A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post on the importance of a custom Facebook page for your business. After this post I had quite a number of different readers on Live Chat asking about how they can make one and which of the different customisation services I can recommend.

At first I was providing each person customised support and researching for them depending on their needs, then it dawned upon me.. We need a comparison table in our next post! So what I have done for you this week is researched some of the most popular custom page creation tools and have built a comparison chart on some of the most important questions: Ease of use, Functionality, Pricing and Limitations.

Below the table you will find who we have voted as the winners of:

• Best FREE option for single-page single-function customisation
• Best FREE option for single-page multi-function customisation
• Best option for a custom design
• Best option for multiple pages

So here is our Custom Facebook Page comparison chart to help you create a Facebook Page:

(click the chart to see a larger version)

Table Key: = Included in the base plan           = Available in higher plans

Prices shown are lowest available other than free versions as of 6th July 2011

	ThruSocial	North Social	Static 520	Pagemondo	Tabsite	Involver	Static FBML	Shoptab	Pagelever	Splash tab Social	FaceIt	ShortStack	Social Media Star
Difficulty (hover over options for more details)
EasyThese tools offer easy to use systems for their DIY products
AdvancedThese tools offer more advanced systems for their DIY product. The tools may include a number of apps or widgets that you need to drag and drop to make your page
Functionality Available (hover over options for more details)
Like GateA like gate encouraging non-fans to like your page is included/ available
Fan Landing PageThis option includes a custom page for your fans or one that you can set as the landing page once someone becomes your fan								shopping cart display
App SuiteThis option is built on an App Suite allowing you to pick and chose the functionality you would like included.
Mini SiteThis option allows you to build multiple pages within your tab like a mini website
Contest/ PromoThis option allows you to create a competition or offer a special promo within your tab
Sign up FormThis option allows you to include a form within your page to be used for things such as contact requests, newsletter sign ups etc
Design Options (hover over options for more details)
Template DesignThis option is built on a template basis. You will need to supply images, text and content			limited
Fully Custom DesignThis option allows a custom design that needs to be applied. In the BYO cases you are required to provide a fully designed page as an image or provide the core elements of your page as an image.		BYO custom elements				BYO custom elements			BYO	BYO custom elements		BYO custom elements
# of PagesThe number of pages you can apply your custom tab/s to	1 page	1 page	1 page	1 page	1 page	1 page	Unlimited	1 page	Unlimited	1 page, unlimited tabs	1 page	Unlimited	Unlimited
Price (hover over options for more details)
FREEThis service is completely free for this number of tabs or services	1 page			1 page	1 page	1 page			Unlimited		1 page	Unlimited
Fan Based PricingThe pricing for this service is based on the number of fans that you have		<1,000 fans $19.99				2 basic FB apps for free		< 500 products				< 2,000 Free
PaidThis service provides a paid option, the price listed is the cheapest paid option available	$19.99 + monthly	$19.99 + monthly	$19.00 yearly	$6.25 + monthly	$5 + monthly	$99 + monthly	POA	$10 + monthly	$3 monthly	$29.00 + monthly	$8 + monthly	$30 + monthly	From $297$297 – basic page with custom design. $397 – intermediate (newsletter sign up, videos etc). $527 – advanced 3 page mini site with competitions, forms, app suite)

Now for the winners….

Best FREE option for single-page single-function customisation

Pagemondo allows you to collect your images and content and place them within one of the pre-designed layout options for one tab on one page for free. While the templates can be a little restricting as default, the ability to upload your own background does extend this, and if you choose not to load your own the standard backgrounds are professional and clean.

Pagemondo is fairly simple and easy to use however there are some limitations to positioning due to the truly template basis. You are limited to creating a tab that can only be used for static content on a landing page however if you are looking for further functionality the pro option allows additions like like gate covers, sign up forms and video integration. Compared to some of the other options this is all round much easier and creates some of the best looking free and simple pages.

Best FREE option for single-page multi-function customisation

Short Stack’s free version allows you to use the majority of their fairly extensive app pool including: Links, image galleries, product/ service listings, forms, newsletter sign ups, videos, twitter feeds, Google Maps and more. The free version of Short Stack limits you to having a maximum of 2000 page likers, any more than that and you will have to pay however the range of apps available makes this the best option for anyone with less than 2000. Being an app pool based service the design side of things is a little more difficult than that of Pagemondo however with a little tweaking and dedication this is achievable.

Best option for a custom design

If you are looking for a truly full custom design that can be created by your design team or an external provider and you have the functional abilities to go along with it, the best way to go is either a Static FBML or WordPress powered page. While they do allow genuine custom design they do require some extensive work by your developer and designer so this is not for the feint hearted ‘get a run on the board’ type project (unless you have a great developer or service to do this for you).

Over at Social Media Star we create custom pages for business who don’t have the capabilities or time to do it themselves. We make the process simple for clients by conducting a 30min phone consultation with them to ensure we fully understand their aims and our designers provide various design options for the client to ensure their needs are met.

Best option for multiple pages

Your best multiple page option is the $30 Short Stack plan. Providing unlimited pages for up to 25,000 fans, it’s sure to have most bases covered. The $30 version also includes contest database access allowing you to run competitions, voting and sweepstakes to maximise your liker numbers and conversion rate (remember that 45% year on year increase that we spoke about a couple weeks ago)

Knowing which solutions offer which products is great information to arm yourself with, however if you are looking for more information or are looking for a custom service to be done for you please contact us. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions and will help you make the decisions of what is best for you and your business. For more information on our Facebook services please see our Custom Facebook Page packages.

I am assigning you a little homework this week, if you have used any of the above services please comment below and let us know how you found it. While I have done the best I can to review I would love to hear your stories.