Since Facebook announced the mandatory switch over to the new Timeline layout for Pages, our developers have been hard at work to ensure your North Social suite of apps work just as well in the new layout as they did in the old.
Well, the day is quickly approaching (9 days and counting), so now’s the time to prepare for this change. As of March 30th, your old familiar Facebook Page with your North Social apps located on the left hand side of your page and represented at 520 pixels wide will become a distant memory.
On the 30th, our new and improved Timeline apps for custom Facebook Pages will go live (insert loud approving applause here), enabling you to promote your custom apps and promotional campaigns through a much more engaging 810 pixel-width canvas.
Our team wants to make extra sure your transition to the new page layout is as efficient and hiccup-free as possible, so we’ve put together a helpful Q & A to point your future Facebook Page marketing efforts in the right direction.
Please note: if you’re busy working on developing or designing new apps or programs for your Facebook Page or fielding panicky calls from clients, you’ll want to take a moment to soak up the following:
Q: Will old North Social app images (designed at 520 width) still work on a Timeline page after the 30th?
A: Yes. Breathe easy. All of your existing apps won’t suddenly break. Your existing 520 pixel width artwork and copy will still be viewable, likeable, sharable, and clickable.
Q: When will North Social Timeline-ready apps be available to subscribers?
A: On March 30th we will release a Timeline version of each app in our suite, which will replace all install links on our site.
Q: Will my North Social apps installed before March 30th be automatically updated to the wider Timeline apps?
A: No. To take advantage of the new Timeline apps after March 30th, you’ll have to: 1) remove the old app from your page; 2) go to www.northsocial.com to re-install the new Timeline version of that app; and 3) design and upload artwork to fit the new wider specs (below).
Q: What if I install my old 520 width images on a new Timeline version of an app?
A: First off, why would you when you have a much bigger canvas to promote your brand and promotional campaigns? Secondly, the new Timeline app versions will ONLY support the new 810 wide image sizes. Meaning, if you install a new Timeline edition of one of our apps and then install your old 520 wide artwork, it will expand and look as though you’re using the stretch effect in your Apple Photo Booth. Not a good look for your brand.
Q: Can I still like-gate my North Social Apps?
A: Yes. Your effort getting fans to like your page has not been wasted. Carry on with “like-gating” your valuable content and offers.
Q: Can I still set a default landing tab?
A: No. But even though the timeline lacks a default non-fan landing tab, you can still deep link to a specific tab from your other marketing communications, online properties, and ad campaigns.
Q: Can I customize the app icons and names of my North Social apps?
A: Yes. Both. We’ve created a generic icon for each app but strongly recommend you customize these to draw even more eyeballs and clicks to your apps and promotional campaigns. To do so, go to “Manage” from the admin panel and choose “Edit Page” in the drop-down. Under the “Apps” section, click “Edit Settings” for the specific app image (111 x 74 pixels) and name you’d like to update.
Q: Where are my North Social apps located?
A: Admin Panel > Manage > Edit Page or you can access them by clicking the app icons before your cover photo.
Q: How do I change the position of the North Social apps?
A: Facebook has changed the view of your photos and applications. Now’s your opportunity to elevate your most important and featured apps to the top of your new Timeline Page navigation (you can feature 3 custom app icons in the first position). Your Page visitors can access more apps by simply clicking the arrow to see those apps that are below the fold. To change an app’s position, hover over the icon until you see the pencil, then choose to swap positions with another app you have installed.
While all North Social apps will include hint text on the Admin Panels of the apps indicating the new sizing, we’ve put together this helpful list of new sizes so you can design your new Timeline-ready North Social apps without experiencing a delay in the launch of your Facebook promotions and social media marketing campaigns.
North Social Timeline App Specs
Lastly, while re-designing images to accommodate the new Timeline layout and tab width dimensions may seem like an abrupt change that you didn’t necessarily request, view it as an opportunity to re-imagine your custom Facebook Page and social brand.
Yes, the new layout change and bigger app canvas is truly a catapult for taking your Page to a whole new level, as Timeline opens up powerful new avenues to 1) promote branded content; 2) ramp fan growth; 3) increase engagement; and 4) prove social media ROI.
Still have questions about the new North Social app dimensions or the Facebook Timeline layout? Look for more announcements and actionable tips on our Facebook Page, website, this blog, our support forum, or you can always email our cape-wearing customer support team at support@northsocial.zendesk.com and they’ll get back to you in a flash.
Cheers,
The Team at North Social
Great blog post. I’ve run across your apps on several sites, this time it was from Revo Sunglasses. You address several challenges facing businesses with Facebook’s Timeline switch. It’s great to see that you guys have been ready for the change, it sets your customers mind at ease. Cheers!
Q: What if I install my old 520 width images on a new Timeline version of an app?
A: First off, why would you when you have a much bigger canvas to promote your brand and promotional campaigns?………..
Seriously you guys – I would because creative turn around is 30 days plus and you did not give me enough time to prepare… That is WHY!
All of your existing apps won’t suddenly break. Your existing 520 pixel
width artwork and copy will still be viewable, likeable, sharable, and
clickable.