Even in the post-COVID market, virtual tours remain an effective marketing method. So why do so few estate agents in the UK use them?
The most common answer to this question is that marketers aren’t familiar with virtual tour technology. Though physical showings still have a place in the industry, virtual tours can make this process far more enticing.
Not convinced that 3D virtual house tours are here to stay? Read on for a list of 11 benefits these tours provide to buyers and marketers alike!
1. Spatial Context
Every property listing needs photos. This is what usually captures the buyer’s attention and makes the first impression. Still, not even the best photos can convey the spatial context and flow of a property.
With a virtual tour, you can help buyers feel like they’re actually there. They can explore angles and perspectives that photos can’t present. This makes it much easier to see if their furniture will fit inside the space.
2. Buyers Choice
A virtual tour gives buyers absolute freedom to decide what they want to do. In a way, they can direct their viewing experience. They can set their own pace and navigate to any part of the property they’re interested in.
This sort of creative control provides a variety of benefits. For instance, buyers can spend more time looking at features they care about. They can also always return to areas or rooms they want to see again.
3. Increased Reach
For many buyers, physical showings can be more trouble than they’re worth. Some have mobility or health issues that prevent them from seeing the property in full. Others have busy schedules or live too far away.
By creating a virtual tour, you can cater to this part of your target audience as well. Unlike physical showings, a virtual tour can happen at any time or weather and allows you to show your property to anyone.
4. Cost Effectiveness
Some estate agents still think virtual tours take too much effort to be worth it. This hasn’t been the case for a while. If you follow the right guides, you can create an immersive tour within minutes.
Creating a virtual tour doesn’t require a ton of technical expertise, either. If you have the 360 images, all it takes is a few clicks to turn them into a tour. Of course, this also depends on the software you use to make this happen.
5. Time to Connect
Buying a home is a major emotional decision. Experienced estate agents know that and will give buyers time to connect with a house. A virtual tour can fulfill a similar purpose while adding a few other benefits.
For example, a virtual tour gives buyers 24/7 access to the property. This gives buyers plenty of time to feel out the listing. If they like what they see, a physical showing will be the natural next step.
6. Social Media Visibility
If your virtual tour is particularly absorbing, it may even go viral. People impressed by it will share it with their friends and followers. This will both increase your brand awareness and give your listing more exposure.
Keep in mind that social media visibility can be a major ranking factor. The more views your tour gets, the higher in search rankings it will appear. This is one self-perpetuating cycle you’ll definitely want to be part of!
7. Fewer Showings
Some buyers schedule showings for houses they’re not that interested in. In most cases, they’ll want to confirm minor things. This can be anything from seeing if the kitchen is large enough to check the flow of the home.
These in-person showings tend to be unproductive for all parties involved. With a virtual tour, not-that-interested buyers can simply check out the property online and save everyone some time.
8. Increased Traffic
Website traffic is the lifeblood of the property industry. If your website isn’t seeing much traffic, it will be much harder to attract potential clients. This is why increasing traffic should be a priority for most small businesses.
When done well, a property tour can be an integral part of this strategy. If you look at listing sites, you’ll notice that listings with virtual tours get more clicks. The same logic applies to your estate agent website.
9. Lack of Pressure
Buyers who aren’t used to the UK property market will likely find it chaotic. Many homes that hit the market will get multiple offers and sell within hours. Showings tend to be short, hard to schedule, and slightly stressful.
As a result of these factors, many buyers feel pressured to make decisions quickly. A virtual tour can take some of that pressure off. It allows buyers to look at a property on their terms and in their own time.
10. Memorable Listing
Leveraging 3D technology will get your listing noticed in a few ways. First, people are more likely to remember visual information than written content. A virtual tour is also easy to brand, giving you more promotion opportunities.
The more memorable your listing is, the easier it will be for the buyer to reach a decision. This often results in faster offers. Plus, a buyer can always refer back to your tours if they need help recalling some information.
11. No Downsides
A good virtual tour can do wonders to make your listing stand out among others. However, even a tour that you don’t spend that much time on will contain information that can be of use to potential buyers.
Since virtual tours are so cheap and easy to make (see above), there’s no downside to creating one. They allow you to increase your visibility, impress clients, and demonstrate your marketing skills all at once.
More on 3D Virtual House Tours
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why 3D virtual house tours are worth the effort. They help create a better buying experience, which leads to happier sellers buying properties at higher prices.
Want to make the most of your 3D virtual tour? At William Lawrence, we use state-of-the-art equipment to create virtual tours everyone can enjoy! Get in touch with us to learn more about our services!
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