Apple is extending the Apple Business Connect programme, enabling companies to provide information about their businesses to Apple, which will feature in Apple Maps, Siri, and various other locations throughout the operating system.
Initially restricted to businesses with physical locations, Apple has now expanded the programme to include virtual, online, and service-based businesses as well.
For the first time, businesses of all sizes around the world — even those without a brick-and-mortar presence — can manage the way they appear to over 1 billion Apple users using 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.”
Since last year, businesses have been able to claim and manage their location place cards through Business Connect, including adding and updating photos and logos; inviting customers to take actions like ordering food or making a reservation directly from the place card; and presenting customers with special promotions.
Now, every business — including those that provide a service or operate fully online or without a physical location — can register for Business Connect to create a visual brand identity, making it easier to connect with customers and build trust.
Through new capabilities within Business Connect, businesses can sign up to display their brand in the Mail and Phone apps, and customize their logo in Tap to Pay on iPhone.
With Branded Mail, businesses can display their brand name and logo in emails to customers, so their emails stand out in the Mail app and are more easily recognizable. Businesses can sign up for Branded Mail now, and their logo will begin appearing to customers later this year.
Additionally, businesses can now 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.
Next year, 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.
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 customize 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.
