e Business Connect: The guide to getting started
Apple recently launched Business Connect, which allows businesses to claim and optimize their Apple Maps location. It takes only a few minutes to get started with a single location or multiple locations.
After you have claimed your locations and set them up, you can view and edit the Place Cards. This includes:
- Updating your location details.
- Add photos.
- Publishing showcases.
- Analyzing the performance and engagement of locations on Apple Maps.
Apple Business Connect allows you to choose from three workflows
- Small businesses.
- Brands for enterprises with 25 or more locations
- Third-party data partners who manage data for other businesses can submit the data via API.
This article will show you how to get Apple Business Connect started.
Get started with Apple Business Connect
First, create an Apple ID.
Next, visit the Apple Business Connect webpage and choose your type of business (small, medium, enterprise or third-party partner) before signing in with your Apple ID.
If your brand is using third parties to access and submit data via API, you will still need to create and claim your first business location in Business Connect. The next step is to choose to delegate your account and allow an agency to add all of your locations.
Searching for or creating a location is the first step for single locations or small businesses with less than 25 locations.
Click on the prompt that appears at the bottom and says “Register as an Enterprise” for enterprise businesses.
Click here to go to the Business Verification page. Here you will need to enter your brand information, including your D–U-N–S number. Apple also offers a enterprise-onboarding guide.
Apple allows small businesses to search on Apple Maps. If your business isn’t already listed, you can either choose to create a new place or select the one that matches your search criteria.
You will need to enter your address details if you create a new location. Also, ensure that the map pin is above the entrance to your location. If necessary, you can also add exact coordinates.
You will need to add your holiday, primary, and special hours in the next two steps.
Special hours can be described as custom hours or a temporary set hours. This could include periods when your availability is extended or reduced.
Next, you’ll need to add your primary, secondary, and additional categories, website, phone number, and target=”_blank”> ( To view the complete list of Apple Business categories, this resource is invaluable.
Apple claims that additional categories can help with your search and are unique by location.
Apple starts to build your place cards preview during the setup. Apple says:
This preview shows you what happens when you update information about a business location in Business Connect. After you submit your changes to Apple for review, it can take up three days for them to appear on the location’s Place Card on Maps.
Verification is the final step in setup. Next, you will need to enter your company information for verification. This is so Apple can verify that you are authorized to manage this location via Apple Business Connect.
You will need to provide a clearly identifiable business document, such as a utility bill, business registration, or lease agreement, in order to verify the information.
It can take up to five working days for your business to be verified.
After verification is complete, you can add additional information to your place card including:
- Unique description of your business location.
-
Additional features or attributes of your business. These attributes can vary depending on the business type, but they include:
- There are many payment options.
- Types of reservations (walk-ins, appointment only)
- Accessibility features
- There are many parking options.
- Types of restrooms and their availability
- Technology features (wiFi and air conditioning).
- COVID-19 testing and vaccine options
- Business Models (cooperative, non-profit, and membership requirements).
- Safety (cooling centre, COVID-19 precautions and sheltering).
- Smoking parameters.
- Accessibility to EV Charging
- Atmosphere details (good to kids, couples, and groups).
- What pets are allowed?
- This link will take you to an app that allows you to order, make a reservation or book an appointment.
- Place Card: Photos of your business, including logos and covers. Apple advises that photos are subject to review and may take up three days before publication. Photo Guidelines can be found here.
-
You can use showcases to highlight your company’s latest features, products and updates. Unless you specify otherwise, showcases expire after 30 calendar days. Apple may take up to three business days to approve and review your showcase. These elements are included in showcases:
- For accessibility and screen readers, a photo and an image tag should be included.
- A brief title up to 38 characters
- Description of the showcase up to 58 characters
-
One or more
Calls to Action
, including:- “Call Now”
- “Get Directions”
- “Website”
- “Share this place”
- “Add to Favorites”.
- “Rate This Place” – Users can rate the place based on their overall rating, food, drink, customer service, atmosphere, and other factors. This allows users to rate the place and recommend it to family members or friends.
Please note that Showcases can only be purchased by businesses in the United States. However, Apple plans to make them available worldwide within the next few months.
To manage additional locations or add them to your account, click the “Add” button at the top of the dashboard. Additional users can be invited to your locations.
There are many ways you can interact with Apple Maps users
Apple’s Business Connect innovation is a very exciting and welcome one.
It offers local businesses a unique opportunity to interact with Apple Maps users. The site is easy to use for businesses of any size and type.
More information can be found in the Apple BusinessConnect User Guide.
The post Apple Business Connect – Your guide to getting started was originally published on Search Engine Land.