A Facebook page gives you two benefits, brand identity and a link back your website which will be helpful in SEO. While you continue to build your online image using Facebook, you will also increase your visitors and search engine placement. Facebook claims over 120 million registered users, the same people that are out there looking for your information and products.

The following is 5 strategies for using Facebook to help your Search Engine Optimization campaign:

Choose an appropriate name

The first thing you should do when creating a Facebook account is to give your account a great name which relates to your company or message. Additionally, Facebook users are able to claim their names in the form of URL’s, this would look like www.Facebook.com/MyCompany. Choosing an appropriate name will help clear any confusion with your fans and friends; although you may also want to use your personal name to build a personal image.

Fill your ‘About’ and ‘Info’ pages with highly optimized keywords

Within your Facebook profile, you have the ability to fill in an about and Info section. Use highly optimized keywords within these areas to help users find you when they search. Google will also take note of your specific keywords and begin to rank specific pages within its search index with you keywords, linking back to your Facebook account.

Use Facebook for Branding

Perhaps the best use of Facebook is for personal branding. Fans and friends may already know what services and products you offer, but they may not know the real you. Use Facebook to help share insightful opinions, funny stories and helpful tips to your user base, which in turn will help improve your online image and credibility.

Post relevant and buzz worthy content

Facebook uses the ‘Wall’ and ‘Live Stream’ to display anything from pictures, links and status updates. If you find an interesting link or want to post your own links within this area, feel free to do so. Although Facebook place displays these links as ‘no-follow’, the increase traffic to your website is sure to help with your conversion and Search Engine Optimization.

Start a Facebook Ad campaign

One of the best untapped markets for ad campaigns is Facebook. Creating a Facebook Ad campaign takes literally minutes but there are many great features, most importantly the ability to specifically target age groups, interests and geographical areas. You could use your Facebook Ad campaign to drive more visitors to your site, perhaps to buy a product, subscribe to a service or comment on your blog, all of which will help in your long term SEO efforts.

Now that you know these 5 strategies for Facebook, get out there and do it! If you’ve never entered the world of Social Networking it can be a bit scary at first, but the return you see from engaging your visitors and contacts will help your website extraordinarily. Including Facebook as a part of your Search Engine Optimization campaign is a great choice for any website looking to gain extra search engine placement.