How to Get the Most Value from Your Google Street View Virtual Tour

As a business owner, investing in a Google Street View virtual tour is a smart move. But simply getting it shot and published isn’t enough to guarantee a great return. To get real, measurable value for your business, whether you be on the Central Coast or elsewhere, you need a plan. The decisions you make before, during, and after the photoshoot will have a huge impact on how well your new 360-degree tour works for you.

I’ve helped countless local businesses create powerful virtual tours, and I’ve seen what works. This guide will walk you through the key steps to ensure you get the most from your investment. These principles don’t just apply to virtual tours; they’re useful for almost any commercial photography or video project.

Let’s start by defining what success looks like for you.

Step 1: Understanding Your Goals for a Successful Virtual Tour

A virtual tour isn’t just a fancy photo; it’s a powerful marketing tool. So, before we do anything else, we need to clarify what you want it to achieve. The key to a successful project is bringing the right people into the conversation early. You don’t want to discover after the fact that your web developer needed the tour in a different format, or the marketing team had a specific campaign in mind.

Consider involving these people from the start:

• Your Marketing Manager or Team: They will be crucial for promoting the tour and integrating it into your overall strategy.
• Your Web Developer: They need to know how the tour will be embedded on your website to ensure it runs smoothly on desktop and mobile.
• Your Social Media Team: They can plan how to use the tour to create engaging content for your followers.
• Your Operations Manager: They are essential for coordinating the photoshoot to cause minimal disruption to your business.
• Your Business or Marketing Coach: If you use one, their strategic input can be invaluable.

Getting everyone on the same page ensures we consider every angle and avoid costly mistakes down the track.

Step 2: The On-Site Consultation

This is where I come in. The best way to provide an accurate and valuable quote is for me to see your space in person. I’ll arrange a time to visit your business, whether you’re in Gosford, Wyong, Erina, Newcastle, Sydney, etc. It’s your location and when I visit you, I’m also driving around the area to get a sense of what may impact the shoot too. For example, if you’re in a mall, or a business block, that’ll change how I address disability access points, parking and even multiple entry points.

During this on-site visit, we will walk through the premises together. This allows me to:

• Understand your vision: We’ll discuss exactly what you want to showcase to your customers.
• Assess the layout: I’ll map out the best path for the tour to create a seamless user experience.
• Identify any challenges: We can address potential issues like lighting, reflections, or high-traffic areas.

This collaborative approach means the quote I provide is tailored specifically to your needs, with no surprises.

Step 3: Preparing Your Business for a Flawless Photoshoot

To ensure your virtual tour looks fantastic and has a long shelf life, preparation is key. Here’s a simple checklist to get your space ready for photo day:

• Clean and Declutter: This is the most important step. We want your business to look its absolute best. Clean every surface, hide clutter, and make sure every area we are shooting is spotless.
• Check Your Branding: Is your signage and branding up to date? A virtual tour can last for many years, so you want to avoid showing old logos or temporary signs.
• Plan for People: If staff or customers will be in the tour, you must have their permission. It’s often best to shoot when the business is quiet or closed to avoid complications. We’ll also need to decide on staff uniforms and presentation.
• Consider the Timing: We need the best light. For a cafe with a beautiful morning view, we’ll schedule a morning shoot. If you have a bar that comes alive at night, we might plan for an evening session. We will work together to pick the perfect time.

Taking care of these details beforehand ensures a smooth photoshoot and a final product that you can be proud of for years to come.

Step 4: Your Tour is Live! Now, Let’s Put It to Work

Once your virtual tour is live, the real work begins. Many businesses miss out on its full potential by simply leaving it on their Google Business Profile. To get the best return on your investment, you need to actively use it across your digital marketing.

Integrate the Tour Into Your Website

Your virtual tour should be front and centre on your website, not hidden away on a contact page. I can provide guidance to your web developer on the best way to embed the tour so it’s easy for visitors to find and use. We’ll make sure it is optimised for search engines and works perfectly on mobile phones. For example, a hotel might embed the tour on its ‘Rooms’ page, while a gym might feature it on its ‘Facilities’ page. In the case of the snapshot here, The Foundry CoWork have a very visible icon at the top of the home page.

Promote the Tour on Social Media

Your website is the home base, but social media is where you create buzz. Sharing your virtual tour on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn can drive huge traffic and engagement. Instead of just posting a link, get creative.

Think about running a contest: “Find the hidden discount code in our virtual tour!” Or create a series of posts highlighting different features of your business, like showcasing your Terrigal cafe’s stunning ocean view or the unique interior of your Erina retail store.

Turn Clicks into Customers: Lead Generation Inside Your Tour

This is where a custom overlay can transform your tour from a viewing experience into a sales tool. I can add interactive buttons and information pop-ups directly into your tour that prompt users to take action. This could include calls-to-action like:

• Book a Table
• Request a Quote
• Shop This Item
• Enquire Now
• Book This Room Now

The best part? We can update these offers and links over time without having to reshoot the entire tour. This keeps your marketing fresh and relevant.

Measure What Matters: Analysing Your Tour’s Performance

How do you know if your tour is working? We help you track it. By integrating your analytics directly into the 360° tour, you can get valuable data on how people are interacting with your tour. You can see which parts of your store are most popular, how long people are exploring, and which call-to-action buttons get the most clicks. This information is gold, allowing us to make data-driven decisions to improve your marketing over time. We can even link this to your main Google Analytics account for a complete picture.

So, Are You Getting the Most Value?

A Google Street View virtual tour, especially one enhanced with a custom overlay, is a dynamic asset for your business. It’s all about focusing on your location. It’s a way to showcase your space, build trust, and attract new customers 24/7.

The key to unlocking its full value lies in a strategic plan that starts long before the camera comes out. It all begins with answering one simple question: “What do I want my customers to see, do, and feel when they step inside my business online?”

If you’re ready to answer that question and create a virtual tour that delivers real results, I’m here to help. Contact me for a no-obligation consultation for your business. I primarily serve the Central Coast, Newcastle, Greater Sydney and the Hunter Valley. But as I say… have camera, will travel!