What is Matterport Discover?

March 24, 2022 in Blog, Matterport, Museums, Virtual Tours

Matterport Discover

Matterport, the leader in 3D virtual capture technology has released a new feature to the ecosystem, Matterport Discover. Today, we’re going to talk about this new feature. We’re also going to talk about its impact. This could be a game changer for photographers.

Matterport Discover can lead value propositions. It can help possible clients imagine their space. Importantly, Matterport Discover is a proof of concept. We’ll be looking at how the models made by our company, featured on Matterport Discover, have impacted us.

We’re going to look at Bronzeville Children’s Museum. We’ll also explore Girard College Founder’s Hall. Next we will explore McLaren Philadelphia. Followed by Cherry Street Pier. Lastly, we will visit the Fitler Club, in Philadelphia. Matterport Discover has helped give reach to new clients.

This new and exciting tool can help you go to where you want to be with your Matterport business. So come take a page from Momentum 360. Learn how you can scale your business below!

Happy customers make for a happy business

Happy customers make for a happy business. Help yourself with Matteport Discovery

Why Matterport Discover?

Matterport Discover was created for one simple reason. Photographers needed examples. Most smart photographers have joined various facebook groups. You will find, daily, people inquiring about examples of different tours, in different verticals.

Maybe someone has their first car dealership on the line. It’s possible someone is getting their big break in the local real estate market. Most people have the competency to scale- if given the chance. Matterport Discover gives people that chance by showing what work can be done.

One downside about the Matterport Discover feature, is it does not indicate what camera each tour was shot on. While there is a separate filter in the search for Pro2 only, this can be a disadvantage for people shooting on any other camera supported by Matterport. Which is unfortunate, but a feature I’m sure they are able to switch on if desired.

There are several advantages. Just by observing tracking alone, we are able to see that our tours have a wide variety of reach. They are being seen by more and more people. Some photographers might ask, “isn’t this bad?”. And that’s a fair question. It’s only bad if you fully and honestly intend to be the sole matterport photographer for the whole world.

It’s important to accept a few key facts in this industry. First, more people are becoming aware of virtual tours. Second, it is getting cheaper and cheaper to enter the industry. Third, the examples already exist. This is just the best example so far at organizing them by matterport themselves.

Matterport seems to be making moves so they are the center of the virtual tour universe. From new cellphone automatic panoramic heads to Matterport Discover. They seem intent on getting back their long lost title of only viable option. Matterport failed to take into consideration the human element. Not just asking for examples of tours and getting a quick answer. But advice on how to capture that king of space.

A perfect dollhouse

Same Matterport tours, now on Matterport Discovery

 

A Children’s Virtual Tour

This fine example is one of many. The Bronzeville Children’s Museum, featured on Matterport Discover. This callout by matterport has helped both Momentum 360 and them. Why do customers even get tours? Exposure is the simple answer. So any venture that increases exposure is good for everyone.

Bronzeville Children’s Museum, situated on the site of the first Black Metropolis, teaches kids the value of hands-on play. Sounds familiar? Hand on, engaging content is what digital twins are all about. Getting kids excited, and letting them explore, is important. Virtual tours like this can help develop a child’s skills and increase education potential. Virtual tours are inherently hands-on.

Like all Matterport Discover tours, you can view them on any smart device. Even kid friendly tablets. This can be a new and exciting way to get kids started for any trip. In keeping up with Bronzeville Children’s Museum mission to educate, inform, and play- Matterport answers the call with interactive and fun loving assets that will serve them for years.

Matterport Discovery for all

Matterport Discovery is opening new possibilities

 

A Cut Above The Rest

Noble Founders Hall, at Girard College, is a classic example. This five day boarding school is one of the best in the nation. Having a virtual tour on hand can be a phenomenal way to show off a school. They are able to show off their space at any time. This can be very good. It’s important to show the best you are able. Having a 24/7 open house can really drive the value of an institution.

Matterport Discover makes it easy for someone to find them. It puts them in front of more people. It is a valuable tool. Again, just looking at numbers alone. We can clearly see the value of being featured. There are thousands of private schools in the USA. Standing out above other is vital to making sure they hit their own numbers.

Virtual tours can be even further valuable. With the ability to add tracking, it’s invaluable. Being able to have deep insights is always valuable. It’s important to remember that doing what your competition isn’t is a way to succeed.

Capturing this space was simple, completed in under an hour. While it would be nice to display that, sadly this is not a metric measured by Matterport. But it is easy to sell this function. You will find many people who believe they take several days to capture, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

College tours, and school tours overall, are staples of the education system. Offering comprehensive examples online will obviously multiply your digital footprint by a massive factor.

High Value Tours For High Value Assets

Want to expand your business fast? Are you interested in high value assets? McLaren in Philadelphia sure did. That’s why they went for a virtual tour. Being able to show off and highlight these rare and high value cars is an absolute crowd pleaser. Clearly, these cars sell themselves. No one needs an ad to know if they want to buy a supercar or not. So why even bother with the tour at all?

Pulling limited customers. It’s fairly uncommon to find someone who can afford a supercar. Compared to most people who can one way or another figure out how to afford some type of car. Pulling customers to your showroom is the key. The cars are nearly custom made. Picking which city you will fly to, to do the shopping is the key.

