This could come in handy if you’re looking to promote your business.
Apple on Wednesday announced its new Business Connect tool, which allows businesses to claim and edit their listings across Apple’s services, similar to Google’s method for allowing businesses to make changes to the way their information appears on the search engine and Google Maps or Twitter’s recent addition of a Location Spotlight for business profiles.
The tool offers the ability to specify store hours and fill out their listings with header images and other photos. These photos then appear through other Apple services such as Maps, Messages, Wallet, Siri, and other app. Businesses can then encourage customers to place orders or make reservations by linking to sites like Instacart, OpenTable, or Booking.com through Apple Maps.
Businesses can also take advantage of something called Showcases, a feature that lets companies list special offers, seasonal menus, product discounts, and more. Business Connect is available globally starting today, while Showcases is now available to all businesses in the US and will launch in other countries in the “coming months.”
Per TechCrunch, Apple won’t be getting rid of its Yelp integration, as Apple Maps will still feature photos, reviews, and menus hosted by Yelp. Businesses can sign up for the program with their existing Apple ID, and once it’s verified, they can proceed to claim and manage their place card for free.
Apple Maps had previously used a tool called the Apple Business Register to provide basic information about a business as well as its photos, reviews, and ratings. This relied on data from sites like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare. The new system offers more control over listed information, which could offer a more reliable experience for end users.
If you’ve had a chance to try Apple’s Business Connect, please let us know about your experience in the comments.
Via The Verge and TechCrunch