Having a Facebook business page is a great way to leverage the power of social media to connect with your customers and followers. Like all good things, however, there’s always a better way to do it, and Facebook apps are worth checking out for the options they offer. It’s not necessary to develop your own app, either; you can choose from multiple third-party apps already available to improve your customers’ experience interacting with your page. The apps fall into various categories or types. Here are the three main types of apps we believe you need on your business page: 
#1: Connection Apps
The main purpose of Facebook is to connect and engage with your followers. Although the social networking platform offers a range of methods to connect with them—and them with you—apps can make the whole process so much easier. Some cool “connection apps” to consider include:
- Newsletter signup app, such as this one from Wanderlust Music Festival. This enables users to subscribe to your email newsletter from within your Facebook business page, without having to exit and go to your company website to do so. Once they are subscribed, you can keep them informed about everything you’re doing.
- Customer support apps, such as the one used by AOL to streamline the contact process and direct followers to the right person for a response – all without leaving the company’s Facebook page.
- Feedback from your customers is vital for real closed-loop marketing, and it enables you to know what’s working and what’s not. Ever tried to get feedback by posting a survey on your website and getting zero replies? Now there’s a better way to do it. A customer feedback app allows your followers to tell you what they think of your product, make requests and suggestions and read other customer testimonials.
#2: Product Alerts and Special Promotions
You hear it all the time. Marketing speak is out, conversation and engagement are in. Particularly on social media. So how exactly do you tell your followers about new products and special offers without resorting to marketing on your Facebook page? With an app, that’s how. It’s completely in keeping with the principles of inbound marketing in that it invites users to access it only if they are interested in receiving product information and alerts. Those who sign up for an alert app, though, can get the special promotions “pushed” to their profiles without having to visit your business page to look for them.
#3: Rewards and Free Stuff
Everyone loves to get something for nothing. Social media sites like Facebook have become a perfect platform for giving away free promos and rewarding loyal customers. Not only is this an ideal form of “fangating” to increase the Likes to your page, but by linking a rewards app to a landing page on your website you can drive traffic there, too.
Alternatively, you can use the method to generate referral rewards such as coupons, rebates, competition entries, charitable donations and access to exclusive content. This all adds an aspect of gamification to your business page, which challenges your competition-oriented followers and appeals to those in the market for freebies.
Whatever apps you choose to add to your Facebook business page, make sure they are mobile-friendly. As of June 2013, 819 million of Facebook’s 1.15 billion members (71%) use mobile products, so to reach your followers you need to ensure that the apps you choose can be accessed on mobile devices. By including apps in your social media communications strategy, you can use every opportunity to make the most of your Facebook presence.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
