Claiming a Facebook Business Page URL

An important step for setting up a business on Facebook is claiming a Page name URL, also called your Page username. When you first set up your Page, you're assigned a random or suggested URL that includes your username after facebook.com. A page name that reads something like mine, http://www.facebook.com/bobology, and uses a specific phrase after the slash in the URL is claimed during your page setup.

If you can't decide on a username, don't worry, you can change and edit it which I'll explain later. Facebook also uses your Page username with the @ symbol in front of it for messaging within Facebook. Mine is @bobology and you can send me messages on Facebook or in the Facebook Messenger app using @bobology. 

Unique Page Username

You can claim a Page username on Facebook at any time, and Facebook provides this option when creating a new Page. A username is the part of the Facebook URL that comes after facebook.com and the slash “/” in the URL. A URL, which stands for Uniform Resource Locator, is the full address of a Web page on the Internet. It begins with the http:// and ends with the filename. Every Web page on the Internet has a unique URL.

When a Page URL Helps

Having your brand, business name, or a term that matches your domain name URL makes it much easier to give out your Facebook Page name to prospects and customers than the URL that Facebook assigns when you first create a Page. Since Web links are easy for people to use, just by clicking, the choice of a unique Page name is more important for non-Web media. For example, an easy to remember name will help people remember it. You'll be using your Page name more in print and other traditional media than on the Web, so give some thought about picking a Page name that is easy to remember and easy to type in a Web browser.

Once you select your desired username, you can change it, but only twice. If you need to change it again, you'll have to create a new Facebook Page.
If someone else is already using the username you want, you can't use it, unless you have it trademarked. If you do have a trademark and someone else is using it, Facebook has an appeal process. Since simple usernames are valuable in helping people remember your Facebook Page name, it's becoming harder all the time to get the one you may want.

Changing Your Unique Username

It's possible to change your username by going to your Page and using the About tab in the left column. Click on about, and you'll see the Edit button to change your username.

Namechk

It's easier for people to remember how to find you if you use the same name on all of your social media sites. Luckily, a service is available that can help you check to see if your brand name is available on Facebook and dozens of other sites. It's called Namechk, and it's free to use:
www.namechk.com

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