Churchville, N.Y. — A lot of companies have still photographs available online, but virtual tours have become popular additions to their websites.
“Essentially it gives them a 360 degree view and they are actually viewing the product,” said Denise Haggerty, General Manager of Wilkins RV of Rochester.
The virtual tour is a service Google pitched to businesses worldwide. It is called Google Street Indoors. 100,000 businesses across the globe are part of it, according to a Google spokesperson. There are more than 40 Rochester-area businesses involved, according to the Rochester Business Alliance.
Google “Trusted” Photographer Adam Hilker spent his morning capturing the exterior, showroom and rear lot.
“I think the neatest part is that it actually looks like you are there,” said Hilker who spent Tuesday at three different businesses, including Wilkins RV.
Within five days, the Wilkins images will be available online, according to Hilker.
The images are owned by Google and will remain live on the company’s services for good. Companies are given the HTML code and are able to embed the tour images on their websites.
“I think it’s exciting just that it’s Google and they are coming to Rochester and exposing Rochester business to the world,” said Haggerty.
The service is available through the Rochester Business Alliance.
