Understanding And Commissioning A Virtual Tour - A Beginners Guide

A virtual tour is a complete 360-degree view of a space. The user can feel as if they're standing within a space, and then can control their movement within the area. They can look up above them, at the floor below them, and all around. Users are also able to zoom in and out, giving them the ability to focus in on areas of interest. Each virtual tour is usually made up from a number of photographs which are 'stitched' together

Where are they used?
One of the most familiar applications of virtual tours is by estate agents. These virtual tours tend to be small scale, and low-quality, as price is the biggest issue.

High-resolution virtual tours that can be viewed at full screen are the best option for any organisation for whom quality is important. A hotel group will use virtual tours to show the potential clients the quality of the rooms. Other examples of potential virtual tour customers include conference centres, museums, hospitals, car manufacturers, football clubs, universities, architects and property developers - all of whom benefit by showing off their space to its best advantage.

What extra features can a virtual tour have?
You can use the virtual tours in many different ways on your site, depending on how you'd like to display them. Virtual tours can be linked to a floorplan, so that users can feel orientated and choose how and where to move within a space. This is particularly useful for architects or property developers. Eye Revolution have created an example of this type for The Edison bar and lounge.

A Google Maps interface enables users to see virtual tours that are geographically removed from each other - a large number of virtual tours can all be linked via a map. Britannia Vista offers an excellent example of this type of implementation.

Many virtual tour providers will also be able to integrate hotspots - special links within a virtual tour. You may even want to include an audio script, a soundtrack or even some video in your virtual tours.

Talk to the virtual tour companies about the project, and they will be able to suggest interfaces that may be appropriate for you.

What's the advantage of a virtual tour on your website?
A virtual tour which is relevant to the viewer can help both build a brand and sell a product. So in the case of an architect's website, where part of their portfolio is available to be toured, the viewer is able to see the quality of the architect's work, choose where they'd like to focus on (rather than being dependent on the 'right' stills being provided) and then zoom in and see the small details. This gives the company a big advantage over their competitors as potential clients get a better insight into the product on offer.

How should I choose a virtual tour provider?
The good news is that there's a lot of choice out there. The bad news is that there are some very poor providers too. The best bet is to make a shortlist of virtual tour providers and then have a very thorough look through their portfolios. Look for 'stitching errors' - places where the photographs that make up the tour don't line up properly. Look for clarity - are the lines clear and sharp, or fuzzy, pixellated or indistinct? Can you see odd colours which don't look 'right', particularly on edges of objects in the tours. Check for over-exposure - so can you see through windows, or are they all white and hazy? Can you look around a full 360-degrees, or are the ceilings and floors blocked off?

If you're looking for a high quality virtual tour, it's vital that your providers are good photographers. If they're poor photographers, nothing will make your virtual tour look as good as it should.

So, going through their portfolio to make sure that you're happy with the quality of their virtual tour work and that they've got a good range of clients and experience is vital to the success of your virtual tour project.

Is it expensive?
This depends on the type of project that you're commissioning. Talk to the providers you've shortlisted, describe your project in as much detail as possible and ask them to quote. A 'menu' of prices (where you can see the cost per virtual tour, rather than the total cost for 10 virtual tours) is often useful, as it enables you to compare like with like.

The important thing to note is that the old adage still applies - if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys! Good virtual tour providers will be investing in new equipment, training and software on an ongoing basis. They will also be expert in retouching, and can use their skills to ensure your tours look as good as they can. This investment means that you get the best possible end result, and as you're going to live with it on your website - possibly for a number of years - you want to make sure that the virtual tours are perfect. If you're being offered a deal that seems to good to be true, again, look back carefully at the portfolio and assess the quality again.

How do I get it on my website?
Your virtual tour provider will provide you with files which can be uploaded to your site, or they can be hosted on your virtual tour provider's server. They will be able to liaise with your web designer to ensure the smooth delivery and upload of the virtual tours.

There are several plugins through which people can view virtual tours (for example, Flash, QuickTime, Java, Shockwave and OpenGL). Flash's high penetration (97% in developed markets) tends to make it the main choice, however, providers will be able to discuss the best options with you.

