What Is a Google Virtual Tour?
A Google Virtual Tour is a set of 360-degree photographs published directly to your Google Business Profile and Google Maps. When someone searches for your business, they can step inside and look around before they visit. The tour appears on Google Search, Google Maps, and can be embedded on your own website.
Google Virtual Tours work on any device. Desktop, mobile, tablet. No app required. Your customers already know how to use Google Maps, so there is nothing new to learn. They click, they explore, they book.
How Google Virtual Tours Work
The process is straightforward. I photograph your space using 360-degree photography, process and retouch the images, then publish them to Google using my certification as a Google Street View Trusted Photographer. Once published, the tour is linked to your Google Business Profile and appears on Google Maps.
Each 360-degree viewpoint covers a full room or area. Viewpoints are connected so visitors can move through your space the same way they would walk through it in person. A small business might need 5 to 10 viewpoints. A hotel could need 30 or more.
Once your tour is live, you can embed it on your website or share it on social media at no extra cost. The tour is hosted by Google, so there are no hosting fees or ongoing costs.
Google Trusted Photographer Since 2012
I have been a certified Google Trusted Photographer since the beginning of the program in 2012, when I was based in Ireland. In 2013 I moved to Paris and continued working with Google France. In 2014 I became the first independent professional photographer in Singapore to be certified as a Google Street View Trusted Photographer.
That certification means I can publish 360 photography directly to Google Maps and Google Street View on behalf of businesses. It is a verification from Google that the photographer meets their quality and technical standards.
Not a Consumer 360 Camera
I do not use consumer 360-degree cameras for virtual tours. Those cameras are convenient but they severely limit image quality and post-production options. I use medium format camera systems and professional lighting for all 360 photography, the same equipment and techniques I use for my interior photography and hotel photography.
The difference is visible. Sharper images, accurate colours, better dynamic range, and full control over retouching. If your business is worth photographing, it is worth photographing properly.
Hospitality-Level Retouching
Every 360 image I deliver goes through the same retouching pipeline as my standard hotel photography. That includes:
- Sky and view replacement through windows
- Fabric smoothing and wrinkle removal
- Wall and floor blemish cleanup
- Tripod removal from mirrors and reflective surfaces
- Colour correction and white balance matching
- Lighting adjustments for consistency across viewpoints
Hotels, restaurants, and event venues expect perfection in their imagery. I deliver the same standard in 360 as I do in traditional photography. If you have specific retouching requests, I accommodate them.
Custom Virtual Tours
A Google Virtual Tour lives inside Google's interface. It is excellent for search visibility and discovery, but it has limitations. You cannot customise the design, add your branding, include interactive menus, or control the user experience.
For clients who need more, I build fully custom virtual tours with their own interface. These include interactive navigation, branded menus, information hotspots, multi-language support, and direct-linking to specific viewpoints. Custom tours are standalone web pages that can be hosted on your servers or mine.
Many clients use both: a Google Virtual Tour for search visibility and a custom tour for their own website. The photography is the same. The delivery is different.
Learn more about my custom virtual tour services or browse the virtual tour gallery to see examples.
Google Virtual Tours for Hotels
For hotels, a Google Virtual Tour is a strong addition to your digital presence. The tour links directly to your Google Business Profile and becomes part of Google Street View. Potential guests can explore your rooms, lobby, pool, and event spaces before they book.
The Google interface is familiar and trusted. There are no hosting requirements or technical setup on your end. For hotels with hosting limitations or IT restrictions, this is often the simplest way to offer a virtual tour experience.
I have created Google Virtual Tours for hotels across Singapore and the region, including Hilton Singapore Orchard, Holiday Inn, and numerous IHG, Accor, and Marriott properties. Visit my hotel virtual tours page for more information.
Google Virtual Tour Examples: Hilton Singapore Orchard
Click the image to view the Google Virtual Tour
How Much Does a Google Virtual Tour Cost?
Pricing depends on the number of 360-degree viewpoints required and the level of retouching. A small café or retail space might need 5 to 8 viewpoints. A hotel with multiple room types, restaurants, event spaces, and public areas could need 30 or more.
Every project includes my professional 360 photography, retouching, and publication to Google Maps. Contact me for a quote based on your specific space.