Looking for answers to all the hot questions regarding the new Facebook Page Layout 2014?

It’s true – Facebook moved our cheese in March 2014 with a new Facebook Page layout.

They promised a quick, yet gradual rollout to all Facebook Pages.  Of course, it’s never fast enough for marketers eager to get started!

The initial snapshot of the new Facebook page layout was cool – They answered some long-time requests.  For many the one-column Timeline was great news.  But on the other hand, applications and components Facebook Page admins valued for years were seemingly moved, displaced, and even scrambled.

The location of Facebook tabs, for one.

You have probably seen some converted pages, and may have even become nervous trying to figure out how the conversion will go for your Facebook Page.

Lets put your mind at ease about this new Facebook Page layout for business, shall we? 

Eight Popular Questions Answered About The New Facebook Page Layout 2014

1. How can I apply the new Facebook Page layout to my own Facebook Page?  My friend’s page has already been updated, and I find it a lot more practical.

Some Facebook Page admins saw buttons to click inviting them to be added to the update list.  This was suppose to get you on the list to step ahead of other Facebook Pages for the conversion to occur.  Others did not see this button.  Yet that did not necessarily keep their Facebook Page from being updated to the new Facebook Page layout!

Facebook did provide dates to admins when their Facebook Page would be viewable in the new format to all users.  Some at the end of May 2014, others with June 6, June 13, and possibly other dates.

The short answer is that this is a gradual rollout and your Page will have the new Facebook Page layout eventually.  (hopefully soon)  🙂

2. Is it possible to go back to the “old” format?

Unfortunately, there is no way to go back – The new format is the new reality.

It may take a little getting used to at first, but after a few weeks, you should come to enjoy the new
Facebook Page layout.

Like with other Facebook changes, you need to adapt and learn to maximize the “new”!

3.  I really dislike how highlighted posts do not appear across my entire Facebook Page in this new layout.  Help?

Highlighted posts will not stretch across the entire page as they did before.

You will continue to see the blue ribbon and white star in the upper right of a highlighted post.  However, now that the Timeline is one column, the post will remain it’s regular size on the page with the new Facebook Page layout.

4.  How do I use Facebook as my Page?

Very important question!  No one wants to lose the ability to network as their brand name and interact as their Facebook Page.

Where there used to be a few options of changing this setting.  But the Admin panel functions are located “under the hood” now, and the option under “edit” above the Facebook Page cover is not there anymore.

It appears the best way to log in as your Facebook Page is in the upper right hand corner of your screen in the blue strip to the right of your name.  The graphic points this out well.  Note that once you head back to log in as yourself, or another Facebook Page, you are immediately directed to that location on Facebook.

5. My Facebook Page is now only showing three reviews and prior to the new layout we had many, and were able to scroll down to read them.  How can I read the reviews under the star ratings?

As the new Facebook Pages layout rolls out, this is one area that will probably see tweaking for some time.

There has been talk of hopeful star rating available to all pages.  Others think that the reviews button will be added back in and we’ll be able to scroll through a list as we could before.  We’ll have to stay tuned to what Facebook does here.

Reviews are online equity, and you want to be sure you record them in some way that gives you continued access and see nothing that happens with any future Facebook adjustments hinders that.

Tip: While you may still be able to access the “old” Facebook Page format, record those reviews in text and image format so you can use them in a variety of ways into the future.

As we see here at the Petopia Facebook Page, hovering over the stars gives you a view of how their star rating are broken down.

By clicking the stars you are led to a different Reviews page where all the reviews are journaled, along with any comments from the Facebook Page Admin and other users.

6. Will the message button still be there?

Great news – If you have enabled the Direct Messages function on your Facebook Page, it’s still there with the new Facebook Page layout!  In addition, the buttons you were used to seeing there are still the same.

A fun bonus: If you use the Facebook scheduler to schedule posts for your page, just below the box where you can post a status update directly to your page, you get a snippet summary of the number of scheduled posts ready for your page, and the time when the next scheduled post is due to be released to your Facebook Page.

7. What about Facebook Apps And Tabs?

This is perhaps the most talked about regarding the new Facebook Page layout 2014!

With the new Facebook Page layout, tabs are assigned new options.  In some ways, they get even more visibility.  Regardless, it’s to your advantage to be strategic.

NOTE: All tabs connected to your Facebook Page and in active mode will be visible to viewers of your page.  This is different than the previous limit of twelve viewable apps.

Facebook Tabs will appear in the white strip below your Facebook Page Timeline Cover – Four seen in the strip, and then the rest in a pull down menu when you click “more.”  When you click to “Manage Tabs: you can drag and drop their order.  This, in turn, is what determines which Tabs are identified in that white strip.

You will also see Facebook Apps in he left column on your Facebook Page.  The default setting will let you see these under the “People” and “About” sections in that left column.

Notice that you can still use customized icons – For the first three in your preferred order.  The size of these thumbnails is 111 x 74, just as before.

Click here for: New Facebook Page layout dimensions.  Keep in mind that simple and clear is best for the image information on your Facebook Tabs.

8. Can I control the order of the boxes on the left?

Yes! You can customize the way your Facebook Fans will see the left column on your new Facebook Page layout!

At the top of any of the sections in that left column, hover over the area just to the left of the arrow.  The option to “Manage Sections” will appear.  Click this, and you will see a pop-up box that looks like this:

The top two categories will not move, but you can drag and drop the others to your preference.  In doing this, think of what material you want your Facebook Page visitors to find first, and what is most important for them to be attracted to.  Put that as high as you can in the order.

Once you have these sections where you want them you have then customized your own new Facebook Page layout!  Cool, huh?

BONUS TIPS For Navigating The New Facebook Page Layout 2014

As Facebook adjusts and tweaks the new Facebook Page layout, we will probably find or have access to additional features we did not at first.

Tip:  When you click the arrow at the right of your left column section headers, you are led to an insights screen for that category for your Facebook Page.

Tip:  Featured Likes – They do not appear to be featuring the likes you may have checked to feature in your Facebook Page admin panel before the conversion.  Instead, the most recent likes are listed in the “Liked By This Page” section.  This may change as we see improvements.

Tip:  Your Facebook Page Admin panel is available by clicking different buttons now, and insights seem available in more comfortable doses.  Don’t be afraid to “get your fingers dirty” and click to find new ways of accessing your Page’s functions and insights on the new Facebook Page layout.

If you are a social media manager and manage Facebook Pages on the go, you will want to be aware of how Facebook mobile page design changes impact managers, and digital marketing recommendations from the pros for 2014.

Your Turn

The questions answered were submitted by real people just like yourself…

Are there questions you have about the new Facebook Page layout that were not answered above?

What new options are you most looking forward to using on your Facebook Page?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!  🙂