by Matt Bender

Created on: November 15, 2009

For individuals who wish to advertise a business on Facebook, the popular social networking site offers pages called "business accounts". These pages are used to promote the managing individual's associated business, and any ads they have created.

To create a business account, an individual must first create a Facebook Ad or Facebook Page. If associated with a professional business, the prospective user must be an official representative for their organization, and must contact Facebook from their business email or phone number for the page to be authorized.

After one of these two items is created, the individual should go to the Facebook Login page and he or she will be asked if an account already exists under that individual's name. If an account already exists, the request for a business page will be terminated. If this is the individual's first and only account, the individual should click the "I do not have a Facebook account" button. The individual will then be required to enter more information to complete the registration process.

Once the page has been authorized and created, the account admin will be able to create other pages or create ads for their organization. Business accounts differ from personal pages in that they cannot see the personal information for other individuals on the site. Additionally, business accounts cannot add applications. However, business information can be added to the site and sent to all associated fans or members.

Facebook will terminate profiles if they determine that one person holds more than one account. Although users may wish to have both a personal and business account, having two accounts violates Facebook's Terms of Use. However, a user can switch a business account to a personal account; this action cannot be undone.

If the page admin decides to create a personal profile, he or she should click the "Create Your Profile" button at the top of the business account page. Facebook will require additional information such as full name and a security question to officially transition to personal page. Again, this action cannot be undone.

After the switch from business account to personal account, the user can continue to administer the business page and associated ads. The user should click the "Ads and Pages" button under the "Applications" tab. This tab is found on the left-hand side of the personal page. Privacy options can be changed to prevent fans or members from finding the personal page.

For more information, check out Facebook's Help Center.

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