VIRTUAL TOURS FAQ’s!
Virtual Tours Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL TOUR?
A virtual tour is a sequence of panoramic images that are ‘stitched’ together to create a ‘virtual’ experience of a particular location. Once the panoramas are captured and tour created and links posted on a business internet webpage or in Google My Business & Street View Maps, the viewer is able to experience “virtually” what it is like to be there.
This virtual experience should be fully responsive and could be viewed through any smart device, whether it’s a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a mobile device. These virtual tours are even more immersive when viewed on a VR headset such as Oculus Quest of Samsung Gear VR. A virtual tour may also include interactive information & hyperlinks. It can also include immersive sound or voice-overs describing points of interest.
Google Maps
HOW IS A VIRTUAL TOUR CREATED?
The key to creating a professional well designed virtual showcase tour requires having all the right ingredients. For this question, we have outlined these key elements required:
Camera Equipment: – You need to have the right equipment to capturing professional high-quality 360° panorama images taken in preplanned locations within the client’s project location. This can be either a dedicated 360° camera (such as the 8K Insta360Pro2 or a Matterport Pro2 which we are using) or DSLR camera using a wide-angle or fisheye lens on a pano rig to capture a series of images (usually 4-8), which are then stitched together.
Insta360Pro2
Computer Hardware: – The higher your compter specifications are, the faster it will be to handle the software programs required to stitch and perform post-production work on 360° images and videos. We are using iMac Pro, which handles the high volume file sizes of multiple megapixel panoramas and videos.
iMacPro
Post-Production Software: – Once the panoramic images have been stitched, they require additional editing and enhancement work to make them really pop and stand out. For this, you require software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Topaz Labs, Premiere Pro & After Effects
Adobe Suite
360° Showcase Platform: – Once all the edited panoramic images are ready, you can start to create the 360° virtual tours. For this, another high-end software platform is required. In our case, we use HTML based 3DVista and Matterport for 3D showcases. Other high-quality platforms include Pano2VR, Kuula & Panoskin.
Working with the 360° VR software, a virtual tour is created inserting a number of navigational elements and immersive media, which makes the tour interactive and informative to the online viewers.
3DVista
Expertise: -The final important ingredient in the Virtual Tour mix is the artistic flair and experienced dedicated team required to create a high quality and professional Virtual Tour, which effectively promotes the space showcased and which is useful and informative to the users.
HOW DOES MY BUSINESS BENEFIT FROM A GOOGLE VIRTUAL TOUR?
First impressions are everything, and today, those impressions are usually online. When a person researches a business on Google, they are looking for key factors to help them with their decision on whether to use the product or service. Reviews, social media presence, and updated business information have always been key players in a visitor’s decision, but now more than ever, photography and 360° media on Google are factors that will help you stand out.
Implementing a Google Street View tour on your Google My Business page is one of the more effective things you can do in search results today. Here’s why:
Increase visibility
Research shows that 81% of people conduct research online before making a purchase. Google tours simply help your business listing stand out. There is no doubt that Google search results are competitive. A business with a virtual tour on its Google listing appears complete and outshines competing results.
Google My Business
Increase engagement with your brand
Engagement online is everything and virtual tours play a pretty significant role in a consumer’s decision. Not only will you increase the click-through-rate to your website from Google, but you’ll also keep visitors interested longer. Per Google’s Impact of Search Listings for Local Businesses, companies with complete Google listings are 51% more likely to increase interest for viewers. Virtual tours lead to more curiosity about your company and increase the amount of time a person engages with your brand.
Attract new customers
While virtual tours on Google have proven to increase traffic to websites, online viewers are even more likely to visit your business in person. Businesses with high-quality photos and a virtual tour are more likely to motivate people to visit the business. It gives visitors a preview of the experience they’ll have before they physically walk through the door. It lets people who are interested in your business decide if what you offer meets their needs. Even more importantly, it helps people understand their surroundings and familiarize themselves with your space.
Establishing trust in your brand
Think about what you look for when researching a business. Often, people are looking for companies that are well-established and transparent with their customers. A business with a virtual tour of their space is more likely to be viewed as a well-branded, established company.
Staying ahead of the competition
You’ll be viewed as a business that embraces the latest technology and which is forward-thinking. Virtual media is rapidly growing with more and more businesses taking advantage of next-gen technology to cater to millennials. Not only will you show off your business’ personality, but you’ll stay on-trend with the latest technology and ahead of your competition.
WHAT PROBLEM DOES A 360° VIRTUAL TOUR FROM US SOLVE?
It solves a lack of total immersive experiences for your visitors. People want to be in control and experience the next level of 3D & 360° technology instead of boring 2D maps.
3D 360° VT Tours
WHAT CAN I ADD TO MY TOUR?
Virtually anything. 360° video, image galleries, contact forms, VR ads, webcams, ambient sound, Google 360° tours, Matterport 3D tours, e-commerce, Augmented Reality (AR), and much more!
3D 360° VT Tours
DO I (CLIENT) OWN THE TOUR?
Yes, 100%. All 360° imagery and assets belong to you the client. There are no licensing fees at all.
3D 360° VT Tours
Unbeatable Value!
Our quality and value are unmatched! Your 3D & 360° showcase experience provides your business the advantage over the competition.