On October 16, 2024, Apple made a significant announcement that will revolutionize the way businesses connect with customers. The tech giant introduced Apple Business Connect, a platform that allows businesses of all sizes, including those without physical locations, to create a brand presence that reaches over 1 billion Apple users. This move is aimed at empowering businesses to establish a consistent brand identity across popular Apple apps such as Apple Maps, Wallet, and Mail.
David Dorn, Apple’s senior director of Internet Software and Services Product, expressed excitement about the launch of Apple Business Connect. He stated, “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. 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.”
One of the key features of Apple Business Connect is the ability for businesses to claim and manage their location place cards. This includes updating photos and logos, inviting customers to take actions such as ordering food or making reservations directly from the place card, and offering special promotions. Now, with the expansion of Business Connect, businesses that provide services online or operate without a physical location can also register to create a visual brand identity, enhancing their ability to connect with customers and build trust.
The new capabilities within Business Connect offer businesses additional tools to enhance their brand presence. For example, businesses can now sign up to display their brand in the Mail and Phone apps, as well as customize their logo in Tap to Pay on iPhone. With Branded Mail, businesses can showcase their brand name and logo in emails to customers, making their communications more recognizable and standing out in the Mail app. Additionally, businesses can choose to display their logo when accepting payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone, providing customers with a sense of trust and verification.
In the future, businesses will also have the option to register for Business Caller ID, where their name, logo, and department will appear on the inbound call screen when contacting customers. This feature aims to distinguish verified businesses from spam callers and other unwanted outreach, further enhancing trust and credibility.
To register for Apple Business Connect, owners of virtual, online, and service businesses can use their existing Apple Account or create a new one on the self-service website. Once registered, businesses can customize their brand for free and manage their location presence at scale through listing management agencies. For inquiries or support, businesses can refer to the user guide or contact Business Connect support.
Overall, Apple’s expansion of tools to help businesses connect with customers through Apple Business Connect marks a significant step towards empowering businesses of all sizes to establish a strong brand presence and reach a vast audience of Apple users. This move is set to revolutionize the way businesses engage with customers and build trust in the digital age.