Google Street View for businesses: A complete guide

When potential customers search for your business on Google, what do they see? A few images and an address — or an interactive 360° tour where they can step inside and look around? Google Street View for businesses gives them the latter. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Google Street View for businesses?

Most people know Google Street View from Google's own camera cars driving around photographing streets. But there's another part of the programme: Google Trusted Photographers — certified photographers who photograph the interiors of businesses in 360°.

The result is shown directly in your Google Business profile, on Google Maps, and in Google Search. When someone searches for you — or just browses the local area — they can "step inside" and see your premises, exactly as they would experience them in reality.

It's free for the customer to use. You only pay for the photography itself.

Why does it matter?

Customers want to see where they're going before they visit you. This is especially true on mobile, where local searches are often spontaneous: "restaurant nearby", "hairdresser Aarhus", "fitness centres Copenhagen."

A Google Street View tour gives your profile three concrete advantages:

• Visibility — businesses with 360° images stand out on Google Maps. Customers can see your premises directly from the search results without clicking through to your website.
• Trust — a virtual tour signals openness. You have nothing to hide — here are our premises, see for yourself. It removes uncertainty, which is the biggest barrier to a first visit. I experience it myself: if a restaurant doesn't have images of the interior, I choose another one. Your customers do the same.
• Engagement — interactive content keeps people in your profile longer. And time spent on your profile is a signal to Google that you're relevant.

Who benefits most from Google Street View?

In short: all businesses with a physical location that customers visit. But some industries get more out of it than others:

Restaurants and cafés — the atmosphere is a big part of the experience. Guests want to see the décor, the vibe, and whether there's room for their group before booking. A virtual tour shows this far better than still images.

Hotels and B&Bs — rooms, common areas, pool, spa. The more a guest can see in advance, the more confident they are about booking — and the fewer "it wasn't like the pictures" complaints.

Shops and showrooms — customers can see your range and layout. Furniture shops, kitchen manufacturers, and design stores benefit particularly, because products need to be seen in context.

Fitness centres — equipment, changing rooms, and class studios are typically decisive in the choice of gym. Show them off.

Serviced offices and coworking spaces — potential tenants want to see the premises without spending time on physical viewings.

Schools and educational institutions — boarding schools, folk high schools, and private schools use virtual tours to give prospective students and parents an impression of the setting.

What does it cost?

The price depends on the size and complexity of the premises:

For a detailed pricing guide comparing Matterport and Kuula, see our article on what a virtual tour costs.

The process from booking to live on Google

The whole process is simpler than most people think:

1. Contact and agreement — you describe your premises, we provide a quote. We agree on a date that suits you.
2. On-site photography — we arrive with 360° equipment and photograph the space. It typically takes 1–3 hours depending on size. Minimal disruption to your daily operations.
3. Post-processing and upload — we process the images, stitch the panoramas together, and upload to Google.
4. Live on Google — your tour is typically visible on Google Maps and in search results within 1–2 weeks.

The only requirement is that your business has an active Google Business profile (formerly Google My Business). It's free to create — and we're happy to help if you don't have one yet.

Google Street View vs. Kuula vs. Matterport

Google Street View isn't the only type of virtual tour. Here's how the three most popular solutions compare:

The most important difference is where the tour appears. Google Street View lives on Google — that's where customers find you. Kuula and Matterport live on your website — that's where you control the experience.

Many of our clients choose both: Google Street View for visibility, and a Kuula or Matterport tour for the website. It's the strongest combination.

Combine with a website tour

Google Street View captures people who search for you (or for businesses like yours) on Google. But when they land on your website, you can give them an even better experience with a dedicated virtual tour.

The difference is control: on Google, the tour is limited to Google's format. On your website, you can add info points, your own branding, links to booking or menus, and guided tours that highlight what you want customers to see.

It's not about either/or. It's about being visible where customers are — and convincing when they visit you.

How to get started

We are certified Google Street View photographers and have produced tours for everything from small cafés to large hotels. Contact us with a description of your premises, and you'll have a free quote within 24 hours. No obligation.