I-frames ; how to create a Facebook custom landing tab using i-frames now FBML is gone.

Posted by ROSS wilson on Apr 10, 2011 4:22 pm

Up until March 11th 2011 the incredibly popular FBML (Facebook Mark-up Language) Static FBML application has been used to allow facebook users to create a customised tab on their fan pages. This tab could be customised with images, opt-in button, offers, reveal tans and so much more.

But alas facebook have ceased all new static FBML installations as of March 11th 2011. This means that you will no longer be able to install or create new FBML tabs on your facebook page, however, existing FBML tabs will be maintained and will continue to operate as normal. With so many FBML tabs in use it is unlikely that facebook will remove existing tabs for the foreseeable future.

Times are changing, so what will we do now that FBML is being done away with. Well, I-frames will be taking its place. For those who know about I-frames there is a great deal of controversy over this move with varied views on I-frames. You either like it or you hate it! However, for most people they are just not quite sure what I-frames is, what the differences will be compared to FBML or how to use it.

In simple terms an i-frame application will allow you to embed a website right onto a tab on your facebook page. You can use standard HTML code, javaScript and CSS. This means that in order to set up a new tab you will need to have an external web page designed. This will result in a higher designer input to the design of your customised tabs but these tabs will now allow you to incorporate whole websites into your facebook page with multiple pages, videos, opt in boxes, photo galleries, contact forms, links, landing pages, basically anything you can do on a website you can now do on your facebook customised tab.