Your Questions Answered by Online Business Tours
What is Google Maps Business View (GMBV)?
Google Maps Business View is a 360° virtual tour of your business that appears on Google Search and Google Maps.
It uses professional photography and Street View technology to let customers explore your space online — as if they were there in person.
Only Google Trusted Independent Photographers (like Online Business Tours) can create and publish official GMBV tours.
How is it different from a video?
A video takes you on a linear journey — start to finish.
A virtual tour is interactive. Visitors control where they go and what they focus on, creating a more immersive, self-guided experience.
Is it for online shopping?
No.
GMBV is about showcasing your atmosphere and environment, not selling products directly.
If you want to process online sales, you’ll still need an e-commerce website.
How can I use it to promote my business?
Embed it on your website or landing pages.
Share it on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Posts.
Add a QR code to menus, print ads, or brochures.
It’s a powerful way to let potential customers explore your space before they visit.
What areas are covered?
GMBV includes all public, customer-accessible areas — such as dining rooms, showrooms, and lobbies.
Private or staff-only spaces are excluded.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on your space’s size and layout.
Typical projects range from $600–$3,000+.
Intricate spaces (like retail boutiques) require more photospheres than open layouts (like gyms).
Are there hidden fees?
No.
You pay a one-time fee for staging, photography, post-processing, and publishing.
Custom interactive or menu-driven tours are optional add-ons with separate pricing.
Who owns the tour and photos?
Google hosts the tour on its platform, while Online Business Tours retains ownership of the still images.
You receive unlimited usage rights for your marketing, social media, and advertising.
We reserve the right to feature selected images for promotional use.
Where does it show up?
Your tour and stills appear:
On Google Maps and Search
Inside your Google Business Profile (Knowledge Graph)
On any device or browser
You’ll also receive embed code and sharing links for your website.
Why is GMBV better than other virtual tours?
GMBV tours are backed by Google’s quality standards —
certified photographers, approved equipment, HDR imaging, and seamless navigation.
They’re hosted directly on Google Maps and indexed in Search, giving you far greater visibility than third-party virtual tour platforms.
What about free “virtual tours” from Yellow Pages or other sites?
Most “free” tours come with hidden subscription plans.
They often use lower-resolution images, dim lighting, and clunky navigation.
Google Maps Business View delivers higher quality, better reach, and no recurring costs.
What if I remodel or redecorate?
No problem.
Online Business Tours offers discounted reshoots for remodels, new inventory, or seasonal décor updates.
Does it improve my Google ranking?
Yes — indirectly.
GMBV adds rich visual content that boosts engagement and dwell time on your listing — both positive signals for Google’s local search algorithm.
The more people interact with your tour, the more visible your business becomes.
How can I track my return on investment (ROI)?
Monitor website traffic from Google Search after your tour goes live.
Track page views and engagement using embedded analytics.
Measure social reach from shared posts or QR code scans.
Many clients report customers saying, “We visited after seeing your virtual tour.”
Since it’s a one-time investment, your ROI keeps growing over time.
Are there plugins or enhancements for GMBV?
Third-party plugins exist, but not all are reliable.
Online Business Tours provides custom enhancements and only recommends tools we’ve tested for quality and performance.
Who can use GMBV?
Virtually any customer-facing business —
restaurants, salons, retail stores, wineries, hotels, offices, gyms, and galleries.
Some restricted sites (like schools or healthcare clinics) require special review.
How is the tour created?
A Google Trusted Photographer captures high-dynamic-range (HDR) images using an approved DSLR and fisheye lens.
Images are stitched and optimized before being uploaded to Google Maps.
Can you fix or update my Google listing?
Yes.
We can help correct your business information, categories, or hours — usually updated by Google within 72 hours.
Street View updates, however, are controlled by Google and happen every few years.
Who are you and how do you get paid?
We’re certified independent visual content providers for Google – Trusted Independent Photographers (TIP).
Businesses hire us to produce professional photography, 360° tours, and optimization for their Google Maps and Search listings.
Are those “Google calls” about updates real?
No.
Google does not cold-call businesses to offer updates or SEO services.
Any such calls are from third-party sales companies — often impersonating Google.
What about “Free” GMBV tours?
Be cautious.
Scammers sometimes promise “free” tours that include minimal coverage or hidden monthly fees.
Official GMBV tours are one-time projects created exclusively by Google Trusted Photographers — like Online Business Tours.
Ready to Showcase Your Business on Google?
Book a complimentary consultation or call 360-810-4543 to get started.
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