Facebook's iPad App has Finally Arrived

What Facebook's iPad App Means for Your Law Firm

Yesterday Facebook came out their much-anticipated app for the iPad and with its release came a wave of online commentary. Mashable.com published a great article that points out some of the features that the app provides, but recognizes the common consensus that its arrival hasn’t impressed the online community. We were rather disappointed as well but like our fellow critics, like Jill Duffy of PCMag.com, did notice that an overwhelming emphasis has been placed on photos and video.

So what does this mean for you? For one, if you aren’t posting photos and videos on your Facebook account you will not be one of the first profiles iPad users see in their news feed. The emphasis on the visual aspect of your page is yet another argument for the importance of web video and not limiting your videos to just your website or YouTube. Also, an interesting aspect of the app is the focus on your profile picture rather than your name, so a picture that really stands out is going to help draw the eye to your page.

While the importance of your visual exposure on your profile or fan page is the most glaring difference between the app and the website there are also some features that stand out as well. One such feature is the inclusion of  “Check In” and “Nearby” tabs that allow you to share where you are and shows you where your friends have checked in on a world map. Another is that if the email that you use as a login is used on any user review sites such as Yelp.com, it is included in the “Apps” category of the site, allowing you or your clients to instantly post a review if you have you iPad on hand.

Overall we expected more from the social networking giant and felt more than a little disappointed after months of speculating what the Facebook app would look like. However, that being said there are some lessons to be taken from the app, most importantly that if you don’t have pictures and videos, you simply wont be noticed. For more information on how to make the most of the web marketing aspect of social media feel free to call us at 1.888.886.0939, post on our Facebook fan page or give a shout out on Tom’s Twitter profile @tomfosterweb.