9 Virtual Tour Statistics You Need to Know

The advances in virtual imaging and digital photography has allowed us to offer 24/7 access into businesses. This kind of PropTech is paving the way for the multifamily and hospitality industries, bolstering bottom lines and strengthening brands from the time a user discovers their virtual tour online.

Nearly any business can benefit from a virtual tour in this day and age. Renters and home buyers want to explore a property they’re interested in. An expecting mother may want to see what the birthing center at her hospital looks like. Fitness trainers are keen to look at spas and gyms online for their clients.

We’ve compiled the top virtual tour statistics to give you an idea of just how powerful virtual imaging has become.

Virtual Tour Stats You Need to Know

1. Return on investment for virtual imaging is estimated at less than four weeks.

Unlike other content initiatives that can take months to prove ROI, businesses that utilize virtual tours see results much quicker.

Virtual tours follow all the guidelines for the perfect digital content: they’re unique to your brand, interactive and compelling.

2. Virtual tours keep people on your website 5-10X longer.

Virtual tours get over five million visits a day because they spark interest and are an important component of the decision-making process for customers.

Naturally, people spend 5-10X longer on websites with an embedded virtual tour than those without.

3. Real estate listings with a virtual home tour get 87% more views.

Virtual tours for real estate have become an imperative part of the real estate marketing funnel. And listings that have a virtual tour typically spark more interest than those that do not have virtual imaging tied to their listings.

Consider customers who may be looking for a home out of state. Real estate virtual tours are a 24/7 open house that does the job of the realtor even when interested clients can’t be in person to tour a home.

4. Two-thirds of people want more virtual tours.

Because virtual tours are popping up on business listings and real estate websites, more and more customers expect them. Accordingly to Google, majority of people want virtual tours today, with 67% of surveyed participants saying they want a virtual tour when looking at a listing.

5. Virtual tours help double interest in a business listing.

Complete Google listings increase engagement, brand reputation and trust. So naturally, Google business with a virtual tour see 2X more interest.

6. Among 18-34 year olds, prospects are 130% more likely to book based on a virtual tour.

With the generation shift, millennials are more likely to book a venue, hotel or use a service if the business has a virtual tour.

7. Google favors virtual images with a 2:1 preference for thumbnail display on Google.

In our own multifamily case study, we have found that Google favors virtual imaging over flat digital photography, with a 2:1 ratio preference of thumbnail display.

In other words, when a business has a virtual tour tied to their Google My Business listing, Google will display those 360 thumbnails over traditional photography.

8. Google virtual tours influence a 16% growth in Google Search and Maps appearances.

In that same study, we discovered that Google virtual tours have an influence on how strong that listing is and how often it appears in organic search on Google and on Maps.

9. There is a 12% increase in engagement with Map listings that have a Google virtual tour.

As you might imagine, we also found that businesses with a Google virtual tour see higher engagement with their business listing, leading to more conversions and exposure.

Making These Virtual Tour Stats Work For You

With facts and figures like these, it’s not secret anymore that virtual tours have significant impact a business and its online presence.

As more businesses adopt virtual tours and other PropTech into their digital marketing mix, it’s imperative to cut through that competition with unique digital content that makes your company stand out from the rest.

Contact us today to see how we can get you more qualified leads with a virtual tour.