Apple Business Connect: Everything You Need to Know

Have you heard about the latest tool from Apple that can help you market your small or local business? Apple Business Connect is a free platform that allows business owners to control how they appear across Apple Maps, Apple Wallet, Siri, and more. If you’d like your business to appear within Apple Maps, help more customers find your business, and boost your online presence, then you need to claim your Apple Business Connect. We will answer all of your questions about this new platform and how you can use it to benefit your business. Learn more about how to set up, optimize, and utilize an Apple Business account for your business.

Apple Business Connect: What Is It?

Apple Business Connect allows you to create a business profile so that people in your area can find and interact with your business on Apple Maps. As Apple Maps becomes more and more popular, ABC allows you to connect with its users and advertise your business. (Plus, it’s free!)

You can add photos and logos to your place card, advertise any special promotions, and allows customers to order food or make a reservation. Plus, it’s free! Though this service initially launched back in 2014 as Apple Maps Connect, it was rebranded and revamped last year.

(If this sounds a little familiar and reminds you of Google Business Profile and Google Maps, you are correct. But there are some major differences, which we will cover.)

Apple advertises it this way:

“Establish your business with a fully personalized place card, build trust with branded communications, engage customers with promos and customizable actions, and grow your business using data-driven insights.”

How to Use Apple Business Connect

There are a number of ways you can use this Apple platform:

Create a Place Card

Your place card contains your logo, photos, hours, and allows you to display special products or events.

Promote Your Latest Offerings With Showcase

Promote seasonal or holiday items, online orders, special events, new locations, sales, and unique offers with a Showcase.

Get Insights

Learn more about how patrons are finding your business online and get other unique data-driven insights.

Apple Business Connect Features

Apple Business Connect can help you boost your business’ presence online and includes features including:

• A link to your website
• A call link
• Chat
• Announcements
• Special Offers
• Ability to schedule appointments and manage reservations

Benefits of Apple Business Connect

There are a number of advantages to utilizing Apple Business Connect for your business, including:

Boost SEO Rankings

Claiming and updating your Apple Business card can help improve your local search engine optimization for your small business. A complete and customized place card will help Apple users in your area find your business, learn more about it, and perhaps even convince them to stop by. Plus, many third-party platforms and apps source location data from Apple Maps products, so you could also end up on other websites.

Increase Customer Engagement

Apple Business Connect helps potential customers in your local area engage with your business easily by booking reservations, scheduling appointments, and contacting you directly online.

Monitor Your Traffic

The Insights feature allows you to monitor how many clicks you are receiving on your listing, measure your traffic, see how users are finding you online, and other important data.

Why You Need An Apple Business Profile

Every business should set up their Apple Business Connect. After all, more than 50% of the American population uses iPhones. More and more smartphone users are using Apple Maps over Google Maps. That is a lot of local customers you can reach in your area via Apple Maps and other Apple apps. There is no disadvantage to setting up an account.

How to Set Up Your Apple Business Connect Account

Here are the steps for how to set up and optimize your Apple business account:

Claim Your Account

Just because your business is listed on Apple Maps, it doesn’t mean that your listing is claimed. You can boost your visibility on Apple Maps by claiming and verifying your existing listening or adding your business and then personalizing it.

Update with Accurate and Complete Business Information

Next, create your place card, upload photos, add the services and products you offer, and update any other accurate information about your business that you can include. Your hours of operations, contact information, and any other details you can provide will help your account and maximize your visibility on Apple. It is also important to keep you information up-to-date.

Add Special Offers and Events

Apple allows you to create Showcases to highlight any current events, promotions, or offers from your business. Create a Showcase to let your potential customers know about any brand-new products or services, special or limited offers, or upcoming events.

Update Your Account Regularly

Unfortunately, managing your Apple Business is not a one-and-done job. Just like other social media apps, it is important to check your account regularly and update it with new information as your hours, offerings, or anything else changes. If managing your account is not something you can or want to do, come to the digital marketing professionals at SEO Design Chicago for assistance. We help our clients create and run their accounts to boost their visibility and presence online.

Monitor Activity and Check Data

Apple gives you a number of metrics you can check to gain insights about how users are interacting with your business online, including clicks, calls, queries, direction requests, shares, and other engagements.

How to Contact Apple for Business Connect Questions

If you are wondering how to contact Apple Business Connect, you can call 1-800-854-3680 or visit the Apple Store for Business.

Apple Business Connect vs. Google Business Profile

Because Apple Business Connect is a much newer product, Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is more advanced and currently offers more features. Apple’s offering also does not have quite as many data and analytics and data as GBP provides. You should also have a Google account for your business if you want to increase your online presence across all platforms.

Set Up Apple Business Connect With SEO Design Chicago

Local businesses should take advantage of every chance to increase their presence online. Stay ahead of your competition online and get started with Apple Business Connect with the professionals at SEO Design Chicago. We will create and manage a professional and effective account for your business. Contact us today!

FAQ:

• What is Apple Business Connect?
• What are the benefits of Apple Business Connect?
• How much is Apple Business Connect?
• How do I contact Apple Business Connect?
• Should I create a profile for my business on Apple Business Connect?