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 to create a brand presence that reaches over 1 billion Apple users. This groundbreaking initiative is a game-changer for businesses, especially those without a physical location, as it enables them to manage their brand appearance across popular Apple apps like 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 like ordering food or making reservations directly from the place card, and offering special promotions. Now, businesses that provide services online or operate without a physical location can register for Business Connect to create a visual brand identity, enhancing their ability to connect with customers and build trust.
In addition to managing their location place cards, businesses can now take advantage of new features within Business Connect. They can 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. This feature helps businesses establish a stronger brand presence and foster customer loyalty.
Furthermore, businesses can choose to display their logo, rather than a category icon, when accepting payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone. This gives customers the assurance that they are making a payment to a trusted and verified business, enhancing transparency and credibility in transactions. 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, helping to differentiate verified businesses from spam callers.
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 is a significant development that will empower businesses of all sizes to enhance their brand presence and engage with customers more effectively. This initiative underscores Apple’s commitment to innovation and providing valuable solutions for businesses in the digital age.
