VHT Studios Launches 'See Inside Photography for Google'

CHICAGO, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- VHT Studios, the nationwide leader in real estate photography and digital marketing, announced today the launch of "See Inside Photography for Google."  The new service combines VHT Studios' stunning photography and Google's Street View virtual tour technology.  It offers retail shops, restaurants, doctors' offices, salons, gyms, and other small businesses throughout the Chicago area a powerful way to stand out on Google search results and attract more customers.

Rosemont-based VHT Studios has been certified by Google as a Trusted Agency for Google's fast-growing Business Photos program.  VHT Studios, which has the nation's largest network of elite architectural photographers, was a natural choice because of its 15 years of experience in photographing homes and businesses for some of the top brands in the country. 

Local search has become a critical element in marketing retail businesses.  More than 2 billion monthly searches on top search engines are aimed at finding local business listings or other local information, according to the Local Search Association.

VHT Studios' See Inside Photography for Google helps businesses 'Be Seen' with professional photos and 360-degree interactive tours that are highlighted on Google+ Local pages, Google Maps and other Google properties.

The new service is designed to help all types of retailers grow their customer base by letting Google's millions of users 'See Inside' and get a preview.  High-quality virtual tours allow consumers to compare different businesses on Google so they can zero in on the ones offering the types of experiences and merchandise that suit their needs.

"Online visitors can walk around, explore, and interact with our shop like never before," said Kris Hartner, owner of the Naperville Running Company in Naperville.  "VHT Studios made it easy for us to provide a virtual tour so Google users can visually experience what we have to offer. Then they can't wait to visit our shop in person."

"VHT Studios' panoramic tours are an amazing way to let consumers see inside our restaurants and coffee bars before they visit.  It entices them to come here rather than go somewhere else," said Joe Di Carlo, owner of Chicago-based Caffe Baci and Caffe RoM.  "VHT Studios has helped us increase sales by offering consumers who haven't visited us yet a great view of what they've been missing and why they should come in."

Consumers used to rely on phone books and newspapers to find local businesses. But now they're using search engines, online maps and mobile phones to find local products and services, said Brian Balduf, CEO of VHT Studios.

"Business owners want their businesses to be seen in the places consumers are looking. They also want their businesses to stand out and be presented in the best light possible," Balduf said. "That's where the combination of Google Plus, Google Maps, Google Search and VHT Studios' See Inside Photography becomes a powerful tool for them." 

VHT Studios said the new service could create more than 100 new sales and photography jobs in northern Illinois through the end of the year.  For more information go to www.SeeInsidePhotography.com

About VHT Studios

VHT Studios is the most trusted name in photography and digital marketing for homes and businesses.  VHT Studios provides the nation's largest network of professional photographers, along with image optimization specialists and state-of-the-art technology for producing the finest visual imagery. VHT Studios has photographed more than $200 billion worth of real estate and processed over 10 million images for the real estate, hospitality, retail and health care industries. 

VHT Studio's team has decades of experience in marketing, technology, search engine optimization and professional production, management and distribution of visual assets – including photographs, video, multimedia tours and Video on Demand television spots for over 3,500 clients companies.  Venture-backed VHT, Inc.is based in Rosemont, IL.  For more information about VHT Studios, visit www.vht.com.

SOURCE VHT Studios