Choosing usernames for Facebook pages is not always as easy as it seems. In a similar fashion to choosing the right domain name for a new Website, the process can sometimes appear to be a little confusing and even difficult in some cases. However, users can perhaps be comforted by the fact that Facebook works to create a trusted environment, especially around its Pages. The whole ideology stems around the goal to help define the identities of the people and brands with which users interact.
In a similar fashion, usernames for Facebook Pages communicate this identity and make it easier for people to find and interact with your Page. For example, people can enter the Facebook username as a search term on Facebook or search engines to find your Page. In addition, usernames allow public entities to easily promote their presence on Facebook with a short URL. This username can be used in marketing communications, company website, and even business cards.
How To Select A Username
You can only select a unique username for yourself, Website, business, church, organisation, institution etc. when 25 or more people are connected to your page. Facebook usernames will be available in basic text forms, and you can only choose a single username for each of the Pages that you administer. The Page username must be at least five characters in length and only include alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9), or a period or full stop (“.”).
Avoid Making Silly Mistakes
The selected username should clearly identify what you or your business stand for. This means that the created username will be as closely related to your name or business name as possible. This will prevent any sort of confusion or misrepresentation. For example, a Facebook page dedicated to the results of the just concluded Nigerian Presidential elections would not be called something like “Wayne Rooney Goals” as they are completely unrelated. Furthermore, generic words (e.g. restaurant) are not available as options for Facebook usernames. Consequently, you have to think carefully about the username you choose for your Page and sometimes go as far as improvising if your username is already taken and is being used by someone else. Remember, that once a username is selected, you will not be able to change or transfer it any longer.
Be sure to check out Facebook’s Help Center for answers to common questions about Facebook Pages or report an infringing username to Facebook’s username infringement Help Center.