Apple recently announced the Business Connect to let companies to quickly claim and maximize your Apple Maps locations. Beginning with a single or multi-location company takes only just a few minutes.
Once you’ve set up and registered your locations, you’ll be able to access and modify the Place Cards. This includes:
- Updating your location details.
- Add pictures.
- Publishing showcases.
- Analyzing the effectiveness and the engagement of your location using Apple Maps.
Apple Business Connect offers three different workflows:
- Small-scale companies.
- Enterprise brands that have 25 or more sites.
- Third-party partners manage data on behalf of other companies and are able to submit the information via an API.
This article will benefit you find out how to begin using Apple Business Connect.
Starting using Apple Business Connect
The first step is to first, create first an Apple ID if you don’t have one already.
Then, visit next, go to the Apple Business Connect website and select your company type (small enterprise, large or third-party partnership) then sign into the system using an Apple ID.
If you’re a company using a third-party to provide and access data through an API it is still necessary to create and establish the first location you have in Business Connect. Then, you’ll be given the choice to transfer the account of an agent who will be able to add the rest areas in the bulk.
For single locations or small-scale businesses with less than 25 locations, the first step is to search or establishing your site.
If you are a business with an enterprise model You must click the link at the bottom of the page that reads “Register to be an Enterprise.”
Click here and it will direct you onto the Business Verification page where you must enter your company’s information, including your D-U N-S number. (Apple also offers a useful guide for onboarding your enterprise.)
Small businesses (which Apple considers brands under 25 locations) You will have to locate your business in Apple Maps and either select the closest business in the results. outcome or select to select the choice for creating a brand new address if your company isn’t included.
If you’re setting up a new location then you must include your address information and warrant that the map pin is located over the entry point of your new location. You can also add the exact coordinates in case you need to.
In the following two steps, you’ll want to include the primary hours, holidays and other hours.
Special hours are defined as a custom or temporary schedule of hours for instance, such as a period of time during which you’ve increased or reduced availability.
In the next step, you’ll have to enter to your main and extra categories, a website as well as a phone number. ( This is a fantastic source to get the complete listing of Apple Business categories.)
Apple claims the extra categories benefit with searching and may be distinctive due to place of residence.
Throughout the set-up, Apple begins building your place card preview. As per Apple:
“When you update the information on the location you’ve created through Business Connect, it’s shown in this preview. It can take as long as three days for the modifications to appear on the location’s place card on Maps after you have sent the changes to Apple to be reviewed.”
The last steps to setup focus on verification. It is then time to add your company’s details to verify to warrant that Apple will be able to determine if you’re the right person to handle this account via Apple Business Connect.
To be able to pass the verification process, you’ll have to impart the identifying business document like a business registration or utility bill, lease agreement along with a description of the document.
The verification of your company could take as long as five days to complete.
After verification is completed, you are able to begin adding more details on your Place Card such as:
- An exclusive description of your business’s location.
- Attributes or more characteristics of your business. The attributes you can use vary depending on the business type, but can be classified into types of attributes like:
- Payment options.
- Types of reservations (appointment only and walk-ins).
- Accessibility features.
- Parking options.
- Types of restrooms and their availability.
- Technologies Features (wi-fi as well as air conditioner).
- COVID-19 testing and vaccine options.
- Business Models (co-op and non-profit organizations, as well as Membership requirements).
- Protection (cooling central, COVID-19 safety precautions Sheltering).
- Smoking parameters.
- Electric Vehicle Charging is available.
- Atmosphere specifics (good for couples, kids or groups, and couples).
- What kinds of pets are allowed or not.
- A link to an application which can benefit with functions like making reservations, ordering or making an appointment.
- Images of your company, including your logo and cover remain on highest point of the Place Card. Apple recommends that your photos be reviewed, and it can be reviewed for up to 3 days prior to the publication date. The guidelines for photos can be found here. the guidelines for photo submission here..
- Showcases are designed to highlight timely updates or new features, as well as products for your company. Showcases expire after a period of 30 days unless you have set them to expire earlier. Apple may require up to 3 days in order to approve and review your display. Showcases must include the following elements:
- An image and a photo tag (should be added to ensure the accessibility of screen readers and access).
- A brief title with as many as 38 characters.
- The description for the show of up to 58 words.
- One or more calls for take action , including:
- “Call Now”
- “Get Directions”
- “Website”
- “Share the Place”
- “Add to My Favorites”
- “Rate this place” This allows customers to serve feedback about the overall rating, food and beverage customer service, food and drinks, as well as the overall atmosphere. It also encourages users to recommend the restaurant to a family member.
The Showcases feature are only available to companies in the United States, but Apple is working on making them accessible worldwide in the next months.The Walmart Showcase, Apple Business Connect
If you own or manage additional locations, select”Add” or click the “Add” button at the upper right corner of the dashboard and begin the process over again. You may additionally invite more users to manage your locations.
Other ways to engage Apple Maps users
Business Connect is an extremely exciting and well-loved new feature from Apple.
It is a fantastic chance for local businesses to interact in a meaningful way with Apple Maps users and is created in a manner that makes it simple for companies of all kinds and sizes to start.
Find more details inside the Apple Business Connect User Guide.
