Facebook business accounts vs. personal accounts USED as business?

[Former_Member]

Do you have a Facebook business accounts vs. personal accounts USED as business?

I made a business page yesterday. And I can't like another business which defeats the purpose that I want to network with other Etsy businesses! And I have no search bar to find other Etsy business. I don't get it! I looked it up in FB help center and this is what it said:

What is the difference between a business account and a personal account?

Business accounts are designed for individuals who only want to use the site to administer Pages and their ad campaigns. For this reason, business accounts do not have the same functionality as personal accounts. Business accounts have limited access to information on the site. An individual with a business account can view all the Pages and Social Ads that they have created, however they will not be able to view the profiles (timelines) of users on the site or other content on the site that does not live on the Pages they administer. In addition, business accounts cannot be found in search, send or receive friend requests, or create/develop apps.

SO How do you guys use FB? PLEASE HELP! I WANT TO NETWORK!

[Former_Member]

I have a business account. But I HATE that i can't message other people and they cant message me....

I have heard from other people that a personal account used as a business is better.... But I am just now getting more and more fans and I don't want to start over and lose them all..... =(

[Former_Member]

Pages can Like other pages. Click up at the top by your name, and it gives the option "Use Facebook As... <your name> or <your page>"

[Former_Member]

Also, if you're using the new Timeline layout for your Page, fans can message you through the Page, and you can reply back.

[Former_Member]

I love my business facebook page. With the new timeline format people CAN messgae me on facebook on the page and I can reply back - it is so nice! I have always been able to like a page as a business page - if you go to my page you should be able to see my likes ( www.facebook.com/artwhimscrochet ) I can post on people's pages as a page too. Do note though that a like from a business does not count toward your fan count if it is another business page.

[Former_Member]

Ditto on pages being able to like pages, and also the new functionality of being able to message, as well.

Another pro for the business sites: as a consumer, I do not "friend" businesses that operate as a personal account. Doing so would allow that business to see my pics and statuses and all that jazz, and I realize I can adjust my privacy settings, but who has time for all that? I think operating as a business on FB is much more professional than using a personal profile and I think with the new changes, it's going to be much better for both the consumer and the business owner. JMHO.

[Former_Member]

Sabrina:

I totally agree!