And this highlights two key aspects of our examples here today. First, Matterport Discover really does expand exposure. Secondly, the tour in and of itself is a runaway exposure. When deployed correctly, of course. Everyone knows you can embed in your website. Did you know you can put them on a business card? Using a free QR code generator can go a long way.

Tours like this have another possibility. They can go viral. These spaces are places most people won’t go. So giving people an inside look can add value and prestige to your brand. It’s possible to implement widely. And this is where Matterport Discover comes in. By its inherent goal, they distribute tours. This is a free feature. So it’s worthwhile to get as many in, as possible.

Understand potential clients better

Knowing your people is like knowing your business, invaluable to scale and growth. Matterport Discovery helps.

History Revitalized With Matterport Discovery

Did you know Cherry Street Pier is where the Banana was first imported to the United States? Now you do! But looking at the tour, you would have no idea. That is because they have been revitalized. Just looking over this tour, the space has a different vibe. From art studios to unique stores, this space has it all. It is no surprise they have been featured on Matterport Discover.

This larger tour took some time to capture indeed. It took about six hours to capture. This inside and outside tour is a key example of the possibilities of this platform. And the possibilities of the space. They are now able to offer tours to rent the space out, with minimal impacts on day to day operations. This is an important feature of digital twins. The ability to show off the space, empty (and staged if needed), with anyone at any time.

Sometimes, customers want limited access to the tours. This can be done by password protecting. Customers can also use a paywall. Either way, there are viable options to monetize. With an appropriate and pin point strategy, it is quite effective. This is where Matterport Discovery may be a downside. Sometimes customers will want complete control. It’s important to remember that the customer can have it. For absolute control, have the customer set up their own account.

Luxury Onboarding, Reimagined

In the post pandemic era- things have changed. People are incredibly picky about where they go. And equally important, how they spend their time. That’s why luxury locations like the Fitler Club regularly update their virtual tour. They rely on theirs to showcase and not intrude. This is a really great example of luxury onboarding, reimagined.

Matterport Discovery is helping the Fitler Club. By continuing to show off the space, Matterport Discovery enables more people to come across the Fitler Club and fall in love with it. As a co-working space, there is a massive amount of competition. From work from home to closed business, it can get difficult for institutions like the Fitler Club. But for them it is not. They have invested in forward thinking marketing assets to help drive the value of their space.

Institutions like the Fitler Club will utilize the court admissible aspect of the tours, in order to safeguard their own assets on site. They are reassured knowing they have the best possible documentation of their space. This means the tour has two highly valuable applications. Considering the cost effectiveness of these tours, this drives value for the clients who choose to utilize them.

Learning and implementing new tools

Developing the use of Matterport Discovery

A Conclusion On Matterport Discovery

Think of Matterport Discovery as free advertising. Because functionally speaking, that’s exactly what it is. Not only are your tours shown off. But your customers get increased exposure. The numbers and the tracking don’t lie. This is the latest and greatest way to show off your work. And it’s always important to call out your examples. Not all tours get pulled into Matterport Discovery.

It’s very important for the best work to be put forward, making sure you utilize every tool and asset possible. Matterport only wants good models. Interesting, engaging, and notably impressive. In conclusion, this is an exciting new tool. Because ultimately it will help you get more clients. With phenomenal examples at hand, you can now approach a wide range of potential customers not before possible. This is going to help scale and grow your business. While this is an important advancement, its is important to know it is not the end. You still need to go do the footwork to get customers. But with Matterport Discovery at your disposal, you can open up a whole new (virtual) world.

How To Optimize CloudPano Tours

February 17, 2021 in Blog, Local SEO, Virtual Tours

How To Optimize CloudPano Tours

Hey everyone and welcome back to another blog here at Momentum 360. In this week’s blog, we’re going to be talking about CloudPano Tours and how to optimize them for your business. If you’ll remember, about a month ago we posted a blog titled “CloudPano Virtual Tour Review” in which we talked about CloudPano virtual tour software, its advantages over other software like Matterport, its pricing, and more. 

In today’s post, we’re headed back to CloudPano software and talking about how to optimize it. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What is CloudPano?

CloudPano is a virtual tour software, used to create and publish 3D virtual tours. CloudPano makes the creation, hosting, and sharing of virtual tours extremely simple for those just starting out in the business of virtual tours or for users who are experienced and ready to streamline their services. CloudPano users can drag and drop uploaded photos, set and reorder viewing scenes, insert ambient music, and add hotspots.

Additionally, the software is built for efficient smartphone usage. It also has an in-built motion sensor that responds to movements through phones. Likewise, it enables VR goggles for a more immersive experience. Users have full control over the privacy of their projects. They can set passwords to restrict access or share links with other people without the app. CloudPano also has a community page where users can share their tours to other users. Overall, users have full control over their projects from creation, creativity, and the privacy of their projects. 

How to Optimize CloudPano Tours

1. Shoot and Upload Images

The first step in optimizing your CloudPano virtual tours is to shoot 360 panos, stitch them together, and upload them to your CloudPano account. On that same upload page, you have the ability to also rename and rearrange the order of the images so that it is easily organized and set up the way you want. Here, you can also put in contact information for the client so that all your information is in one space. Just like with other virtual tour software, CloudPano allows you to not only set an initial view of the property but also link the hotspots together which creates a full 3D walkthrough. 

