Google Virtual Tours

[Nuno]

Google Virtual Tours where a camera goes walkabout in a business premises are a bit of a mystery to me.
Are these any good for SEO? For conversion?
Ate they bad for SEO and/or conversion?
Any data or opinions?

(My gut feeling, often wrong, is that despite being a Google thing, they are a fairly useless gimmick.)

 

[sirearl]

Can't see any SEO benefit,but usefull to show premises.

 

[Nuno]

Thanks. I was worried about where you were. I thought maybe Whitstable's Crabzilla had......

 

[DazRave]

I don't think they are intended to be anything to do with SEO or search ratings at all.. and instead just because they want to cover the world entire world and upload it to google maps?

I've used it before though, to have a gander at things before I arrive etc.

 

[Adwords_Guru]

They are simply a tool to increase conversions.

Very separate from SEO

 

[sirearl]

Thanks. I was worried about where you were. I thought maybe Whitstable's Crabzilla had......

If you think he is big you wanna see the size of our winkles.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=C...hannel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ATxAVLOfHeyq8weH-YHIBg

 

[RealEcon]

I met a guy the other day who does the photos/video for this. Apparently, they have to get certified and be a Google partner then they are given a territory to serve. If they arent getting enough businesses to sign on to the service Google can give their territory to some other photographer.

Totally different side of Google from what I know, lol.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Yep, I applied but got no reply as a guy local to me does it. I was hoping to integrate it into local marketing but sadly it was not to be.

They are good for showing your business off, and in the future I think preference will be given in local listings for those businesses with. but currently not the case.

 

[Uzair Kharawala]

I met a guy the other day who does the photos/video for this. Apparently, they have to get certified and be a Google partner then they are given a territory to serve. If they arent getting enough businesses to sign on to the service Google can give their territory to some other photographer.

Totally different side of Google from what I know, lol.

That is called 'Google Trusted Photographer'. You need to undergo exams & QC before you get the badge. We are currently undergoing this process and hopefully will be certified soon. Working to targets is great as it makes one accountable and in the process you achieve more!!

 

[Nuno]

If you are doing all the work to get qualified you must know what benefits it gives your clients? In your view, (and possibly Google's sales blurb view), what are they?

 

[RealEcon]

You know, if the price is fair enough and wont really hurt too much I would probably go for it. I can see this becoming a must for hotels, restaurants, entertainment, convention venues, even doctor offices etc. Anything that will add trust to your name and brand in Google is a good idea imo.

But it would be interesting to hear about what kind of current statistics there are for clicks and conversions, do to this feature as well.

 

[RealEcon]

This page has some good examples and stats. But nothing about conversions or clicks.

http://www.asecondglance.ca/google-business-view/

 

[Uzair Kharawala]

If you are doing all the work to get qualified you must know what benefits it gives your clients? In your view, (and possibly Google's sales blurb view), what are they?

There are lots of advantages:

• Engage your potential clients with a virtual tour.
• Very affordable to get one.
• Invite your customers 'inside' your business i.e shop, factory, premises, etc and build trust easily.
• Embed virtual tours on your website or the web.
• It's fun and clients love it!
• Businesses are using Tours to attract more clients, here's how:

Hope this helps.
Best
Oz

 

[Nuno]

Sorry but those strike me as features not benefits.
Very affordable is a question of what is affordable. The only one I have been involved in was north of £1000 for a restaurant. I think that is quite a lot to get a return on for a local business.
Are people really time rich enough to watch these as part of the decision making process?

 

[Uzair Kharawala]

The price of the tours depend on how small or big the premises is. On average, you could get a tour for around £450, however, if the premises is quite big, more work is involved and the cost is higher. Whether the £1000 investment is affordable or not for that restaurant, only they can answer it!
I personally feel that many people get all hung up about SEO all the time. If one puts up good quality content online, targeted traffic will follow and these tours are part of the online content.

 

[RealEcon]

I personally feel that many people get all hung up about SEO all the time. If one puts up good quality content online, targeted traffic will follow and these tours are part of the online content.

Well said. It really is just another form of content marketing. Whether a person wants to spend big bucks on a custom infographic or on two or three professionally written blog posts a week, or on a YT vid campaign. It all comes down to content, and if one thinks the particular method will market their business properly and for an amount of time that will allow them to recoup their spend then its just as good as any other content marketing efforts.

Personaly I think these virtual tours would pay off in the long run for branding and marketing purposes alone. Just depends on how image/brand focused a persons business is I think.