Picking the right restaurant to eat out can be a tough decision, and it’s hard to judge a place based on its written description and reviews. This is why Google created the Google Business Photos program, a Google Maps project that allows customers to see inside a business from their computers or smartphones. The Google Business Photos program is now officially open to businesses in India.
This program gives Google users a virtual tour inside the businesses through interactive 360-degree imagery created using street view technology. This imagery can be viewed on Google search, Google maps, and Google+ local pages. In order to get Google business photos, business owners can hire trusted agency photographers to capture the interiors of their premises. Along with taking pictures of layout, facilities, and merchandise, these trusted agency photographers will also capture images of displays on the storefront, like business hours, rating details, credit cards accepted, and posted menus. These photos can help customers get a better sense of what a business has to offer and what sets it apart from others.
Commenting on the program, Shailesh Nalawadi, Product Manager – Geo, Google said, “Consumers who look online for local businesses can now see more high-quality photos that give them a sense of what a place is really like. For the businesses, this provides an opportunity to visually present their product and services. For example, before visiting a store to purchase an electronic device, consumers can use business photos to evaluate and view the selections offered by various retailers.”
Google worked closely with thousands of businesses to pilot this program with restaurants, bars, retail stores, showrooms and boutiques.