can create pages quickly
4. Makes good looking pages.

In effect I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too. Anyone know the best way to make that happen?

All the best.

I am going for a swim and want to make my first iframe fanpage when I get back so please let me know your thoughts. :-)

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buddy7 12 years ago

Thanks Rob. I tried out the involver apps and maybe I missed something but I was looking for something that would let me design and not have to have the straight html. Do they have a design tool that I missed? -Buddy
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oda

12 years ago

Go to the WSO forum and take a look there,
You have many options depending on your needs and they are excellent products.

Personally recommend

Martin Crumlish
Justin Wheeler
David Cisneros

Martins product even includes sales training and everything.

Personally own all these for my business and use whats appropriate for the client, for a quick $150 use a them, for a bigger client into martins stuff, like multi page fan pages.

Really good stuff

ODA

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buddy7 12 years ago

Thanks Oda,

I do have Martin and David's WSO's and they are both excellent. I was actually looking for something to create sites long term and to be able to market to multiple restaurants in the same city etc so I wanted to have a tool to create a bunch of different sites and not just be stuck with a few templates. Though I guess with a different graphic and a different color you can make one template look like a 1000.

-Buddy
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- buddy7 12 years ago
  
  I tried homestead.com which will actually host the sites for you which John Durham recommends for his website creation but they don't have an easy way to get the sites down to 520 so you are doing a lot of manual resizing. I am downloading the artisteer program as well that was recommended in the WSO but my download speeds are fairly slow here in Thailand. :-)
  
  Thanks
  
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Nathan Alexander

12 years ago

Hey Buddy I think we're looking for the same thing—skills we currently don't possess. I think it comes down to graphic design skills (talent, ability), layout design skills and coding skills.

Why? Because facebook is just the media, great web design is the object. Any "good" web design guy can put something together, and then with the skills we have we could put that onto facebook.

I totally agree with you, I want it all too, and I'm still looking. Although I must say Dave's and Martin's WSO's have certainly opened my eyes and given me a huge lead.

But man, I'd just love to be able to just "whip something up" but that's beyond me skill-set so far, and I debate all day long these days with myself about how much more time I should be investing in learning these skills when I should be marketing my business instead.

You're probably like me, you want to know how to do it (with a tool or without) so you have complete control over look, feel, everything. I just wish I had started web stuff years ago.

But ultimately, there is a balance I'm still trying to find between doing this stuff for myself (learning it all) and building off the work already done by others.

So that's a long answer…sorry. But I totally hear you. On the other hand, I really enjoy learning and I really enjoy making these pages. It'd be nice to know just "that much more" to do what I think you're getting at, and have real freedom to design things with a lot more flexibility than currently seems to be available to people like us that lack some of those creative skills.

Thanks
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buddy7 12 years ago

I think you are right, Nathan. At this point I am actually looking for something that I can outsource as a tool but I want to find something that I think will work fairly easily for others.
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pplicon

12 years ago

May I suggest that you check out fanpage engine. I've used them on 2 pages now, and they're great.

Thanks
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buddy7 12 years ago

Thanks pplicon,

I actually had seen there page before and assumed there was going to be a huge monthly fee. I clicked on it saw all of the different packages and clicked off before looking closely. I'll have to take a look at it and see if it fits what I am trying to do.

Thanks again,
Buddy
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timmykins

12 years ago

Have a look at Peter Maxwell's Wordpress for Fan Pages in the WSO forum (http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...page-tabs.html), it's really easy to set up.

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daddykool

12 years ago

Wordpress + 5 mins hard work + Some uber PLR sales graphics = the best (and most cost effective!) way!

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buddy7 12 years ago

daddykool,

Do you have an example of a site or two that you have created that way?

Danke,

Buddy
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- affirmwealth 12 years ago
  
  I've been trying to figure out the answer to this question myself, and I'm giving myself a headache in the process.
  
  So far the options I have found are:
  
  1. templates that you edit and host on your own server (like FB Maxed)
  2. apps that sometimes let you host the files on their server and usually charge a monthly fee in exchange for removing their link from the bottom of your site.
  3. Pre-made facebook templates that you edit and host but can only use once unless you purchase a developers license (like Active Den)
  4. creating the design yourself and hosting the files on your own server, like by using Artisteer.
  
  Last night was actually quite educational. I found some really professional looking templates using flash at (www dot activeden dot net) (not an affiliate link).
  
  The prices are affordable enough that you could easily charge a client $500 and then take $20 out to purchase a professional looking template like one of these. I'm thinking of buying one for my own fan page and then offering my services from there. I can ask for higher prices since these sites look so professional.
  
  I also really liked the facebook apps like MicroApps, AppBistro, and ShortStack. They produce some of the most professional Fan pages I've seen (www dot miproapps dot com slash index slash showcase)
  
  Except I don't know how to design the background graphics. For someone who knows Photoshop, I think the Facebook apps are a really nice option.
  
  Finally, I found out that even Wix lets you design FB templates (www dot wparena dot com slash wix).
  
  I'm also leaning towards using Artisteer with the Like/Reveal option (if that's possible), and having the client host the files on their own server.
  
