Technology has changed the way people search for, compare and buy almost everything. Before ordering, booking, visiting or enquiring, most people will spend time online trying to understand what a product, service or place really has to offer. 

Whether choosing a hotel room, shortlisting a school for their child, comparing office space or even viewing a yacht, a few photos and lines of text rarely feel like enough to make a real impact. A 3D virtual tour service lets people step inside a space from their phone, tablet, or laptop, move around freely, and look in every direction, as if they were physically there. 

This gives them a much clearer sense of scale, layout, and atmosphere, so they can rule in or out options faster and make decisions with more confidence. 

What are 3D Virtual Tours?

A 3D virtual tour is a digital copy of a real-world space that people can explore as if they are physically there. Using Matterport technology, our team at Surveyhands Engineering will scan your site from hundreds of points and create an interactive 3D model that works on desktops, tablets, mobile devices, and VR headsets. During the tour, visitors can move from room to room, look around in all directions, and access additional information through interactive tags. You can also embed media such as images, videos, brochures and web links, turning the tour into a completely self-guided experience.

At Surveyhands Engineering, we provide end-to-end 3D virtual tour services, from on-site scanning to the delivery of a ready-to-use digital twin. Key features include:

• 3D digital copy of your space that users can walk through online

• Mattertags to highlight key features and provide additional information 

• Schematic floor plans generated from the same scan data

• Optional publishing to Google Street View for extra visibility

• Interactive 3D measurements so users can check sizing 

• Always-available cloud hosting with updates at the same URL

• Options for virtual staging, video tours and 4K images

This means the scan data collected can support your website, social media, sales presentations, internal training and marketing campaigns, offering a cost-effective way to showcase your business to a wide range of audiences. 

Sectors that Benefit Most from 360° Virtual Tours

3D virtual tours can be beneficial in a variety of industries, providing businesses with an abundance of marketing material, including:

Historic Buildings and Heritage Sites

For some historic buildings, public access can be restricted, and conservation is often a top priority. A 3D virtual tour allows visitors to explore the interiors of buildings without risking any damage. The Sent Antuan 3D Virtual Tour shows how a heritage site can be made accessible worldwide while showcasing every detail and preserving its atmosphere.

Conservators and heritage teams can use the virtual tour to tell stories through embedded media like historic photos and additional content. It can also support education and fundraising by showing spaces that are difficult to reach in person.

Hospitality Venues

Hotels, event venues, restaurants, and bars often rely on visual appeal and clear information to attract guests and secure bookings. A 3D virtual tour lets prospective guests and event planners walk through spaces, checking things such as facilities, layouts, capacities and access without needing to book a site visit.

At Surveyhands Engineering, we have delivered tours for leading brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and Swissotel Bosphorus, showing rooms, communal spaces and amenities in realistic detail. This helps guests feel confident about what they are booking, speeds up decision-making and reduces the need for repeated in-person viewings.

Property Sales and Lettings

In residential and commercial property, 3D virtual tour services are now a powerful differentiator for estate agents, landlords and developers. Prospective buyers and tenants can tour multiple properties online, shortlisting the most suitable options before arranging in-person viewings.

A 3D digital copy also encourages more serious enquiries, as people can take interactive measurements of rooms, windows and doors, and review the floor plan from above before actually visiting the property. This leads to better-qualified viewings, faster decisions and less time wasted for both estate agents and prospective buyers or renters.

Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions, like museums, want to appeal to audiences both before and after their visit. A 3D virtual tour gives potential visitors a taste of the experience and can also enable people who can’t travel to “visit” the attraction. The Haci Bektas Veli Museum 3D Virtual Tour, for example, allows people to explore exhibits, rooms and other spaces online.

Tours can include descriptions, audio guides and links to ticketing pages, turning potential interest into bookings. They also support schools and other groups that want to prepare for visits, manage accessibility needs and plan their time on site.

Retail Stores and Showrooms

For physical retailers, a 3D virtual tour service bridges the gap between online browsing and in-store experience. It lets customers explore store layouts, product displays and key ranges before visiting, helping them pre-plan purchases.

The ECA Serel Store 3D Virtual Tour shows how users can navigate showrooms online and view details at their own pace. Retailers can embed product information, pricing and enquiry links directly into the virtual tour, supporting both e-commerce and in-person sales.

Education Providers 

Institutions like schools, colleges and universities are increasingly competing for students and parents who research available options online. A 3D virtual tour allows education providers to showcase classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, accommodation and social spaces in a clear and engaging way.

Prospective families can explore the grounds at their own pace, even if they live overseas or can’t attend open days. Institutions can also use tours for internal orientation, staff training, and other marketing purposes, all of which use the same scan data.

The Growing Demand for 3D Virtual Tours 

Expectations around digital experiences continue to rise. People now expect to be able to “walk through” spaces on their phone or tablet before investing time or money in a physical visit. For many sectors, 3D virtual tour services are becoming part of their standard marketing toolkit, alongside photography and video.

As this technology becomes more common, the question shifts from “should we be doing this?” to “how well are we doing it compared to our competitors?”. Organisations that showcase high-quality, professionally produced virtual tours can now stand out in search results, offer better user experiences, and build trust earlier in the decision-making process.

Get Ahead with Surveyhands Engineering

Working with experts like Surveyhands Engineering means your 3D virtual tour is created using state-of-the-art equipment from globally recognised brands. Over the years, we have developed tailored tours for a broad range of clients, helping support real business goals.

If you’re considering a 3D virtual tour service for your business, our team at Surveyhands Engineering can advise on the best approach, plan the scan and deliver a ready-to-use digital twin tailored to your particular sector. Get in touch to discuss your project and learn more about how to provide your audience with a more immersive way to experience your space online.