For Australian small businesses, a Facebook Business Page is often more important than a website for initial discovery. It’s where Brisbane locals go to check your opening hours, read reviews from their neighbours, and send a quick message to ask about your services. Without a professional setup, you’re missing out on a massive slice of the local market.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact process of setting up your page correctly from day one, ensuring you look like the professional outfit you are.
Prerequisites: What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:- A Personal Facebook Account: You must have a personal profile to manage a business page (don’t worry, your personal details stay private).
- Business Details: Your ABN (optional but helpful), physical address, and phone number.
- Branding Assets: A high-quality profile picture (usually your logo) and a cover photo.
- Business Description: A short blurb (255 characters) explaining what you do.
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Step 1: Access the Creation Suite
Log into your personal Facebook account. On the left-hand sidebar of your home feed, click on Pages. If you don’t see it, click "See all". Once the Pages menu opens, click the + Create New Page button.Screenshot Description: You should see a split screen. On the left is a sidebar where you enter data; on the right is a live desktop/mobile preview of how your page looks as you type.
Step 2: Enter Your Basic Information
Fill in your Page Name. This should be your actual business name. Avoid "keyword stuffing" (e.g., "John’s Plumbing - Best Plumber Brisbane"). Just use "John’s Plumbing".Next, select a Category. Start typing and Facebook will suggest options. Choose the one that most accurately describes your industry (e.g., "Landscaping Garden Service" or "Beauty Salon"). You can add up to three.
Finally, write your Bio. This is a 255-character elevator pitch. Be clear and include your location so local customers know you serve their area.
Step 3: Add Contact and Location Details
This is crucial for local SEO. Provide your website URL, phone number (use the +61 prefix for Australia), and email address.In the Location section, enter your physical shop or office address. If you are a service-area business (like a mobile mechanic) and don't have a storefront, you can sometimes leave this blank or just list the suburb, but having a full address helps you show up in "near me" searches.
Step 4: Set Your Business Hours
Select your operating hours. If you have a physical shop in Brisbane or Sydney, ensure these are 100% accurate. Customers get frustrated if they drive to a location that says "Open" on Facebook but is actually closed.Step 5: Upload Your Profile and Cover Photos
Your Profile Picture should be your logo. Use a square image (170x170 pixels minimum). Keep it simple, as it will be cropped into a circle in the feed.Your Cover Photo (1640x924 pixels) is your billboard. Instead of just a generic photo, use an image of your team, your storefront, or a graphic that highlights a current promotion.
Pro Tip: Make sure any text in your cover photo is centred. Facebook crops the edges of cover photos differently on mobile versus desktop.
Step 6: Customise Your Action Button
The "Action Button" (CTA) is the most important button on your page. Click Edit Action Button and choose the goal that matters most to you:- Service-based: "Book Now" or "Contact Us".
- Retail: "View Shop" or "Start Order".
- General: "Send Message" (highly recommended for high engagement).
Step 7: Connect WhatsApp for Business
Facebook will prompt you to connect WhatsApp. If you use a business WhatsApp account to chat with customers, enter your Australian mobile number. If not, you can click Skip. This is becoming increasingly popular for Aussie tradies to quickly quote jobs via photo messages.Step 8: Build Your Initial Audience
Facebook will ask you to invite friends. Wait! Don’t do this yet. A page with zero posts looks abandoned. Skip this step for now; we will come back to it once the page has some content.Step 9: Complete the "About" Section
Navigate to the "About" tab on your new page. Fill in every possible field. Mention your service areas (e.g., "Serving Greater Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and the Sunshine Coast"). The more information you provide, the more "signals" you give to Facebook’s search algorithm.Step 10: Create Your First Post
Before inviting anyone, post a "Welcome" message. Introduce yourself, share a photo of your work or your team, and tell people what they can expect from this page.---
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a Personal Profile for Business: This violates Facebook’s Terms of Service and you risk being banned. Always create a Page*.- Ignoring Messages: If you enable the "Message" button, you must respond. Facebook displays your response time on your page.
- Low-Quality Graphics: Blurry logos make your business look untrustworthy. Use free tools like Canva to get the dimensions right.
- Missing ABN Verification: While not always required to start, having your ABN handy for the "Business Suite" verification later adds an extra layer of security to your account.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"The name I want is taken." Facebook Page names aren't unique, but Usernames (the @handle) are. If "JohnsPlumbing" is taken, try "JohnsPlumbingBrisbane". "I can't see the option to Create a Page." Ensure you are logged into a personal account. If you are using a work-only login that isn't a full profile, you may have restricted permissions. "My cover photo looks cut off on my phone." Facebook uses a "Safe Area". Keep all important text and logos in the dead centre of the image to ensure they don't get cropped on mobile devices. "I can't find my page in Google search." New pages take time to index. It usually takes 1-2 weeks of activity and a few likes before you’ll appear in external search engine results.---
Next Steps
Now that your page is live, it’s time to make it work for you:- Set up Automated Responses: Go to Meta Business Suite to set up an instant reply for when customers message you after hours.
- Link to Instagram: Connect your Instagram professional account to manage both platforms from one place.
- Request Reviews: Once you have a few followers, ask your best customers to leave a review on your new page.
Setting up your page is just the beginning. If you need help developing a content strategy that actually drives leads for your Brisbane business, contact the team at Local Marketing Group.