As much of the world continues to exist more and more online as a result of the pandemic, many businesses are finding ways to get creative.
Physical spaces have sat empty for the past several months, but that vacancy actually provides owners with a unique opportunity. In order to immerse potential customers and clients in their physical space—before they reopen their doors—companies can hire a team of professionals to map their space using a virtual tour.
Museums, like the Guggenheim in New York and Musée d’Orsay in Paris, have utilized this service in order to continue to give access to the public.
Realtors have found this technology particularly useful since homebuyers in many areas are still unable to make in-person tours.
A great digital tour can be almost as good as being there in person, but how do you know which type of tour is right for your needs? Here are the key differences between Google, Matterport, and Bespoke virtual tours.
The right company
Before you even compare these kinds of digital tours, start looking for a great company that can supply all of these kinds of services with superior quality. Do a quick search for “virtual tours UK” or wherever you’re located, to see who’s available to help.
After doing your preliminary search, check Google’s list of Trusted Photographers for a further jumping-off point. These virtual tour services can be expensive, so it’s important that you put this project in the right hands. Find a company that wants to give you the tools you need to add value to your business.
If you ever feel like a company is trying to upsell you on a feature you don’t feel your business requires, don’t be afraid to take your business elsewhere. Find a company that wants to work for you, not the other way around.
Google Virtual Tours
Google virtual tours are made up of a sequence of panoramic photos that are then interconnected, so your clients can view the layout of your building.
Often, you can get a good idea of how much this service might cost by considering the floor area of the space that needs to be covered. However, if the space you’re having photographed is open-concept, you may not need to pay as much, because the area can be covered with fewer 360-degree photos.
You’ll be able to start the photos at your storefront, giving customers a clear view of where your business is located and then show them the interior from there. With Google, you can add your virtual tour to your company’s website or other platforms like Youtube to make that information more easily accessible.
Matterport Tours
Matterport virtual tours make viewers feel like they’re really standing in your space. In a lot of ways, it feels like you’re doing an in-person viewing because the technology is so true to life. It starts with a view of the entire space, almost like a dollhouse, so you can get a sense of how the rooms are stacked together and how they flow into each other. From there, you’re able to explore in great detail.
You can use a virtual measuring tool to accurately measure space, easily hop from floor to floor with a “floor selector,” and view the space in virtual reality if you have the technology to support that feature. Pricing is usually determined by square footage and starts at a steeper rate than Google, because of the added features.
Bespoke Tours
Bespoke tours are the cream of the crop when it comes to virtual tours. The panoramic images used are seamless and individually retouched.
Each tour is completely customizable for your company’s needs. Bespoke tours are coded by hand, which is why the possibilities are endless.
Each tour is user friendly and a mobile-optimized version is available to users viewing on their phones. You truly can’t get any better than a Bespoke tour.