Why Retail Shops Across the North East Need Virtual Tours & Google Maps Optimisation

When someone searches for:

• “shop near me”
• “furniture shop Sunderland”
• “boutique South Shields”
• “sports shop Newcastle”

they are usually planning to visit a store soon.

In fact, 76% of people who search locally on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours.

That means your Google listing plays a huge role in whether someone walks into your shop — or a competitor nearby.

Why Virtual Tours Are So Powerful for Retail Stores

Customers often want to see what your shop looks like before visiting.

They may want to:

• View product displays
• See layout and space
• Check accessibility
• Experience the store atmosphere
• Understand what you offer

A virtual tour allows potential customers to:

• Walk through your shop online
• Explore departments
• View displays
• Experience your store environment

before deciding to visit.

This builds trust and makes them more likely to come in-store.

Retail Virtual Tour Statistics

Research shows immersive content can influence customer decisions:

• Businesses with virtual tours are 2x more likely to generate interest
• Listings with immersive content receive up to 87% more engagement
• Customers spend up to 5–10x longer on listings that include virtual tours
• 67% of people say online imagery influences their decision
• 74% of customers are more likely to visit a business with a virtual tour

For retail stores, this can directly influence footfall.

Why Google Maps Optimisation Matters for Retailers

When someone searches locally for a shop, Google often displays the top three businesses in the Map 3-Pack.

Businesses featured here receive up to 44% of total clicks.

Local search data shows:

• 46% of all Google searches are for local information
• 88% of customers who search locally visit within 24 hours
• 28% of local searches result in a purchase

Optimising your Google Business Profile helps your store:

• Appear higher in local searches
• Increase store visits
• Get more phone calls
• Generate direction requests
• Attract new customers

Stand Out From Other Retail Stores Across the North East

Many shops still rely on:

• Basic listings
• A few photos
• Minimal online updates

Adding a virtual tour and optimising your listing helps your business:

• Rank higher locally
• Increase visibility
• Build customer confidence
• Generate more enquiries
• Convert searches into store visits

Go Local 360 helps retail businesses across the North East improve their visibility through immersive Matterport virtual tours and expert Google Maps optimisation.