Apple Business Connect
What Apple Business Connect can do for your Small Business
In January 2023, Apple launched a new portal called Apple Business Connect, replacing its simpler Apple Business Register. It gives businesses access, for the first time, to customize much, much more of their profile on Apple Maps, Siri, Wallet, ect. Apple has relied on information from partners like Yelp, Foursquare and Trip Advisor to populate much of what Apple Maps users saw and experienced. Apple Business Connect, or ABC, was created to compete with Google Business Profile, introducing many of the features that GBP has had for a long time. In this blog we will be discussing what ABC is and what it might mean for your small business.
What is Apple Business Connect? Is it the same thing as Apple Maps?
In the simplest terms, it’s a portal that allows you to customize and optimize your business’ profile for Apple Maps, just like you are doing in your Google Business Profile for Google Maps (if you’re not, let’s talk). Now you can easily claim your businesses’ profile, keep it updated, add photos, and share interesting facts about your location.
New Should you consider Business Connect when you're already using Google?
Yes! It’s free and your customers are searching for your business on Apple Maps. In fact, you may already have a profile on Apple Maps that, if you haven’t already, you absolutely need to claim! Apple Business Connect pulls information from Yelp and other partners, so whatever is in your Yelp profile will likely be in ABC and on Apple Maps.
To ensure a seamless user experience, businesses can easily update their business information. Apple also provides valuable insights on Business Connect data, helping brands optimize their business place cards, design future advertising offerings, and deepen their digital impact by analyzing user interactions, much like what is available in your Google Business Profile.
Pro Tip: ALWAYS make sure your profiles are up-to-date and you have updated them for holidays that you’ll be closed!
Google still has the largest market share when it comes to search (over 90%), but according to the Washington Post, Apple Maps is the second most popular maps app after Google Maps, and millions of US adults use it regularly. It is a native app on all iPhones and with improvements to the content on it, it’s starting to gain market share, so don't miss out on showcasing your business to all those potential customers!
Features of Apple Business Connect
There are features of ABC that will allow you to add content about your business. Those additions will show on your Place Card, which is what Apple calls the popup that appears when you click on a profile in Apple Maps. This is the place where your customers can find your logo, website, directions, address, phone number, hours, etc., but can also interact with great content that you have put out there like photos, Actions and Showcases.
The Actions feature helps you drive customer engagements through enticing calls-to-action. Great examples for uses of this feature include:
- Get directions to your business
- Call your business
- Go to your website for more information
- Order food for delivery
- Schedule an appointment
You can customize the Actions section for all the things that are right for your business! And they make it easy for Apple Maps users to find out more about your business.
Content posts in Apple Maps are called “Showcases,” and allow you to highlight special offers and events for your business in a blog-like manner. Again, this is very similar to GBP’s Updates feature, so yes, you have one more place you’ll need to post content…
Remember that the more information, photos, helpful Actions and Showcases you provide, the greater the chances of connecting with, and attracting potential customers to your business.
What if I don’t have a physical location?
Service providers often do not have a physical location that their customers can visit. On Google Maps, they can show a service area instead of an address. If this is your business, you are not able to create a profile in ABC to be published on Apple Maps, YET… Apple will likely make this feature available in the near future, so stay tuned!
How to get started with Apple Business Connect
Getting started with ABC is easy and quick. In just a matter of minutes, you can set up your account, verify your information, and add photos. Showcases are also simple and fast to create.
Start here: https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-business-connect/welcome/web
If you need any help setting up your ABC account, we're here for you. At Rocket Road, we love helping small businesses succeed and achieve better results from their marketing efforts.
