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In providing support for Facebook through our live chats, we get questions of all types from frustrated Facebook users.  Some are very complex, while some are very easy to answer.  Over time, we will get asked some of the same questions.  Today, we’re writing about one that we get asked quite frequently.  It concerns Facebook Profiles, Facebook Pages, and the differences between them.

Facebook has drawn a pretty solid line differentiating Profiles and Pages.  The difference between them is, quite simply, this.  Profiles are only for individuals and Pages are for businesses.  Any business that has a profile is in violation of Facebook’s TOS and is subject to deletion at any time.

The easiest way to determine if your business has a Profile or a Page is this: Can your business add/have Friends?  If the answer is “yes”, then your business has a Profile and you need to convert it to a Page ASAP.  Profiles and Pages have different features and even some that are exclusive to Profiles.  Here are some of the major highlights between Profiles and Pages:

• Pages have Fans – Profiles have Friends
• Pages cannot invite Friends.  As mentioned above, if your business has Friends, then it needs to be converted to a Page.  You can do that here.
• Pages have limited access to their Fans’ profiles.  Profiles have a greater access to their Friends’ profiles.
• Pages are allowed to post Status updates just like Profiles are
• Pages are allowed to post pictures, videos, links, and answer questions on discussion boards

Why should your business have a Page?  Well, first and foremost, because Facebook says you need to.  Facebook’s terms of service clearly define what a Profile is for and what Pages are for.  If your profile gets shut down for violating this, your friends list goes away too.  Here are a few other reason your business should have a Page.

• Facebook Insights

Facebook Insights offer some very useful data concerning your page and your page’s visitors.  Data includes the number of likes and comments you receive, how viewers found your page, and the demographics of your fans.

• “Like” Buttons

Facebook offers different versions of their familiar “Like” button that you can embed onto your website or blog.  This is something that Profiles don’t offer.

• Pages Can Have Unlimited Number of Fans

Profiles can’t have more than 5,000 friends.  Pages are unlimited to the number of fans and “Likes” they can have.  Some popular national brands have fans numbering in the multi-millions.

If your business or organization needs assistance in converting your Profile to a Page, or, if you do not have a Page and want it designed and set up by professionals who are experienced in Facebook and graphic design, contact us.  We will be more than happy to set up an initial consultation to determine your needs.