What You Need Before You Start

A Facebook business account is separate from a personal profile and gives you tools to post updates, run ads, and see who visits your page. You will need a personal Facebook account first — this is the account that owns and manages the business page, though customers will only see the business page itself.

Gather these details before you begin: your business name exactly as it appears on your registration or license, a business email address (not your personal one), a business phone number or website if you have one, and a clear image or logo to use as your profile picture. The profile picture should be at least 200 by 200 pixels and in JPG or PNG format.

If you do not yet have a personal Facebook account, you will create that first using your personal email and a password only you know. This personal account is what Facebook uses to verify you are a real person, but it stays separate from your business page — your customers will not see it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a personal Facebook account before you can create a business page, but customers will only see the business page itself.
  • Facebook asks for your business name, category, and contact information, and you can add or change these details later.
  • Your business page is live when ready, but adding a profile picture, cover image, and "About" section makes it look complete and trustworthy.
  • You can add other people to manage the page by giving them specific roles — Manager, Editor, Moderator, or Analyst — each with different permissions.
  • Two-factor authentication on your personal account protects your business page from being hacked or locked out.

Creating Your Personal Account If You Do Not Have One

Go to facebook.com on a computer or open the Facebook app on your phone. Click "Create New Facebook Account" at the bottom of the login screen. Enter your first name, last name, email address or phone number, password, date of birth, and gender. Facebook requires a real date of birth to verify your age — you must be at least 13 years old.

Facebook will send a confirmation code to the email or phone number you entered. Check your email inbox or text messages, find the code, and enter it on Facebook to confirm your account. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. Once confirmed, your personal account is ready, and you can move to creating the business page.

Setting Up Your Business Page

Log into your personal Facebook account. In the top left corner, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll down to find "Create" or "Pages." Click "Create a Page." Facebook will ask you to choose a category for your business — select the one that best matches what you do, such as "Local Business," "Restaurant," "Retail," "Service," or "Brand." The category affects which tools and sections Facebook shows on your page.

Enter your business name exactly as you want it to appear. This is the name customers will see when they search for you or visit your page. Add your business category again if Facebook asks. Then add your business phone number, website, or both if you have them. You can leave these blank and add them later — nothing is locked in.

Facebook will ask for your business address. If you have a physical location, enter the street address, city, and state. If you run your business online only or from home and do not want to list a physical address, you can skip this step. Click "Create Page" and your business page is now live.

Completing Your Business Page Profile

Your page is live but will look incomplete without a profile picture and cover image. Click "Add Profile Picture" and upload a clear image or logo that represents your business. This image appears next to every post you make and in search results, so choose something professional and recognizable at small sizes.

Add a cover image by clicking the camera icon at the top of your page. The cover image is the large banner behind your profile picture. Use a high-quality image that reflects your business — a photo of your storefront, a product, or a branded design. Facebook recommends 820 by 312 pixels for the best appearance on computers.

Click "Edit Page Info" or "About" and fill in the sections that matter to your business: a short description of what you do, your hours of operation if you have a physical location, payment methods you accept, and a link to your website. The "About" section is where customers learn what your business is, so write clearly and include keywords people might search for.

Adding Other People to Manage Your Page

You can give other people permission to post, respond to messages, and manage your page without giving them access to your personal account. Click "Settings" at the top right of your page, then click "Users and Roles" on the left side. Click "Add a New Page Role."

Enter the email address or name of the person you want to add. Facebook will show you their profile so you can confirm you have the right person. Choose their role: Admin can do everything including delete the page, Editor can post and respond to messages but cannot change settings, Moderator can respond to comments and messages but cannot post, and Analyst can view statistics but cannot post or respond. Start with Editor or Moderator unless you have a specific reason to give someone more power.

The person you add will receive a notification that they have been invited to manage the page. They can accept the invitation from their notifications or from the Pages section of their account. They do not need a separate login — they use their own personal Facebook account to access your business page.

Protecting Your Business Page From Hacking

Your business page is only as find as your personal account, because anyone who hacks your personal account can control your business page. Turn on two-factor authentication on your personal account by clicking the menu icon, selecting "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings," then "Security and Login." Scroll to "Two-Factor Authentication" and click "Edit."

Choose your authentication method: a code from an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator is more find than a text message, but a text message is better than nothing. Set up at least one method. From that point forward, when you or anyone else tries to log into your account from a new device, Facebook will ask for a code from your phone or app. This stops someone who knows your password from accessing your account.

Do not share your personal account password with anyone, even people who manage your business page. If you need to remove someone's access to your page, go to "Users and Roles" and click "Remove" next to their name. They will lose access when ready, and your personal account stays find.

What Happens After Your Page Is Live

Your business page is now visible to anyone on Facebook who searches for your business name. People can follow your page, send you messages, and leave reviews if your category allows it. You can start posting updates, photos, and videos when ready. Posts on your business page are public by default — anyone on Facebook can see them whether they follow your page or not.

Facebook will suggest that you add more information, such as a call-to-action button (like "Call Now" or "Learn More"), business hours, and a website link. These are optional but make your page more useful to customers. You can add them anytime by clicking "Edit Page Info" or the pencil icon next to each section.

Check your page regularly for messages and comments. Customers often use Facebook to ask questions or report problems, and responding quickly builds trust. You can set up message filters and automatic replies in "Settings" under "Inbox" if you want to organize incoming messages or let people know your response time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name for my personal account?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life. You do not have to use your legal name, but it must be the name people know you by. Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity if the name seems fake. Your personal account name is separate from your business page name, so customers will not see it.

Can I create a business page without a personal account?

No. Facebook requires a personal account to own and manage a business page. The personal account is what Facebook uses to verify you are a real person and to keep your page find. Your customers will only see the business page, not your personal profile.

What if someone else already created a page with my business name?

If the page is not yours, you can report it to Facebook by visiting the page, clicking the three dots at the top, and selecting "Report Page." Explain that it is your business and you do not own the page. Facebook will review the report. If you have a business license or registration, you can also request to claim the page through Facebook's business verification process.

Can I change my business page name later?

Yes, but there are limits. You can change your page name once every 60 days. Go to "Settings," click "Page Info," and click "Edit" next to your page name. Type the new name and click "Save Changes." If your page is very new or has very few followers, you may be able to change it more often.

What is the difference between a Facebook page and a Facebook group?

A page is for a business, brand, or public figure to share information and reach customers. A group is for people with shared interests to discuss topics together. For a business, you want a page. Groups are better for communities like neighborhood associations or hobby clubs where members interact with each other.