In January 2023, Apple rolled out the new Apple Business Connect. Apple’s answer to Google Business Profile (a.k.a. Google My Business or GMB), Apple Business Connect provides one place for organizations of all sizes to control their business information on native Apple apps, such as Maps.
Originally named Apple Maps Connect (when it first came out in 2014) and rebranded to Apple Places and Apple Business Register in 2021, the platform’s purpose remains the same. Organizations can claim and control their location(s) in Apple applications (primarily Maps).
Apple Business Connect is more robust than the previous iterations. Read on to learn more about the new features, and how they can help you reach your dream customers organically.
Is Apple Business Connect Free?
One of your first questions may be regarding Apple Business Connect pricing. Fortunately, the web-based portal Apple Business Connect is free for accounts of all sizes.
Choosing Your Account Type
There are three different Apple Business Connect account types. The account type that is right for your organization depends on its size.
- Small business account
- Enterprise account
- Third-Party Partner account
For a single business with fewer than 25 locations, set up an Apple Business Connect small business account. If your business has at least 25 locations, this warrants creating an Apple Business Connect Enterprise account.
Finally, those with 25 or more locations – or multiple businesses – can opt for an Apple Business Connect Third-Party Partner account. This way, you can invite another company to help you manage your business on the platform.
How Do I Create an Apple Business Connect Account?
To create your Apple Business Connect Account, you’ll need to use your Apple ID (or create a new one) on a laptop or desktop computer. Click here to access their self-service site.
Apple Business Connect Verification
You will need to verify your business before your listing goes live across Apple applications. Note that you can save this to do later, but unverified businesses are not visible to app users in the meantime.
You will be prompted to do one of the following to verify your small business:
- Receive a verification code by phone at the business’s phone number
- Submit official documentation proving your ownership or management of the business
To verify your Enterprise or Third-Party Partner account, you must:
- Provide official documentation showing you own or help manage the business
- Add (or having your developer/website manager add) a TXT record to your site’s DNS zone file
The documentation for either level may be in the form of a utility bill, lease, or insurance policy. It must display the business’s name and address. You upload this to the site and it can take up to five business days to process the verification.
What Apps Does This Work With?
Apple Business Connect controls information provided about your organization throughout Apple applications such as:
- Apple Maps
- Siri
- Apple Wallet
- Messages
The information you provide will be consistent for your business across these applications. It will be easier for your ideal customer to find and share information with others.
Apple Business Connect API
When utilizing a Third-Party Partner account, the Apple Business Connect API (application programming interface) uses listing management agencies like Yext to remit updated and accurate information. This is possible across all businesses and locations you manage, to all applications.
Although adding information about your businesses and locations is free, listing management agencies require paid subscriptions. The Apple Business Connect API also integrates with tools where the user can place an order or make a reservation. These include Booking.com, Instacart, and OpenTable.
Showcases and Actions
Showcases are where you can set up your organization to succeed across Apple’s applications. This is where you can set up offers and events, adding text and images where your organization is featured in apps.
With a Showcase, you can include Action buttons, prompting such actions from users as:
- Calling your business on the phone
- Placing an order, like for food
- Making a reservation
- Viewing a menu or showtimes
- Starting a chat
- Visiting your website
Showcases are a great way to drive business via attention-grabbing limited time offers and crucial updates. If you plan to create a Showcase, however, you should do so ahead of when it needs to be live, as Apple can take up to three days to review before publishing. Also, Showcases expire after a maximum of 30 days but you can set them to expire sooner.
Apple Business Connect Photo Requirements
There are some important numbers to keep in mind when uploading your logo and other photos to your Apple Business Connect account. Save the infographic below for a handy reference.
Apple reviews the photos to ensure they meet additional guidelines. Should the photos not meet the guidelines, Apple will notify you, explaining why they did not accept them.
Some More Helpful Info:
- Cover photos should not have watermarks, promotional text, or clip art
- Showcase photos should not include text and should be relevant to the Showcase content (title and body text)
How to Use Insights to Maximize Your R.O.I.
Apple Business Connect Insights are available to those managing the account. Within this view, you can track impressions, clicks, and the keywords that brought users to your business. Further, you can see data on how it is being viewed in the Maps application.
You can use these metrics and the keyword data to get new information about what types of offers, events, and content draw interest from potential customers. Additionally, with the integration of Siri, keep in mind the potential for voice search.