When creating a Facebook page for your business or brand, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right username. Your Facebook username, also known as your vanity URL, is the unique web address that people will use to find your page. This username appears in the URL bar when someone visits your page, so it needs to be memorable, descriptive, and aligned with your brand identity.
Why Your Facebook Page Username Matters
Your Facebook page username serves multiple important purposes:
- It helps people find your page – An easy-to-remember and relevant username makes it simpler for people to locate your page when searching on Facebook.
- It reflects your brand – Your Facebook username should communicate what your page is about and reflect your overall brand identity.
- It builds trust – A professional, thoughtful username lends credibility and gives people confidence they’re engaging with an authentic brand.
- It sticks in people’s minds – A catchy, unique username is more memorable and likely to be remembered by your audience.
In short, putting thought into your Facebook page username pays dividends in findability, branding, and engagement. A generic or sloppy username communicates the opposite, so it’s worth taking the time to get this right.
Tips for Choosing a Great Facebook Page Username
Here are some best practices to follow when brainstorming and selecting the perfect username for your Facebook page:
Keep it short and simple
Shorter usernames are easier to type and remember. Ideally keep your username to around 20 characters or less. Long usernames with extra words or numbers can be confusing.
Use your business name or branded term
Incorporate your business name, acronym, or a branded word or phrase people would associate with your company. This helps reinforce your brand identity and makes your page easy to find.
Add your location for local businesses
If you operate a local business, consider adding your city, region, or state at the end of your username. This helps local customers find you more easily.
Make it descriptive
Choose words that describe what you do or sell. This gives people clues about your business as soon as they see your custom URL.
Consider alternatives to official names
You don’t have to use your formal business name – feel free to play around with variations like abbreviations or descriptive terms that capture your essence.
Use consistent branding
Make sure your username aligns with the rest of your brand identity on things like your logo, website, and other social media handles.
Check for username availability
Brainstorm a few options then check if they’re available. The username needs to be unique and unused on Facebook.
Username Examples
Here are some examples of great Facebook page usernames:
- McDonalds → mcdonalds
- Taco Bell → tacobell
- Target → target
- Walmart → walmart
- IKEA – ikeausa
- Amazon – amazon
- Joe’s Crab Shack – joescrabshack
- California Pizza Kitchen – cpdkitchen
- Wilson Orthodontics – wilsonbraceschicago
- Amy’s Bakery – amysbakeryaustin
As you can see, big brands tend to use their official business names, while local players add helpful location details. The keywords are short, memorable, and descriptive.
Things to Avoid in Facebook Usernames
When deciding on a Facebook username, there are also some things you’ll want to steer clear of:
- Overly generic terms like “best” or “official” – These are vague and overused.
- Obscure acronyms – Spell out words instead of confusing people with shorthand.
- Overcomplicated or hyphenated names – Keep it simple.
- Names with symbols or odd capitalization – Special characters don’t translate well as usernames.
- Hiding that it’s a business page – Make sure it’s clear you are a brand, not an individual.
How to Change Your Facebook Page Username
If you already have a Facebook page but want to modify the username, here are the steps:
- Go to your Page’s “About” section
- Click the pencil icon next to your Page name
- Delete the current username and enter the new preferred name
- Click “Check Availability” – if it’s taken, choose another option
- Once an available name is found, click “Save Changes”
Remember you only get one chance to edit your username for free. After that, you’ll have to go through Facebook’s paid username change process which involves verification and a fee.
Claiming Your Relevant URLs
Along with your main Facebook page username, it’s a smart idea to claim any relevant variations of that name that align with your brand. For example, if your page is “amazonbooks”, you may want to claim URLs like:
- facebook.com/amazonbooks
- facebook.com/amazonbookstore
- facebook.com/amznbooks
That way, if someone searches for those related terms, they’ll still find your page. You can easily claim these extra URLs in Facebook’s settings under “Usernames”.
Conclusion
Putting real thought into your Facebook page’s username is an important part of establishing your brand identity and attracting the right audience. By following naming best practices – keeping it short and memorable, incorporating keywords, and checking availability – you can set your page up for findability success. Just be sure to claim your main username and any major variations to maximize your brand presence on Facebook.