Staffordshire-based retailer Marie Longman has been telling Natural Products about how easy it was to get a virtual store tour added to her Google+ Local Listing.
Earlier this week, Longman’s store – Peak Health Foods in Rugely – got a visit from two representatives from a local photography company (AltoFoto). They explained that they were a Google-authorised business and offered a low-cost virtual store package.
“It sounded interesting and I said I’d take a look at it. When I did, and realised how little it would cost, and how easy it would be to do, I asked them to go ahead. They were incredibly professional and spent about and hour and half taking some really beautiful photographs of the store – they use special Google software to show premises in the very best light.
“The cost was pretty negligible – just £100 for the special offer they had on. What really amazed me was that the very next morning the virtual tour was already up and running. The other nice thing is that for that small outlay (vat receipt included) you own the photographs and can use them on your own website or facebook page – which we already have!”
“We’ve already been able to attract some customers into the store – in particular, new skincare shoppers who have been scrolling through local retailer listings. So, I’d definitely recommend other stores to consider it”
Longman says the main object of the exercise was to get the store noticed. “It’s all about getting more people into the store. We’re making a concerted effort at the moment at getting some fresh blood in. And this is already getting results. We’ve already been able to attract some customers into the store – in particular, new skincare shoppers who have been scrolling through local retailer listings. So, I’d definitely recommend other stores to consider it.”
• Take a look at Peak Health Foods’ Google+ listing here.
