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Getting Started

Meta Business Manager is a robust tool, but setting it up correctly from the start is essential for smooth operations. This section covers the fundamentals to help you begin, from gathering prerequisites to creating your account and managing assets. We'll also touch on business verification at a high level, with more details in later sections. Follow these steps to avoid common pitfalls like access issues or verification delays. Remember, the process is free and typically takes 15-30 minutes for basic setup, but verification can add time.

Prerequisites​

Facebook account, business details, access needs

Before diving into setup, ensure you have everything ready to create and manage your Meta Business Manager account efficiently. These prerequisites help verify your identity, secure your assets, and comply with Meta's policies.

  • Facebook Account: You need a personal Facebook profile to create and access Business Manager. This acts as the primary admin account for verification purposes. If you don't have one, create it at facebook.com using a real name and email. Note: Use a professional or work-related email to keep things organized—avoid using shared or temporary emails, as you'll need to confirm it. If you're part of an organization, a managed Meta account (for enterprise users) can also work, but most individuals start with a personal profile.
  • Business Details: Gather your legal business information, as it must match official records for verification and to avoid rejections. This includes:
    • Legal business name (as on your registration documents, no special characters).
    • Business address (physical location, not a P.O. box for verification).
    • Business phone number (capable of receiving calls or texts for codes).
    • Business email address (separate from personal; used for Meta communications, not visible to customers).
    • Website URL (HTTPS preferred; must load properly and represent your business).
    • Tax ID, business registration number, or other identifiers (e.g., EIN in the US). Pro tip: Have digital copies of supporting documents ready, like a business license, utility bill, or articles of incorporation, in case verification requires them.
  • Access Needs: Consider what you'll manage. If you have existing assets like Facebook Pages, Instagram accounts, or ad accounts, ensure you have admin access to them (e.g., the ad account ID from Ads Manager). Plan for team or partner access—think about roles like admin, editor, or analyst. You'll also need about 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time and a stable internet connection. If you're an agency or managing multiple businesses, note that you can create up to 2 business portfolios personally, but join unlimited others. For advanced features, business verification may be required (more below).

Without these, you might face delays, limited features (e.g., ad spending caps), or security flags. If you're new to Meta, start small and scale as needed.

Create a Business Manager account​

Creating a Meta Business Manager account (now often called a business portfolio) is straightforward and free. It establishes your central hub for all Meta business activities. Follow these steps to set it up correctly.

  1. Go to the Creation Page: Visit business.facebook.com (or meta.com/business) and log in with your personal Facebook account. If you're not logged in, you'll be prompted to do so. This links your profile as the primary admin.
  2. Start the Process: Click "Create Account" or, if in Meta Business Suite, click the dropdown menu below "Home" in the top left and select "Create a business portfolio."
  3. Enter Business Information: Provide your legal business name (visible publicly, no special characters), your full name (as admin), and business email. Use accurate details to speed up future verification. If using a managed Meta account, some fields may be skipped.
  4. Verify Your Email: Meta will send a confirmation email to your business address. Click the link to verify (check spam/junk folders). This step confirms ownership and enhances security.
  5. Complete Setup: Click "Create" or "Create portfolio." You'll land in your new dashboard. Add basic details like address and phone in Business Settings for completeness.

After creation, you own the portfolio and can add assets, people, or partners. If you hit the 2-portfolio limit, request access to others or have someone else create one and grant you admin rights. Enable two-factor authentication immediately for security. If issues arise (e.g., eligibility errors), check Meta's help center or your notifications.

Access to assets​

Creating vs. claiming vs. requesting access to assets

Once your Business Manager is set up, the next step is adding assets like Pages, ad accounts, Pixels, or Instagram profiles. You have three main options: creating new ones, claiming existing ones you own, or requesting access to those owned by others. This keeps ownership clear and secure.

  • Creating New Assets: Ideal for starting fresh. In Business Settings, go to the relevant section (e.g., Accounts > Pages > Add > Create a New Page). Follow the prompts—e.g., for an ad account, set currency (permanent), time zone, and name. For Pixels, go to Data Sources > Datasets > Create. Assets created here are automatically owned by your business portfolio. Pros: Full control from day one. Cons: Starts with limits (e.g., $50 ad spend cap initially). Use for new businesses or when avoiding legacy issues.
  • Claiming Existing Assets: For assets you already own via a personal account. In Business Settings, select the asset type (e.g., Ad Accounts > Add > Add an Ad Account). Enter the ID or URL (find ad account ID in Ads Manager URL, like facebook.com/adsmanager/manage/accounts?act=123456789). This transfers ownership to your business portfolio without losing data. Pros: Retains history and audiences. Cons: Can't reverse easily; ensure you're the owner first. Common for converting personal setups to professional ones.
  • Requesting Access to Assets: For collaborating without ownership transfer, e.g., agencies accessing client assets. In Business Settings, go to the asset type > Add > Request Access (e.g., to a Page). Enter the ID, name, or URL, select permission level (e.g., full control or view-only), and submit. The owner approves via notification. Pros: Secure sharing; revocable anytime. Cons: Dependent on approval; no ownership. Assets can only belong to one portfolio, so claiming moves them permanently.

Choose based on your role: Create for new, claim for owned, request for shared. After adding, assign people or partners in Users > People > Add People, specifying roles and assets. This structure prevents access loss during team changes.

Understanding Business verification​

Business verification confirms your business is legitimate, unlocking advanced features like higher ad spend limits, custom audiences, or certain developer tools. It's separate from getting a verified badge (blue check) and focuses on security and compliance.

Why verify? It reduces restrictions (e.g., from new account limits), prevents abuse, and enables features like credit lines or advanced billing. Not all accounts need it immediately, but it's required for scaling ads or if prompted by Meta.

High-level process:

  1. Go to Business Settings > Security Center > Start Verification (must be owner).
  2. Enter accurate business details (name, address, phone, website—must match legal docs).
  3. Choose verification method: Email/phone/text/WhatsApp code, or domain verification.
  4. If needed, upload docs (e.g., license, tax forms) if no auto-match.
  5. Submit for review (1-14 business days; notified via email).

Prerequisites: Eligible portfolio, ownership access, accurate details/docs. Avoid false info to prevent bans. If using credit lines, provide that instead of docs. Verification is one-time but may need renewal if details change. For a deep dive, including troubleshooting, see later sections. Start early to avoid campaign delays.