Currently, there are more than three million active Facebook Pages on the top ranked site, with the typical Page boasting an average of less than 1,000 fans - oops, I mean 'likes' (seriously, that just doesn't roll off your tongue quite the same way). Standing out from the static requires you to dress up your Page and make it more interesting and fun for your 'likers'. That's where Facebook applications come in. They're basically like plugins for your Page and there are tens of thousands of them available. Deciding what apps you'd like to incorporate depends on how you'd like to engage with your peeps (that's an even better word than 'likers').
Here's a compilation of some must have applications for any Page. They're great additions to the the basic layout that Facebook provides and they can be used in interesting ways to move your 'likes' into action.
Static FBML
Yes, mentioning this application seems totally redundant because it seem to make it on every single must-have Facebook application list. However, it's really that great. This application is what lets you customize tabs and content on your Page and transform it into part of your brand. The only downside with Static FBML is that you need to have some knowledge of HTML, CSS and Facebook Markup Language (FBML) so that you can create the code needed for content display. Examples of Static FBML in action are the Victoria's Secret Page, MontBlanc Page and Gary Vaynerchuk Page.
Twitter for Pages
There are actually quite a few Twitter applications for Facebook, but either not all of them work very well or they are meant for a basic profile and not an actual Page. With that being said, Involver's Twitter for Pages is a quick and easy way to bring your Twitter stream into a tab of its own so that people can catch up with your tweets from Facebook. Just add and you're done.
Fan Appz
For serious social media marketing, you'll want to install Fan Appz on your Page. The Fan Appz application is comprised of a suite of sub-apps. It contains polls, sweepstakes, promotions and coupons and more. There's even a gift store that you can set-up to monetize your Page with brand merchandise that people can purchase. The advantage of Fan Appz is that instead of having to install individual applications for each one of these functions, you get them all in one central location. Convenient and powerful.
Welcome Tab For Pages
This very simple application lets page owners showcase just about anything. From profiles and businesses to products and upcoming events, the Welcome Tab for Pages is an ideal way to communicate with 'likers' (still hate that word, sigh). This application has a fantastic bonus feature - it comes with its own analytics and metrics so that you can track and measure how your Welcome tab is being received and make adjustments if necessary. Uber cool!
Page Maps
Give your business more visibility by adding a custom map your Page. Highlight your location and include surrounding points of interest too. The Page Maps application displays a mini-map with links to a larger map or directions. In a virtual world, having a map that features your business lets people know that you're not just an electronic profile, but an actual person and/or company.
Eventbrite
If you have special events, upcoming activities or group gatherings that you need to promote then consider adding Eventbrite to your Page. Created by the online event management and ticketing services company of the same name, Eventbrite publishes an event page directly on Facebook with your event details and a link to buy tickets. Your event is promoted through your newsfeed for all to see (and hopefully attend). Do you have to sell tickets to your event? Not a problem. For a small fee, Eventbrite can help you coordinate ticket sales too.
My Top Fans
Just like it says, this application shows you who your top fans are for your Page (wonder if they'll rename this to My Top Likes - sorry, I just can't seem to let it go). The application analyzes interactions and calculates who is sharing and engaging the most with you. Once you find out who's at the top, why not profile them as a 'Fan of the Month' or thank them with branded merchandise, like a t-shirt and post a photo of them wearing it on your Page. Stretch your creative muscles and put this app to work.
SlideShare
Import your existing SlideShare.net presentations from your account directly into Facebook. This application is integrated with the SlideShare application on LinkedIn. That means if you upload a presentation to LinkedIn, it will also show up on your SlideShare application on Facebook and on your main SlideShare.net account and vice versa. A major timesaver, but also a nice social media aggregation feature with SlideShare.
Since your Page is already promoting your business, services and products, kick it up a notch and make it easy for fans to socially network with you on LinkedIn. Installation of this application is super simple and it gives you the option of featuring a LinkedIn button in a tab or box on your sidebar.
Web Profiles
Show off your other social media profiles with Web Profiles. There are more than 180 different social media platforms to choose from so chances are no matter what site you're a member of you'll find it on the Web Profiles list. If your site is more obscure than common you can instantly add it and feature it in your customized complilation. Much nicer than having to email the developer with a request to add and then having to sit back and play the waiting game.
My Countdown
Build up excitement around new product launches, grand openings, give-aways or just about anything that you have going on with your company. My Countdown can be added to any Page to countdown to the big hoo-rah that you've got cooking. And, you can customize its appearance and add icons to make it your own.
DivShare
With DivShare you can expand the types of content that you're sharing with your fans. Instead of being limited to sharing just links, DivShare allows you to attach MP3s, images, videos, documents and just about any other type of file that you can think of. You have the option of posting shared files to your Page, adding them to your news feed or choosing to share among groups of people or individuals. Max files size is 200 MB, which is a more than ample file sharing size.