Create Custom Facebook Content with iFrames

Did you know that you can display custom content on your Facebook Fan Page, featuring images, text, videos, sign-up forms for opt-in mailing lists, and more? You can even offer exclusive content to people who “like” your Page.

Facebook is phasing out FBML and switching to iFrames as the coding language for creating customized content on Fan Pages. If you have already installed the Static FBML app on your Page, you can continue to use it until Facebook decides otherwise, but you may want to explore switching to iFrames.

Most authors will need to use a third-party application or hire a web designer to help them create custom content with iFrames. A number of developers are creating products and services to meet this need. Some, such as Fan Page Engine are packaged templates, while others offer more customized solutions.

The developers who created the Static FBML app have already created a free app called Static HTML: iframe tabs. This application works in a similar way to the old Static FBML app – just install the app and then enter the HTML code to create your content. If you’re not skilled with HTML, try creating a page on your own website or blog and then copy and paste the code into this application.

Another option is the iFrames for Pages application from Wildfire. Learn more about this app (be sure to read the comments on that article if you have any problems installing the app) and then install the app. Using this application, you can choose to upload an image to display on your Page or enter HTML code. As of this writing, the iFrames for Pages application is free and the developers say that users who install it while it's free will not have to pay later.

Both of these applications include Fan Gate functionality, which encourages people to "like" your page by displaying premium content to fans and displaying a promotional message to non-fans. For example, you can create a welcome screen that invites visitors to "like" your page and receive an instructional video or free ebook. Once they click the “like” link, they will be taken to another page where they can download their free bonus.

If you have created any custom content for your own Facebook Fan Page, please share a link the comments section below and let us know what application or program you used.

Comments

[Shelley Hitz, Self Publishing Coach]

Dana,
This is fantastic information! I am bookmarking this to come back to later :) I just "liked" someone on Facebook that used this idea of offer a bonus to her fans - a PDF of "Five Secrets For Creating Effective Fan Pages." It looks like she is still using FMBL http://www.facebook.com/bianab

Thanks for always offering such great, quality information!

Thanks,
Shelley

[Dana Lynn Smith]

Thanks Shelley. It can be a challenge to keep up with all the changes at Facebook. I will be releasing a new edition of my Facebook Guide for Authors book next week.
Dana

[Barbara Techel]

I came across an author who has "buy the book" right on their fan page, so I was able to do this as well on my books fan page and offer a special price for Frankie Facebook fans. I love all these positive changes that are helping business owners.

[Dana Lynn Smith]

That's a great point Barbara - you can create a custom screen featuring your books and linking to your Amazon page or the shopping cart on your website.

[Barbara Techel]

Or you can also set up a paypal button.

[Jay]

I don't see an option for iFrames, still just the static FBML option for apps. How do I add the iFrames app?

Thanks

[Dana Lynn Smith]

Jay, the new iframes app is located at http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=190322544333196&sk=app_190322544333196

[Jay]

Found it thanks.
iFrames however is not a Facebook application. It is independently developed.

Thanks

[Dana Lynn Smith]

To clarify, iFrames was not developed by Facebook, but there are a number of Facebook applications that use iFrames. Several Facebook apps have already been developed to make it easier to place custom content on Fan Pages and I have linked to a couple of them in this article. I expect that more apps will be developed to meet the demand for customizing Fan Pages. If anyone has any experience using any of these apps, please leave a comment here. Thanks!