The pros & cons of using third-party apps on Facebook

Third-party apps are designed to help you make the most of your Facebook page, but are they worth it?

In the 10 years since its launch, Facebook has become an essential marketing tool, with more than 1.23 billion monthly users and thousands of third-party apps to choose from. Find out about the potential pros and cons of using them for your page...

Let's start with the pros:

Easy page upgrades

Third-party apps allow you to include all kinds of useful content on your page such as customer support offerings or email sign-ups without you having to write the code yourself.

Enhanced contests and promotions

Facebook contests and promotions are some of the most effective third-party apps around and are great for helping you gather new connections. Be certain you're meeting Facebook's promotion-policy standards by choosing a Facebook-preferred marketing app.

Automatic blog publishing

Through third-party apps you can automatically publish your blog to Facebook, saving you time and ensuring you never miss an important update. A blog manager tool can automatically send a teaser to your Facebook page and other social channels so that you don't have to.

Highlighting important apps

You can choose which apps are given prime real estate on your page. While it's possible to install several apps at a time, only four are highlighted below your cover picture. However, you can choose which ones they are perfect if you want to highlight a particular contest or campaign.

And now some cons:

Higher entry barriers

Some third-party apps have a high barrier for entry. For example, before using many apps, a customer is asked to provide their email address or accept a Facebook permission request. If you're running a contest, for example, it may be easier to encourage entries without this extra step.

Potential costs and fees

Third-party apps cost money. To build your own app, you need to hire developers. And if you want to use existing apps, you'll need to pay a fee.

For more tips and hints for improving your Facebook presence, have a look at Social Media Examiner's six tips for boosting your profile and then get in touch with your local Bloomtools consultant to discuss your business plan.