Finding the ideal campus nowadays has become much easier with virtual campus tours. Many universities and schools already use them to promote their courses to students.
As technology advanced, new ways of combining imagery, videos, text, and audio have changed how people share information. This brand-new method of touring is the latest of these iterations, allowing more students to learn about the institutions they plan to enter without being there.
A virtual tour showcasing a school’s best offerings through a highly immersive experience may be the clincher for today’s generation of students.
For schools eager to use this technology and more to engage applicants, consider working with StudentBridge and other similar providers that help you craft memorable digital experiences.
Why not design a virtual campus tour today to stand out among your scholastic competitors?
Consider following these best practices to create the perfect touring experience.
Determine The Needs Of Your Target Audience
It would be best to lay out what your virtual tour offers to meet your target audience’s needs. Know what they want to see and learn and put that front and center. Although most virtual tours primarily showcase the beauty of the campus, it’s best to meet and surpass the expectations of your audience.
Your target audience will vary, but it may include the following:
- Current students, faculty, and personnel
- Potential enrollees and their parents
- Alumni
- Members of the board and local community
Remember to provide as much coverage as possible. The best approach is to create layers catering to each audience you want to reach.
Use Various Forms Of Media
When developing a virtual tour, consider integrating various media such as images, videos, and 360-degree views. Doing so can give your virtual tour a better chance of appealing to modern audiences while at the same time building your school’s academic reputation.
Some viewers prefer checking out static images of the campus buildings and facilities. Meanwhile, others find 360-degree tours an immersive way to explore a school. Using different forms of media is an effective way to meet these differing preferences.
Prioritize Utility
As more schools utilize virtual tours for their promotions, creating one that stands out aesthetically and functionally is crucial. The digital experience you provide for your audience should be good.
Keeping your tour’s assets updated is one way to do this. For example, ensure you present the latest status of your school’s infrastructure, such as a new canteen being constructed or upcoming monthly activities. Running a virtual tour also requires routine maintenance to keep everything fresh.
Furthermore, being user-friendly should be something to keep in mind. Providing ready-to-access information about office numbers, bus route times, and parking details would be greatly appreciated.
Showcase Your School’s Story
If you want your virtual tour to impact potential students or faculty positively, consider the angle of your storytelling.
Including the school’s history in your virtual tour makes it more ‘real’ and immersive for viewers. Highlight the school’s early history and achievements. How different was it back then? What catastrophes has it survived? Are there any notable figures or events? Putting these things into your tour may encourage others, particularly students, to be part of that history.
Position Your Virtual Tour For Optimal Visibility
Once you have all the elements to make your virtual campus tour engaging, another concern is ensuring the target audience sees and engages with it.
It may be challenging for some, but there are ways to integrate a virtual tour into the school’s website. An approach to consider is choosing a prominent section on your website, ideally near the registration form for physical campus tours.
You can also include a link to a virtual tour in regular emails and text messages. It’s one way to encourage your audience to know about the school virtually.
Give A Call-To-Action (CTA)
An ideal way to captivate the target audience as they reach the end of your virtual tour is a compelling CTA. Depending on what they take away, it gives them something to think about once it’s over.
For example, if the closing part of the virtual tour tells them to drop by the admission hub, a call-to-action button that entices potential students to apply online is a brilliant addition.
CTAs can also encourage potential students to connect on social media or voice concerns or questions.
Campus Tours Of The Future
As more universities and schools adopt virtual campus tours, it’s crucial to make one that stands out from the rest. With the help of these best practices, you can give viewers (especially students) the experience they’re looking for. After all, informative and immersive virtual tours are the new way to promote the campuses of the future.
