{"id":3538,"date":"2021-02-17T14:44:14","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T14:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmbgorilla.com\/?p=3538"},"modified":"2022-08-24T05:21:46","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T05:21:46","slug":"how-to-add-virtual-tour-to-google-my-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmbgorilla.com\/how-to-add-virtual-tour-to-google-my-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Add Virtual Tour to Google My Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Think about how great it would be for you to take a leisurely walk through the jungle without <\/em>needing to fight off all the mosquitos, snakes, and predators? Instead, what if you could take a virtual tour <\/em>of the jungle? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wouldn\u2019t that help you make a better decision about whether or not you want to visit in person?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, it turns out that your potential customers would also appreciate a virtual tour on your Google My Business<\/a> profile! With a virtual tour, you can add a whole new level of interactivity to your GMB listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of showing off your business just <\/em>through photos and videos, your potential customers could literally take a walk through your organization to see exactly what they can expect from their in-person experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, I\u2019ll walk <\/em>you through how to add a virtual tour to Google My Business and other info you should have before deciding if virtual tours are right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Virtual Tour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A virtual tour is a feature that you can add to your Google My Business profile to give existing and potential customers a unique glimpse into your business. According to Google<\/a>, \u201c360 tours let customers peak inside before they arrive, and boost your visibility online.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When searching Google for a business, users immediately go through a process of elimination. Using photos, location, hours of operation, reviews, and ratings, potential customers compare the top ranking businesses in order to make a decision about which organization they want to choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a virtual tour is featured on a Google My Business profile, it changes the entire tone of that user\u2019s browsing experience. Instead of relying on photos and reviews, they can literally take a \u201cwalk\u201d through your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this current day and age, most business owners understand that having a Google My Business profile is important. However, the majority of profiles don\u2019t <\/em>have a virtual tour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why Google reports that \u201cListings with photos and a virtual tour are twice as likely to generate interest.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Add a Virtual Tour to Google My Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve made the decision to add a virtual tour to your Google My Business profile, you\u2019ll need to take a few extra steps to make it happen. Unlike other changes to your GMB profile, adding a virtual tour will take planning and special equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google My Business features two options to set up a virtual tour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Hire a Street View-Trusted Photographer<\/li>
  2. Create Your Own 360 Tour (using GMB professional gear)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Hiring a Professional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    To hire a professional to set up your virtual tour, you can use Google\u2019s professional search function. T<\/a>his tool allows you to search by city and state to find Google-trusted professionals in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interestingly, this tool allows you to see the agency name, city, contact email address, and contact phone number all in one place! That means that you can directly reach out to them rather than submitting a form through Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Creating Your Own 360 Tour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you decide to create your own 360 tour, you\u2019ll need to get the right equipment for the job! By shopping Google\u2019s 360 shop, you can pick from equipment that can fit most budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the higher end, you\u2019ll see the INSTA360 PRO2<\/em><\/a> <\/em>for $4,999. On the lower end, there\u2019s the INSTA360 ONE <\/em><\/a>for $164. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While it\u2019s likely that there\u2019s equipment to fit your budget, the quality of your virtual tour can vary based on the item you purchase. Additionally, I strongly <\/em>recommend reviewing best practices for creating virtual tours so that you create a tour that best represents your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is one of the benefits of working with a professional \u2013 you\u2019ll know that you\u2019re working with someone who will get your virtual tour done right to ensure that your business looks great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Google\u2019s Virtual Tour Guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When you\u2019re creating your own virtual tour, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that Google has specific guidelines for these tours. Google lists that blurry images as well as the following content isn\u2019t allowed in a virtual tour:<\/p>\n\n\n\n