Create a Facebook Page to reach your audienceNew York, Sep 9 (AZINS) Nearly 45 million small businesses worldwide are now using Facebook pages as their digital storefronts, the social networking site announced on Tuesday.

"Our mission is to help connect everyone in the world. Businesses often depend on connecting,” wired.com reported Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg as saying.

"That’s where Facebook comes in. If you can set up a Facebook profile, you can set up a Page,” she told the gathering at an event hosted at Facebook's headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Pages are for businesses, brands and organisations to share their stories and connect with people.

"Like profiles, you can customise Pages by publishing stories, hosting events, adding apps and more. People who like your Page and their friends can get updates in News Feed,” Facebook said in a blog post.

You can create and manage a Page from your personal account.

Pages can now feature industry-specific sections.

Pages will also now prominently feature the option for customers to call, message, or contact businesses directly, the report added.

Facebook wants its Pages to act as everyone’s digital mall, a place where any small business can create a Page for end users.

Small businesses will now offer "call-to-action" buttons on mobile ages, encouraging consumers to "Call Now," "Send Message" and "Contact Us."