If you run a business you should be aware of Apple Business Connect. It’s a simple – free – way to reach a billion Apple users by taking greater control of your business presence online.
For example, if you look up a business in Apple Maps, Apple Business Connect will give more than just a pin drop for the location. You can add photos, header images, logos, hours and more – to really customise your place card.
Many businesses with a physical location have been enjoying the benefits of Apple Business Connect and now even those without a brick-and-mortar presence — can manage the way they appear to Apple users by Apple Business Connect. Any verified business can now create a consistent brand and location presence across apps that customers use every day, including Apple Maps, Wallet, and Mail.
“We’re excited to offer all businesses — including those without a physical location — the ability to create a brand that appears across the Apple apps that over a billion people use every day,” said David Dorn, Apple’s senior director of Internet Software and Services Product.
“We designed Business Connect to empower businesses to present the best, most accurate information to Apple users. With today’s updates, we’re helping even more businesses reach customers, build trust, and grow.”
New Features
Businesses can sign up to display their brand in the Mail and Phone apps, and customise their logo in Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Branded Mail allows businesses to display their brand name and logo in emails to customers. Businesses can sign up for Branded Mail today, and their logo will begin appearing to customers later this year.
Businesses can choose to display their logo, rather than a category icon, when accepting payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone, so customers know they’re making a payment to a trusted and verified business.
Businesses will also be able to register for Business Caller ID. Their name, logo, and department appear on the inbound call screen when they contact customers, helping to distinguish verified businesses from spam callers and other unwanted outreach. This feature will be available next year.
Signing Up
Owners of virtual, online, and service businesses can now use their existing Apple Account — or create a new Apple Account — to register for Business Connect at the self-service website from any cell phone, tablet, desktop, or laptop computer.
Once a business has signed up, they can begin to customise their brand for free. Businesses can also manage their location presence at scale through listing management agencies like DAC Group, Rio SEO, SOCi, Uberall, and Yext.
