Facebook has changed how Dealers brand pages are displayed.

Automotive Dealers checking their Facebook pages today may have noticed that Facebook has launched timeline for brand pages. Dealers have until March 30^th to update their format to fit into the timeline layout.

Coinciding with this update, there are a few features that will no longer be available.

Landing tabs have been very popular, and used to introduce by dealers to promote their brand, as well as used for giveaways and like-gating. Now the extra tabs that you have added to your Facebook page are not available, but dealers can display their custom apps next to their profile pictures.

The new timeline format for brand pages offers dealers a great opportunity to showcase the history of their brand. However, dealers no longer have the option to set up welcome pages or free offer pages, so all of the visitors to your page will land on your wall.

Another new important aspect of the new Pages is the new admin panel. The panel will appear at the top of any Pages you manage, and it will act as an activity snapshot for notifications, post performance and stats, and messaging. Previously, Dealership Pages did not have the ability to send or receive Facebook messages, but with the new Pages, admins will be able to respond to messages from users.

Admins cannot proactively send messages, which could lead to spamming, but the new capability is a great tool for continuing user-initiated conversations and responding to questions.

Page Admins will also now have the ability to pick “pinned posts,” which will appear at the top of the Page’s Timeline for up to seven days. Admins will also be able to select specific content to highlight in page-wide posts with larger images and videos, not to mention being able to add “Life Events” just as individuals can do. One thing Admins can NOT do, is to include blatant promotional text or calls-to-action in cover photos.  So announcing your tent sale and “$2,000 Cash Back” in your cover photo will not be an option.

The new Facebook Brand pages will be in preview mode for the next thirty days, giving dealers time to design their timeline.  Then the new designs will be rolled out March 30.

SOCIALDEALER is working closely with their dealers to develop a new strategy for their Facebook brand pages, and how they can best use the new features to attract more prospects.  To view an example of a dealer’s branded Facebook page in the new timeline format, go to http://www.facebook.com/castlechevrolet.