2. Add information

In CloudPano, there is a bunch of different types of information you can include in each hotspot. These include hyperlinks, short text, other images, long text, or even the HTML if you want to include something like a YouTube video. You also get to choose the icon that comes with it, which gives the user more choices in the design aspect of their tour. 

3. Custom Logo

One of the things that set CloudPano far apart from its competition in virtual tour software is the ability to customize your tours to exactly the specifications you want. This includes being able to add a custom logo to the tour, setting a default hotspot style, changing the entire theme of the panos being displayed at the bottom, and much more. Also on the list of pros for CloudPano customers is the ability to create a custom whitelabel URL. 

A whitelabel URL is a site that sells your products directly but under a different domain, brand, or company name. This is super important because it allows you to include your company’s name or your client’s name with their tour to make it easier for customers and increase the exposure. You can also make it as short and memorable as you want. 

4. Enable a Lead Capture Form

To do this, all you need to do is upload a promotional image, a message for customers, and an email address to send leads to your client and CloudPano will send any possible leads to your clients. It is a great way to advertise on your tour and is super easy to track the traffic and clicks it brings you. 

5. Navigation

The navigation in a virtual tour is the visual effect when clicking from one image to the next. CloudPano has a bunch of options including crossfade, radial, cells, distort, etc. There is also the option to change the navigation mode. The default setting for navigation mode is “initial view navigation” which ensures the viewer always looks at the same initial view of a screen no matter where they came from. 

6. CloudPano Live

CloudPano Live is essentially the same as showing your client or customer a live demo of the product, however instead of doing it through an external software like Zoom or Microsoft Teams or whatever video conferencing platform, you can do it straight through CloudPano. The two options for this are “Party Room” and “One-on-one”. The former is 1-4 participants while the latter is just 1-2. 

7. Create a Google Tour

Google has actually partnered with CloudPano to export the virtual tours created directly to Google Street View (GSV). As a company with a strong background in digital marketing and the necessity of local SEO, we can’t stress enough how important it is for your clients and your own business to have a virtual tour attached to their Google My Business profile. It is extremely cool that you can export directly to GSV through CloudPano and makes the process very easy. 

All of these benefits and optimization tricks are available through CloudPano’s Pro features which is only $33 per month. Other software costs hundreds of dollars for fewer features, so we highly recommend that you consider making the switch to CloudPano and seeing what it can do for your virtual tour business. 

That’s it for this week’s blog! As always, check out our website and social media to learn more about Momentum 360 and all that we do.

For information about pricing, check out our pricing page here.

For a complete list of Momentum 360 Services, check out our website here.

Still not convinced? Check out our portfolio and see our work for yourself!

Our team members have also worked at Google and Facebook before, so we have the most up-to-date knowledge in the business. All to help your business rank at the top of Google and kickstart your journey to be a future lead generation machine!

Closing Out

Here at Momentum 360, we want to make growing your business easier than ever. Investing in a virtual tour is without a doubt an imperative step in making that happen. Our society is prioritizing digital content now more than ever, and we likely will not see a decline in this mindset in the future years.

If you are interested in learning more about Momentum 360 Virtual Tours or would like to have one made for your business, feel free to email us or schedule a call with Sean or Mac. For more information, visit our website! Mac Frederick and Sean Boyle, owners of Momentum, have over twenty years of experience in the digital marketing field and have a passion for helping businesses reach their fullest potential.

We post our Momentum Monday and Small Business Saturday blog every week, so feel free to subscribe and make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments below! From everyone at Momentum 360, thanks for the love, stay healthy, and until next time, build Momentum! 

Momentum 360 Course

February 8, 2021 in Blog, Local SEO, Virtual Tours

Momentum 360 Course

 

Hey everyone and welcome back to another Momentum Monday! This week’s blog is going to be a little different than our usual posts. We’re excited to announce that later this year, Momentum 360 co-owner Sean Boyle is going to be releasing a course on how to create a 7-figure virtual tour business. There isn’t an official release date yet, but you can expect the course sometime in the spring of this year!

 

In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about some of the topics included in the course such as:

 

  • Legalities
  • Virtual Tour Software & Equipment
  • Services & Pricing
  • Marketing
  • Operations
  • Scaling

 

Of course, for the full picture, you’ll have to wait for the course to be released, but here’s a little preview of what’s coming!

 

Let’s get into it.

 

Legalities

An essential part of any successful business is making sure everything you do is above board for the protection of your business, employees, clients, and, of course, yourself. This section will go over business banking, invoicing and payroll, systems, and your business’s purpose and legacy. 

 

The last part, purpose and legacy, is something you will want to decide right from the beginning as it will set the tone for your entire business model. What do you want to be known for? When someone says your name, what do you want them to associate it with?

 

Virtual Tour Software & Equipment

In this section, we’ll be talking about the various software and equipment you will want to familiarize yourself with before starting your virtual tour company. Some of the software included will be Matterport, CloudPano, MP Skin, and Metareal. We’ll also be going over the various virtual tour cameras and what photographers tend to prefer. There are a lot of options out there for both software and equipment so it’s important to pick one that works the best for your budget, experience, and comfort level. 

Services and Pricing

Before you can start drawing in clients, you have to nail down your pricing system. There are a lot of ways to measure prices from time spent on a job to the square footage of the property you are scanning. Additionally, any other services you provide such as photography, aerial and drone photography, virtual staging, 3D rendering, etc., need their own pricing systems. 

