Virtual Tours for Real Estate – Some tips to take full advantage of 360º property tours
Have you asked yourself the question: Why should I implement virtual tours in my marketing? And how can I use them to make more sales?
We all have heard lately that virtual tours are a must have and it helps to close deals when it is difficult to travel… But how exactly are these 360º Tours helping and how can you take maximum advantage of it? The answer is like always: It depends,… but there are some general things to consider.
The first question is: Should I do them on my own or use a professional agency?
Nowadays it is easy to get started and to do them on your own. A decent iPhone can do 360º pictures. But that is only half of the work. After doing the shots, we highly recommend improving them with a professional graphic program. Otherwise, the properties won’t look their best. And after preparing the panoramic photos, you need to choose a hosting platform which you want to show your tours. There are a lot out there and each one has pros and cons and different prices. And then you must stitch your tours so that you have a consistent go through for you customers.
A professional agency will have specialized 360º cameras for better results and know exactly on which height and where to take the shots. They will also advice you on which system will work for you the best. Apart from being the most cost-effective solution for hosting your tours. We at ADS TOURS work with several systems and recommend to our clients the one that best fit their needs. Apart from our own system which is included for free in every 360º Tour we do. Our system allows the agencies among other things to implement branded and unbranded tours.
That brings us to the next point: The technical aspects.
What do you need the tours for?
And where do you want to implement them?
– first of all look of how you can implement virtual tours on your website and on your property listing page. Speak to your webhosting or IT department to make sure which formats are supported. Also speak with your CRM company (popular ones on the coast are Resales Online, OptimaSit or Inmoba).
Most of the time you will get a link of the tour of the system that your photographer or agency is using. It is important to see which features are offered and what you need. Although everybody is talking of Matterport, apart from being an expensive platform, you also have to see if it serves your needs. There are some interesting options out there with innovative features.
Also don’t forget to:
- make sure to speak with the property portals you use to make sure they accept the format that your agency will be delivering.
- think if you want the tour be branded or unbranded or both. Branded Tours are nice for your website but might not be accepted by portals and not be used by collaborating agents.
- decide if you want to offer one to one viewings so that people who see the tour can contact you instantly by video call. A nice feature but you have to be available. If you are a lot out in meetings or driving, this feature is not good as a visitor who is let down will probably abandon the tour or think you are not professional.
These are some general things to have in mind because at the end of the day you want maximum exposure of your listings. Especially if you spend money on a virtual tour.
We at ADS TOUR are here at the Costa del Sol to help and find the best solution for your Virtual Tour needs!
Or send us a mail to: [email protected]
Visit us at our office in Marbella or we come to your office for a chat.