Search engine optimization, or SEO, relates to all the things you do for a website or company to show up on the first page of Google.
Google is really important these days because it’s more than a search engine. “Googling” has become part of the modern purchase process.
Consumer Google searches are soaring. In 2014, there were roughly 3.5 billion Google searches per day. Search Engine Land recently reported that this year, there are more than 5.5 billion Google searches per day. That’s approximately 65,000 Google searches per second.
Those who view a listing with a virtual tour are twice as likely to be interested in booking a reservation there. And among 18-34 year-olds in particular, prospects are 130% more likely to book based on a tour. – Google
Few consumers try or buy anything new without “googling it” first. Even word-of-mouth referrals are followed up with an Internet search. If they can’t find your business quickly on Google, or if your website is dated or unprofessional, you might be losing more referral business than you realize.
For small businesses today there is one universal truth: if you want to grow your business, you can’t ignore Google.
How To Get More Google Visibility & Patient Inquiries
With Google Search playing such an important role in small business growth, business owners and marketers are constantly looking for ways to get better visibility.
Luckily there is a powerful and affordable local SEO tactic that can significantly improve your Google-driven leads and sales. In fact, Google explicitly states that 360 Virtual Tours lead to 100% increase business listing interest. At our agency, we’ve seen this as high as 1000% or more when coupled with a local SEO strategy.
This new way to showcase your business online not only has the “wow factor” buyers and business owners love, it also establishes trust immediately with Internet users, because they can see you are a real, credible business as soon as they click on your business listing.
What Kind of Businesses Benefit From Google 360 Virtual Business Tours?
Almost any business with a physical office space will benefit from a high definition Google Virtual Tour:
- Medical Offices
- Restaurants
- Banks
- Hotels
- Car Dealers
- Corporate offices
- Storefront businesses
- Retail businesses
- Manufacturing facilities
- Any business with a showroom
Google 360 Business Tours appear in local Google search results, but all the best Kansas City web design agencies can embed these 3D tours on your website your website, just like this:
How Do You Get A Google Virtual Tour?
The “catch” is that in order to get a Google 360 Virtual Tour, you have to get one through a Google Trusted Photographer or Agency. Google only allows individuals and agencies enrolled in this program to upload these panoramic tours directly into Google Maps.
The only problem is that most photographers, even Google certified photographers, are not SEO specialists. In order to get the most out of a Google 360 Virtual Business Tour, you should optimize you Google My Business / Google Maps listing so that you can get the best return for this investment.
By optimizing your Google My Business Listing while adding a 360 Virtual Tour, you can substantially increase your visibility potential on local Google searches.
Kansas City SEO® is enrolled in the Google Trusted Photographer program. We have also invested is the Iris360 Immersive Reality Imaging System, a device that was developed jointly by NCTech and Google. This technology enables our agency to quickly and affordably shoot high definition 360 images that meet the Google Street View quality guidelines.
About Phil Singleton, Kansas City SEO Expert
Phil Singleton is a search engine optimization expert and best selling author. He owns and operates Kansas City Web Design®, a WordPress web development agency and Kansas City SEO®, a boutique Internet marketing company based in Overland Park, KS. Phil’s team runs scores of SEO and PPC campaigns for companies of all sizes and geographic scope. Phil has co-written several Amazon best-selling books and eBooks including: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Local Lead Generation and Local SEO: Proven Tips & Strategies For Better Google Rankings. For more advice and tips just like those above, connect with Phil Singleton on LinkedIn, he will send you a digital copy of one of his best-selling eBooks. (913) 735-9105 // phil@kcwebdesigner.com
