Make it Easy for Customers to Find You with Apple Maps.

With just a few taps on their iPhones or other Apple devices, users can find your business, see hours of operation, contact details and more. By establishing your listing on Apple Maps, you increase visibility to potential customers seeking your services.

What makes Apple Maps even more powerful is its integration with Yelp, a popular platform for user-generated reviews. This connection allows potential customers to read authentic and unbiased reviews about your business, making it easier for them to choose you over competitors.

In September 2023, StatCounter reported that Apple and the IOS operating system held a majority share of smartphone users at 56%. (Android held a 42% market share). And that share gap widened among younger consumers. This data highlights the importance of listing your business on Apple Maps, as a significant portion of your potential customers rely on this platform to discover options and make decisions.

Apple Maps has several features that make it easy for customers to engage with your business. Customers can make reservations, schedule appointments, view location photos, and much more with just a tap.

Through Apple Maps’ Showcase feature, businesses can promote offers and seasonal specials to increase exposure. The insights feature enables businesses to monitor their listing’s performance, including the number of clicks, incoming traffic, and how users are finding their listing. It also provides information on the buttons users are clicking on, such as requesting directions, sharing the listing, visiting a website, viewing promotions on Showcase, or calling directly from the listing. This allows managers to analyze performance and improve their listing’s effectiveness.

Apple Maps also has a unique feature called “Look Around” that lets users view street-level imagery of a location. This virtual tour of your business can be a beneficial tool for attracting customers and providing them with a glimpse of what your establishment looks like.

Use these 8 steps to create the most effective listing on Apple Maps:

1. Create an Apple ID: If you don’t already have an Apple ID, create one. It’s quick, easy, and free. You can do it from any device, not just Apple products.
2. Start on Apple Business Connect: Visit Apple Business Connect and click on the “Get Started” button. Enter your Apple ID to begin the process of creating or claiming your business listing.
3. Choose your business type and select the option that best describes your company.
4. Search for your business: Type the name of your business in the search bar and see if there’s already a listing for your location. If there is, follow the steps to verify and claim it. If not, click on “Add a new location with this name” and continue with the setup process.
5. Set the location pin: As you enter or edit your address, Apple will show you a map with a pin placed at your approximate location. You can drag the pin to the exact spot where you want customers to find you, which is especially useful if your specific address is within a larger complex.
6. Add details about your business: Provide Apple with information about your business, such as the category it falls under, and the primary language used. This will help potential customers understand what you offer and how to find you.
7. Check accuracy: Provide Apple with additional details about your business, such as hours of operation, ownership, and headquarters location. Double-check that all the information is correct, as accuracy is key in helping customers find and contact you.
8. Get verified: Confirm your business phone number with Apple and they will send you a text code to enter for verification. Once you’ve completed this step, Apple will send you an email within a few days to confirm that your business listing is verified.

Remember to regularly review and update your information on Apple Maps to ensure accuracy. We recommend setting up a recurring reminder on your calendar to keep track of any changes that need to be made. If you promote monthly specials, set up a reminder at the beginning of each month to review and update information. Make sure to add “holiday hours” if your business hours change. At a minimum, your page needs to be reviewed at least once a year to ensure consistency.

Just like your Google Business Profile (GBP), claiming and optimizing your Apple Business Connect place card can be a game-changer for your organization’s local search engine optimization (SEO) and visibility. By claiming and optimizing your Apple Business Connect place card, you can ensure that your business is accurately represented in search results and map listings. This means that when potential customers are searching for businesses like yours, they’ll be more likely to find you and choose you over your competitors.

Optimizing your Apple Business Connect place card involves providing detailed and accurate information about your business, such as your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and even high-quality photos. The more complete and personalized your place card is, the more likely it is to attract potential customers and improve your SEO.

In addition to improving your visibility on Apple Maps, optimizing your Apple Business Connect place card can also have a positive impact on your presence on third-party platforms. Many platforms, such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and even Google, source their location data from Apple Maps, and vice-versa. By ensuring that your information is accurate and up to date on Apple Maps, you increase the chances of your business being accurately represented on these platforms as well.