Using the same Street View technology that allows users to check out a 360º view of street locations, businesses can now let potential customers explore their offerings using Google Maps.
Just as Street View can allow people to scope out different locations, Google Business View will allow users to virtually walk into a business and have a look around.
The new feature can show up on Google searches, Google+ pages and Google Maps. Business View can also be embedded on a company’s website using HTML or the Google Maps API.
Photos are taken by a Google-certified photographer who arranges the shoot around the business owner’s schedule. The images will appear in Google results within a few weeks.
Several businesses have already had success with Google Business View. Google has published several case studies showing the positive results.
NYC & Company is one of the case studies, having used Google Business View to help diners choose restaurants to try during NYC Restaurant Week. Fifty-five percent of restaurants that participated in the event used Business View.
The restaurants that used the new feature got a 30% higher click-through into reservations, according to the case study. More than 1,000 customers were surveyed afterward and 84% said that Business View factored into their decision on where to eat.
Just Food For Dogs, a dog food company, also tried Business View to positive results. The company had a 50% increase in click-through rates, according to their case study.
Home furnishing store, Leekes, said that they had over 20,000 visits to their site after implementing Business View. Their case study also showed that page views on their Business View page are five times higher than any other page on the site.
This isn’t the first move that the search engine has done to help businesses. Google created an entire small business community to help business owners get the resources they need for success.
Though participation in Google’s small business community is free, there is a cost associated with using Google Business View.
For more information about pricing or to schedule an appointment with an approved photographer, business owners should contact a local Trusted Photographer or Trusted Agency (a photographer or agency that is Google-trained and certified).
