6 Marketing Ideas for Your Google Virtual Tour
“Congratulations on receiving your Google Virtual Tour! It’s a valuable investment in growing your online presence, and this tool has more potential. Keep the momentum going by Integrating the Google Street View Tour into your current marketing strategies. To help you maximize its impact, I’ve compiled six proven ideas that have boosted views and engagement for our clients in the past.
(1) Add the Google 360 Tour to Your Website
Adding to your website can be done in less than 10 minutes! Simply copy the embed codes from Google Maps and paste the HTML code onto your site. We created a whole post on how to embed the Google virtual tour here.
Ensure your visitors can effortlessly find and navigate your new virtual tour by embedding it on your location page, blog post, or a dedicated “Office Tour” section. Here’s a quick tip: you can add multiple tours to a single page! Simply navigate to another part of the tour on Google Maps and grab another embed code. Don’t hesitate to highlight different areas of your space; showcase unique rooms or the exterior of your building. For newer businesses whose exterior is not yet covered by the Street View Car (Google Street View & Google Virtual Tour are different platforms) this is an excellent way to showcase your exterior in the meantime.
SEO Tip: Adding the Google 360 Tour keeps users on your website longer and can help reduce bounce rate. The Google algorithm really likes that, so make sure you add it!
Additional tip: If you’re running ads to a Landing page, it doesn’t hurt to add the Google 360 Tour there. The interactive tour is a great way to create engagement with new users.
(2) Create a Link from Your Social Media Pages
A lot more traffic and interaction is coming from your socials, and it’s only growing. Do not neglect this valuable real estate to showcase your tour! Create a link from your profiles, such as your Instagram Bio. If you’re managing multiple links, use a free link platform like Link Tree. Here is an example of what LinkTree looks like. It allows you to showcase more than one link, that way you can have both your website, landing pages, and Google 360 tour highlighted.
If your audience is frequently on Twitter or Facebook, you can create engaging posts by generating a short URL link to your 360 tour at the end of the post.
(3) Post on Google Business Profile
Google Posts is an underutilized resource. It’s free, it’s easy, and it gets your content directly onto your Google My Business profile. When customers search for you on Google, they’ll see a little snapshot of your latest updates. Posting your virtual tour here not only looks good but can also boost your engagement. There isn’t a limit to the amount of posts, so use this opportunity to write a quick blurb (and link) about your virtual tour. An example could include “Did you know our VIP Room can fit over 50+ people? Come take 360 look inside” or “We offer the latest technology for your comfort, take a look here” Get creative and generate monthly posts!
Additional Tip: If you’re running Ads on Google Maps, make sure your latest post and Google Virtual Tour link are related to your Ad. i.e. “Family Special 20%” link the Google 360 Tour to your Family Space Area or “10% off our latest product” and have the tour start right in front of that product.
(4) Create a Vertical Video of the Google 360 Tour Using Screen Record
Video content currently is King, it is a must-use resource now for your marketing campaigns. An idea for your next TikTok, YouTube shorts, or Instagram Reel is to use your phone’s screen recording tool. Simply start recording, and search for your business on the Google Maps App –> Photos –> Street View &360. You can even narrate as you go, pointing out cool features and must-see spots. This adds a personal touch and makes your audience feel like they’re getting a guided tour. These videos can also go on IG stories, Instagram Threads, Facebook, and even Twitter. It’s a fun, engaging way to showcase your space.
(5) Subscribe to a Smart Overlay Service
Many third-party companies offer overlays for your Google Tour, enhancing its functionality. An overlay integrates seamlessly into your tour and can be displayed on your website or shared via links. It allows you to create a menu bar and categorize different sections of your business, making navigation easier for customers. This is especially useful for large spaces, multi-floor buildings, or locations with numerous unique areas. If your tour includes more than 25 panoramic images, an overlay is worth considering. We partnered with a few companies to do the overlay designs, so feel free to contact us if you need help setting up. There is usually an annual fee that starts around $50/yr. Here’s an example of what an overlay looks like.
(6) Create a Short URL and Add It to Your Company’s Email Signature
Your email signature is prime real estate for showcasing your 360 Tour. In an era of fancy email signatures filled with social media links, adding a link to your virtual tour is a breeze. Create a short, snappy URL for your Google Virtual Tour and incorporate it into your signature. A line like, “Take a Google 360 Tour of Our Space: [short URL]” is perfect. Every email you send becomes an opportunity to engage and interact with your business.
If you had a Google Virtual Tour done recently and would like more clarity on how to market, embed, or create posts please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help you grow your business through Google Street View!
