Text/Fonts
Use Browser rendered text whenever possible rather than image-based text.
Advantages to browser-rendered text:
- Text is easier to edit and update.
- Increases usability: users can increase text size if needed, etc. to make it easier for them to read.
- Can improve search engine accessibility.
Browser-safe fonts:
See this site for a comprehensive list of fonts common to both Windows and Mac users:
http://www.ampsoft.net/webdesign-l/WindowsMacFonts.html
Facebook’s default fonts:
Lucida Grande, Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif
Default font size: 13 pixels
Note: “Lucida Grande” is installed on most Macs but few Windows users have it so they will likely see Tahoma instead.
Font sizes:
For best readability, main body copy should generally be at least 12 pixels or larger. 10 pixels can be acceptable for less important text like copyright info but it’s preferable to keep all text sizes at 10px+.
Tab/App Content Dimensions
Facebook re-designed Fan Page tabs some time ago to be 520 pixels wide (reduced from previous 760 pixels wide). The 520 pixel width includes all content appearing within a tab so for example if your design includes content inside a box with a drop shadow, the drop shadow needs to fit within the 520 pixel page width.
Place important content “above the fold”
Avoid making users have to scroll too much to see content you want to highlight. Measuring from the top of the Tab canvas area, your most important content should ideally fit within about the first 430 pixels in height.
Don’t re-create your Web site
In general, it’s best to keep Tab designs relatively short and simple with clear calls to action. Avoid creating mini web sites with multiple sub-pages within one tab or extra long designs that require users to scroll too much to view all content. Facebook users can have short attention spans so focus designs on the information or functionality you most want them to see and use.
CSS Web Design 
Kev
/ December 2, 2011Awesome post, you have covered everything well and I agree with it all. I don’t think there is anything you have missed. I can tell you take the important parts of web design and apply this to your facebook pages too. Which personally I think everyone should be doing. Your article was very easy to read too, for some reason I find your way with words spot on. Even as I am tired reading this was very easy. Keep up the great work.
From one humble web designer to another.
Kev
kristinlbradley
/ December 5, 2011Thanks so much for your kind comment.