What is a virtual tour? A plain guide for businesses
/ 4 min read
A virtual tour is a set of 360 photos of a place, linked together so a visitor can look in any direction and move from one spot to the next. It runs in a web browser, on a phone, laptop or VR headset, and it does not need an app.
How it differs from photos and video
Photos show what the photographer chose to frame. Video shows the path the camera took. A virtual tour hands control to the visitor: they decide where to look, how long to stay and which room to see next. That is why a tour often answers questions that would otherwise need a visit or a call, like how big the bedroom really is or what the view from the balcony looks like.
What makes up a tour
- Scenes: one 360 photo for each spot
- Navigation hotspots: clickable points that move the visitor to another scene
- Information hotspots: text, images, links or video pinned to something in view
- Extras such as a floor plan, background audio, a logo and an enquiry form
Who uses virtual tours
Property developers use them to sell flats before buyers visit. Hotels use them so guests can compare rooms. Retailers turn shops into virtual stores where products link to their website. Galleries and museums use them to keep exhibitions open online. Tourism boards use them to let travellers stand at a destination before they book.
Is it worth making one?
A tour is worth it when the space itself is part of what you sell, and when people are far away or busy. It is less useful when the product is small and fully explained by a few photos. A good test: if customers often ask to see the place before deciding, a tour will save both of you time.
How to make one
You need 360 photos, from a 360 camera or from your phone using AstraPano, and an editor to link them. On Astra3D the free plan lets you publish one tour, so you can try it on a real space before paying anything.