Have You Heard About Facebook’s Redesign?
Facebook doesn’t make many big changes quickly. Since it’s launch in 2004, with each new change comes a wave of people complaining or asking for it to go back to “the old way.” It looks like it may be that time again.
According to VentureBeat, Facebook’s developers are currently in the process of testing a new change that is probably going ruffle some feathers!
What is it?
Facebook’s new site design will prominently feature advertisements.
Who likes ads? Not too many people except for advertisers and Facebook!
However, check out these two key parts of the redesign:
- Static elements. The new redesign would keep the placement of advertisements and the menu navigation window static. As the user scrolls down the page, scanning their News Feed and checking in on friends, these elements would follow them. The navigation bar at the top of the screen and even the site’s footer would also remain static.
- Limit the number of ads. The other interesting change is that it will only allow Facebook to display a certain number of advertisements on each page.
I think this could be a huge game-changer for real estate agents and brokers who invest in Facebook ads. Why? Facebook ads already rock because of the laser focus you can choose when creating them, but this new redesign offers agents better ad positioning, an ad that is more likely to convert, and an ad which could turn more likes into leads.
Imagine an ad that you see (on YOUR page) that is targeted to you, and your likes and interests. Instead of seeing it once as you scroll by it, it follows you where you go throughout Facebook. If it’s done in a non-annoying way, this could be a great way to get your ad in front of the same people but for longer periods of time. Most people when they see an ad don’t react to it – they have to see it over and over and perhaps this new redesign will breathe new life into ads and give real estate agents one more reason to invest time and money into a Facebook marketing strategy.
What do you think? Hate it? Love it? I’d love your feedback, leave me a comment below!
Katie Lance, Social Media Director, Inman News, @katielance
Chris | Jun 29, 2011 | Reply
Like you said Katie, a win for Facebook & advertisers = not so much for users. In their defense though, when you offer a free service like FB, ads should be expected.
Ben Fisher | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Nothing really too shocking here. FB is a cash cow they can just keep milking for more money.
Sal | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
I noticed this the other day while browsing with my daughters laptop. For a minute I thought it was coming from her laptop and not Facebook. Interesting. Ads were a bit annoying though.
Jason Fox | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
As a Facebook user I hate it. As a Marketer I love it. At the end of the day companies need Profit to continue to provide a great product. As long as they do not start popping up, flashing, interupting my valuable “Branch Out” time.
Aaron | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
What else is new? Just when you get comfortable with Facebook’s last changes, they switch something up on you.
J. Garland Thurman | Jun 30, 2011 | Reply
Facebook really does offer great opportunities to build relationships with existing and new clients. It will not be as simple and easy as simply putting up a Page and waiting for the business to roll in. Time and commitment are absolute requirements. I think there will be a need for a special blend between your profile for friends and the business Page. The two are interactive. I am sure there will be a few folks who are real winners, but there will be many, many losers.
Glendale Real Estate | Jul 1, 2011 | Reply
I think its a great idea to allow advertisements real estate agent are willing to post and ad on Facebook because of daily visitors, I can see a great future of real estate marketing, but as a user. I don’t like this idea!
Glendale Real Estate | Jul 1, 2011 | Reply
Not a good change for users, But as professional its very good and I think estate agent are willing to post banners on facebook. . .
Good way to advertise also the products..
@AgentSteph | Jul 1, 2011 | Reply
Agreed. Flashing ads are the worst! I’ve dipped my toe into facebook ads, but i wish they’d lower their threshold to less than $5/day.
Miguel Contreras | Jul 2, 2011 | Reply
I like this change. Typically ads annoy me, however, FB ads are the only ones I’ve factually clicked on due to their laser focus on my likes and interest. If we realtors become better and hyper-niching our FB ads, this new redesign may prove to be highly effective.
Abraham Baghbodorian | Jul 2, 2011 | Reply
I am not really sure there is much value to real estate agents advertising on Facebook. People who are seriously looking to buy or sell real estate are not going to be searching on Facebook.
Slots | Jul 2, 2011 | Reply
I think users has to adopt to whatever changes they make in their sites, its what they think they see fit and change is constant..
Katie's Husband | Jul 4, 2011 | Reply
Great article. Hopefully these new ads will not scare off any FB users
Alex Cortez | Jul 4, 2011 | Reply
I’m not on FB often enough for it to be a big for me, but I can completely see how it could be annoying for end users and diminish the visitor experience.
Happy 4th of July, by the way.
