FAQ

When potential customers search for your business by name on Google, they will see the 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 customers a better sense of the layout, decor and beauty of your business interior. Using easy-to-use html snippets or Maps APIs, you can also link to these images from your own business website, attracting potential customers who visit your website too.

Google Trusted Photographers take high-quality still photographs that will be stitched into 360-degree views using the same technology as the Google Street View Cars. Our Trusted Photographers are independent contractors who have been trained and certified by Google to produce high quality panoramic images. You’ll be able to see the photos and 360-degree panoramic imagery directly in Google search results, Google Maps and on your Google+ Local page.

Google hand selects their Trusted Inside Photographers and trains us take to high quality photos of building interiors, accommodating for common challenges such as low lighting and tight spaces. The photographers are also certified to take pictures using specialized equipment that, once uploaded to Google’s proprietary software, will be transformed into 360-degree panoramic imagery and a virtual walk through of your business. Using Google’s sophisticated image stitching, HDR image matching and other technologies make it possible to produce these panoramic virtual walk-throughs.

Some businesses do have restrictions but can still participate in the program. We are able to shoot very large and multi-floor locations such as department stores and schools. Please contact us directly at 888-207-1947 or fill out our request form for a quote.

There is a one-time fee for the actual business photography and posting the tour to Google’s servers. Once the tour is added to Google Maps, there are no monthly fees or other costs involved.

360 Business Tour specializes in Business photos and HDR Panoramic Virtual Tours of businesses. Being that we work exclusively with Google My Business pages, we also provide Google+ profile setup and optimization and our parent company, Hennessey Consulting, offers SEO services.

Just give us a call at 888-207-1947 or fill out our request form and we will get right back to you and schedule your photo session.

In most cases, a photo shoot will take about an hour, but this varies depending on the size of your business.

You are asked to clean and tidy things up prior to the photography session, but remember that the aim of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day. Pictures of your merchandise will also need to be taken for POI (point of interest) photos. If your business is a restaurant, 3 food items must be photographed they will need to be ready about an hour after we arrive to the photo shoot.

Photo shoots will include the main customer-facing areas of your business. You can work with the photographer to determine what areas of your businesses you would like to highlight, or even exclude from the shoot. Once again, the goal of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day.

We know you’re running a business and that’s why we designed photo shoots to be as non-disruptive as possible. 360 Business Tour Photographers will work around your schedule to ensure that photos are taken at a convenient time for you and your business. Because photo shoots do not require any sort of special equipment, lighting, or setup, you are free to stay open. Although photo shoots are non-disruptive and should not interfere with your normal business operations, it’s a good idea to let your customers know that photography is in process and to avoid being in view of the camera, whenever possible.

Because we want to keep the focus of the photos on the inside of your business, we aim to have as few people in the shots as possible. During the shoot, our photographers put up a sign and alert customers and employees that a Google Business View photo shoot is in progress. As the business owner, it would be your responsibility to notify your employees and customers that the photo shoot is taking place. Any people that are in the photo shoot will have their faces blurred out according to Google’s Privacy & Security Policy

Yes, you will own the photos taken by our Trusted Photographers once you have paid for this service and the shoot is completed. Keep in mind that by signing the Google Photography agreement, provided by 360 Business Tour, you will also license the use of the photos to Google and 360 Business Tour who will publish the imagery.

Yes, we encourage you to share the walk-through experience of your business with your customers. To embed the virtual tour on your website, simply find the HTML snippet from a good point of view of the panoramic imagery on Google Maps, click on the “Link” button , click “customize and preview embedded map,” and then copy and paste the HTML to embed in your website. If you’re looking for more help with embedding your virtual tour check out our page on embedding your Google Business View tour with html.

Yes, many businesses who have recently renovated their interiors or that have seasonal decor will request a reshoot as the need arises. Please contact us and we can let you know about our discounted rates for reshoots.