Amazing Facebook Applications

The good news is that Facebook Fan Pages are a great social media marketing tool for a small business.

The bad news is that there are millions of fan pages out there.

So what will make your page different?  What will make your Facebook Fan Page stand above the fray?

The answer is one word.  Applications. Wisely implemented, applications will make your Fan Page dynamic, entertaining and irresistible, ensuring you will both attract and retain fans.

There are thousands of Facebook applications so sometimes it is difficult to know which ones to pick.  Below I have listed 16 apps which I will believe can get your fans truly excited about your Fan Page—and YOU! :

1. Static FBML is one of the most powerful applications Facebook provides.  It will help you execute an array of things:

• Customize your tabs
• Add content on your Page
• Make your Page cohesive with your brand
• Help you create a landing page for fans complete with images, links, videos and keyword-rich text
• Generate a separate landing page for non-fans
• Add a shopping area
• Give special offers
• Award coupons
• Post jobs
• Sign up subscribers by creating a tab or sidebar box

The negative side to Static FBML is that to use it properly you need to know HTML, CSS and FBML (Facebook Markup Language).  A couple of examples of Static FBML can be found at Victoria’s Secret or  Montblanc where you land on the Montblanc’s Wish Tree.

2. Twitter for Pages is one way to share your Twitterstream with your fans at your Facebook Page.  This application creates a unique tab for your Twitter stream.

3. Fan Appz includes an array of items including promotions, sweepstakes, polls and coupons.  It even has a gift store with which you can sell brand merchandise.   While you can find all of these sub-applications elsewhere, Fan Appz gives you the convenience of finding them in one place.

4. The Welcome Tab for Pages lets you greet people to your fan page in a customized fashion. Boasting an incredibly easy installation, this application allows you to  tell fans about yourself, your business, your products or upcoming events.  Its best feature is its analytics and metrics which allow you to see who comes to your Welcome tab and whether or not they like it.

5. Page Maps allows you to add a personalized map to your Page.  You can show the location of your company or share the favorite places in your hometown.  You can show a mini-map which links up to directions or a larger map.

6. Eventbrite is another great application well-suited for special events.  Eventbrite will help you publish an event page directly on Facebook with all the details and a link to buy tickets.  Once it is set up, your event will then be promoted through your news feed.

7. My Top Fans helps you understand who are your top fans on your Facebook  Page.  The application calculates who shares with you the most.  You can keep this information to yourself or you can profile your top fans as a “Fan of the Month”.

8. Slide share presentations are a great way to show off your knowledge. This application is integrated with the Linkedin’s Slideshare application.  When you upload a presentation to Linkedin, it will show the same presentation on Facebook (and vice versa).

9. LinkedIn is another must-have application as it hooks your company Page up easily with Linkedin, the world’s biggest business social network.   Installation is very easy. You get to feature a Linkedin button either in a tab or in a box on your sidebar.

10.  Web profiles will let you show off all your other social media profiles.  This is a great way to show your fans where you are on the Social Web and how they can join in on the conversation.

11.  My Countdown lets you countdown, building momentum around product launches or events. .  This application can be customized to match your product or brand’s look.

12.  DivShare is an application devoted to helping you share content with your fans.  This tool allows you to attach images, videos, MP3s , documents or any type of file you can imagine.  You can then post the shared file to your Page, add it to your news feed or share it among a specific group of individuals.

13.  NutshellMail is an exciting tool that can help you create an automated email newsletter to which fans can subscribe.  Your fans can decide when (and what) they receive given their preferences.  This is also a strong conversation starter.

14.  Reviews is a simple application; you can ask your fans to review your blog, your products or services.  Reviews are a powerful way to build business credibility.  Some may feel nervous about this application;   there is no guarantee that your review will be positive.

15.  Poll is a great way to insert a customized poll into your Facebook Fan Page.  Polls are a powerful way to get people involved with your brand. Everyone loves to have an opinion.  The sharing of poll results is always very much appreciated and a great discussion topic.

16.  YouTube Video Box makes video sharing really easy on Facebook fan page.  This application is an impressive way to share your own home-made videos or favorite videos you have found on the Social Web.

– Susan