Being Ready for Facebook Timeline

[engine]

I've seen a few Facebook Timeline pages and I have to admit, it looks awful.

I chose not to convert over when it was being tested, and now it's coming to all of us [webmasterworld.com] whether we like it or not. I suppose it'll take time to get used to it, but it doesn't mean i'll like it.

One day i'll wake up to the seven-day window where I can edit the information that I wish wasn't there. It'll be one of the first things i'll do.

Second thing i'll do is to go an check the privacy settings. I'm pretty sure I have it buttoned down tight, but, it doesn't hurt to double-check.

This such a significant change I wonder what effect it'll have on FB traffic patterns. Since the beta stage i'm sure FB has been able to monitor the results and it would have thrown up some red flags.

I still don't like it, but, as I haven't paid FB anything for it, it's difficult to object.

I just need to keep in mind that it's FB, and most other social services, that need users to make money, and there are a lot of failures on the way. Myspace being one of the highest profile failures.

[brotherhood of LAN]

Are there confirmed dates for when the switch will happen? I say dates as it may be a country by country roll-out or similar.

[engine]

There's no confirmation other than a roll-out happening now, so I guess FB are watching server load and releasing it on a schedule known only to them.

[ExecutiveCloser]

I like the new look as the pages are larger.

The only problem is that you cant make a static page default now which SUCKS.

We will have to add call to action buttons to get them moved over or link directly if thats what you are doing....

[edited by: httpwebwitch at 2:13 pm (utc) on Mar 27, 2012]
[edit reason] removed promo link / signature? [/edit]

[Tropical Island]

I converted our business page a few weeks ago.

The first thing I noticed is that I'm not getting the comments & likes to our weekly post that I did with the old format. Maybe it's just confusion on the part of the end user.

On my personal page I'm completely lost - posts that used to show up are now gone and their is a new friends link on the left side that you have to click to see what they are doing.

Don't like it - way too confusing.

[Kate_Oranum]

I wish I still had the link -I had this amazing article on how to get ready for a business to create Facebook timeline - will try to search for it again...

[jimbanks]

The cut off date is 31st March, that is when every business will be forced to have a timeline.

Optimising your page is pretty important.

Lots of upsides to it, once you know what you are doing.

Cover Image - 850 x 315px

Avatar Image - 180 x 180px

Your custom tabs are now wider 810px

You can an APP like Static iframe to make whole sites within Facebook.

Custom Tab Images are 111 x 74px the only one you can't move is the Photos tab but everything else can be moved, so make sure your most important content is visible.

You can star content to move it to the top of your timeline, and you can make important items span the timeline page.

You should also hide anything on your timeline that you feel might harm your presence.

It's mandatory from tomorrow, so make sure you tweak it today.

[Kate_Oranum]

Thanks for the feedback! :)

I did have to go back on my Timeline and delete things - but at the same time its fun to see what I have posted just a year or 2 ago ..

[tigger]

don't if its ok to post this link but you may find it interesting for understanding Timeline - [casslar.com...]

[Kate_Oranum]

thank you - it seems ok ;)

[TheQueenEliz]

I don't like timeline. Does fb interface gets worse and worse. Most of us dislike it every time fb got new a interface. It seems like the only thing we can do is hoping for the next change :(

[Kate_Oranum]

Wait - is it only the business facebook that will be changed?

[bill]

My personal page is still timeline-free, but my business pages have all been switched over.

[skibum]

From what I've experienced so far it seems like the entire point of Timeline is to get businesses to spend more money on advertising by hiding what people post on non-personal pages.

When you post on another page, your post is hidden unless someone clicks on the little compressed box on the right side of the page. When other people post on your (non-personal) page it just gets put in a little one liner on the right of the page. It seems like this provides less incentive for people to post on a page (other than commenting on what the page owner posts) and encourages less communication and interaction on pages.

The net result seems like less visibility for everyone anywhere but on their own page. If you want more "likes" or visibility you have to advertise or spend a lot more time trying to get other pages to post your photo or story on their page so people will discover your page.

The dual column setup also makes most images look horrible since people don't generally take square photos.

There should be an option to adjust the way photos are displayed as well as an option to change the way posts from anyone other than the page owner are displayed on the page.