Just ahead of the pending Facebook IPO, here's a great infographic from AllFacebook showing the history of Facebook in "Timeline style" perspective.  Fun and informational! 

Here's the full article on AllFacebook.com.  INFOGRAPHIC: The History Of Facebook, Timeline-Style

TIMELINE COVER IMAGES ARE A MAJOR POINT OF FOCUS for visitors coming to a Facebook Page!  See the eye-tracking data report below.

111 x 74 CUSTOM TAB LOGO IMAGES that drive users to custom tab apps from the Timeline page (built with tools like TabSite) are the #2 MOST LIKELY VIEWED location after the Cover Image.  Are you adding custom images?

Update BOTH from within the TabSite Manager!

Recent research reported by Mashable involving eye-tracking software on Facebook Pages revealed that the new Facebook Timeline Cover Image is a very important piece of "real estate" as it is the key focal point for new visitors coming to a Facebook Fan Page.

Page Admins will want to be keenly aware of the value of their Timeline Cover image as it is the critical brand introduction to those coming to your Facebook Page.  Below is a eye-tracking map of the Dallas Cowboys Facebook Page Timeline Cover image.

TabSite already allows users to update the 111 x 74 custom tab app image in the TabSite Manager.  Now, TabSite has also integrated the ability to update your Facebook Page Timeline Cover Image as well.  We show you a thumbnail of your existing image in each case and allow you to upload a new image to replace it.

Making Facebook Marketing easy, that's TabSite!  Use these Facebook Timeline tools to showcase images and use the eye-tracking key focus areas to your advantage!  Try the Free 14 Day Trial of TabSite today!

Below is further data from the Mashable report on the percentage of visitors who looked at each part of the Timeline Cover Page.  Note the significant percentages on the Cover image and the Large Custom App Tab images.  88% of the time users viewed the Tab icons versus 26% in the old Facebook layout.

TabSite current user?  Visit the TabSite Manager.  Ready to try TabSite and update your Timeline Page Cover image and custom tab app images? Try TabSite Today.

We've create a Facebook Timeline Infographic to help you!  Includes the new Profile image size!

Here's what sizes are covered:

TabSite incorporates ability to change the logo image and Timeline Cover image in the TabSite Manager.

Timeline for Facebook Pages is here!

Tell Your Company Story and Utilize the Image Driven Timeline Tools to Boost Engagement

Overwhelmed with the new shift to Timeline for Facebook Pages?  Here's a resource from the team at TabSite to guide you through the changeover and to help you make the most of Timeline.

DOWNLOAD FREE PDF VERSION

Leverage Timeline’s unique features to build an engaging narrative for your visitors to help turn them into a engaged community.

Cover Photo [851 x 315]
Timeline’s cover photo allows you to create an eye-catching, descriptive visual of your company. Use the large real estate available (851 x 315 pixels), and change the image occasionally, in step with campaigns or other events relevant to your brand. Keep it clean, clear, and uncluttered. Be sure to adhere to Facebook policy as this area cannot include a call-to-action or phone number.

Profile Image [180 x 180]
This image represents your brand’s identity and should remain clear and succinct. It is the intro and nutshell message of who you are that helps guide visitors to dig deeper. You can include a url in this area.

Feature Tabs [111 x 74]
Timeline sets your Page Photo Album as the first large tab image to the right of the About area. You then get the opportunity to highlight up to 3 more visible custom tab images that link to custom tabs you have created. Additional tabs can be seen by clicking the drop down arrow next to the tab image furthest to the right.

Best uses of the large tab images are:

• Make them visually eye-catching

• Be clear and concise, “Enter to Win!” is much better than “Click this tab to enter our Contest.”

• Assign names to your tabs that clearly indicate to users the content the tabs are driving to.

• Drive web and twitter traffic directly to tab urls with a Like Gate to help build your fan base.

 
Pin Posts, Highlight [Star], and add Milestones 
Timeline provides your brand with new options for self-expression! You can use milestones, pinning, and highlight stars to create a connected, distinctive narrative for your audience.

Pin Posts
Timeline allows you to pin a post to the top of your Timeline for 7 days at a time. This is a great way to curate your content and highlight important items so they are “top of mind” (and Page!) for visitors. Be sure to make the most out of this tool by:

• Pinning key events and key posts, linking them to your custom TabSite tabs where they can get the full information.

• When running a sweepstakes or contest, pin a post that calls attention to a particular phase of the promotion, again linking to the custom tab to drive visitors to it.

Highlight [Star] 

Highlight an important post on your brand’s Timeline by “starring” it. When you star a post, it will expand to the full width (doublewide) of your Timeline and always be visible. To star a post on your Timeline, simply hover over the post and click the star icon that appears. This is a great way to showcase product image photos and other important visuals. Note that Milestones cannot be starred.

