If you have a computer with internet access, you have probably visited Facebook.com. If not, you’ve heard of it without a doubt. Individuals and businesses alike are flocking to the social networking site for a variety of reasons. Why are businesses so interested in it? To start, Facebook is the most searched for brand on the internet in the US. Use among numerous demographics is still on the rise, and they are posting record profits. And it’s more than just kids. The benefits for the end user are clear: it is free (at least for the moment), it is intuitive and easy to personalize, but not daunting or confusing like it’s former rival MySpace. The benefits for the business are even greater. The ads work, fan pages lead people to real products and services, and brands have found unique ways to leverage the site’s powerful framework with applications. Where do you start?

Facebook Five Ways
The site can be confusing, even for the experienced user, but start with these simple steps and you will be on your way in no time:

1. Create a Personal Account – Go to the homepage and follow the prompts. It is simple. Worry about adding a picture and account information later.

2. Make a Fan Page (or, get “liked”)- Once you have logged in to your account, click “Ads and Pages” in the left navigation. You will find a link conveniently located at the top of the resulting page that says “Create a Page.” Follow the prompts and begin customizing your page. Be sure to add links to your websites, your company logo and a brief summary of your organization and its services.

3. Look in to Applications – Once your page is up and running, you can investigate the many fan page applications that are available. From running promotions to providing interactive experiences like games, you are sure to find something to help you sell. To customize your site, add the Static FBML (Facebook Markup Language) application.

4. Don’t add to the noise – There are a lot of people on Facebook, and the number of brands trying to get noticed there is growing. Being on the site for the same of having a presence will not do anything for your business. Do your best to produce something worthwhile in the space – helpful industry tips, great deals on products, etc. Useful blog articles are a great start.

5. Keep Up With the Changes
Facebook changes all the time, so be prepared to relearn it from time to time. The design and usability is revised every six months or so, and things that you once relied on might disappear.

How can social media impact ecommerce? Learn more at www.Siivo.com.

Christopher Hiatt is a writer and online media strategist in New York City. He writes for Siivo Corp.