It’s clear that Facebook has become an essential part of every organization’s marketing plan. However, many businesses are missing out on some great – and free – tools that can improve their Facebook marketing strategy. Facebook apps (formerly known as Facebook tabs) offer fresh and engaging ways to connect with your audience and promote your brand.
What is a Facebook app?
According to Facebook, Facebook apps “are designed to enhance your experience on Facebook with engaging games and useful features. You can use apps to listen to music with friends, share what you’re reading, play games and more.”
What are the best Facebook apps for my business?
There are a number of Facebook apps that businesses can use when looking to launch or improve their Facebook fan pages. With thousands of options to choose from, however, it can be quite overwhelming to know which apps are the must-haves.
Here’s a few of my favorite free Facebook apps by type:
Contact forms
Similar to your website, it’s important to make it as easy as possible for fans to connect with you through your Facebook page. It’s called ‘social networking’ for reason, right?
Blogging / RSS
Rather than setting up an automatic RSS feed to your Facebook page, try using one of these apps to provide a more engaging user interface for your content.
Polls / Surveys
Got questions? Well, Facebook’s got answers! Surveys are a great way to find out what your fans are really thinking. Polls don’t have to be business related – have fun and get creative!
Social Media Promotions
It seems like everyone’s got something to promote these days. Facebook provide its own “Facebook Offers” functionality. From photo contests to sweepstakes, these apps take the cake for social media promotions.
Other Social Networks
Keep your Facebook fans in-the-know about your business by incorporating other social networks into your fan page. These social networks made their own Facebook apps for sharing information across multiple channels.
Video Marketing
As any content marketer can attest, video marketing can easily be your most profitable source of advertising. From YouTube channels to video chats, these applications help to illustrate your brand.
E-Commerce
What better way to monetize your social presence than by incorporating your online store right into your Facebook fan page? Ecwid provides a quick and easy way for customers to access their shopping carts.
Donations
Facebook is a great place to reach out to friends and family. You can make collecting donations a less daunting task by using one of these Facebook apps.
Facebook is a valuable marketing tool and a way to communicate, but there’s only so much you can express in short status updates and text fields. Maximize Facebook for your business by adding apps and tabs to your profile. When done creatively, apps can boost visitor interaction and display your content in an engaging and visual manner. Discover more about Facebook’s latest updates and how graph search will impact marketers in 2013.
What are some of your favorite Facebook apps for your business?