In case you didn’t know, there have always been two ways to create a custom tab in your Facebook Page. The App Method and the StaticFBML Method. Both might have looked similar to the viewer but are created and operate in very different ways. Very soon, (March 11, 2011) Facebook is doing away with the ability to create custom tabs using the StaticFBML method. If you already have one – don’t worry! They say they’ll still work after the date. Pages just won’t be able to create new ones using that method. Not that you need to know this but StaticFBML creates a simple empty box in which to place code for your page. Give your tab a title, add your code, and click save. You have a custom tab*! * It’s really not all that simple, not all code works, some FBML, HTML and CSS works, other does not. Here’s a quick run down of that process.
When I started building Custom Facebook Business Pages I looked at both options and decided for most instances the StaticFBML was the best choice. Here’s a few Pros and Cons of each as they stand right now.
The Cost? Just $400 
Contrast that with the iFrame App version that soon all NEW tabs will need to be created using.
Item
StaticFBML
iFrame App
Page Owner “owns” the code?
Y
N
Page Owner can modify the code themselves or assign anyone to modify existing code?
Y
N
Custom Tab can be designated as Landing Tab?
Y
Y
Development time to build (time is money)
Short
Longer
Can the Tab contain Dynamic Content?
N
Y
Can the Tab contain embedded Video, Contact Forms?
Y
Y
<= Shameless self promotion!
StaticFBML or iFrame App? The Pros and Cons of each
There’s a lot more but these are just off the top of my head.
The first question I seem to get is “It’s an iframe, can’t you just iframe in my complete site?” You could but your site isn’t built at 520 pixels wide. That means you would have scroll bars. BIG scroll bars. Here’s my site iframed into a tabhttp://www.facebook.com/AreWeConnected?sk=app_54206468128 doesn’t really work does it? That means someone will have to recreate what you want in that iFrame to the proper width first.
But one of the biggest drawbacks I see with the new iframe Apps is that to make any changes you will always have to go back to the developer who created the App. They own the code and hopefully they’ll still be around when you need them. If you know anyting about me you know how I feel about that.
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