Marketing

One of the most important parts of building a successful business comes from how you market yourself. It isn’t enough to simply create your business and hope clients come to you, you need to be well-versed in digital marketing strategies. Some of the things we’ll be talking about in terms of marketing are your website, local SEO, email, advertising, social media, and digital content. 

 

Between Momentum 360 owners Mac and Sean, we have 25+ years in digital marketing experience so you can trust that we know what we’re talking about in this area. 

Operations

To run a successful business and ensure a smooth process for clients, you need to make sure things are running well within your team. This includes communication between employees, scheduling, and integrating different types of software to streamline your processes. 

 

Some of the software that we use at Momentum 360 and will be talking about in this portion of the course are Slack, Callrail, Zapier, Calendly, and Google Calendar. Slack is an internal messaging system, Callrail does call tracking and forwarding, Zapier integrates software between web applications, and Calendly and Google Calendar are used to schedule and confirm appointments with photographers and demos for the sales team. 

Scaling

Finally, scaling is a business means to encourage and support growth within your company. In this section of the course, we’ll be talking about the entrepreneurial myth, ethics codes, and how to systemize and expand. Consistency and dedication to doing your job well are essential pieces in creating a successful company and will guide you well in your business. 

 

We’re really excited for this course to come out and hope you are, too! We’ll keep you updated on when the course will be available and how you can create your own 7-figure virtual tour business. 

 

That’s it for this week’s blog! As always, check out our website and social media to learn more about Momentum 360 and all that we do.

 

For information about pricing, check out our pricing page here.

 

For a complete list of Momentum 360 Services, check out our website here.

 

Still not convinced? Check out our portfolio and see our work for yourself!

 

Our team members have also worked at Google and Facebook before, so we have the most up-to-date knowledge in the business. All to help your business rank at the top of Google and kickstart your journey to be a future lead generation machine!

 

Here at Momentum 360, we want to make growing your business easier than ever. Investing in a virtual tour is without a doubt an imperative step in making that happen. Our society is prioritizing digital content now more than ever, and we likely will not see a decline in this mindset in the future years.

 

If you are interested in learning more about Momentum 360 Virtual Tours or would like to have one made for your business, feel free to email us or schedule a call with Sean or Mac. For more information, visit our website! Mac Frederick and Sean Boyle, owners of Momentum, have over twenty years of experience in the digital marketing field and have a passion for helping businesses reach their fullest potential.

 

We post our Momentum Monday blog every week, so feel free to subscribe and make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments below! From everyone at Momentum 360, thanks for the love, stay healthy, and until next time, build Momentum! 

CloudPano Virtual Tour Review

January 11, 2021 in Blog, Local SEO, Virtual Tours

CloudPano Virtual Tour Review

Hey Everyone, and welcome back to a new Momentum 360 Blog. This is our first post of 2021 and it’s a good one!

2020 was rough on all of us, but here at Momentum, we like to roll with the punches. Essentially, we take tough circumstances and let them motivate us to continue to improve. Along that same vein, in today’s blog, we will be reviewing CloudPano, the latest and greatest in 3D virtual tour technology

In today’s blog we are going to be talking about:

  • What is Cloud Pano?
  • Advantages
  • Pricing
  • Our Recommendation

So let’s get started!

What Is CloudPano?

CloudPano is a virtual tour software, used to create and publish 3D virtual tours. CloudPano makes the creation, hosting, and sharing of virtual tours extremely simple for those just starting out in the business of virtual tours or for users who are experienced and ready to streamline their services. CloudPano users can drag and drop uploaded photos, set and reorder viewing scenes, insert ambient music, and add hotspots. Additionally, the software is built for efficient smartphone usage. It also has an in-built motion sensor that responds to movements through phones. Likewise, it enables VR goggles for a more immersive experience. Users have full control over the privacy of their projects. They can set passwords to restrict access or share links with other people without the app. CloudPano also has a community page where users can share their tours to other users. Overall, users have full control over their projects from creation, creativity, and the privacy of their projects. 

Nowadays, there are many different 3D virtual tour softwares available, and CloudPano is one of the easiest to use with considerable advantages to take your virtual tours to the next level. In the past, Momentum 360 has exclusively used Matterport but as we grow and adapt to today’s market, CloudPano shows substantial advantages. 

Advantages of CloudPano

CloudPano was built to entice the everyday user. Other VR softwares are limited in their accessibility and usability, but CloudPano was created to produce professional images with ease. 

The core features of CloudPano include:

  • Hotspot
  • Scene Navigation
  • Voiceover/Audio
  • Floorplans & Maps
  • Panoramas
  • Social Sharing
  • 360-Site Stream

In addition, PropertyShark reviewed several 360 tour software companies. CloudPano was ranked third on their list and was praised for its unlimited tours and for the company’s commitment to the needs of ther customers.

Momentum 360 owner Sean Boyle has used CloudPano to create virtual tours and believes the advantages of CloudPano to be:

  1. Unlimited space
    1. CloudPano does not limit users to a certain amount of tours and does not charge users any extra for hosting. 
  2. Aerial and outside capability
    1. Most virtual tour softwares are only usable in an indoor setting. In residential real estate especially, being able to provide images of the outdoor space as well as the indoor is a game-changer. 
  3. Compatibility with any camera
    1. With Matterport, only certain cameras were compatible with their software. This limits photographers. However, with CloudPano, any camera with 360 capabilities are able to be uploaded to the CloudPano software to create a virtual tour. 
  4. Drone panoramic capability

Pricing

For all its’ usability, you would think that CloudPano is expensive. However, CloudPano is actually one of the cheapest 3D tour softwares currently on the market. The vast majority of virtual tour software platforms charge a monthly or annual rate. This is not the case with CloudPano. CloudPano begins charging users a one-time fee of $10 for their basic model. For their Pro features, the price increases to $33 per month.

