Virtual tour for a restaurant: how to get more bookings through Google Maps
At 360° Space, we often encounter restaurateurs looking for new ways to attract guests. And a restaurant virtual tour, hosted directly on Google Maps, has proven to be one of the most effective tools. Using the example of our client, the Moscow restaurant “Gastronomica”, we will tell you how it works.
Objective: attract new guests and increase bookings
The owners of Gastronomica were faced with a classic problem: good cuisine, a pleasant interior, but an insufficient flow of new visitors. The main channel of attraction was Google Maps, where the restaurant had good reviews, but the photos did not give a complete picture of the space. Standard photo galleries, even professional ones, do not convey the atmosphere and do not allow one to evaluate the arrangement of tables, zoning, or the view from the window.
The client wanted potential guests to be able to “walk” around the establishment before their visit and feel its atmosphere. This is especially true for restaurants that are often booked for events or simply for dining in a specific setting. Regular photographs, even in 360°, did not provide interactivity and freedom of movement, which was critical for conveying a sense of spaciousness and comfort.
What we did: digitization and integration
Our 360° Space team went to the site. The Gastronomics restaurant occupies an area of about 250 m² with several halls and a summer veranda. For filming we used professional equipment Matterport Pro2. This allows you to get detailed panoramas and an accurate 3D model of the room.
The process took one shooting day. We scanned all key areas: the main hall, banquet area, bar counter, separate tables by the window and, of course, the summer terrace. In total, about 150 scans were made, from which a single virtual tour was then stitched together. It was important to take into account lighting and furniture arrangement to make the tour look as attractive and realistic as possible.
After post-processing, which took 3 days, we provided the client with a finished tour. It included:
- Complete interactive virtual tour of the entire restaurant.
- Integration into Google Business Profile so that the tour is available directly from the map.
- Possibility of embedding on a restaurant website and publishing on social networks.
- Ready-made 360° panoramas of individual areas for advertising campaigns.
We also advised the client on the best ways to use the tour in marketing, such as how to add it to mailings or booking widgets. The flexibility of tour accommodation formats is one of our strengths. We can host the tour on our high-speed 360° Space servers with technical support, deploy it on the customer’s server, or even make an offline version for demonstration, for example, on a tablet for event managers.
Result: increased bookings and engagement
Just a month after launching a virtual tour for a restaurant on Google Maps, Gastronomica noticed a noticeable increase. The number of calls and bookings received directly through Google Maps increased by 25%. These are not just clicks, these are targeted actions from people who have already “visited” the restaurant and decided to visit.
We also tracked statistics for the tour itself. On average, each user spent about 2 minutes on the tour exploring different areas. This indicates high engagement. In addition, clients began to comment more often that the tour helped them choose Gastronomica for an important event, because they were able to evaluate the privacy and atmosphere of the banquet hall in advance. These are real reviews we received from our client.
Once, our client from Kazan, who also ordered a tour for his restaurant, said that after the tour was published, groups of tourists began to come to them, who “planned” their route around the city in advance, including a visit to the restaurant, precisely because of the opportunity to virtually walk around the establishment.
Want a similar project?
If you are the owner of a restaurant, cafe or bar and are looking for an effective way to attract more guests, a virtual tour is what you need. We at 360° Space are ready to help you digitize your space and integrate it into Google Maps and other platforms. This is an investment that quickly pays off, because potential customers get the opportunity to fall in love with your establishment even before their first visit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to create a virtual tour for a restaurant?
Filming a restaurant with an area of up to 300 m² usually takes 1 working day. Post-processing and creation of the tour takes from 3 to 5 working days, depending on the complexity and number of additional options.
Is it necessary to close the restaurant during filming?
In most cases no. We try to film during minimum busy hours or before opening/after closing, so as not to interfere with the work of the establishment and not to include visitors in the frame. Our process is as unobtrusive as possible.
Where can I integrate a virtual tour?
The virtual tour can be integrated directly into your Google Business Profile (Google Maps), your website, or social networks. We can also provide a standalone version for PC or VR headset that works without an Internet connection, which is convenient for exhibitions or presentations.
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