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Virtual Tour For a VR Headset: Improve User Experience
Many businesses have already started using virtual tours in their marketing or sales arsenal. But most of the virtual tours that you normally see are web-based virtual tours. This means that the virtual tour is a web application that is accessed with an internet connection, and you can view it on mobile phones, tablets, or laptops. But what about a virtual tour integrated into a VR headset (glasses)? Is it possible? And what is the use case for this approach?
But …
before we start today’s topic, I want to clarify what VR stands for (and yes, I know that most of you are aware of what is it, so it will be brief).
VR stands for virtual reality which is broadly speaking a technology that lets you explore spaces or objects created in a 3D (360°) view. And VR headset or VR glasses are devices that you need to use to enter the virtual experience.
When I talk about virtual tours for VR, I will refer to a virtual tour created specifically for VR headsets (glasses).
With that being said … let’s start the topic. Finally.
Virtual tours for VR headset
So, what is the difference? What is the difference between a “normal” web-based virtual tour and VR based virtual tour?
In terms of creating 360° content such as 360° photos or 360° videos there will not be any difference in terms of creating an experience for web-based (mobile, tablet, or laptop) and VR (virtual reality). The process will be the same.
BUT the big difference will be in creating the user interface and accessibility features. Web-based virtual tours will be easier to create because they are more common, the software is more accessible and will be cheaper than creating an experience for virtual reality devices.
So … now maybe you are wondering … why even bother then? Why even create a virtual tour for VR?
The fast answer is … VR headsets provide a more accurate and enhanced experience.
When you use the web virtual tour, the user needs to use a mouse or finger on touch screen devices to turn around in the desired direction. And because the screens are further from the eyes, anything can disturb the user experience.
Compared to a VR headset – You can easily turn your head with a VR headset to explore different directions of the view. And you can feel that you are standing somewhere else and living the experience.
Okay, so I get that with a VR headset on it is a more interesting experience.
But when I should consider using a VR virtual tour in terms of business use case?
Do not worry… I’ll give you some examples.
Business use cases
Business use case 01 – “Just stand here and I’ll show you what it will look like.”
Imagine that you have a hotel or some type of venue that you want to showcase, and you are used to having a physical tour daily. Your clients (bride) for example want to host a wedding in your space. They already saw some photos of the space on your website or even saw the web virtual tour. But because they need to be sure that your space will be amazing for the most important day in their life, they visit your space physically.
The bride is not quite sure yet. So, you bring her to the center of the empty ceremonial room and help her put the VR glasses on (with the virtual tour playing).
The VR virtual tour let her explore the space from a similar wedding your venue did earlier from the exact place she is standing right now.
She can explore how beautiful the space really is in “wedding mode” in different variations (different flowers, table layout, lighting, colors, etc.).
After 15 min of switching the space variation, she is just smiling. Because she already found her dream space for her wedding 🙂
PRO TIP: If the virtual tour can show different layout variations of the same space and the client chooses one option. It will be much easier for your event manager to craft the experience according to the client’s expectations because they know how the event should look like.
Business showcase 02 – “Catch attention on the expo and be unforgettable.”
Imagine you have a business that attends a conference or exhibition. Your business needs to catch the attention of the visitors. VR headsets are amazing ways how you can do that. It still has the wow effect in public.
PRO TIP: People love exploring new things in new forms. Give them the possibility and they will remember it.
Virtual tours integrated into a virtual reality headset can showcase your physical space in no time.
So that your potential clients will remember you, your company, and your space.
What a great combination. Right?
Do we need a VR virtual tour?
Maybe obvious answer for some of you, but you really do not need a virtual tour integrated into a VR headset in most cases.
Nevertheless, it can be an appealing way how to enhance the user experience which your clients do not forget 🙂