This cost is a great value simply because at this price, users can generate an unlimited amount of tours. With software like Matterport, users are paying a lower monthly fee but are capped at how many tours and have to pay extra for anything past the limit. 

Recommendation

Here at Momentum 360, we fully endorse the use of CloudPano technology. Not only is it software designed for the novice 3D photographer, but it is also incredibly useful and easily adaptable for those who have been in the virtual tour business for a long time. 

We have been longtime users of Matterport, and while Matterport has a solid software base, we can fully recommend the use of CloudPano for its usability, price, and ease. Simply put, CloudPano makes virtual tours simple. We recommend CloudPano for seasoned virtual tour experts, but believe this software is easy for even beginners to understand. 

Here at Momentum, we’re making the switch and are excited to see where it takes us. 

That’s it for this week’s blog! As always, check out our website and social media to learn more about Momentum 360 and all that we do.

For information about pricing, check out our pricing page here.

For a complete list of Momentum 360 Services, check out our website here.

Still not convinced? Check out our portfolio and see our work for yourself!

Our team members have also worked at Google and Facebook before, so we have the most up-to-date knowledge in the business. All to help your business rank at the top of Google and kickstart your journey to be a future lead generation machine!

Here at Momentum 360, we want to make growing your business easier than ever. Investing in a virtual tour is without a doubt an imperative step in making that happen. Our society is prioritizing digital content now more than ever, and we likely will not see a decline in this mindset in the future years.

If you are interested in learning more about Momentum 360 Virtual Tours or would like to have one made for your business, feel free to email us or schedule a call with Sean or Mac. For more information, visit our website! Mac Frederick and Sean Boyle, owners of Momentum, have over twenty years of experience in the digital marketing field and have a passion for helping businesses reach their fullest potential.

We post our Momentum Monday and Small Business Saturday blog every week, so feel free to subscribe and make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments below! From everyone at Momentum 360, thanks for the love, stay healthy, and until next time, build Momentum!

Virtual Tours of Zoos

October 25, 2020 in Blog, Virtual Tours

Virtual Tours of Zoos

Hey everyone and welcome back to another Momentum 360 blog! In this week’s blog, we are going to be taking a look at some virtual tours of zoos around the world. Right now is the perfect time to be taking advantage of virtual tours of zoos, not only because of visitor restrictions due to the Coronavirus but also because the weather is getting colder as we move closer to winter. 

In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the benefits of virtual tours in zoos and we’re going to be highlighting a couple of awesome zoos and animal habitats available to see online. These exhibits are perfect for animal lovers of all ages and are the perfect way to learn about animals you don’t see every day. Check it out!

Benefits of Virtual Tours of Zoos

Let’s be honest, nothing in the world has been completely normal for months now. We’re all learning to live with our new normal as best as we can. One of my favorite activities as a kid was going to the zoo in the summer and seeing the coolest animals in the world. When the virus shut everything down, zoos were forced to close to the public to ensure the safety of the zoologists and the animals they care for. 

In a time where everyone was stuck at home trying to figure out how to keep themselves and their children entertained and learning, people turned to exciting educational opportunities they could access online. 

Now, doing a virtual tour of a zoo isn’t the same as a museum’s virtual tour. In a museum, exhibitions are mostly stagnant and can be captured in a photograph. In a zoo, however, the main attraction is the animals who are living, breathing, and moving creatures. You can’t capture the majesticness of a lion in a photograph. 

So how do these virtual tours work? Well, a combination of virtual reality, live cams, and 360 technology. 

The live cams are pretty self-explanatory, a camera is set up on a specific enclosure and sends a live stream to the zoo’s website. People can log on at any time and from anywhere to see what’s going on in that enclosure. These are very popular for when an animal is about to give birth. 

360 technology and virtual reality are used to simulate an in-person visit to the zoo, with renderings of the attractions to make you feel like you are actually there. 

Online Virtual Tours of Zoos

Paignton Zoo

This UK Zoo has one of the most comprehensive zoo virtual tours. Paignton has a 360 aerial view tour of eight areas of their zoo. In this tour, visitors can learn about species of different animals while actually seeing what they look like in their enclosures. Some of these include crocodiles, lions, giraffes, and more! 

In addition to this virtual tour, Paignton Zoo also has live cams set up for their flamingos, meerkats, and the Sulawesi Crested Macaque. 

paignton zoo

National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is an exhibit we have highlighted before in our “Educational 3D Tours” blog. This Baltimore-based aquarium is home to over 20,000 animals, including over 800 species. When you think aquarium, chances are you think of tropical fish, sharks, and turtles. While the National Aquarium has all these, they also have animals like birds, amphibians, and even mammals. All the animals housed in the National Aquarium have a unique connection to water, even if you wouldn’t think of them as fitting in an aquarium.

