Question Static FBML...won't let me add it - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

Hi, all! When I try to add FBML following the directions I've found on several websites--here or here--I don't get the option to add the actual app just to "Add to My Favorites Pages." What am I doing wrong ?

Thank you!

EDIT: Okay, I signed in on my personal profile and through there I do get the option to add the app to my page, but my page is not associated with my profile...it's a business page. Can you not use this app through a business page only?

#2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

You have to have a page associated with a profile...somewhere. SOmetimes FB can be a turd and not let you add it but if you check back later, it will appear and let you add to your page.

#3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

Originally Posted by The Perfect Word

Hi, all! When I try to add FBML following the directions I've found on several websites--here or here--I don't get the option to add the actual app just to "Add to My Favorites Pages." What am I doing wrong ?

Thank you!

EDIT: Okay, I signed in on my personal profile and through there I do get the option to add the app to my page, but my page is not associated with my profile...it's a business page. Can you not use this app through a business page only?

Don't you need to have a profile to get a page? You can add the app to your page but I'm not sure if you can use it for your profile? I added it to 2 pages very easy to do and no problems.

#4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

Static FBML is only for pages....
if you want to add it to your profile you have to use profile HTML....

#5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

If you set up your business page on the front page of the Facebook website at the bottom with the link "Create a Page for a celebrity, band or business." you do not have to have a profile.

This type of business page is not flexible and does not allow the Static FBML application.

If this is how you created your page - my suggestion would be to deactivate this page and create your business fan page from your personal profile. Doing this would allow you to use the Static FBML application.

#6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

I think you can use the same email address as that one and create a profile to go with that business page.

#7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

I set it up going from the FB sign-on page because I did not want it associated with my personal profile.

I'm assuming if I deactivate my current FB business page, set up a new profile just so I can set the business page up through a profile, then went through that way to set up the business FB page I'd have to start from scratch getting my fans all over again, correct?

Is there any other plus going through a profile to set up a business page rather than the way I did it other than the ability to use FBML? Cindy, you mentioned it not being flexible the way I did it?

Thanks!

EDIT: I thought about setting up another profile account just to use for the business page, but I have since read that it is apparently against FB TOS, so I don't want to do that. And I'm also reading that a business page set up without going through a profile page is not searchable through search engines. Anyone know about that? Hmm. Looks like I might need to start over.

#8 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

If you deactivate your business page - yes your fans there would have to become fans of your new fan page.

With the privacy updates Facebook has made your personal profile is separate from your business fan page. You do not have to fan your business page any longer. The only way a business fan would have access to your personal profile is if you accept them as a friend. So long as you set your privacy settings on your profile so only friends can see/access things - no one else will be able to see/access them.

The flexibilities of the fan page are in part what you have already found - the Static FBML application which allows you to customize which cannot be done on the business page. Also the business page does not have the Insights that are available on the fan pages.

So long as you have a personal profile you can go ahead and set-up the business fan page from there. If you are able to send a message to your fans on the business page - request they fan the new fan page and then deactivate it.

#9 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

Originally Posted by The Perfect Word

I set it up going from the FB sign-on page because I did not want it associated with my personal profile.

I'm assuming if I deactivate my current FB business page, set up a new profile just so I can set the business page up through a profile, then went through that way to set up the business FB page I'd have to start from scratch getting my fans all over again, correct?

Is there any other plus going through a profile to set up a business page rather than the way I did it other than the ability to use FBML? Cindy, you mentioned it not being flexible the way I did it?

Thanks!

I'm a little confused on what you're trying to do. Your fanpage doesn't have to be linked to your profile. I just did it for a client. But like you, I really wanted to be sure that personal and business were separated so I set up 2 different profiles (although I believe it's agains Facabook rules)

#10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

This is a great post that gives step by step instructions on adding the Static FBML to your fan page for customization.HOW TO: Build a Facebook Landing Page for Your Business

#11 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010

Cindy, that's the article I read that started me realizing what they were saying to do wasn't working. Now I know the reason it wasn't working is that I didn't go through a profile to set up the business fan page.

Okay, let's see if I'm straight. So, if you have a business fan page set up through a profile, you sign in to FB and your profile comes up. Then you access your business fan page through your profile account, but the business fan page has a different url so fans can get to your business fan page only (I have friends-only on everything on my personal profile account already). Also, the fan page is searchable from search engines this way and you can use the FBML app. Is this right?

Don't know if customzing the site is worth having to go through it all again and having to ask for re-fans (LOL), but the thing about the way I did it not being searachable on search engines, that's a big deal, I think.

#12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010

Pam,

I looked at your page and I'm not sure what is not working for you? Did you try again to install static FBML?
1. From your page you go to edit page
2. Go to More applications
3. add Static FBML
4. click add to my page (on the left corner)

If you look under edit your page you can't see the application after you try installing it. You'll need to use HTML to edit whatever you want to do and move it to your tabs. It was such a simple process for me and I knew nothing about Facebook apps that I'm surprized that you're having such problems??

#13 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010

Pam;

Yep, that's it! I know there are a lot of people who don't even realize that business page set-up from the front of facebook does not work the same as a fan page. I only figured it out because I initially did the same as you! Fortunately, I didn't have any fans yet so I deactivated and went from my personal profile with the fan page.

Hope I helped -- if you need anything else don't hesitate to ask

#14 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010

Originally Posted by VA Simple Services

Pam,

I looked at your page and I'm not sure what is not working for you? Did you try again to install static FBML?
1. From your page you go to edit page
2. Go to More applications
3. add Static FBML
4. click add to my page (on the left corner)

If you look under edit your page you can't see the application after you try installing it. You'll need to use HTML to edit whatever you want to do and move it to your tabs. It was such a simple process for me and I knew nothing about Facebook apps that I'm surprized that you're having such problems??

Genevieve, the reason it's not working is because there are two ways to set up a business fan page. You can set it up through the FB sign-in page or set it up through your personal profile account while you're signed in on your personal profile account. As I've recently unfortunately discovered, if you sign up on the FB sign-in page like I did, you can't use the FBML stuff and your FB site isn't searchable on SE. (On the FB sign-in page it says "Create a page for a celebrity, band or business." If you use this, like I did, when you go to the applications for FBML, you do not get the option to add the actual application, you only get the option to add the FMBL page to your business' favorite pages.) Also doing it the way I did you sign straight in to you business fan page from the FB sign-in page; creating your business fan page through your profile, you sign into your profile and then go to your business fan page. Why in the world FB made the two different is beyond me.

Cindy, thanks, for all your help and thanks for being patient with all my questions!!

Might be asking for everyone here to re-fan! It would really be nice if it was made more clear by FB that there is a difference. In some research I've done, there seem to be a lot of folks out there that aren't aware of this difference either.

Pam

#15 (**permalink**) 02-23-2010

Sorry about that, I didn't realise there were 2 ways of creating pages. Let me know if/when you have another page and I'll be your fan.