  I'm uneasy about paying monthly for a subscription that I would be stuck with forever because all my client's templates are hosted there. I want to be able to cancel if at a later date I decide that I don't want to use that service anymore.
  
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mogema

12 years ago

Buddy

I bought Peter Max's Wordpress theme for fanpages and it super simple to use. I was doing the coding myself before i bought it but it just becomes time consuming.

It is definitely worth a look, easy to work with and easy to customize

Just search for Peter.max and you'll find it.

Richard

Thanks

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MarketingJessie

12 years ago

Buddy drop me a line at jessie @ yeahcpa.com when you have a chance? I would like to talk to you about some stuff.

Thanks

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pressinface

12 years ago

Buddy,

I have developed my own WP theme that I just released on WSO. Search pressinface and you will see it. I am selling it for $15, in which the installation instructions alone are worth the money if you are looking how to install multiple WP themes under one domain name. To see a live version, go to Facebook / pressinface

You can also look into Lujure. They have what is called an Assembly which is pretty slick. Again, it is another company that is putting together some pretty neat tools for Fan Pages.

Just a tip for both you and everyone actually. Everyone talks 520, but really that is not accurate. Facebook built the area for 520px and that is what everyone was building for before the iframe framework, BUT what people do not realize is that includes the 20px inner scroll bar for content that is over 600px high. If you have a 520px site, you may get 20px of content cut off.

You can also look at a site called iframetab, which has a really nice CMS, involves no hosting, but is $13 a month.

Thanks
1 reply

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affirmwealth

12 years ago

Originally Posted by pressinface

You can also look at a site called iframetab, which has a really nice CMS, involves no hosting, but is $13 a month.

Thanks for letting us know about iframetab...I really like them and want to know if they allow resellers. I've emailed their support so we will see.

Thanks
1 reply

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buddy7

12 years ago

Entertize,

I would be really interested in finding out if fanpage engine allows you to host your own pages with their software. Please let me know.

Thanks,
Buddy

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Entertize

12 years ago

Originally Posted by buddy7

Entertize,

I would be really interested in finding out if fanpage engine allows you to host your own pages with their software. Please let me know.

Thanks,
Buddy

Buddy,
They said no. They will have to host the pages on their server which I really don't understand because they have non-developer options in which you can purchase the engine without the hosting. I think its more of a revenue thing than an inability to do it. Which really sucks! But I suppose if I turn around and charge each of my clients 5 or 10 bucks a month to host their pages then its not such a bad thing. I just didn't want to have to rely on their servers when I have my own.

Thanks
1 reply

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buddy7

12 years ago

Crap! I got all stoked that wix could be used for facebook fanpages. I found out they even have a couple of templates specifically for fanpages. I spent some time this morning creating my site and was already thinking about how I could train someone to make sites with their service. Then I went to upgrade and found out there unlimited plan doesn't mean unlimited websites. It's $10 at the cheapest to have their ads removed for each site. Bummer.

I think I'll go back to using the templates that I got from WSO's and then look for a good tool or wordpress theme that I can use over and over in the future.

Thanks
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smartsites 12 years ago

Plus WIX is flash and flash requires you to click to start it so it's not really a great solution in my opinion.
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- affirmwealth 12 years ago
  
  Does anyone know...
  
  When creating an application, can you only use it for one thing?
  
  Meaning, let's say that I already have an app that I used to create a fan page.
  
  Now I want to add some more functionality to my fan page.
  
  Do I need to create a new app? Or can I use the same app I already have?
  
  Thanks
  
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Donna Hamer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by buddy7

Crap! I got all stoked that wix could be used for facebook fanpages. I found out they even have a couple of templates specifically for fanpages. I spent some time this morning creating my site and was already thinking about how I could train someone to make sites with their service. Then I went to upgrade and found out there unlimited plan doesn't mean unlimited websites. It's $10 at the cheapest to have their ads removed for each site. Bummer.

I think I'll go back to using the templates that I got from WSO's and then look for a good tool or wordpress theme that I can use over and over in the future.

The great fan page debate of what to use - I have bought many WSO on this forum for fan pages. Why, cause I am a junkie and love to learn and more particularly I am like you, trying to figure out what is the easiest and most effective way to create fan pages for clients that don't require huge amounts of time and effort.

So this is what I can share so far. You can either use a free app in Facebook and add your content to them OR use your own software and set up the developer app. Setting up your own is by far the harder of the two - but like anything once you have done it once or twice .. it gets easier.

Here are 3 free apps in facebook (1) Tab App (2) Static HMTL: iframe app and (3) TabEdit all great solutions for creating fantastic landing pages. One is more advanced than the other and one adds "their logo" at the bottom but all worth consideration.

If you choose to go down the path of creating your own - this allows you the ability to become very creative in what you can offer your clients.

I love Dave C's - WSO using Artisteer and I am currently redoing my page (I should be doing that and not typing this !!) because I want the ability to make it unique to me.

As I am a huge lover of wordpress - I also liked what Peter Maxwell has done. He has updated those templates and turned them into a plugin giving you loads more options.

