http://www.virtuallydeelicious.com en deanna@deewd.com Copyright 2008 2008-10-21T23:23:53-05:00 http://virtuallydeelicious.com/site/a_photo_slideshow_is_not_a_virtual_tour/ http://virtuallydeelicious.com/site/a_photo_slideshow_is_not_a_virtual_tour/#When:23:23:53Z I was contacted by a real estate agent today inquiring on our web development services. When I dropped a hint about virtual tours, he responded he was already using another company for his photo tours. This is frustrating, not because he wasn’t interested in our services, but because photo tours are not virtual tours. How many times have I clicked on a property’s virtual tour only to be shown a basic photo slide show with sappy elevator music? If buyers are smart enough to use the web to find a home, they understand that a photo slide show is just a complicated and unnecessary repetition of basic MLS photos. What’s more annoying is the fact that most slide shows zoom out at a slow rate, which means you’re seeing less of the original photo, the loading time is slower and there’s still no way to turn off that awful music! I feel these photo slide shows are a waste of marketing dollars as they don’t provide any additional information in regards to the basic MLS listing. So what’s the advantage of a virtual tour you ask? I knew you were pondering on this point.... 1. A real virtual tour provides the same viewing span of 10 to 15 still photos in 1 image, 2. Helps a viewer navigate the floorplan of a property, and 3. Forces the viewer to interact with the listing and become more mentally stimulated with the information. Just remember, you can’t compare apples to oranges! Marketing 2008-10-21T23:23:53-05:00