photo by Hembo Pagi
As of 1st October 2011, we need secure hosting for Facebook Pages. Why?…you might ask! Facebook is basically switching all its users over to secure browsing…which means we will be browsing with https://… instead of http://…. , with no option to switch back to non-secure browsing. This in turn means that any Facebook Page that is not hosted on a secure server, will simply vanish!
What does all this mean?
Earlier this year Facebook migrated from FBML to iFrames, although existing FBML pages continue to be supported by Facebook…..for the time being! FBML pages were/are hosted within Facebook itself, however, iFrames allow you to create your page outside of Facebook and then ‘import’ it by setting up an Application within Facebook. The iFrames page needs to be hosted outside of Facebook and this is where the problem lies. Many people have been exicitedly setting up their custome pages with iFrames, but hosting them on a non-secure site.
Until now, this has not been an issue, but as of 1st October 2011, because Facebook is switching all its’ users over to secure browsing, any site not hosted securely, will no longer be visible.
Who Needs Secure Hosting For Facebook Pages?
If you have created a self-hosted custom landing page with iFrames and set up a Facebook application to install the custom page on your Facebook Page, then your server needs to be secure, if you want you page to still be visible after 1st October.
If you have used a wordpress theme, such as WPFanPro to create your Facebook page, then you will also need to make sure your hosting is secure.
If however you are using a hosted application, such as ‘Static html: iFrames tabs‘ or ‘Static iFrame Tab’, my two favourite hosted apps, then you do not need worry about any of this. Both these apps are securely hosted. If you are using any other hosted application, then I suggest you check with the providert that their servers are secure.
The Options For Secure Hosting For Facebook Pages
In theory, there are three options to setting up your secure hosting…
1. You can purchase a Dedicated IP Address and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate for your hosting.
2. You could use your hosting company’s shared SSL Certificate – most hosting companies include a shared SSL Certificate option without additional charge. These do come with some limitations, especially regarding file sizes.
3. You could use a third party to provide your https://… URL, such as Social Server.
Why Purchasing A SSL Certificate Is The Only Option….
The following is an excerpt from Wilson Mattos and Jason Fladlien’s brand new 30 page guide “How To Secure Your Fan Pages”, and explains the risks you are running by using a Shared SSL Certificate provided by either your hosting company or other third party.
In order to set up your secure hosting with your existing hosting company, you will need to purchase a dedicated IP address and SSL Certificate. These can be organised through your hosting company. But if the cost proves prohibitive, then Wilson and Jason’s report is well worth considerting. It walks you step by step through how to set up your Dedicated IP Address and SSL Certificate for under $30 a year and how to add it to your Facebook App!
I hope you have found this post on secure hosting for Facebook Pages helpful. As always I welcome your comments and please remember to share 
PS. This post contains affiliate links. Although I receive a commission for any purchases made through these links, you will never pay any more for your purchases because of this.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I did not know about all this. Facebook is really taking security to the next level. This is okay but for most people who do not know what is going on they might be left staring at blank pages. People should know as soon as possible whether the sites they are using are secure or not I am glad I read your post because I am now well informed.
If I am pasting a link to my page using Static HTML: iframe tabs will the page I am linking need to be on https page?
Twitter: suejprice
October 10, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Louise thanks so much for this post. It is the first time I have really understood what it is all about. I do not have time right now to do one of the 2 hour webinars so thanks for making it simple.
I have had my head in the sand. October seemed a long time off until it was here!
As usual a great post.
As always, very informative and topical post! Thanks a lot for it, all your post can help people to spread their knowledge
Jeanie@Facebook Templates recently posted..Free TV Channel Video Facebook Template
Very good post Louise. Facebook has become a platform for business as well as relax so the security of your account in this case is very important. And 30 bucks a year is not a big price for having Dedicated IP Address and SSL Certificate. So that’s a bagain for business people.
I learned a lot from here … THX im still new to blogging for Thax again for sharing this …
Rani Bano recently posted..Reed Hastings Is Netflix CEO
Honestly this is the first time i heard the post and it seems very useful and informative blog..thanks for sharing this to us.
paulin02 recently posted..android games
Hi Louise! First of all, i will thank you for the post you shared. Another thing is you give as ideas about Facebook pages. Thanks for making it simple, I was desperately to look all of this today! I totally need it to secure certificates in my page!
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Twitter: martyinmaui
November 27, 2011 at 10:08 am
This was a good review – I just signed up with FanPage and am in the process of creating my new page – how exciting! Thanks,
marquita herald recently posted..Starting Over: It’s Never Too Late to Live Happily After
It’s good to see that Facebook is starting to think about security more. It is a start but still a long way to go.
Wow! Thanks for the advice Louise!
This is all news to me. I must look into it asap. I knew about apps that have not been in use for a while can tend to “grow mould” and become damaging. But thanks for the update.
Aidan
Aidan Gibson recently posted..Are Christmas Trees Eco Friendly?
You are welcome Aiden. Yes it it can be quite a mission trying to stay on top of all the apps.
Louise
Hi Louise,
Thanks for posting this. It is been one of the problem in FB now. One of my friends was tag with porn videos and it was so humiliating to him. I hope Secure Hosting For Facebook Pages includes this features.
Melissa S. Allen recently posted..How To Make Money From Blogging
Louisse, Thank you for letting me know and signals about the ssl certificates and stuff. I am a Facebook user and your signal alarmed me so.
Mika Castro recently posted..קבלה
No need to be alarmed Mika…just make sure you are using secure hosting if you are hosting your own fb pages. Louise
Twitter: caseyman28
January 1, 2012 at 1:11 am
I just upgraded my Host Gator plan to a business plan, and it works fine. I’ve been making a lot of my own custom Facebook welcome pages by writing them out in html. I can add Pay Pal buttons, You Tube videos, auto-responder codes, or make a mini-site using image maps.
Rowan @ Facebook Welcome Page recently posted..Social Media Tips And Tricks
Thanks Rowan….it’s good to hear that your FB pages are working well with a Hostgator Business Plan. They seem to be leading the field in the way of hosting.
Louise
Thank You Louise
For such GREAT information I had no idea, I have been wanting to do a fanpage .
I will be back to learn more.
Thank You Again
Sharon
Sharon Johnson recently posted..Affiliate Marketing and what I learned
Thank you Sharon…let me know if you have any questions when you get around to doing your fan page.
Louise