How to Create a Custom Tab For Your Facebook Page

Custom tabs are a powerful tool to build your brand, community and engage new and existing supporters. This post is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create a custom tab for your Facebook page and make it your landing page.

On my last post “Creating an Effective Facebook Profile,” I talked about the importance of creating custom tabs on your Facebook page. Custom tabs are a powerful tool to build your brand, community and engage new and existing supporters. By creating a custom tab and making it your landing page on Facebook, you are able to control the initial information new users are presented when they visit your page. From videos, photos and newsletter sign-up forms to ebook downloads, custom tabs are simple to set-up and edit.  On this post, I am going to show you step-by-step how to do just that.

In order to create and add a custom tab to your organization’s Facebook page, you must be an administrator. If you are not sure if you have administrator privileges, go to your organization’s page and look under the main logo (left column). If you see the link “edit page,” then you are an administrator. If you do not see the link, contact the person who set up the page for you and request to be added as an administrator.

TIP: Even if you are not going to create a custom Facebook tab, it is essential that a responsible person inside the organization is listed as an administrator. After all, whoever is administering your page, has complete control over the content and features that are presented to visitors. Yet, it is your organization’s reputation and image that is on the line.

Adding a Custom Tab on Your Facebook Page

Add the Facebook Static FBML application (FBML) to your page. You can do this by clicking on the above link or by typing “FBML” in Facebook search box. Although FBML is Facebook’s mark-up language, you can use HTML as well.

When you click on “add to my page,” a dialog box will ask you to select the page you wish to add Static FBML to. If you are the administrator of more than one page, go ahead and select the page of your nonprofit. In my case, I am the administrator of “Social Media for Nonprofits” so I will click “Add to Page” to the right of that page name. Once you’ve selected “Add to Page,” close the dialog box and return to your page.

Back on your page, choose “Edit Page.”

You will find the FBML under “Applications.” Click on “Edit.”

Start customizing your tab. In the “Box Title” enter the name of the new tab. Content goes on the “FBML” box. Don’t worry if you don’t know FBML. As I mentioned before, FBML allows HTML. So go ahead use HTML complete with images, sign-up forms, etc. In this case, I am going to create a custom tab inviting new visitors to join my page.

Once you are done, click on “Save Changes.” It is that simple! Your custom page is ready. You can always edit or add more later. Now, it’s time to add it to your page (main tabs) and make it your landing page on Facebook.

Go back to your page and click on the plus sign (+), which should be the last tab in the row:

When you click the plus sign, a drop down menu shows a list of all the applications available to add to your tabs. One of the choices should be the “Box Title” you entered when editing the FBML box. Click on it and it will be added to your page. I entered “Welcome” as the “Box Title.” Once I click on it, the new tab “Welcome” will be added to my page.

Rearrange your tabs. Facebook will let you display six tabs at a time. Although you cannot move the “Wall” and “Info” tabs, you can rearrange the order of the other four tabs. For example, I chose to have the “Welcome” tab right after the “Info” tab.

Make your new custom tab your landing page for new visitors (existing fans will be routed to your “wall”). To make your new custom page the default landing page, go to “Wall Settings” (you get there by clicking “Edit Page”), click on “Edit.” For the “Default Landing Tab for Everyone Else” option, select the tab that you have just created.

That’s it! To test your new Facebook landing page, log out of Facebook and then check your profile using the Facebook URL of your organization.

You should land on your new custom tab.

If you liked this post please help spread the word by joining the “HACKINGFREAKS” PAGE on Facebook. Next post, I will be posting some great FBML templates you can use on your new custom Facebook pages.