Frequently Asked Questions about Google Maps Street View for Business

Top 10 Questions about Google Maps Street View for Business

  1. How can Google Maps Street View for Business help my business?
  2. What will the Trusted Photographer do that I can’t do myself?
  3. What is the relationship between a Trusted Photographer and Google?
  4. What is the cost to get my business photographed?
  5. How can I coordinate a photo shoot?
  6. How long will the photo shoot take?
  7. What do I need to do to prepare my business ahead of the photo shoot?
  8. Will the photo shoot disrupt my business operations?
  9. Will people be included in the photo shoot?
  10. Can I have a copy of the images and the tour for my website?

How can Google Maps Street View for Business help my business?

When potential customers search for your business by name on Google, they will see the images displayed directly on the search results page. These panoramic images will also be published on a Google Maps business listing, Google Maps and other Google properties and give customers a better sense of the layout, decor and beauty of your business interior. Using easy-to-use html snippets or Maps APIs, you can also link to these images from your own business website, attracting potential customers who visit your website too. Learn more about the benefits on the Google Maps Street View for Business page.

What will the Trusted Photographer do that I can’t do myself?

Trusted Photographers are trained to take high quality photos of building interiors, accommodating for common challenges such as low lighting and tight spaces. The photographers are also certified to take pictures using fisheye lenses and rotating camera turrets (mounted on tripods) that, once uploaded to Google’s processing pipelines by photographers, will be transformed into 360-degree panoramic imagery and a walk through of your business. Once photographers upload the pictures from their cameras, Google’s processing pipelines use sophisticated image stitching, HDR, image matching and other technologies to produce these panoramic walkthroughs.

What is the relationship between a Trusted Photographer and Google?

Trusted Photographers are independent contractors/businesses that are not employed by Google, agents of Google or affiliated with Google in any way. Google has certified them because they meet Google’s standards of quality for taking the feature pictures and panoramic pictures, uploading them, moderating them and eventually publishing them on Google properties.

What is the cost to get my business photographed?

There is a one time fee for the actual business photography and posting the tour to Googles servers. Once the tour is added to Google Maps, there are no other costs involved and no monthly fee. Rates start at $499. We are also now able to shoot very large and multi-floor locations such as hotels, department stores and schools. Please contact us directly at 954-529-8865 or fill out our request form for a quote.

How can I coordinate a photo shoot?

Just give us a call @ 954-529-8865 or fill out our request form and we will get right back to you and schedule your photo session.

How long will the photo shoot take?

In most cases, a photo shoot will take about an hour, but this varies depending on the size of your business.

What do I need to do to prepare my business ahead of the photo shoot?

You are welcome to clean and tidy things up prior to the photography session, but remember that the aim of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day. We have prepared this helpful video, “How to prepare your business for VR“, to give you some ideas about what you might want to do to prepare.

Will the photo shoot disrupt my business operations?

We know you’re running a business, and that’s why we designed photo shoots to be as non-disruptive as possible. Trusted Photographers will work around your schedule to ensure that photos are taken at a convenient time for you and your business. Photo shoots do not require any sort of special equipment, lighting, or setup, so you are free to stay open. Although photo shoots are non-disruptive and should not interfere with your normal business operations, it’s a good idea to let your customers know photography is in process and to avoid being in view of the camera, whenever possible.

Will people be included in the photo shoot?

Because we want to keep the focus of the photos on the inside of your business, we aim to have as few people in the shots as possible. During the shoot, photographers may put up a sign and alert customers and employees about to be photographed. As the business owner it would be your responsibility to notify your employees and customers that the photo shoot is taking place. Photo shoots will include the main customer-facing areas of your business. You can work with the photographer to determine what areas of your businesses you would like to highlight, or even exclude from the shoot. Once again, the goal of the photographs is to show customers what they would expect to see if they visited your business on a normal day.

Can I have a copy of the images and the tour for my website?

Yes… You own the imagery and it is shared with you in a shared folder. You may download this content and use it as many times as you like.

You can also Tweet your Google virtual tour, post it on Facebook, and view it on any computer, smartphone or tablet, so it will always be bringing you new business.