New Apple Business Connect Updates Allows Company to Manage Emails, Calls and Tap-to-Pay Better

Apple has announced new features for its free Apple Business Connect service, designed to help businesses improve their visibility across Apple’s ecosystem. Initially launched in early 2023, Apple Business Connect allows businesses to manage their presence across Apple’s 1.5 billion devices, including Maps, Siri, Spotlight, Wallet, and now a wider array of applications like Mail, Tap to Pay, and the Phone app.

Apple Business Connect Update Allows Verified Businesses to Display Logos in Apps

Apple's Business Connect feature now enables verified businesses to display their logos in apps like Mail, Phone, and Wallet, enhancing brand recognition and customer trust.

Businesses can sign up… pic.twitter.com/U4fYTWxOaS

— Apple Club (@applesclubs) October 17, 2024

The update opens up branding opportunities to all types of businesses, including those without a physical location, marking a significant service evolution. As Apple initially only focused on physical location-based, this update will empower these businesses to manage their branding and increase their visibility across Apple’s apps, strengthening customer trust and engagement.

In the words of David Dorn, Apple’s Senior Director of Internet Software and Services Product, “With today’s updates, we’re helping even more businesses reach customers, build trust, and grow.” He emphasised how Apple Business Connect allows businesses of all sizes to appear consistently and professionally across Apple’s apps, used by over 1 billion people daily.

Everything to Know About the Apple Business Connect Expansions

Branded Mail and Business Caller ID

Firstly, the new Branded Mail feature allows businesses to display their logo and brand name in Apple’s Mail app, making emails stand out in a crowded inbox. Instead of a generic grey logo, branded emails will show the company’s logo, giving customers a more recognizable and professional email experience.

Benefits:

• Increases brand visibility in emails.
• Enhances the trustworthiness of the message by verifying the business identity.
• Help businesses stand out in a user’s inbox, especially with the newly redesigned iOS Mail app (iOS 18), which categorises emails.

In addition, starting in 2025, businesses will be able to display their name, logo, and department when making calls through the Business Caller ID feature. This will help customers easily identify legitimate business calls, minimising confusion with spam or telemarketers.

Benefits:

• Enhances trust by identifying legitimate calls.
• Help reduce spam call confusion.
• Improving customer communication and engagement.

Tap to Pay Branding and Expanded Business Profiles

Besides Branded Mail and Business Caller ID, the Apple Business Connect updates will benefit Businesses accepting contactless payments through Apple’s Tap to Pay. For example, businesses can now display their logo when accepting payments via iPhone instead of just a category icon. This small yet significant update ensures customers know they’re paying a trusted business.

Benefits:

• Reinforces brand trust during transactions.
• Enhances the payment experience by personalising the interaction.

Lastly, as previously mentioned, Apple Business Connect primarily served businesses with physical locations. Now, companies of all types, such as online, service-based, or operating from home, can establish a brand profile on the platform.

Key Customisation Options:

• Business Listings: Businesses can control how their information appears on Apple Maps and other Apple services. It includes logos, cover photos, special offers, and action buttons like “Order Pickup” or “View Menu.”
• Insights and Analytics: Companies can track how customers interact with their business, including how they found it and their actions (e.g., making a reservation or ordering food).
• Unique offers, photos, and promotions (known as “Showcases”).
• Action buttons to enhance customer interaction (e.g., “View Menu,” “Order Now”).

How to Get Started with Apple Business Connect

Getting started with Apple Business Connect is easy. Here’s how to register your business:

1. Sign Up: Visit the Apple Business Connect portal and sign in using your existing Apple ID or create a new Apple Account.
2. Customise Your Profile: After registration, you can start customising your business profile by adding logos, cover photos, action buttons, and promotions.
3. Review and Approval: Your business information will undergo a process review before it goes live.
4. Manage Your Profile: Businesses can manage their location presence through listing management agencies like DAC Group, SOCi, Uberall, and Yext to scale across multiple locations.

Apple Business Connect Is A Win-Win for Businesses and Consumers

Considering everything, the new Apple Business Connect updates benefits businesses and consumers alike. The former will enjoy increased visibility and improved customer interactions, while the latter will experience better identification of legal professions, reducing confusion and spam.

The introduction of Business Caller ID and Branded Mail gives Apple users greater control over their communications, while the branding tools across Mail and Tap to Pay enable companies to distinguish themselves further. As Apple integrates more branding options into its ecosystem, businesses can build stronger customer relationships, knowing they are easily recognizable in a crowded digital landscape.

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