News

January 27, 2012

Facebook to offer free web advertising to small businesses

Facebook is set to give away free advertising on its website to thousands of small firms across Europe.

The social network has pledged to give £4.3 million worth of free advertising to small businesses in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Announcing the move, Facebook’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said 50,000 small businesses across Europe would each be able to claim credits worth around £80 to use on the site, in a bid to help start-ups reach a wider audience through social media.

“Facebook is about a lot more than sharing pictures or keeping up with friends. Increasingly, social media means growth and jobs,” she said.

As part of its drive to attract more business users to the site, Facebook has also teamed up with the British Chambers of Commerce and Enterprise Nation to launch a series of nationwide roadshows later this year.

The events will guide small firms on how to use Facebook, create Facebook business pages and master advertising on the site, according to a spokeswoman.

A new, free Facebook toolkit aimed at small firms is also in the pipeline, she added, which will show business owners “the basics of using a Facebook page, as well as more sophisticated tools such as how to target customers and use apps”.

“Both the roadshows and toolkit are being designed for people who might not be very familiar with social media,” she said. “The focus will be very much on giving practical help.”

Full details of the free Facebook advertising and roadshows will be announced in the next two weeks.

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