In this virtual tour, users can explore different areas like the Tropical Rainforest, the Atlantic Coral Reef, the Amazon Rainforest, and so much more! In these areas, visitors can also click and learn more information about the animals and fish native to these regions. This is an easy-to-use tour full of information that is perfect for any age. 

national aquarium dolphin

Plus, it has some really cute pictures of dolphins!

Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia is home to many exhibits including a wildlife retreat, African Savannah, rainforest, and more! Using 3D technology in Google Street View, visitors can explore the Taronga Zoo in detail. You can see all the different enclosures and animals that the zoo has to offer. 

This includes animals usually only found in Australia, so if you’re like us, this may be the only opportunity to see cute and cuddly koalas, kangaroos, and more!

That’s it for this week’s blog! As always, check out our website and social media to learn more about Momentum 360 and all that we do.

For information about pricing, check out our pricing page here.

For a complete list of Momentum 360 Services, check out our website here.

Still not convinced? Check out our portfolio and see our work for yourself!

Our team members have also worked at Google and Facebook before, so we have the most up-to-date knowledge in the business. All to help your business rank at the top of Google and kickstart your journey to be a future lead generation machine!

Here at Momentum 360, we want to make growing your business easier than ever. Investing in a virtual tour is without a doubt an imperative step in making that happen. Our society is prioritizing digital content now more than ever, and we likely will not see a decline in this mindset in the future years.

If you are interested in learning more about Momentum 360 Virtual Tours or would like to have one made for your business, feel free to email us or schedule a call with Sean or Mac. For more information, visit our website! Mac Frederick and Sean Boyle, owners of Momentum, have over twenty years of experience in the digital marketing field and have a passion for helping businesses reach their fullest potential.

We post our Momentum Monday and Small Business Saturday blog every week, so feel free to subscribe and make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments below! From everyone at Momentum 360, thanks for the love, stay healthy, and until next time, build Momentum!

How Real Estate Agents are Innovating Due to the Coronavirus

May 3, 2020 in Blog, Education, Real Estate, Virtual Tours

How Real Estate Agents are Innovating Due to the Coronavirus

This is such a difficult and challenging time for everyone, and we hope you’re hanging in there and staying safe and healthy! In this week’s blog, we’re diving into the real estate industry and learning how it’s being impacted and what realtors are doing in order to keep their businesses running.

We had the pleasure of speaking with several realtors throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas to gain insight on what exactly those in the real estate industry are experiencing. Their accounts of the virus can give us an accurate picture on how real estate agent are innovating due to the coronavirus!

When speaking with Marguerite DeGrassa, a realtor at RE/MAX Main Line, she had a very positive outlook on the coronavirus. DeGrassa stated ..

“Although COVID-19 has impacted all types of businesses, I am optimistic that the past few weeks have only been a hurdle. We will move past this together through taking proper precautions and resume into a vibrant Spring market!”

Marguerite DeGrassa, a realtor at RE/MAX Main Line

It was so inspiring to hear that people aren’t letting COVID-19 bring them down. When this is over, we will come out on top even stronger than we were before!

Jake Callahan, Realtor with Ferguson Dechert Real Estate, is located in the New Jersey beaches of Avalon & Stone Harbor. When asked how the Coronavirus has impacted real estate at these major shore points, Callahan stated, “Servicing a community that relies heavily on summer tourism, COVID-19 has left our industry in a state of flux. While most existing contracts are continuing to go to closing, new contracts and new listings are not appearing as heavily as they would normally this time of year. Prices, however, have not dropped. If the economy begins to plummet in the coming months, I predict more owners listing their properties for sale and a reduction in prices. Relative to the summer rental aspect of the industry, everything is on pause. The Governor of New Jersey has ordered no short term leases be drawn- which limits our ability to serve customers. Additionally, those tenants who have existing reservations for the upcoming summer are looking at ways to cancel their reservation and/or find out alternatives. This dynamic has the ability to create problems between home owners, tenants, and agency representatives as we enter these uncharted waters.”

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Visit Jake’s Facebook to find out more about his services!

It was refreshing to learn that the prices in the Jersey shore towns have not dropped, yet. It would be great to hear that it stays this way, but as Jake mentioned, there is a good chance that will happen if the economy continues to plummet in the near future.

Realtor Jessica Sinton also was full of information on how the real estate industry has been impacted, and how it will recover once everything is back to normal. Sinton stated,

“The spring real estate market started off strong; with homes often going under contract with multiple offers in less than 24 hours. Low inventory coupled with low interest rates made it a great time for both buyers and sellers alike. When Governor Wolfe ordered the closing of all non life sustaining business, that included real estate. This certainly changed the trajectory of the market, however it hadn’t completely stopped yet. Some buyers and sellers decided to sit back and wait, however many simply could not. Shelter is quite frankly one of our most basic needs, essential now more than ever. Working under a tech driven real estate company, Compass created a platform around virtual agent services allowing us to continue providing service completely virtually. Yesterday a new order was released from PA stating that only real estate contracts entered into prior to March 6 could allow the physical operation of appraisers, inspectors and title insurance companies. Thus making the completion of a transaction near impossible. The specifics in the order have been less than clear and open to varying interpretations causing frustration among realtors. Explaining this ambiguity to clients and being there to support them has been my number one goal. I think if everyone looked at the bigger picture, stopping the spread, we’d be closer to the same page. One thing is universally clear, the importance of comfort in your home has never been so important. With that, I am confident that the real estate market will bounce back with strength and until then we all need to do our part and stay home as much as humanly possible.”

