Apple Business Connect extends to online firms, adds branding features
Apple's free business promotion service is now available to companies without a physical location, such as online-only ones, plus it offers more branding options.
Apple Business Connect users will be able to display logos and brand names -- Image credit: Apple
Apple Business Connect launched in 2023 as a free way for firms to promote themselves through Apple's services such as Maps, and Wallet. Companies register with Apple and can fill out a Business Connect form with logos, images, and so on, which will then be displayed on Apple Maps.
The service is free, but it was specifically limited to businesses with physical locations, such as retail stores. Now, however, any firm can go to businessconnect.apple.com and register without having a real-world address.
"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," David Dorn, Apple's senior director of Internet Software and Services Product said in a statement to AppleInsider.
The aim is bring the service to both online-only firms, and for small home-based businesses. Such firms obviously won't be featured on Apple Maps, but they will benefit from the service's promotion in Siri, Spotlight, Wallet -- and the new features.
Branded Mail and Tap to Pay
Those new features are rolling out in two batches. The first batch, and the biggest, is available for registration now, and it brings new branding to both Mail and Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Once a firm has filled out its Business Connect form with images, those will then be automatically shown as a header in Apple Mail.
Similarly, when presenting an iPhone to a customer for them to use Tap to Pay on iPhone, the company's logo and name will be displayed on screen.
Firms can fill out and edit a Business Connect form to get their logos on Mail and so on -- Image credit: Apple
Firms can register for Apple Business Connect and add their images now. Customers will see the logos when iOS 18.2 is released before the end of 2024.
Business Caller ID
Then in 2025, Apple is also adding Business Caller ID. Currently, iPhones display only a phone number when the caller is not recognized, but registered business users will be able to display more.
Specifically, alongside the phone number as at present, companies can have their logo and also their name appear on the call screen. The business name can also include a specific department.
"We designed Business Connect to empower businesses to present the best, most accurate information to Apple users," continued Dorn. "With today's updates, we're helping even more businesses reach customers, build trust, and grow."
This expansion of Apple Business Connect follows the company's program of offering dedicated "Today at Apple" sessions for small business owners.
Read on AppleInsider