So finally...
Good virtual tours that stand the test of time and enhance your site visitors' experience will be likely to increase sales, will encourage people to return, and may over time increase the traffic to your website.

About the Author

Beth Menzies is a Director of eyerevolution.co.uk - a leading London-based virtual tour company. Prior to joining Eye Revolution she worked in top-10 Advertising Agencies handling advertising for clients like Volkswagen, Nissan, Hertz, Axa, Carlton TV & Odeon Cinemas.

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A Simple Video Blogging Start Up Guide

Text blogging has served many e-commerce companies very well. Text blogging has opened up a new client base, offered a chance for the company to do some valuable self promotion, and of course, has been a fun way to enhance the e-business community. However, the video is now trying to get in on its share of the action. Video blogging offers the same benefits of text blogging with a lot more pizzazz and a little more bang. Many companies are now kicking off video blogs that can either be clicked on quickly or may be shown as share of their home page for the ad hoc tourist web surfer.

Video blogging is bound to add to in recognition. There are fewer limitations in picture blogging than write bequeaths. For example, if you desired to attract a defined age group, you may possibly come out also a adventurous blog backed by a couple regular music or you would back your video blog along furthermore a couple illumine classical to catch the attention of a new age amalgamation. Your picture blog will admit you to bring about messages that are promptly given to your target receiver.

Movie blogging allows you to become visible off a style line, a pay out scale, or any esoteric sphere of your affair and a youthful additional positive saying. Note down accomplishes not admit the user to find out crooning tone, saying, or find out any of the audio cues that can symbol sarcasm, meekly drollness, or also fury or exasperation.

Reflect of picture blogging the similar way you can wonder around doing a precise television ad for your methodized recipient. However, not simply are you doing it for less, you are able to use a wider base to reach more employees and there are fewer restrictions... although I wouldnt advises personality insulting. Whatsoever video blogging allows you to do is stock additional risks sense of humor, visually, etc than you can still still accept as true that whenever using only put in writing blogging.

Your type or merchandises ceaselessly end up being about secondary. If you can bestow your hearer a anyhow comment out and useful appearance, a couple of workers will request on the address based on the rapport you are able to get older without difficulty and a single picture blog. And wise of all, and a few pieces of dedicated equipment you can do it yourself in your own abode without creating to shell out rentals for space and equipment.

If you are running to build your own movie blog, pay mind to the lighting you experience accessible. Whole illuminate improved via a couple hefty spot lighting until the end of time runs prudent. By way of a overpriced characteristic web cam prevents distortion and element clatter fittings sound is discretionary will abate comment.

You will need a few flick editing software to assist crystalline up your production. Again, because you can do this yourself, you are saving a fate on anything may possibly another way be authority services for editing, scripting, and filming. This enormously simple system necessitate not anything added than the capacity to wonder creatively, good furniture, and the ability to read the directions that come also all pieces of fittings or software.

Not each person is into video blogging, and thats ok. Targeting your demographic is important to developing a booming movie blogging experience. When you recognize who, how, whenever, and where, the why eye-catching a good deal of becomes an incidentally responded speculate. Evoke workers and you will make extra sales. Entertain staff, and your sales will similarly increase. Take pleasure in yourself, pass through fun, and call workers to be a improved race your sales will fly by way of the roof.

Whenever establishing a flick blog, dont be afraid to carry a few chances. Save for, if you labor under any speculate in your awareness that you can inadvertently offend anyone, start off delight in scratch. From time to time what on earth starts off as a youthful closest comic story turns into someones partisan persecution. Stay far in other places derive pleasure any type of ethnic, sexual, or remedial jokes and improves.

Variation your flick blog often. Once your staff meet up with identified it once they are pouring to start off pining for something various. Stock your customers anyways entertained and your sales will call to mind your efforts. If you labor under a lot of demographics to reach, you may well desire to turn around which demographic you are accomplishing. Chronically altering your picture blog will also assist to take your broad hearer entertained. A person can only timepiece a rerun so a couple of times ahead they realize the breaking up by feeling.
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