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Real Estate Industry Statistics with Virtual Tours

These are stats that we’ve compiled from Matterport and other sources that tell just how valuable virtual tours are to both buyers and sellers.

According to Apartments.com: Visitors to their website spend 3x – 6x more time engaging with property listings that offer a Matterport immersive 3D experience. Properties with Matterport tours receive 49% more qualified leads.

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According to Redfin: Homes sell an average of 10 days faster and for $50,100 more than comparable homes thanks to Matterport 3D walkthroughs, advanced presentation technology, and great customer service.

According to REA Group: Buyers are 60% more likely to email an agent and 95% more likely to call an agent they’ve seen that includes a Matterport 3D Showcase.

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Agents using Matterport are seeing real results:

  • 90% stated that Matterport helps them build a stronger brand in the marketplace.
  • 83% are more competitive because of Matterport.
  • 74% win more listings because of Matterport.

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These stats without a doubt prove how valuable these virtual tours are!

Due to COVID-19, we are now hosting virtual showings and remote settlements. Even though business is now conducted virtually, we are still able to close on time and assist new clients.

Following the pandemic, it’s likely that more and more people from New York City will want to escape the congestion and move to Philly. Philadelphia is significantly more affordable while still hosting a variety of restaurants and activities.

In Greater Philadelphia, housing inventory is still extremely low. Governor Wolf’s order to shut down construction sites is hurting the supply of housing even more. We saw a record-breaking number of buyers this winter. The shutdown is creating pent up demand that we will be prepared to service when the order is revoked. The market still presents good opportunities for buyers given very low interest rates and properties that qualify for the full tax abatement.

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Adam Garner, Berkshire Hathaway

Advance Philly is staying competitive during this time by being present and available now more than ever for our clients. The biggest change that we have made is to operate digitally. We have been working with various companies to provide 3D showings via Matterport and have implemented video walkthroughs of properties. Selling properties has gotten more challenging as there are less buyers in the market. I have personally sold 7 properties in the last 2.5 weeks and it takes a lot more hands on activity and work to push sales through now more than ever.

I see the City of Philadelphia remaining strong through this market correction as we are not a Boom or Bust City like NYC and San Francisco. Philadelphia, with its low barrier to entry with development and home ownership, will weed out investors & developers who are overleveraged and will create more investment opportunities for homeowners & developers that are well patient and well capitalized.

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Francis Mangubat, Advance Philly

Now more than ever we are making education our priority. From our clients to our team, we’re leveraging education (and data) to keep everyone on the forefront. Additionally, we are holding virtual tours and settlements to keep business moving, safely giving both buyers and sellers what they need. Our title and lenders companies are remaining abreast.

Overall, we are undeniably in a shift. Whether that’s temporary or permanent, we’re not sure. However, I think this is an incredible opportunity for real estate. Philadelphia only has 3.4 months of inventory, making it a seller’s market. Interest rates are still relatively low, giving buyer’s an advantage. I’m excited to see what tools and practices remain after COVID-19. We sure trimmed a lot of fat. Brittany Nettles – She Moves Philly

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Brittany Nettles, She Moves Philly

Philly Property Group realtor Mina Sedarous, has also felt the heaviness of the COVID-19 pandemic. Being in an industry that relies heavily on human contact, there’s often difficulty navigating during these times.

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Mina Sedarous, Philly Property Group

“Business and Entrepreneurship are generally about problem-solving and adding value to people and the community, that’s my opinion anyway. Being in business, you are constantly faced with making decisions, overcoming obstacles and adapting. It shouldn’t be any different during these unprecedented times.

The real estate industry is definitely one of the industries that is directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Real estate professionals constantly depend on human contact and being on the road. It’s tricky times, because part of us doesn’t want to give up and stop helping our clients. However, our commitment will never replace the safety of our clients, team members, and the community as our top and first priority.

Luckily, we have technology already in place to quickly adapt and improve the situation without jeopardizing the safety of our fellow neighbors. City authorities and real estate associations are clear on guidelines and restrictions to ensure the safety of everyone involved in any real estate transaction.

Did the COVID-19 affect some real estate transactions? Yes, but it also didn’t stop others from moving forward or even getting better deals. It is very understandable for some clients: they’re directly affected by the shut-down; they currently are out of work, and it’s unclear how their finances will be affected in the future. On the other hand, mortgage rates are significantly low, the market is not as aggressive meaning there’s less competition, and for savvy investors this is a great time to acquire properties from sellers who are looking to offload their properties.

Also, it’s a great time to start investing if you’re already not. Safe to say it depends on the investment, but it can be a very rewarding step. It might seem risky, but it is even riskier to miss out and not take an advantage of the current market and rates

“Believe it or not, our team did $38 million in sales in the month of March, up 39% from 2019… We are supported with a business plan that takes advantage of all aspects of the business in a more entrepreneurial approach,” according to our broker Art Herling.

In other words, we still continue to help people and the community regardless of the rocky economy. It’s in times like this, now more than ever, that you need an established and reputable team to help you with your real estate needs. Here at Philly Property Group, we are #2 in the state of Pennsylvania per the MLS and #1 Philadelphia suburban team.

