FAQ
What Does It Mean to be a Google Trusted Photographer?
A Google Trusted Photographers has met certain standards, including a rigorous certification process. Once certified, a Google Trusted Photographer can receive branded badges and take Google Business View photo shoots for businesses that request this service.
Why Should I Get a Virtual Tour for My Business?
The Tour will be immediately visible when potential customers perform local searches, and your tour can be added to your Google Maps page. Also, a virtual tour gives customers the chance to "try before they buy" by being able to see your physical location before they walk in.
What's the Best Time of Day to Complete the Shoot?
It's best to perform the shoot before your business opens or after it closes. That way, potential customers can concentrate on your business or store's offerings. If there are people in the shoot, our photographer will let them know that the business is being photographed for a Tour. Google's sophisticated technology will blur their faces on the Tour.
Will These Images Be Used Anywhere Else?
Yes, Google can use these images elsewhere if it will help promote your business, service, or product to possible customers.
Can I See an Example of a Tour?
Yes! Click on the "Our Clients" tab in the menu above, to see several examples of our work.
Can't I just do it myself?
You can upload your own images into your Places page, but only a Google Trusted Photographer can create the virtual tour. This photography requires specialized equipment, procedures, training, and certification by Google.
What types of business can benefit from Google Business Tours?
All of these types of businesses can get more customers with a Google Virtual Tour!
- Restaurants
- Auto Dealerships
- Coffee Shops
- Nightclubs
- Doctor or Dental Offices
- Optical Stores
- Hotels
- Insurance Agencies
- Veterinary Clinics
- Furniture Stores
- Toy Stores
- Hobby Shops
- Health Spas
- Liquor Stores
- Clothing Stores
- Shoe Stores
- Motorcycle Dealerships
- Floor Covering Stores
- Interior Design Studios
- Auto Parts Stores
- Beauty & Hair Salons
- Consignment Stores
- Florists
…The list goes on.
How can Google Business View help my business?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. When potential customers search for your business by name on Google, they will see high quality images displayed directly on the search results page. These panoramic images will also be published on Google+ Local pages, Google Maps and other Google properties and give your customers a better sense of the layout, decor and beauty of your business interior. Using easy-to-use HTML snippets, you can also link to these images from your own business website, attracting potential customers who visit your website too.
How long does it take to publish the imagery to Google?
Typically it takes around 7 days for us to process and publish the images.
Can I use these images on my business website?
Absolutely. We encourage you to share the walk-through experience of your business with your customers. We’ll send a simple script to allow you to embed an interactive tour on your website. If you’re looking for more customized solutions such as a navigable floorplan or hotspots that allow users to click to book a table or buy a product, our enhanced tours could be the answer.
Can I have a repeat photoshoot?
Yes. You can request a reshoot at any time to highlight new merchandise or to promote seasonal decor or just to keep the tour up to date in your timescale.
What do I need to do to prepare my business ahead of the photoshoot?
You’ll want your business to look its best so you are welcome to clean and tidy things up prior to the photography session. The goal of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day.
Which areas of my business will be photographed?
We cover the exterior of your main entrance, connected to Google Street View if possible, and interior customer-facing areas of your business. You can let us know what areas of your businesses you would like to highlight, or exclude from the shoot.
Will the photoshoot disrupt my business operations?
No, we’re sensitive to your needs of your business and your customers. We’ll work around your schedule to ensure that photos are taken at a convenient time and we’ll keep out of the way of customers.
Do I own the photographs?
Yes, you will own the photos taken by us once you have paid for this service and the shoot is complete. The agreement also licences the photos to Google, who will publish the imagery.
How is a Street View|Trusted Virtual Tour going to help my business?
The Virtual Tour will help your business by enhancing the business’s web profile on Google’s database, leading more local searchers to you’re your tour and also add this tour to your Google’s Map page. With millions of searches done daily, weekly, monthly, just by having your tour on these sites, you have a better chance to be found than your competitors.