Could the New Facebook Green Badge Boost Your Business Online?
Facebook has long been a platform where businesses can engage with their customers, but until recently, it hadn’t introduced many updates specifically tailored to business pages. This has changed, with a number of new features designed to help companies interact more effectively with fans and customers.
With over 45 million businesses using Facebook, it’s no surprise that the platform is focusing more on improving its business page features. Some updates are aimed at making the platform more mobile-friendly, while others provide business owners with opportunities to make a bigger impact.
New Sections and Call-to-Action Buttons
One of the updates includes the introduction of two new sections that can be added to your Facebook Business Page: the Shop and Service sections. These allow businesses to showcase their products and services more clearly. In addition, there are more prominent call-to-action buttons, such as “Call Me” or “Message Me”, which are now larger and more visible, making it easier for customers to take the next step.
A particularly welcome change for businesses is the ability to respond privately to customer comments or queries. Previously, businesses were restricted to responding publicly, now, if the conversation needs to move to a private setting, businesses can do so easily.
Engaging with Customers
At The Last Hurdle, we’ve often emphasised the importance of engaging with customers on social platforms like Facebook. One of the most exciting updates is the introduction of the Facebook Green Badge, which rewards businesses for their responsiveness. This badge will be displayed prominently on your page and demonstrates to visitors that you are quick to engage with customer queries and comments.
So, how do you earn the green badge? According to Facebook, you need to meet two specific requirements:
- You must respond to 90% or more of messages.
- You need to have an average response time of just five minutes.
The green badge shows customers that you care about their interactions and that real people are behind the page, paying attention and providing timely responses. For businesses, this badge serves as a goal to aim for in terms of customer interaction, incentivising prompt replies.
Challenges of the Green Badge
While this may sound like a great opportunity, some businesses may face challenges in meeting the criteria. For example, international businesses with customers in different time zones could struggle to maintain a five-minute response time around the clock. Many companies may be able to hit the 90% response rate but might find the average response time more difficult to achieve.
There’s also the question of how well customers will recognise or value the green badge. At this point, customers may not be aware of its significance. Most people only consider a company’s customer service when they experience a problem or have a query, so the badge’s effectiveness as a selling point is yet to be proven.
Automating Responses
To help businesses meet the criteria for the green badge, Facebook is introducing ways to automate responses to frequently asked questions. This can ease the pressure on SMEs that don’t have the resources to monitor their Facebook page 24/7. Automated messages can be sent privately rather than posted publicly, ensuring that common queries don’t flood your timeline.
The New Facebook Green Badge
Whether or not you qualify for the green badge, the underlying message is clear: engaging fully with your customers and fans online is crucial for business growth. Responding in a timely manner, answering queries thoughtfully, and making the effort to interact can boost your business through positive customer experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations.
So, as the new features roll out, take the time to review your social media strategy, ensure you’re monitoring your pages regularly, and be proactive in engaging with your audience. The green badge might be just the boost your business needs!
