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Google recently launched a business photos program to help businesses attract customers.  Specially trained “Google Trusted Photographers” provide 360-degree interactive panoramas of the interiors of businesses. The panoramas are seen on Google Maps and Google Places.  Businesses get higher visibility when consumers search on Google maps for a particular type of business in a geographic area, since the Google Places listings are found at the top of the results page.

Potential customers get a virtual tour of the business, so that they can imagine themselves being at the location to determine if they want to visit in person.  This new program can be found in selected cities and countries.  Currently, photographers are documenting businesses in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, New Zealand, France, Japan and the UK.  In Canada, some cities included are:

• London
• Kitchener
• Ottawa
• Windsor
• Toronto
• Montreal
• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Winnipeg
• Vancouver
• Victoria

To be eligible, a business must have a Google Place page listing which is free. Most businesses can participate in this program, some that have include:

• restaurants
• retail stores
• beauty salons
• auto dealerships
• small dental and medical practices
• health clubs

Any interested business should ask its local Google Trusted Independent Photographer if it is eligible to be photographed.  This is a paid service provided by the photographers.

Businesses who want their location photographed can find a photographer on Google’s website.  More information about this program is provided on the Google site.

Google Business Photos photographers also provide a set of “Point of Interest” images pertinent to a business such as: store hours, menus, awards, and interesting decor.  Owners of the business may upload their own photos in addition to the ones provided by the Google photographers.

Google photographers are accomplished independent professional photographers who are participating in this program.  They have been certified by Google to produce 360 degree panoramas.

If you’re in the Ottawa area and would like to have a Google Virtual tour, please contact PrezenceMedia by email info@prezencemedia.com or by phone at (613) 884-0362.