To say I’m excited about Facebook Fan pages would be the understatement of the year. Ever since Google extended social networking to your Web page with Google Profiles and Google Connect I’ve been waiting for Facebook’s response.

Finally, Facebook goes beyond the Walls

It’s taken a while, but by using Facebook Fan Boxes (Embeddable Facebook Pages), businesses can leverage Facebook platform in a number of ways without needing to be a code monkey.

Three Reasons to Celebrate Facebook on your Site

This new widget is a huge opportunity to: Grow your following, build credibility, and keep current!

• Instant Opt-in: grow your opt-in audience with one-click access to becoming a Fan. Users of Facebook Fan Pages already know how easy it is to update Fans updates whenever you have something to share.
• Credibility Plus: build credibility by showcasing your fans on your Web page
• Keep your site Current: instantly update your Web page or blog by simply updating your Facebook status.

How to set-up Facebook Fan Boxes:

Look under your fan page for the link to your Fan Box – embeddable widget.

Copy the embed code, paste into your blog or Web site

Voila, Facebook on your site.

Summary:

Facebook Fan Boxes definitely up the ante against Google FriendConnect. The biggest enhancement Facebook brings is status. By comparison, Google’s widget offers a business card approach to networking, but without status updates (I’m sure it will come along soon). I’ve already dropped it on our blog and home page at Northern Edge Algonquin to integrate Facebook status updates and Fans into our home page. How will you use Facebook Fan Boxes to grow your business?

Links:

• Mashable article on Facebook Fan Boxes: Embeddable Facebook Pages
• Google Profile and Google Connect are Game Changers