How to Plan Your First Virtual Tour Shoot

A high-quality virtual tour can elevate your business online — but to get the best results, proper planning is essential.

Whether you’re preparing a restaurant, retail store, property, school, or showroom, this guide walks you through exactly how to get ready for your first 360° virtual tour shoot.

Step 1: Know What You Want to Achieve

Before the camera arrives, ask yourself:

What areas do I want to include in the tour?
Who is the target audience (e.g. customers, students, investors)?
What’s the goal? (Drive bookings, attract footfall, show transparency?)
Do I need any interactive elements like hotspots or info panels?

Having a clear objective helps shape the shoot and ensures the final tour works for your business.

Step 2: Choose the Right Time of Day

Natural lighting plays a big role in the visual quality of your virtual tour. If your space relies on daylight, aim to schedule the shoot during a bright time of day — ideally mid-morning or early afternoon.

Avoid times when the sun casts harsh shadows across the space or when interior lighting is patchy.

Step 3: Clean, Declutter, and Stage

Virtual tours are detailed. Every part of the captured space will be visible to viewers — so preparation is key.

Checklist:

Clear surfaces of unnecessary items
Tidy up wires, boxes, signage, or personal items
Set tables (if in hospitality) with glasses, menus, or props
Ensure all lights are working and switched on
Clean mirrors, windows, and glossy surfaces to reduce reflections
Check for posters, boards, or screens with personal information

Think of it like preparing for a photo shoot — only more thorough.

Step 4: Close Doors You Don’t Want Captured

If there are private rooms, storage areas, staff-only corridors, or any spaces you don’t want featured — make sure the doors are closed and clearly marked.

If the camera operator doesn't know, they may assume it's part of the tour route.

Step 5: Plan the Route

You can help your virtual tour provider by guiding them through the space beforehand. Walk the route you’d like viewers to take and highlight:

The key features to include
Any specific angles you’d like to capture
Any flow of movement (e.g. entrance to exit)

This avoids confusion and ensures your most important areas are prioritised.

Step 6: Remove or Mute People if Possible

While it’s sometimes fine to have customers or staff in the background, it’s usually best to keep the space as empty as possible. This keeps the focus on the venue — and avoids privacy issues or awkward blurring.

For schools, nurseries, offices, or clinics, this is especially important due to GDPR.

Step 7: Consider Signage and Branding

Your brand should be visible in the tour. Consider including:

A-boards or posters with your logo
Printed menus, brochures, or flyers
Branded digital screens
Loyalty offers or call-to-action signs

These reinforce your identity and can guide viewers to take action after exploring the space.

Step 8: Coordinate with Your Tour Provider

Your virtual tour company (like Go Virtual Tours) will advise on:

Arrival times
Equipment setup
How long the shoot will take
Hosting and delivery times
Optional extras (e.g. Google Street View upload, video exports, floor plans)

Ask any questions in advance so the day runs smoothly.

Go Virtual Tours – Making It Easy from Start to Finish

At Go Virtual Tours, we support businesses throughout the process — from pre-shoot planning to delivery and embedding. We use Matterport Pro3 technology for sharp visuals, smooth navigation, and fully mobile-optimised tours.

If this is your first virtual tour, we’ll guide you through every step and help you present your space at its very best.