Want to create a virtual tour of your local business? While Google Street View takes snapshots of streets, Google Maps Business View (GMBV) goes the extra mile by taking photos of business’ interior, allowing owners to create fully functional virtual tours. To learn more about this service and how it works, keep reading.
What Is Google Maps Business View?
Google Maps Business View is a premium service offered by Google that allows local brick-and-mortar business owners to create virtual tours of their establishment. Once the tour has been created, it is published to Google Search, Google Maps, and the business’s Google+ profile. Potential customers may then view the business in a 360-degree panoramic setting, seeing exactly what it looks like from their web browser.
Why Should I Use Google Maps Business View?
There are a number of reasons why you should use Google Maps Business View, one of which is the simple fact that it improves the overall experience for your customers and clients. If you manage a bed and breakfast, for instance, customers may want to see what your establishment looks like before booking their stay, which they can do so with GMBV.
According to various case studies published by Google, GMBV may also improve click-through rates (CTR) on your search listings. The California-based establishment Just Food For Dogs, for instance, saw a 50% CTR increase after utilizing GMBV. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll experience the same results, but it’s almost certain to increase your CTR to some degree.
“Business View may also be your best new travel companion. Whether you’re traveling to see your family for the holidays or planning a romantic getaway for the new year, you probably want to make sure the ambiance of the hotel is right for the occasion,” wrote Soufi Esmaeilzadeh, Google Maps Business View Product Manager. “With Business View, you can see inside thousands of hotels around the world on Google, including hundreds of Best Western and Hilton hotel locations (pool included!).”
How To Use Google Maps Business View?
To use Google Maps Business View, visit http://www.google.com/maps/about/partners/businessview/get-started/ while logged into your primary Google account and find a trusted photographer or photo agency in your area. You must then schedule a date and time for the photographer to come and shoot your establishment. Once the photographer is finished, he or she will turn the photos into a virtual tour to use in Google Search, Google Maps, and your Google+ page. Sorry if you were expecting more, but that’s all it takes to create virtual tour of your business using GMBV!
