Facebook Timeline is here with a whole new design and host of fabulous features.

I have to admit I’m really excited about it. But it presents a MASSIVE change for Pages so it’s no wonder business owners are tearing their hair out at another typical Facebook difficult-to-manage manuever.

Instead of doing a huge post about all the changes I wanted to focus on one at a time. Starting with the most prominent. The Cover Photo.

Below you’ll find creative ideas, what you can’t include in your Cover Photo and need to know details to get it looking just right.

Let’s dive in!

What Exactly Is The Cover Photo Anyway?

The Cover Photo is the most prominent area of your Facebook Page and the first thing people will see when they visit your Page.

It spans the width at the top and the idea is to display a unique image to express what your Page is about.

It’s an ideal place for an image that visually represents you and your business – something that is unique and striking to draw people in. And, as default landing tabs have gone (y’know the welcome tab that encouraged users to like the page) – your Timeline is where everyone will land when they visit your Page.

Important Cover Photo Guidelines

With this new design Facebook included some strict guidelines on what you can’t include in your cover photo. Here are the details lifted straight from Facebook’s Terms & Conditions:

• Price or purchase info, such as ‘40% off’ or ‘Download it at our website’
• Contact information such as a website address, email, mailing address or information that should go in your Page’s About section
• References to Facebook features or actions, such as ‘like’ or ‘share’ or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features
• Calls to action, such as ‘Get it now’ or ‘Tell your friends’

Pretty tough, eh?

So, What Will Happen If You Ignore These Rules?

Facebook DO take pages down, and if they do that to yours it will cause you a whole heap of hassle – save yourself the trouble and follow the guidelines.

Besides, the new design and rules gives us business owners a chance to show why our business is unique and is a whole lot more creative and visually appealing than flashy slogans and sales messages. The alternative is pretty unimaginative so let’s embrace it!

Let’s Have A Look At Some Creative Brand Pages…

Starbucks. Feature: Approachability, Behind The Scenes

Starbucks have used a picture of their team – all in their Starbucks green t-shirts.

Your team might not be as big as theirs but this is a great way to show off some personality and provide a little peek behind the curtain.

This idea can shine a spotlight on the people who are your business – those that make it running like clockwork day to day. Particularly if you have a product or service based business online or you don’t communicate with your clients face to face.

Macy’s Department Store. Feature: Reputation, Stature

Macy’s Department Store are highlighting their history with this fabulous photo of the store and billboard.

This image says it all – the world’s largest store that’s been around for a llllong time. A must place to visit if you’re ever lucky enough to be to NYC.

I’m not sure if it’s still the largest store in the world, but it’s still a great image…

Oh, and check out the little handle connected to the Profile Picture in the left hand corner – it makes a carrier bag – clever!

Swedish Hasbeens. Feature: Your Products

If you’re a fan of clogs then you’ll know about Swedish Hasbeens – I had to add this as a hat tip to my Swedish background.

The cover photo portrays their history and heritage with the forties style imagery and Swedish flag. Plus most importantly, they are displaying their new season shoe designs.

This is a great idea if you’re a product based business. Let’s see you stuff!

The Bowery Mission. Feature: Your Great Work

You might not have a product but you can show us what you do do – your services. The Bowery Mission have chosen a moving image showing them in action.

Choc’s Children. Feature: Your Values

How cute is this!? You might now know what Choc’s Children do by their Cover Photo, but you know they love kids (and pictures of kids or animals usually sparks interest and warmth in people). What they do is covered in the About section.

Tamsin Fox-Davies. Feature: Who You Help

Another cute one, this time from Tamsin Fox-Davies, London’s favourite small business marketing mentor.

This is a perfect idea if you’re a small consultancy business. Demonstrating who you help, why you do it and a sprinkle of personality will immediately draw people to you. And, if you know Tam you’ll know she’s a big dog lover.

Livestrong. Feature: Branding, Featuring Other Content

Livestrong is my favourite. Not just because I’m a massive Lance Armstrong and Tour de France fan but what they’ve done here is genius.

They’ve used their very strong branding – the yellow ribbon in the main cover photo to draw the eye down to the Apps section and their blog in particular.

Remember the guidelines – no arrows pointing from the cover photo to any of the other Facebook features. They’ve got around this in a very clever way without using any words or arrows at all – just simple imagery. I love this!

Alicia Cowan. Feature: Action, Fun

And last of all, I’ve included mine!

I’m probably just on the edge of the rules here and I’m not sure if Facebook will like it. But I figured ‘thumbs up’ have been around a lot longer than Facebook ‘likes’!

I’ve used an image to generate action and having a leetle bit of fun with it too. Afterall, Facebook is a social network and your Page should show your fun side.

I’ve included my logo but no tag line – saving that for the important About section. That along with my Page name makes it clear what my Page is about.

More Ideas For Your Cover Photo

Once you’ve got people to Like your Page you want to keep their attention by making your Page a destination for them.

Did you know you can change your cover photo as often as you like?

If you’re business is seasonal, you release products regularly, you want to celebrate holidays or other milestones like company birthdays – then this is an ideal strategy for you.

But whatever business you’re in – it’s a good idea to change up your Cover Photo to keep your Page looking fresh.

And remember, each time you change your cover photo, you’ll draw attention to your page because this action is posted to your Wall and in your subscribers’ Newsfeed.

You could make a regular feature by changing it each month if you’re a design agency or even getting your customers involved by displaying their images, nice things they say about you or asking them to vote on the next image.

There are SO many things you can do!

More Important Details For Your Cover Page

The space for your image is 851 x 315 pixels.

You want to use this size to make sure your image is sharp and clear. You don’t want it looking fuzzy or stretched out. Ewww!

I’ve heard that the minimum width you need is 399 pixels to avoid the image being stretched but I suggest going for the ideal size if possible.

To Change Your Cover Photo All You Need To Do Is…

• hover over the right hand area of the display
• a drop down menu will appear giving you the option to upload from your computer or the images from your Facebook Page
• Select your image and move in to the correct position

Job done!