The world is getting smaller. Technology is bridging physical gaps and it’s easier than ever to share information, regardless of where your audience may be located. Thanks to these advancements, we’re able to experience locations and places that once may have required you to travel to experience.  Virtual tours can transport audiences to landmarks and destinations with the tap of a button.  College campuses, for example, are relying more heavily on virtual campus tours than ever before to connect with prospective students. Similarly, towns and communities are relying on virtual tours to reach new residents and visitors. 

Types of virtual self-guided tours

Remote For audiences looking to visit without physically being in a space, remote tours offer the opportunity to explore as if they were onsite. Mobile technology can take users along an interactive tour, making audiences feel like they are there. On-Site When your audience is physically onsite, virtual tours provide a safe, self-distanced option. With a quality, guided mobile tour, organizations can share a robust amount of information while keeping your staff and audience safe.  While we typically think of virtual tours exclusively as a remote solution, Guidebook’s mobile Self-Guided Tours connect audiences with informative tours to guide whether onsite or remotely.

Where are virtual tours used?

Here at Guidebook, we’re seeing organizations use virtual tours to highlight a variety of locations and points of interest: Campus visits are a crucial part of the decision making process as students choose their colleges and universities. Virtual tours campus tours help students and their families learn more about institutions and life on campus.  Large corporate campuses and hospitals with sprawling grounds use virtual to help employees familiarize themselves with campus before they even step foot on site.  Virtual tours are also helping cities and towns welcome visitors with tours that introduce visitors to restaurants and shopping in town. Similarly, Chambers of Commerce leverage virtual tours to create local business directories.  If your organization has been impacted by a reduction of foot traffic, a virtual tour may be the solution for you, as well. 

How virtual tours support organizations

1. Virtual tours can help to familiarize your audience with a location, even if they aren’t physically there. For audiences that can’t visit, a virtual tour helps students picture themselves on campus.
2. Virtual tours enable you to tell your story in your words. Whether to attract visitors, donors, or employees; a virtual tour enables organizations to showcase important information exactly as they want it to be presented.
3. Virtual tours enable your audience to ‘test it out.’ For businesses or organizations looking to woo new customers, a virtual tour gives customers the critical information they may be looking for before making a decision.
4. Virtual tours offer safe, socially distant guides. As your landmark or destination begins to welcome visitors physically, virtual tours offer a safe solution for your visitors to explore alone.
5. Virtual tours track and quantify interest. Measure downloads, time spent touring, popular content, and more with analytics. Virtual tours enable organizations to learn more about their audience.

Ready to learn more? Schedule a demo with one of our product experts to learn more adding Self-Guided Tours to your engagement strategy.