Recently I was asked by a small business owner if they could change the name of their Facebook page. The background is that they had set up their Facebook page awhile ago and as their business developed they’ve realized that the page name is too narrow and they wanted to change it to a name that applied to a wider range of business. They had logged in to Facebook and accessed their page settings only to find that they couldn’t change the name.
Why? Facebook doesn’t allow for page names to be changed when you have more than 200 Likes. This is one of the rules of Facebook I can’t find fault with. Your fans and friends “liked” one page; would it be fair to change the page name, possibly changing what they liked?
If the old and new page names are so different then it’s like changing businesses. The answer to a name change would be set up new Facebook page– I suppose it’s Facebook’s view that it you have under 200 Likes you can get the word out easily to direct your fans to the new page. But remember a new page means building your following again and connecting it to your website and other marketing materials you use to direct people to your page.
So weigh carefully the name of your Facebook page as it may something you’ll live with for a long time to come. And if you’re itching to change your name, remember you may not be able to it when you’re popular!
