Facebook recently announced a major redesign to the look and feel of Facebook pages. This is the biggest update to pages in years and brings a much more modern, minimalist aesthetic. The redesign aims to put more focus on the page’s content rather than on unnecessary elements. So what exactly does the new Facebook page design look like and what are the key changes?
A Cleaner, More Minimal Look
The most obvious change is that the new Facebook page layout has a lot less clutter. Facebook has removed many of the dividing lines, borders, and other visual elements that previously segmented the page. This gives the page a much cleaner, more minimalist look that puts more emphasis on the page’s core content.
For example, the cover photo now extends all the way down to the top of the first post, rather than having a border at the bottom. And the left sidebar that used to show page navigation links and metrics has been removed completely. The only elements left on the left side are the page profile/cover photo, page title, and call-to-action button.
More Focus on Posts
With less clutter on the page, the central news feed where posts appear gets more prominence. Posts now take up the majority of the page’s real estate. This puts more focus on the page’s updates and content that page owners publish.
The posts themselves have also been redesigned and now have slightly rounded corners to help them stand out. The goal seems to be to make the stream of posts the core centerpiece of the page.
Emphasis on Cover Photo
Facebook pages have always had large cover photos at the top, but they are now even more prominent. The lack of borders and other surrounding elements makes the cover photo feel like it extends across the entire top of the page.
Page profile photos have also been made slightly larger to help them stand out more. Facebook is clearly trying to put emphasis on the visual branding aspect that profile and cover photos provide.
New Page Title Treatment
The page title and description text have been given more visual weight as well. The page name now appears in a large, bold font front and center. And the page description text has been moved up higher on the page rather than being buried down below.
This allows pages to clearly define who they are and what they’re about right up top. Page admins can now pin their title and description so they remain visible even when scrolling down through posts.
Cleaner Right Sidebar
While the left sidebar has gone away completely, the right sidebar remains largely the same but has been visually cleaned up. The various utility links, buttons, and menus have been consolidated and styled in a more minimalist way.
The About section has also been expanded to show more information up front, like the page description, category, contact info, and maps/directions link if applicable.
More Visible Call-To-Action Button
Pages have always had call-to-action (CTA) buttons but they tended to get buried before. Facebook has now made the CTA much more prominent just underneath the page name and profile photo.
This fixed CTA button is always visible, which should make it easier for page visitors to find and click. Page admins can choose the CTA action like Book Now, Contact Us, Sign Up, etc.
Cleaner Mobile Design
In addition to desktop, the new page design also looks much cleaner and tighter on mobile as well. The mobile page gets rid of even more dividers, borders, and extra elements. Posts take up most of the screen, with key info like the page name, CTA, and utility links condensed down at the very top.
This creates a very streamlined mobile experience where you can scroll smoothly down a feed of the page’s posts. The redesign aims to optimize pages for mobile, where most social media usage now occurs.
New Page Creation Flow
For those setting up a new Facebook page, the page creation flow has also been updated. When you go to create a page, you are now walked through a step-by-step process to set up all the key elements:
- Choose page category
- Add page name, description and profile photo
- Select call-to-action button
- Invite friends to like the page
- Publish first post
This creates a more guided experience for properly setting up all parts of a page from the outset. Page admins are encouraged to start publishing content and inviting audience right away as well.
Why the Redesign?
Facebook decided a redesign was needed to streamline pages and provide a more focused experience. Some of the key reasons behind the redesign include:
- Cluttered design made it hard to focus on core content
- Mobile design needed to be optimized for small screens
- Too many competing elements on the page
- Profile/cover photos and posts needed more emphasis
- CTA button was too buried before
By simplifying the layout, creating a more guided setup process, and putting emphasis on the right elements, the new design aims to create pages that are easier to manage and navigate for admins as well as visitors.
When Will Pages Switch to the New Design?
The new Facebook page design began gradually rolling out in July 2022. However, it will take some time before all Facebook pages switch over to the new look.
Facebook is transitioning pages over to the new design algorithmically in batches. There is no setting for page owners to manually switch over their pages. Instead, pages will automatically migrate over in phases over the coming months.
So if your page still has the old design, don’t worry – all pages will get the new look eventually. This gradual rollout allows Facebook to monitor how the redesign impacts different types of pages and make any tweaks needed.
Tips for the New Design
Here are some tips on making the most of the new Facebook page design:
- Take advantage of the extra large cover photo space to make a visual statement.
- Craft an informative but concise page description to hook visitors.
- Use the prominent CTA button to drive the desired action.
- Post more frequently to take advantage of the increased focus on posts.
- Remove any outdated or irrelevant info in the right sidebar.
- Optimize posts for mobile since mobile is more prominent.
Conclusion
The new Facebook page design represents the most significant update to pages in many years. Early testing showed positive results, with the new design leading to more likes, comments, and clicks versus the old layout.
The cleaner, tighter look puts focus on the core elements that matter – the profile/cover photos, page information, call-to-action, and most importantly the stream of posts. This should ultimately make it easier for people to engage with and follow pages.
There will be an adjustment period as page owners get used to the new design and optimize their pages accordingly. But overall the simplified design should benefit both page admins as well as visitors. The redesign brings Facebook pages into the modern era with a fresh look and feel.