Technology’s greatest contribution to today’s modern world is that businesses are able to generate innovative methods to attract customers. For any type of business with a store front presence, one of these advancements is 360° Photography, or virtual tours. You might be familiar with 360 photography from years ago, but today, it is becoming an increasingly effective tool to enhance your Google footprint. Google Street View is one of the best examples of 360° photography that helps businesses visually express their physical space.

Before we dig into how businesses can benefit from 360° photography and Google Street View, we’ll first explain what they are.

What is 360° photography?

360° photography is a technique where specialized equipment is used to capture the entire surroundings of a location. This ability of being able to capture the entire surroundings is a combination of software and panoramic photos. 360° photography has the ability to effectively show photographs from the photographer’s point to a mile or so. It is best and very effective to show off sceneries, businesses, stores, or tourist spots using 360° photography. It gives the users a virtual tour of the place or area through their computer or mobile device.

What is Google Street View?

We all know that Google is one of the most used search engines all around the world. In fact, it captured 74% of all internet traffic in January of 2019. With 3.5 billion searches per day worldwide, it has become the go-to of many internet users to find information.

Google has a mapping service called Google Maps that provides detailed information about a place and geographical regions all around the world. It has a feature called Google Street View. This is an interactive panorama technology that allows users to have a virtual tour of a place or area. It was first launched in 2007 in limited cities within the United States and has expanded its reach worldwide throughout the years.

This feature is a critical marketing tool for small businesses that want to differentiate from the competition. Its features have improved wherein different communities, companies and even corporations are becoming more interested in being tagged through this feature, making it more in demand.

One of the things that allows this feature by Google is to become fully effective is setting up your business’s Google My Business (GMB).

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses, companies and organizations to manage their online presence across the search engine, Google. This includes Google Search and Google Maps, and under Google Maps, you can find Google Street View.

Google My Business allows business owners to manage their business’s information. These are their location, business hours, telephone numbers, websites and other social media accounts.

Customers may also read and leave photos reviews about your business. While in your end, you can respond to their reviews and add photos too! Google said that businesses that has photos in their listings received 42% requests for driving directions on Google Maps and gets 32% more click through their website. Google My Business helps understand your customers and expand your presence by making it visible in search engine results.

Let us head over back to our Google’s feature of 360° photography. If you are interested on how you can achieve a Google approved 360° photography, here the important things you need to know..

How Can My Business Benefit from Google Street View?

Google Street View’s 360° photography or virtual tours can help your business in different ways. Did you know that businesses are excited to have this type of feature that can help enhance their business’s look and feel. As mentioned above, it is becoming an in-demand service. It can help differentiate your business from the competition.

This comes in two categories, exterior and interior. Exterior is the most common one on Google Maps. It usually shows store fronts, streets, building, or anything that can be found outside. Interior shows the inner part of a store, company or business. It gives users a virtual tour of what your business is on the inside!

Here are more things you need to know about the different benefits your business will get from these features that Google offer.

1. Increase Engagement

Users will be more likely to click and interact with your listing. Some people are interested on what is new. If you have a new user that searches up for your place on Google, and you offer a view of your store from the exterior, there is a 42% probability of that user to be converted into a customer!

2. Stand Out from Competition

When your competition offers similar goods and services, beat them on your integrated technology with a virtual tour posted to your Google My Business profile and your website! These are unique experiences that not many businesses are taking advantage of. This could be an effective new approach to gain your potential customers.

3. Unique Experience

Giving your users a virtual tour allows them to experience something new that most businesses do not have or even know exist.This 360° photography makes it convenient for your customers to “feel” the layout before they arrive.

4. Be a First Mover

Similar to people, first impressions matter when it comes to business, no matter your size. When you offer an immersive 360° Virtual Reality tour, you are steps ahead from your competition. You are giving your potential customers a look of your business from the comfort of their home and office.

5. Cost Efficient

Google My Business and a 360° virtual tour are priceless and can be yours for under $1,000. The upload is permanent and Only needs to be updated after renovations.

What Are the Requirements for Google Street View?

There are different requirements when it comes to this feature such as theimage quality, connectivity and appropriateness. All of these requirements must be met, then you’ll be receiving a digital trusted badge that will help distinguish your work and profile throughout this feature.

For image quality, here are the list of requirements:

7.5 mp or larger (3840 x 1920 px)

2:1 image aspect ratio

No gaps in image around horizon

No significant stitching errors

Adequate detail in light or dark areas

Sharpness

Must have no blur and must be in focus

No effects or filters

Connectivity or known as the range of what you should be capturing, here are the requirements:

You must have consent to show people and places

Accurate geographical placement

No hateful or illegal content

You then must abide to Google’s Sales and Branding Guidelines

What Cameras Can I Use to Capture Google Street View?

Google has created different categories for the types of cameras to be use. It may be one of the following:

1.    Auto Ready – Made for vehicles for high accuracy.

2.    Mobile Ready – You can directly publish your work from your mobile app with no desktop needed.

3.    VR Ready – Cameras that can generate 360 photos that are connected.

4.    Workflow Ready – Tools for publishing that can upload to Google’s accounts.

If you either have a camera that is under these categories, it can be certified and it can surely be used for this project.

Some of the recommended cameras are the Samsung Gear 360 for a cheaper option, for a professional one, Ricoh Theta V, or you may go with the Insta360 Pro or the NCTEH iSTAR Pulsar, iSTAGING and more. You may also apply to borrow a camera at Google!

Hire a 360° Google Street View Photographer

Save on the costs of purchasing the hardware and monthly software fee’s. Focus on running your business while a professional 360° photographer takes care of your needs.

Customers find ways to make life easier for themselves starting with vendor selection. The easier you make it for the customer the faster you will build their trust. Providing this feature offers which are the virtual tours and 360-photography adds credibility and transparency to your business.

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