Apple announced Apple Business Connect to the public in January 2023. Replacing a simplified map profile program called Apple Business Register, the new ABC enables businesses to control, customize, and promote their business information to the billion+ Apple users worldwide. You can think of Apple Business Connect as Apple’s version of the Google Business Profile.
For 17 years, Apple relied on third-party data from multiple sources, including Yelp, Foursquare, and others, to compile business information for their users. Now, they have followed in Google’s footsteps, getting first-party sourced data from the businesses themselves. Apple Business Connect is a free tool that encourages businesses of ALL sizes to claim and optimize their more robust location place cards, creating an opportunity for business owners to improve prominence across map placements. Equally, this creates responsibility for business owners and location managers to set up or claim location place cards and then manage, maintain, and optimize their listings with rigor. Let’s simplify.
Apple Business Connect is Apple’s latest tool. It empowers businesses of all sizes to adjust and manage their store information across Apple apps, including Apple Maps, Wallet, Siri, and more TBD. This free tool allows a business to publish quick-reference info such as store hours, location, and phone number.
ABC includes plenty of customizations depending on the type of business or industry. Select a business “category” and summarize “Good to Know” features like wheelchair accessibility or free Wi-Fi.
Complete text fields, upload images, create offers, announce events, and invite the audience to take an expected “Action” (e.g., call now, visit website, get directions) or something more specific to the offering like “Share” or “Order.”
“Apple Business Connect gives every business owner the tools they need to connect with customers more directly, and take more control over the way billions of people see and engage with their products and services every day,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services.
https://www.apple.com/om/newsroom/2023/01/introducing-apple-business-connect
The interface allows businesses to update, add critical information, and direct users to take action directly from the location place card. Users can quickly call, schedule a reservation, view special offers, and more. Business owners can easily share photos, promotions and direct customers to increase traffic and sales.
Notice the “From the Business” section that communicates what the business is Showcasing to the consumer. In fact, Apple Business Connect is an elegant and welcome addition to the Apple experience for consumers as much as it is for business managers. Users can get more up-to-date information, engage with offers, and pay for services in a streamlined interface.
You’ll find Apple’s new program to have many of the profile fields and features found in other popular search and online profiles:
Here are a few places (and configurations) where users will find the Apple Business Connect Place Cards:
Register for Business Connect and claim your business’s place card using your existing or new Apple ID. Simply follow the steps on the self-service website. Make sure to use a laptop or desktop computer while completing your registration.
Depending on your situation, there are three independent routes to registering your business. Apple provides the following options:
1.) Small, single-location businesses
2.) Enterprise companies with 25 or more locations
3.) Third-party agencies that manage online data for other businesses (can submit via API)
Select the route best suited for your business, and Apple will guide you step by step. Apple will verify that you are an owner or manager of the business before you can begin optimizing and updating your place card. Apple provides you with the following options for verification:
Once your business is verified, you can start optimizing your location place card (aka your Apple Business Connect profile).
Your business place card is an extension of your physical store. Users see this across multiple Apple apps when looking at your business and your competitors. Make sure you stand out by having all details filled out accurately and in sync with other online sources.
Apple Place Cards contain the following information that customers can see:
Locations in your organization also contain the following information that customers can’t see:
Source: Apple, Place Card Configuration
Coming soon! The dbaPlatform makes easy work of configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting all your online listings at scale. Now that Apple has launched its exciting first-party data profile offering, dbaPlatform is getting ready to announce its powerful dashboard integration to match. In the meantime, if you need help configuring for Apple, Google, Microsoft, or other vital local presence networks, connect with us and be the first to reap the benefits of new the new online territory. Whether you are a new or current partner, be one of the first people to receive access to manage ABC place cards via dbaPlatform. Schedule a call with our team now, https://dbaplatform.com/#ContactSales.