This section is dedicated to helping aspiring Facebook Developers create exiting new applications.  Before you start building an application for Facebook, it is recommended that you first read Facebook Application Tutorial.  It is also important that you read the Facebook Application ToS.  This way you will ensure that your application meets all of Facebook’s requirements and that you don’t waste your time building something that Facebook may later on ban.   You will also need to register to Facebook and add the Developer Application if you have not done so already.

Next (and this is the hard part) is to come up with an idea for that killer app.  If you have already have an idea, that’s great, you can start building the application.  If not, I suggest you look at the various application reviews and browsing the Facebook application directory. 

I understand that not everyone can build an application from scratch; after all it’s not easy if you don’t have a programming background.  However, I believe that with a bit of effort, and the will to learn, almost anyone can put together a simple application.  Although, if you don’t have the time to give it a shot, but you still want to have your own Facebook application, you’ll may want to visit our application outsourcing section.  Here, you’ll be able to find out about paying someone else to build your application for you.

You will also need to familiarize yourself with several key terms.

•    API – Stands for Application Programming Interface. The API defines is responsible for the methods through which you can interact with Facebook. If you are not familiar with the idea of an API, please read about it on Wikipedia or on Digital Web
•    FBML – Facebook Markup Language is a custom markup language based on good ol’ HTML. It’s  used to define the pages in your application.
•    FQL – Facebook Query Language is basically SQL for Facebook.  FQL is a query language for cases where there are no helper methods in the API, or FBML Tags to get your application to do what you want.
•    Canvas Page – This basically your applications page on Facebook.  Using canvas pages, you can embed pretty-much any functionality you want into Facebook.

There are a few things you will need to get before you can start as well.  First you will need to find somewhere to host your application.  The type of host you choose is really up to you but, I recommend JustHost.com for hosting Facebook applications.  JustHost provides excellent customer services and the most bang for your buck and you can now get 20% off your hosting package if you use coupon code JHSL20.

A more detailed walkthrough of how to build a Facebook application will be posted soon.  If you wish to contribute please let me know.

Many people do not have the time to invest into building an application, or simply don’t know how.  These days you can find many programmers who are eager to build applications, but the trick is to find the right programmer for you.

For outsourcing purposes, I always use a website called Rent-A-Coder.  I have been using them for years and find the right programmer at very competitive prices.  Here’s how it works.  You can put out a free, no-obligation bid request and programmers on the site place their work bids.  The great part is that programmers will find you and will bid on the project much like an auction to give you the lowest price.  This way you  will be able to bring your Facebook application to reality in a very cost-effective fashion. 

The coders are rated based on their previous performance and it’s uncommon to ask to see their work portfolio and examples of Facebook Applications they already made for someone else.  You can also issue an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) if you want to protect your application idea.

After you receive bids on your request.  You can choose the right coder for the job.  I always look for coders with high rankings. All the coders on Rent-A-Coder are ranked on previous jobs they did by previous buyers, so this gives you a good indication on which coder can do the job. I tend to avoid coders with small or no rankings even though most of the time their bids are lower. Rent-A-Coder also acts as an intermediary between you and the coder.  You don’t pay the coder upfront for the project, but rather you place the funds into escrow on Rent-A-Coder.  The coder won’t get paid until you are satisfied with the final product, at which time you instruct Rent-A-Coder to release the funds from escrow to the coder.  If there are any problems with the project Rent-A-Coder will act as a mediator between the two parties.

As I have mentioned, I have used Rent-A-Coder on numerous occasions in the past few years and I am really pleased with the services they can offer.  This way you can have that amazing Facebook Application and you can start earning money from advertisements on your application.

If anyone wants to post their programming services, please contact me or submit them in the comments sections.