Small businesses can stand out in a big way with Facebook.

If you’re looking for some creative examples of Facebook pages from the small guys, look no further!

More than 1,800 nominations came in from our contest. These represent over 500 small businesses.

Our panel of Facebook experts carefully reviewed the nominees and finalists, analyzing their landing pages, engagement, reader involvement and creative use of promotions (among other things).

None of these businesses have huge budgets, yet they all have achieved amazing success. The following are the winners of Social Media Examiner’s Top 10 Small Business Facebook Pages for 2012:

#1: How to Market Your Horse Business

How to Market Your Horse Business is an award-winning social media marketing company focused on horse businesses and other small businesses.

Fans: 6,628

What the judges liked:

• Amazing engagement
• Good use of pinning and highlighting
• Effective use of contests and spotlighting contest entrants
• Good visual branding with apps and cover photo
• Answers every post
• Publishes a good variety of content

#2: Recruit Military

Recruit Military is a military-to-civilian recruiting firm, helping veterans and transitioning military service members and military spouses find civilian jobs, buy businesses and improve their education.

Fans: 42,022