How are we to test Facebook if we can't create test accounts?

[shiphen]

How are we supposed to test how Facebook Pages work if FB doesn allowed us to create test user accounts?

I mean does Facebook really expect us to irritate the HECK out of all our friends whilst we test things out (e.g. Like-ing things) to see what happens?

Testing new stuff out on my own personal FB account is one thing, but if I am running a Facebook page for a major company I need some sort of sandbox to experiment in, no?

Does FB have any such thing?

J

[shiphen]

P.S. Do you know of anywhere that is a better/busier place to ask newbie questions about how to put your business on to Facebook?

[buckworks]

You don't need a test account to test a new page on Facebook.

Just use your existing account to create a page about some topic of interest and learn your way around all the controls. It doesn't have to be about a real business and the page can be temporary if you want.

When you're finally ready to try something for a real business, don't pester your friends for likes, earn likes by offering useful content, and contributing something intelligent to other people's conversations.

Running ads can be a way to gain likes quickly, and if you do things right those likes will likely (!) be more targeted than your friends would be.

[shiphen]

> Just use your existing account to create a page
> about some topic of interest
Okay but how do I stop all my friends from being pestered about this (bl**dy) stupid page you want me to create?

[buckworks]

There is no need to even mention your experimental page(s) to any of your friends, let alone pester them.

Take a deep breath, get yourself a coffee or something, and look around for a while to get to know what's in there.

Added thought: one of the big advantages of setting up separate page for business, hobbies etc. is that it lets you keep that activity separate from your personal relationships.

[mack]

Agreed with what Buckworks has said. Think of somethign (anything) you enjoy and create a page about that. Use it as a learning tool, find out how best to use the page and learn about its features. That way when you come to create the page for your business you will be well versed on administering and managing your FB page.

Mack.

[xword_5601]

OK here is the answer direct from FB:
Hi Alejandro,

When your account is listed as a test user, you're not charged for the transactions, but you do need to enter authentic cc info.

Thanks for contacting Facebook,

Sara
Facebook Credits Support
Facebook


I tested this out and it works.

[shiphen]

> When your account is listed as a test user,
Confused - what does this mean?
How does one set up a test user account?
How do you convert an exiting account into a test user?
Does this only apply to credit/debit card transactions?
J

[shiphen]

Buckworks - you may have a point.
My problem is that FB is SUCH a complicated environment that one doesnt know who will see what until you try.
I was 99% sure that after I created a FB Page all my social graph (read: "friends") would have seen it. But without a separate test account how in God's name am I supposed to know?

Meanwhile as a freelance web developer I have a problem. I do not want my different clients all to see each other. i.e. I do not want them all to be able to click on my name and see who else I work for. It is clear that FB doesnt really believe in privacy but it is mission-critical for some of us.

[lexipixel]

Create (2) accounts. One for the page creating features you want to test, and another for a dummy user. All you need are some throw away email addresses.

Next, setup your computer with FireFox -AND- Internet Explorer (or any two browsers that don't share cookies). That way you can be logged in as the page admin and as the "dummy" and not have to keep logging in and out to play.

[shiphen]

Yes good plan - and yes, I am already using planning to use more that one browser...

[lexipixel]

Even if they did have a "sandbox" or you can use test accounts, I always prefer to test using the production / live version (of any software) as sandbox / test mode might be different than production environment.

[shiphen]

It would still be useful to have a sandbox - and someone should tell FB...