My heart goes out to everyone who is affected by the pandemic (in the real estate industry or other industries) whether your income is cut off or if you or someone you know is not doing well. Stay positive, stay strong! This shall pass too. We learned in our real estate team to always check on each other, and I encourage everyone to do the same. And if you do, please don’t stop.

There might be many people who are struggling or they just need someone to talk too. So be there for each other. My team and I are always there for anyone who might need our help. Feel free to reach out even if you just have a question or need counseling on your current situation. We are here to help.” – Mina Sedarous

Compass realtor, Lindsay Neuman, was also able to shed some light as to how the pandemic is pushing her to step outside of her comfort zone all over again, and really zone in on the positives throughout quarantine:

“COVID-19 has forced me to get uncomfortable. I’m a people person. And I love to interact and connect with others…in person. It’s where I get my energy and feel my best. But right now that’s not possible. I’m not able to meet with clients, show homes, meet with sellers, etc. But this “shut down” of my business has been far from a “shut down.”

“I’m connecting with people in different ways that I never thought of before. This is forcing me to think outside of the box and get uncomfortable. Being a social person, I’ve been relying on social media to create communities and have taken it off the ‘gram by hosting some virtual meet ups on a weekly basis. It fills me up in ways that I never imagined and I’m creating lasting relationships for life as well as my business. Onward and upward ⚡️” – Lindsay Neuman

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Lindsay Neuman, Compass

Jen Singley, Keller Williams Philly realtor and Temple University alum, was fully transparent about the setbacks that come paired with the virus and how she’s overcome them:

“Covid-19 has affected my business greatly. Since the pandemic became serious in the beginning of March, I have had two buyers back out of their deals and almost all of my current clients who were on the market to buy put their search on hold. Two of my clients who are under contract to purchase new construction homes will not have their homes completed on time, and now must find a temporary housing situation to bridge the gap between their lease ending and their new home being complete due to the restrictions the governor put on residential construction projects. As for listings, home tours are currently not allowed (unless they are virtual) so it has been pretty hard to get those sold that way!

I do see a lot of great changes coming from the necessity to adapt to current conditions though. Virtual tours are becoming more and more common, which I think will save buyers a lot of time in the future of being able to pre-screen holmes a bit better, thus needing to tour less in person before making a decision.The way that our industry has been learning and growing to keep moving forward despite current challenges has been really positive.

In order to keep busy while I don’t have many demanding clients, I am currently using this time to create educational materials for future clients and streamline processes for when the market picks back up this summer. Now is a really great time for buyers and sellers to learn as much as they can, so I am touching base with as many people as possible making sure they have the information they need if they plan to be making a real estate related move in the next year or so.

I’ve also been helping many clients with rentals as many people unfortunately do need to move during this time so I am helping as many people as possible navigate this process by coordinating virtual tours, screening tenants, and preparing leases.” – Jennifer Singley

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Jennifer Singley, Keller Williams

And last, but definitely not least, we have Amira Coleman, a realtor with Fox and Roach. Like everyone else, Amira was really looking forward to continuing the grind throughout spring and summer, as these are the busiest seasons in real estate.

But, people still need places to live, so Amira’s job continues (just virtually)!

“It’s not as easy (obviously) assisting someone in the home search in today’s climate. Moving is already somewhat of a stressful event, which is why people use Realtors. My services are at no cost to my clients. Agents are paid by the landlord owner. Typically, I have a preliminary convo with someone and find out the basics.

From there, I start to email over options that match what they are looking for. I tell people to let me know what they’re interested in and we can set up a day to tour a few properties. That’s where things become difficult now. Realtors are not permitted to take clients out on tours, it’s actually a misdemeanor. Not only can you risk your real estate license, you’d be breaking the law and risking some legal action.

It’s a lot more work on agents who have to reach out to each listing agent individually, and see if video is available. I’m focusing on the long term and every day I am helping clients find a home. I’m constantly talking to my clients who are interested in buying in the coming months about the process because buying a home is a process.

If anyone is interested in leasing an apartment or buying a home, I’m happy to talk to them about the steps we can be taking now to prepare for the transaction.” – Amira Coleman

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Amira Coleman, Fox & Roach

As you can see, the real estate industry is changing rapidly. To date, we’ve gotten an influx of business in this particular niche market. Many realtors can’t show their places off physically, so in order to help sell, they have to hire a virtual tour provider like Momentum 360.

This just goes to show that what we do not only works, but is considered important in real estate right now.

If you know any real estate group, agent or realtor that needs help during this time, we’re offering massive discounts for our services in order to help small businesses during this time.

Always remember, we’re all in this together. Let’s support one another and make it through this. If you’re stuck between grabbing lunch from a chain or a local business. Choose local.

Here at Momentum 360, we want to make growing your business easier than ever. Investing in a virtual tour is without a doubt an imperative step in making that happen. Our society is prioritizing digital content now more than ever, and we likely will not see a decline in this mindset in the future years.

If you are interested in learning more about Momentum 360 Virtual Tours or would like to have one made for your business, feel free to email us or schedule a call with Sean or Mac. For more information, visit our website website! Mac Frederick and Sean Boyle, owners of Momentum, have over twenty years of experience in the digital marketing field and have a passion for helping businesses reach their fullest potential.

We post our Momentum Monday and Small Business Saturday blog every week, so feel free to subscribe and make sure you are up to date on the latest trends in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them in the comments below! From everyone at Momentum 360, thanks for the love, stay healthy, and until next time, build Momentum!

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