Do you use Apple Maps to help customers find your business? You should. That’s because a whopping 77 percent of smartphone users utilize navigation apps frequently, and tapping into this medium can put your business in front of customers at critical purchasing decision points.
While Google Maps reigns supreme for navigation use—attracting an estimated 67 percent of navigation app users—Apple Maps is competitive with 1.3 billion active Apple devices in the world. Suffice to say, Apple Maps can be a viable customer acquisition tool for your business.
The Ups and Downs of Apple Maps
Apple Maps hasn’t always enjoyed the best reputation. It was plagued by a turbulent initial launch and inaccurate listings. In fact, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, ultimately apologized for the frustration the app caused when it first went live.
However, as we all know, Apple is not a quitter. Developers continue to improve upon Apple Maps. Today, the company is focused on building next-gen maps with better accuracy, faster load times, and more detail. Apple is also introducing more indoor maps of airports and malls all the time, proving it can offer innovative tools to help users find their way.
Since Apple Maps plans even more improvements soon, adding your business to Apple Maps today can help you capture more customers and gain more market share over local competition.
How to Add Your Business
1. Create an Apple ID if you don’t have one
To add your business to Apple Maps, create an Apple ID. To do so, provide some simple information—including your name, birth date, email address, password, and answers to security questions. An Apple ID only takes a couple of minutes to set up, and it is completely free to register.
2. Log in to your account
Before you add your business to Apple Maps, log in to your Apple account with your existing account or the new account you created.
3. Access Apple Maps Connect
Apple Maps Connect is the hub page where you can add your business to Apple Maps. Just follow the prompts to start your listing.
4. Select your language and notification preferences
The prompt will begin by asking you to select your language. Choose what’s best for you and your co-workers. Opt-in or out of receiving information from Apple Maps. Since this might include updates and key notifications, we recommend opting in so you stay up-to-date. However, if your inbox is already too full, you can opt out.
6. Search to see if your business is listed on Apple Maps
Your business may already appear on Apple Maps. Before you start a new listing, search to confirm if your listing has been created. Doing so can prevent double listings, which could confuse potential customers and ultimately cost you business. To search your business, simply enter your zip code and a keyword to retrieve relevant matches.
7. If Apple Maps doesn’t list your business, click “add new place”
If your business isn’t listed on Apple Maps yet, don’t worry. You can add your listing from scratch. Just click “add new place” to start.
8. If Apple Maps lists your business, claim it
If you find your business, you have to claim it. Simply click on your business’s listing to see a more complete profile. Review the information to ensure it’s accurate. Then, click the “claim this place” box to claim your business listing.
9. Accurately enter business information
Whether you claim an existing listing or enter a new listing, make sure your profile information contains relevant, accurate, and keyword rich information. To find your business, customers need current, factual information. Make sure that your address, hours, phone number, and associated social media accounts are all up-to-date.
10. Verify your business
With Apple Maps, it’s very easy to verify your business. Apple will simply call your business number to give you a verification code. If you’re not ready to answer your business phone when you register, you can also choose to verify later.
6 Benefits of Apple Maps
Adding your business to Apple Maps offers countless benefits. As Apple Maps improves and grows, these benefits are also likely to evolve.
- Gain greater access to Apple users
With over one billion Apple devices in use worldwide, every business owner can benefit from reaching this massive customer base. While many of these customers use other navigation apps, some already use Apple Maps, so listing your business there can help you connect with these potential customers.
- Connect with customers looking for nearby businesses
Potential customers often use Apple Maps when they are out-and-about. Listing your business can help customers find your business when they’re nearby—making it easy for them to visit you and hopefully, shop.
- Ensure the accuracy of existing listings
Since a listing for your business may already appear on Apple Maps, going through the process of claiming your business listing will verify the correctness of all information—thereby giving customers the information they need to do business with you.
- Get more attention
To get customers, your business needs visibility, awareness, and engagement. List your business on Apple Maps to get this attention from a wider customer base.
- Be proactive
While Apple Maps isn’t the most popular navigational tool on the market (yet), it is improving and upgrading all the time. Adding your business now will help you hit the ground running with customers as they increasingly adopt this app.
- Apple Maps is adding new features
Apple products never stop evolving and Apple Maps is no different. The app is experimenting with Business Chat (currently in beta) that will allow businesses to communicate with their customers directly through Apple Maps—allowing you to provide top-notch and on-demand customer service when it matters most. If you add your business to Apple Maps today, you can access to these great features once they are live—before your competition.
Adding your business to Apple Maps is a quick, easy way to ensure interested customers can find your business. It’s just another way you can round out your digital presence so you don’t miss an opportunity to engage with customers online or off.
