In a recent project, we were charged with creating an entirely new Facebook marketing campaign for a client. Our job was to take their drab and dull looking site and turn it into something truly remarkable. This was actually new territory for us, as we’d never had to mess with this sort of Facebook exposure before. And though we had plenty of guides to use, it was still the learning experience from the ground-up. However, just because we had some schooling to do doesn’t mean you have to endure the same pain! Below, you’ll find some of the choice tips we learned from the project, as well as how you can implement them into your next Facebook Fan Page redesign.

  1. Profile Pictures Should Be Big: First and foremost, we were previously unaware of just how large a Facebook page’s profile picture can be. Like any design project, you’ll want to work within the standard dimensions for the graphic. So, without further ado, here’s the rundown: Firstly, your image should always be 200 pixels wide. Don’t argue, just do it. Secondly, the length is more debatable, ranging to three unique sizes. Essentially, you’re options are a 500 pixel, 545 pixel, and 600 pixel length profile picture. The most you can support is 600 pixels, though, so don’t go any larger!
  2. Leave the Logo Somewhere Thumbnail-Friendly: Secondly, when creating the profile picture, remember that you will have to leave a thumbnail sized logo somewhere within the photo. A good design will integrate this fluidly without much finagling. However, if you need a guide, simply create a 50 pixel by 50 pixel square in Photoshop to use as a cropping sample. The thumbnail will be exactly that large, and it should give you a fair idea of how to proceed.
  3. Work with iFrame: Posting images and graphics to the page’s wall is a great idea to drive traffic, but creating custom iFrame pages is even better. These are essentially websites within the Facebook page that allow you to add Flash content, larger images, and even fan-only content. When it comes to marketing, this is your real bread and butter, so have the iFrame tab in mind from the get-go to obtain the best results with your Facebook page revision. If you need help creating this custom app, there are several utilities out there designed to make the job easier.