Getting a Vanity URL For Your Facebook Fan Page

Yesterday, I posted a basic guide to getting a quick and dirty Facebook page up for your blog. If you missed it and need help, go check it out.

Today, we’re taking Facebook to the next level: how to get a vanity URL (that’s FancyNancy for “a custom website address”) and how to glam up your Facebook page.

Getting a Vanity URL for Your Facebook Page:

When you set up your Facebook page for your blog, you’re going to see that the website address for the page is long and full of gobbledygook, like this one for Mommy of a Monster:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-of-a-Monster-I-Mean-Toddler-and-Infant-Twins/128606517187068?ref=search&v=wall

Ick. Who can remember that long string of stuff? Well, good news. When your fan page has 25 “fans” or “people who like it,” Facebook will allow you to have a shortened URL.

1. First, go to this Facebook page.

2. You’ll see the screen below.  Select your blog page, put in a name, and check availability.

If your desired name is available, you’ll be issued your vanity URL, which will consist of http://www.facebook.com/[whatevernameyoupicked]. Easy, peasy!

Don’t have 25 fans yet? Well, don’t worry. You’ll get to 25 in no time!

Glam Up Your Facebook Page

The pages on Facebook all start to look the same after awhile. Well, I happened upon a really great FREE tool that makes it super easy to create a really cool “Welcome” tab for your Facebook fan page. Mine looks like this, and it took me all of about 15 minutes.

I used a free service to create this page and it automatically integrates with Facebook. Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to Pagemodo. They have a great video tutorial you can watch right on the home page, but I just jumped right in and clicked Get Started.

2. On the next screen, click Connect with Facebook. (it’s easier than setting up a separate account with Pagemodo). You’ll have to also agree to allow Facebook to connect with this application.

3. Next you’ll be taken to the main PageModo screen. Click Create A New Page. You’ll be taken to a layout page that looks like this:

This is where you get to choose the layout of your Welcome Tab. The right pane shows you a large view of what the tab will look like in Facebook. In the left pane, you’ll see a bunch of different layouts to pick from. Once you’ve decided on a layout, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Continue.

4. Build your page! Next you’ll see the Page Builder screen. This is where you take the chosen layout and populate it with your content and photos. The left pane of the PageBuilder screen allows you to upload photos, change colors, and add text to the text areas of your layout. Each time you add or change something in the left pane, the right Preview pane will show you how it looks. Get creative, play around. It’s really fun! Make sure you scroll all the way down to see all of the different areas of the page you’ll need to fill in.

5. Install to Facebook. At the bottom of the PageBuilder screen, you’ll see a section entitled “Choose Your Subscription.” There are paid options in Pagemodo that let you build more than one page. But it gives you ONE page for free. So simply click on the yellow Personal  – FREE Forever tab. Then click Install to Facebook.

That’s it! You’ve got a glammed-up Welcome Tab on your Facebook page!

If this tutorial was helpful…I’d love a retweet!

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Tagged as: B2SB2B Challenge, facebook, tutorial