Mariah | Jul 4, 2011 | Reply
Advertisings ruin the user experience. I get it, FB is free and they need to monetize their work but at what expense?
angele mandeux | Jul 4, 2011 | Reply
Ok, I guess I don’t get why advertisers love it so much..it’s gonna drive away users in droves. Since they changed my page over, I have barely been on, and since the new interface doesn’t work with my mobile, I’ve just taken it off my phone entirely (which is the ONLY place I see ads usually since I use an adblocker on my browser) And that stalkerbar is gonna drive away the privacy-skittish in DROVES.
Not to mention, the interface also doesn’t work AT ALL with the games, so that revenue is gonna start to dry up too.
Also, who says keeping the same five ads around is gonna up clickthru? They cease to be new and stimulating and become part of the background. With the old interface I refreshed constantly to get the newest of the new, with each refresh bringing a new set of ads. This way, I not only never refresh, but since I don’t have the OPTION to just view most recent, I spend way less hours on the site (what’s the point if all I see in the “happening now” is stuff my friends are saying about people I don’t know, and the stuff at the top of my page is the same five posts for a week at a time. I went from logging on for several hours a day to less than a single hour a day the interface is so head-ache inducing.
And as someone who has worked closely with the tech folks at my last few places of employment, it isn’t just a case of people hating something because it’s new, we hate it because it’s just terrible as a user interface. If anyone goes to Gawker, thing New Gawker vs Old Gawker–now imagine it’s your facebook page. Seriously-it’s similar in look and clunky use
Darryl | Jul 5, 2011 | Reply
As a Facebook user, I’ll have to wait and see it in action to know if ruins the FB experience, but I suspect it will be ok. I’m used to seeing advertising everywhere I go anyway.
As an advertiser, I think it’s great – far more visible advertising that should improve click through rates.
If I were a real estate agent working in a large city, I don’t think FB ads help a lot. Most agents in our city of 1 million + people focus on one suburb or area, not the entire city … and FB doesn’t break down the geographical target area to that level of specificity.
Sami Asfour | Jul 6, 2011 | Reply
Good idea if priced right.
Jon | Jul 6, 2011 | Reply
I would have to say that I am one that doesnt like the changes facebook makes. The last update still isnt nice.
Focus Realty | Jul 9, 2011 | Reply
Where Facebook can help is with unique properties. We will be offering a historic home in a rural area of Central Texas – the home is considered haunted! FB can help us find people interested in haunted homes, historic homes, and retiring to the country. This buyer is not actively looking for a home. Nor do they have a location chosen – not even a state in most cases.
This is not a typical home buyer. For an impulse buyer, Facebook can be a valuable tool.
p.s. – if you are in to historic, supposedly haunted homes, check back on our web site around August 15th. Or find us on Facebook!
Discovery Coast | Jul 9, 2011 | Reply
It amazes me the number of people who complain about changes to a free service. If you don’t like it, don’t use it. They can do whatever they want. We don’t pay for it, the advertisers do. Besides, it’s good for the brain to learn something new!
Melissa | Jul 9, 2011 | Reply
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. That’s dead space otherwise so why not appease the advertisers more by making them static?
Dawn | Jul 10, 2011 | Reply
I think more of the younger generation are already redefining Facebook as a place to mostly share pictures, have you ever watch a 19 or 20 year old cruise thru at lightning speed – tweeter is were they are starting to really connect
Real Estate In Vancouver | Jul 15, 2011 | Reply
It honestly seems like I spend more time figuring out Facebook’s frequent redesigns that I do actually using the site. I’m a high level internet user but to be honest I don’t have time for their constant upgrades. Colour me frustrated! Adrian
para kazanmak | Jul 16, 2011 | Reply
I get it, FB is free and they need to monetize their work but at what expense?
Sullivan County Real Estate | Jul 16, 2011 | Reply
Advertising is where facebook makes its money. it is a simple concept that T.V. has used for decades. Draw in you audience with free entertainment, and then advertise.
Wailea Ekahi | Jul 19, 2011 | Reply
Does anybody have pricing to become an advertiser on FB? It could be worth a try if it’s less expensive that Adwords.
Catherine Ulrey | Jul 20, 2011 | Reply
I don’t think it sounds too bad for the user. I have to be honest, when ads are tailored to my interests, there are some good ones!
Jeff Morris (Real Estate Agent) | Jul 21, 2011 | Reply
That’s not something new for facebook, it keep on doing the changes. And I think it’s good to go for, it helps to learn something new too.
ADRIATIC REAL ESTATE | Aug 14, 2011 | Reply
Just briefly to thank you for the great post.
I am the owner of the real estate agency in Croatia, Europe, and I read your post’s with a great interest. Just keep up with the good work