Facebook has become one of the most popular social media platforms for both private users and businesses in the world. It connects users with friends, family members, customers, and global communities – and is just as much a tool for local businesses as it is for worldwide enterprises.
With that in mind, how do you get on Facebook – and what does it mean to really get on and maximise your presence on Facebook?
Ways to Access the Facebook Platform
The first way to answer this question is by approaching Facebook from an accessibility perspective.
An increasing number of users prefer the Facebook app, accessible via smartphones and other devices. The app connects Facebook to other platforms and tools on your device, including your camera reel and apps like Instagram and WhatsApp – making integrated connectivity incredibly easy.
Alternatively, if you prefer to browse Facebook on a larger screen like a desktop, you can also access Facebook via its website. The layout is slightly different, and you will find differences in how you access Messenger and other tools – but the benefits are much the same.
How to Create a New Account
Now that we know how to open Facebook as a platform, it’s time to look at the account creation process.
As a private user, you simply need an email address and a few basic details to create a Facebook profile. It is important to note that Facebook user guidelines state you can only create an account for yourself and cannot build accounts for animals, objects, or celebrities and other individuals of note.
Once you’ve set up your account with a login and password, you can start to build out your profile – connecting Facebook with your phone contacts (if you’re using the app) as well as using location data and interests to track down friends.
The more groups you join, posts you engage with, and interests you link to your profile, the wider your community will stretch and the better your Facebook experience will be.
Building a Business Presence on Facebook
If you’re keen to explore Facebook as a business user, then you should turn your attention towards the creation of a Page.
To build a page, you will need to have a personal account from which you can manage your page and assign other admin. Once you’re ready with your personal account, simply click on the menu button in the bottom right hand corner of your Facebook screen and select ‘Pages’ from the content block menu. Tap ‘Create’ and you can start building your page – opting for ‘Public Page’ if you want to access professional tools and marketing stats.
The beauty of a page on Facebook is that you can link it directly with your business and use it as a marketing and customer service tool, keeping followers up to date with business announcements.
Reasons to Use Facebook
With so many different ways of “getting on Facebook”, what exactly is it that makes this platform such a valuable tool for users – both private and commercial?
The biggest benefit of Facebook is its reach and the way the platform is designed to connect users with their local community as well as a wider global community should this be their goal.
The platform is geared towards the creation and sharing of great content and allows users to share across Facebook and other apps.
All of this, alongside the simple fact that Facebook values user safety and the curation of a great user experience. Privacy settings are in place to give users as much flexibility over their privacy and audience visibility as they want, while marketing stats and data can be unlocked for those pages and profiles seeking tangible growth.
Getting “on” Facebook is as much about uncovering and identifying the top features of the app as it is about creating a profile or account page in the first place. We hope this article helps you to overcome the first hurdle and determine which part of Facebook is best suited to your needs.
