Wonder how some businesses on Facebook have a short URL with just their business name?
Like www.facebook.com/nyrangers.
As long as you have more than 25 friends on your personal Facebook page and more than 25 people who Like your Facebook business page, your business can also have a custom vanity URL like the one above. The default Facebook profile and page URLs is downright ugly being too long with too many numbers. A typical Facebook url like this http://www.facebook.com/pages/yourbusinessname/86748564087324, would not even fit on a business card. A shorter url is more memorable and will certainly add a level of professionalism to your Facebook profile and business pages.
Since vanity URL’s are free, there is no reason not to claim your url. If you have not created your fan page yet, click here and create your Facebook Fan Page first. Then follow these instructuions to secure your vanity url for your profile and fan pages.
Username Restrictions:
- Your page must have at least 25 fans. This is to prevent user name squatting.
- Usernames can only include alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period .
- Minimum of at least 5 characters long
- Usernames can not be changed
3 Easy Steps to Create a Custom Facebook Username:
Step # 1. Log Into Your Facebook Account – In a new browser window or tab go to the following url www.facebook.com/username.
Step # 2. Create A Username For Your Personal Facebook Page – Before you can create a username for your business pages, Facebook requires you to create a username for your personal Facebook profile page first. Facebook will display a screen with suggested username options, like the screen below:
You may select one of the suggested usernames or choose one of your own. If you opt to choose your own name, Facebook will check the name you enter to see if it is available. Once you find a name that is available, click on the Set Username button to confirm your choice.
Now that your personal username has been set, you can create a username for your pages.
3.) Choose a username for your business page. Click on the Pages drop down arrow to select your page. If you have more than one page, you will be able to choose a username for each. You should try to choose your business name or name that compliments your corporate web site domain. Using keywords in your name will prove beneficial for SEO. Type in the desired username and click on “Check Availability” to see if the name is available or already taken. If the username you want is not available, Facebook will make suggestions for alternative usernames. Once you find a name you like, click Confirm to secure your vanity url for your page. Once you set the username, you can’t change it again. The ownership of your username can not be transferred to any other party. That’s it, now you are ready to use the easier to remember vanity url.
We hope hope this guide helps you to claim your brand on Facebook