Milestones
A milestone is a major event that is particularly relevant to your company, such as a product launch, store opening, or other moment in history that is significant to your brand’s growth and development. Be sure to add milestones for company start date and other key moments! You can make the most out of this feature by doing the following:

• Use photos & videos

• Customize the content to your industry

• Ask open ended questions to prompt comments and engagement

Messages

Timeline gives users the ability to send private, direct messages to brand pages. You should view this new capability as an enhanced customer support channel, and ensure that the messages your page receives are responded to or escalated in a timely manner.

DOWNLOAD FREE PDF VERSION:

The date for all Facebook Pages to shift over to Timeline is fast approaching and TabSite has you covered!

Our team at TabSite has created a 2 page PDF that gives you the details you need to know and key tips for maximizing your new Facebook Timeline Page.  

Covered are images sizes and best practices for all the new Timeline features.

Click the image to access the PDF!  Please share this resource with others than can benefit from it!

View on Scribd.

Top TabSite Facebook Timeline Tips

TabSite integrates Timeline Tab Image Upload for all users

One of the benefits of the new Facebook Timeline for Pages layout is the much larger image call-out for each custom tab.  Previously, tab navigation was limited to text with a little 16 x 16 icon.

Now with Facebook's Timeline, each tab is represented by a large 111 wide x 74 high pixel image and TabSite has integrated the ability to load a custom image for each TabSite tab via the new TabSite Timeline Manager.

View of Custom Large Tab Image on a Facebook Page with Timeline:

View of TabSite Manager:  Under the Tab section, click on the pencil next to the tab name.  This reveals a drop down menu where you can select the "Edit tab logo 111 x 74"

The images you have uploaded for each tab large image area will appear in the TabSite Manager.

TabSite is pleased to offer this new Facebook Timeline convenience to all TabSite users.

EASY.    POWERFUL.   SOCIAL.   TABSITE.

Here is information discussed during our March 14 Webinar:

Facebook's Timeline for Pages is a reality!  It's time to begin preparing your Facebook Page for the new look.  This means creating images and being aware of the various components and image sizes in Timeline.

We've create a Timeline Infographic to help you prepare!

Here's what's covered:

Pin It

Yes, we are Timeline ready! 

Build Tabs at 810 wide right NOW in TabSite!

Easy. Powerful. Social.  TabSite.

Originally posted in Business 2 Community as "Rethinking Fan Gating Strategies for Facebook's New Timeline for Pages", this is a updated version of that post.

Is “Fan Gating” dead with Timeline?

This question has been asked across the web since the February 29 announcement and launch of Timeline for Facebook Pages.

At first glance it appeared  fan gating was dead since the Timeline page with the large cover image is the mandatory default page and the former “Default Landing Page” drop down menu is gone on Timeline Pages.  

Clearly, Facebook wants to drive traffic to the Timeline page and make the Timeline for Pages the centerpiece. 

However, upon a further in-depth look, fan-gating is NOT dead in Facebook, just different, and strategy must change accordingly with Timeline.

Facebook Tab apps have a unique url and if this unique url is used in promotions on the web, you can direct users directly to the tab app with the fan gating Like Gate active on it.  

Formerly, most businesses that added Facebook Page links from their website, blog, and e-mail signatures, would simply have the icon link to their fan page by username such as www.Facebook.com/CKProducts, since you could control the default for new visitors you could have new visitors arrive on your Like Gate.

Now, however, if you want to gain the “Like” before they see content, you’ll want your web assets (links and images that link) to direct users to a specific url that you have a Like Gate active on!

Example:

Header image from CK Products website which as social icons linked to social site urls:

In this case, a company like CK products, would want to switch out there Facebook icon url to a tab app url with a Like Gate like this one using TabSite’s Like Gate feature such as:

 http://www.facebook.com/ckproducts/app_112493455447504 

Then if a user clicks the social icon, they go to the Facebook Page with the image shown below.

SWEEPSTAKES and CONTESTS:

This will also be critical if you want the users to go to a specific tab to enter a Sweepstakes for example and you want them to “Like” the page prior to getting the entry form.

If users are on Facebook and use Facebook search to find your page, then they’ll still be taken to the Timeline default page.  If they haven't yet "Liked" your page and they see the Sweepstakes call-out they will still be . However, the vast majority of users come to your fan page via web links (typically over 80%!).  

SUMMARY: So as noted, the url destination link you use for your Facebook icon on your website, blog, and in e-mail blasts becomes more important and strategic now with the launch of Timeline for Facebook Pages.  

Be intentional about the url's you use to drive people to your Facebook Page!

Want more information on the Timeline layout?  See our Timeline Infographic.

Sign-up for TabSite's "Informal Webinar on Facebook's Timeline for Pages"  FRIDAY, March 9  (It's free!)

Let's talk Timeline!

Join TabSite co-founders, Troy Rumfelt and Mike Gingerich, for a fast moving and practical live webinar discussion.

We'll review the key changes that Timeline for Pages bring to fan page Admins.

What you need to know, time for questions, and a special segement dedicated to rethinking Like Gate Strategies for effectiveness with Timeline.  Plus more on how TabSite is ready with 810 wide Facebook tabs!

We'll plan for 30-40 minutes!

Join us Friday, March 9, 2:00-2:40 EST