If you are doing a basic landing tab with a graphic .. then using the free apps above is a quick and easy solution.

If you are doing an more advanced page for your clients then I would say ... go for the plugin or wordpress theme solutions - its a learning curve but well worth it in the end.

From what I am seeing, people are becoming very creative with wordpress adding all sorts of plugins which then make their page very interactive in Fb. Is it producing more results? (I don't know) but facebook is definitely trying to encourage more business to business so only time will tell.

If I can help you more - join my community and drop me a message on the wall.

Cheers Donna

Ps - I will be back and edit the post once I have finished my updated page and tell you how I found using Artisteer (so far I am liking it) and if you can use Microsoft word it doesn't seem a whole lot different.

Thanks
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buddy7 12 years ago

Thanks Donna,

I never did try out Artisteer because I have been using my mac and haven't unpacked my pc yet. I would be interested to know how it works for you.

-Buddy
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- affirmwealth 12 years ago
  
  Here is a Facebook Page that I created in Artisteer:
  
  WordPress Custom Theme For Pages | Facebook
  
  Not fantabulous, but it was my first attempt.
  
  From this experience I have since learned that really any website can be turned into a Facebook Page as long as it is no more than 507 px wide and 800 px long.
  
  Unless I'm missing something, this tells me that even old Facebook templates that were initially coded for FBML can still be used as long as you resize them and then upload the files to your own server.
  
  So probably some extra coding involved, but it can be done.
  
  As I continue to create new types of Fan Pages, I think this will all begin to make sense.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  affirmwealth 12 years ago
  
  Hey, if anyone is curious, here's a demo of the new Like Vault that Martin Crumlish (sp?) put out.
  
  My second custom fan page.
  
  Like Reveal Fan Page Demo | Facebook
  
  What do you think?
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  buddy7 12 years ago
  
  The reveal page is awesome. The video is blocked here in Thailand but it really does look great. I passed on that particular WSO because I haven't implemented enough of what I had but it looks great. -Buddy
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
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  findjohn 12 years ago
  
  I have been using lujure for a few weeks now.
  
  It is expensive at $195 month for the white label unlimited edition.
  
  Creating pages is fast and the client interface is very good.
  
  However, it is hosted on their servers.
  If you stop the monthly subscription all of your pages disappear.
  
  I am investigating John Leonards WSO here using wordpress http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ncluded-3.html
  
  Lujure's highlights are that there is no coding. All drag and drop widgets.
  The difficulty is the background images, graphics and resizing. I have limited skills in these areas so am not getting the most out of the product.
  
  If anyone has any experience with lujure alternatives would love to hear about it.
  
  Thanks
  
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  affirmwealth 12 years ago
  
  Thanks for the feedback.
  
  I'm new at Fan Pages so I'm just excited that I was able to follow the instructions and get it working.
  
  As far as a Lujure alternative, I know I saw some cheaper ones that let you white label. Surely the price of the Lujure is the highest I've seen.
  
  Thanks
  
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Drewry_Media

12 years ago

I didn't know nowadays a person needed a tool to create a Facebook page. Is there any specific reason as to why they need a tool to create a Facebook fan page, when someone can do it themselves directly from their Facebook account? I'm just not understanding completely. That's all...

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buddy7 12 years ago

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for the ideas. I'll take a look at the options. I was trying to update a template I bought the other day from a WSO and even with hiring a graphic designer to update the header on fiverr I realized I didn't want to be doing that each time so I am still checking out options. I'll let everyone know where I land.
Again thanks for all the ideas on this thread.

@Drewry_Media We are talking about graphically pleasing fan pages that look way better than a typical fanpage like facebook.com/coke or facebook.com/redbull or that has you sign up for a mailing list before you can see content like facebook.com/stopslavery. This allows us to sell them to business owners. Hope that helps.

-Buddy
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Entertize

12 years ago

I am looking for the same thing and came across fanpage engine. I wanted the white label developer option since I will be using it also for clients pages but they want an $11/month hosting fee. Though its not a lot of money, I don't want to host my pages or my clients pages on someone elses servers. I have a dedicated domain that I can use specifically for the hosting of the social media pages and it is appropriately named so socially networked. I have asked about this and am still waiting for a response. I will come back and update with what I find out about it.

Thanks

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Philwil

12 years ago

What I do is use photoshop and dreamweaver to create my fanpages, I used to play around with photoshop before as a hobby. Wasn't a pro or anything but now those skills have become handy =D

My first real customized fan page demo facebook.com/pages/Club-Rain-Demo/194816723884428

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AdBankPro

12 years ago

Hi guys. I'm the developer of FBMaxed and I was reading through all the posts here. I'm curious what features are most important to you.

I designed our product so that no one would be stuck in a monthly fee...and yes, there are only a few templates to choose from, but many more (including WP themes) coming down the pipeline.

I'm really debating if a monthly subscription for new templates would be feasible...We have designers on staff who are ready, willing, and able to develop html and WP themes for us every month. My question is whether or not I can keep them fed.

Any thoughts, please share on our FB page: FBMaxed | Facebook

Thanks

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Facebook Fanpages. What is the best tool to create them?

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