When shops in Fleet High Street were recently offered the opportunity to bring Google Street View inside their shops the response was enthusiastic.
The recently launched service uses Street View technology to allow shops, restaurants and other businesses to welcome customers inside when they’re researching online. Users of Google Search and Google Maps are presented with a ‘see inside’ link allowing them to engage with the bricks & mortar business, helping to drive footfall into their locations. New businesses get a map listing created and updated as part of the service. Along with the 360° views the service adds conventional images showing the shopfront, interior, opening hours and merchandise. This is displayed along with the business information and any reviews to allow users to make an informed choice about where to visit in person.
John Carratt of SeeInside.co.uk said “Customers expect to be well informed and they’re increasingly using mobile devices to decide where to spend their pounds. Adding interactive content and images is a great way for businesses to gain an edge on their competitors by making listings more useful to customers.”. The Association of Town Centre Management says “interaction with a town centre on-line can be increased through a virtual tour”
http://www.100ways.org.uk/virtual-tour-of-the-high-street.html
As well as being displayed on Google, the 360° views can be embedded in the shop’s own web site and shared on social media at no charge. “It’s a novel way of creating a buzz at low cost” said John Carratt.
The first Fleet High Street businesses are already benefitting from the service with more due to be added later this month. If you’d like you’re business to be included do get in touch.
