How to make your Facebook Page unique

A couple of friends asked me how i managed to do a welcome page or to include a slideshow on my Facebook Page, so here i am answering and sharing a couple of tips with everyone. It might look difficult but it is actually quite easy, it requires a bit of time and (lots) of patience.

First of all you need to know about Static FBML which stands for Facebook Markup Language and it is a subset of HTML (you can find more details here).

Static FBML is a Facebook application that allows Facebook page administrators to create custom boxes and tabs on their Facebook pages, and therefore customise it with images, video, links and pretty much anything you like.

This application is only available for Facebook pages, so it will not work for personal and group accounts.

Here is how you start:
1) Go to Static FBML application.
2)  Click “Add to my Page.”

3)  A window will appear that contains a list of the Facebook pages for which you are an administrator. Click "Add to Page" to add the application.
4) Static FBML is now added to your page.

Before you add content to your FBML box, you should have an idea whether you want to set up your FBML box as a tab or keep it as part of your wall on the left-hand column. That way, you can make the necessary image or video size adjustments so these components fit in the space provided.

Setting Up Static FBML as a Tab
To set up your FBML box as a tab, click on "Edit Page" under your Facebook page logo/avatar located on your wall.

Scroll down to the "Applications" section and locate the FBML app, which should be the first, and click "Application Settings" (see below). Make sure that the "Tab" setting is "added". Your FBML box is now added as a tab.

To the left of application settings you will see an "Edit" option on your FBML.  This is where you will ultimately paste your HTML code.  You can also add a "box title." The box title becomes the name of your tab.
Please note that your FBML box must be coded for a maximum width suitable for a tab. The maximum width for an FBML box for a tab is 520 pixels.

Setting Up Static FBML to Your Left Column Wall
The ability to have multiple FBML boxes encourages you to have an FBML box on your tab as well as part of your wall on the left-hand column (or JUST on the wall). Let’s add an FBML box to your wall.
Go back to your wall and click on "Edit Page" under your Facebook page logo/avatar.
Find the FBML box and click on "Application Settings" (shown below).

Make sure the "Box" settings are "added". The "Box" setting is important so that you have the option of moving your FBML box to the left-hand column of your wall.  Go back to your wall, find your boxes tab and locate your FBML box.  Click on the pencil icon (shown below) and select "Move to Wall tab."

Your new FBML box is now added to your wall.
Please note that your FBML box must be coded for a maximum width suitable for your wall. The maximum width for an FBML box on the left side of your wall is 180 pixels. 

Adding Content to Your Static FBML Box
Now that you have an idea where you want to place your FBML box, it’s time to edit and add content. To begin, click on "Edit Page" located under your Facebook page logo. Scroll down to the "Applications" section and locate the FBML app, but this time click "Edit." The FBML box will be empty.
This is the area where you can name the FBML box and add HTML code. Please note that FBML does not work with all HTML code.  For example, JavaScript does not work.  You’ll need to experiment.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the box, you can add additional FBML boxes.

The maximum number of FBML boxes you can have is 10.

Once you're familiar with these process i will tell you how to start the fun part and customise your page by adding clickable photos, videos, etc. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: find second part of the post here. 
UPDATE 2: As of March 11 2011 you will not be able to add the Static FBML any longer. For page customisation you will require iFrames.