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Google’s Brings Virtual Reality Class Trips to Schools – Expedition Pioneer Program

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Google Expeditions Pioneer Program brings more than 100 possible journeys to the classroom. These include exotic locations, like trips to Mars, The Amazon, Borneo National Park, or the bottom of the sea. The also offer career expeditions, to see what it’s like to be a pilot or veterinarian for example. Virtual journeys last about 20 minutes. Far less than an actual trip to Mars, or Borneo, and far more affordable.

Google Expeditions is a program that allows students to experience some wonderful journeys through virtual reality viewers. The journeys are appropriate for 3rd to 8th graders, and teachers can modify the notes and curriculum. Teacher’s kits which are included in the program allow the teacher to control and moderate from a tablet. Also included is some background, and key information for teachers to point out to students.

“The sounds are all authentic and the visuals are real. It’s as close to being there without actually leaving the school,” said Joanne Geremia-Baggio, principal at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Guelph. “There’s just no way we could actually take any of these trips.”

Google for Education helps school acquire tablets, laptops and other technology for the classroom and they assist teachers to link the technology with lessons and resources.

However, you don’t need a virtual reality headset or special program to explore destinations near you in virtual reality right through your web browser. Google Maps Street View brings exterior views of almost every location, and Google Street View | Trusted Business Photographers are adding interiors every day. Here’s an example of a 360 degree panoramic photosphere we recently did on the steps of the ND Capitol Building, or see inside.

 

After the Google Street View | Trusted Virtual Tour – Next Steps

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Great job! You’ve showcased the interior of your business using Google StreetView technology. You’re enjoying the benefits of a premium Search listing, and the “See Inside” feature has been enabled on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+! You’re one of 10,000 businesses adding Google Street View | Trusted tours monthly, and you’ve experienced first hand that people who visit your tour are twice as likely to visit your business.

What next?

  • Update your Google+ page. We’ve already helped optimize your page, now be sure to keep it up-to-date. Do you have seasonal business hours? Do you use a consistent phone number online? Have you added any locations?
  • Promote your products and services on Google Images, Pinterest, and other social media networks. Social media loves imagery. Your Google Street View | Trusted tour and still photos are perfect for sharing, and getting shared.
  • Add the virtual tour to your website. You can add multiple starting spots, or enhance with overlays to make the tour a useful tool for your website visitors. We can help deliver a unique experience.
  • Increase the number of positive reviews on Google+, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and UrbanSpoon. The easiest way is to simply ask your customers, in person, and on your website. We can also help with other ideas for increasing your reviews, and improving your online reputation.
  • Use YouTube as a powerful way to promote your business. Whether this a a professional 60-90 second business profile video, or smart phone video about you and your business. We can help create a YouTube video of your tour with professional voice over, or a business profile video.
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Robo call from Google?

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Google does not:

  • ​charge for inclusion in Google My Business or in Google Search.
  • offer to improve your search ranking or manage your business’s online profile.
  • ask you for your password or verification code. You should never provide sensitive information about your account (like your password and verification code) to a caller.

If you receive a robocall—a call placed with a recorded voice—for any of the above reasons, it is not from Google. The Federal Trade Commission has established a Robocalls resources website with additional information about robocalls and steps you can take if you receive one.

Unfortunately, not all phone calls from people claiming to be associated with Google are legitimate.

You may receive a phone call from Google to verify your business or confirm business details for Google Maps, or a call from a Google account manager whom you’ve spoken with before.

Google Rewards Mobile Friendly Websites

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Today, April 21st 2015 Google released big changes to its search algorithm by giving mobile-friendly websites an increased ranking. This isn’t breaking news as Google announced back in February that this change would be taking affect with more and more users going mobile it only makes sense to give the users a more user friendly mobile experience.

mobilegeddon

Bean's Coffee Bar - mini donuts

Client Focus: Beans Coffee Bar – Fargo

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Beans Coffee Bar in Fargo, ND has an interesting back story, and it’s a large part of the ambience. Heidi Holland’s father was a popular former NDSU football coach who nicknamed her “Beans”. I wonder if he ever guessed she’d later open a coffee shop with the same moniker?

This first location is in a bustling location on Veterans Boulevard and Amber Valley Parkway. An area exploding with new businesses. So what makes Beans stand out? It a beautiful, contemporary setting. It has thoughtful touches like numerous power outlets with A/C and USB connectors, even on the bar top. There’s also a kid friendly area with plenty to keep the little ones occupied while you enjoy a cup of brew. But mini donuts may be the star attraction. You get one free with a hot drink, or they can be ordered by the bag or bucket. Always made fresh to order. What goes better with coffee than a fresh donut?

Mini Donuts

Is your business looking to attract more customers? We would be happy to help showcase your ambience and invite customers to “See Inside” by creating a Google Maps Street View | Trusted 360 Virtual Tour for you! Instantly Double your visibility on Google.

Until then, we’ll see you at Beans Coffee Bar 5675 26th Ave S Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 540-9055

Google Street View Trusted

6 Tips for Mastering Google Maps

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David Pogue of Yahoo Tech (and formerly The New York Times), has 6 tips for mastering Google Maps. In case you didn’t know, Google Maps is the most used app on every smartphone platform. However, the new user interface can be confusing, especially to new users. There’s also a very nice plug for Google Local 360, although not mentioned by name. He says, “Come on, this is amazing! How are we not suing Google for witchcraft!”

Read full story here

#OnTheMap – Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map with Google – We’re an Official Partner

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Local 360 is happy to announce that we’ve been welcomed as an official partner of Google’s Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map #OnTheMap.

We’re here to help get small businesses online, and manage their information so more customers can find them. When we put small businesses on the map, we help people find, share, and connect with the people and places they love, strengthening our community.

Our services offered through this program are free, and we welcome your community to take advantage of them. If you have a local organization like a chamber of commerce, municipality, neighborhood association, downtown association, etc, we’d be glad to meet with you and share our specialized service and expertise.

Let’s put our cities on the map!

Read more on Google’s Official Blog

Client Focus: Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home

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Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, ND is located near scenic Island Park. It’s a serene and quiet location. That feeling extends into their building, whether on the main floor in one of their chapels, or the lower level fellowship room. Their Google Local 360 tour allows you to explore both levels with an elevator widget in the upper left corner that works similar to an elevator. Click the floor number to be transported to that floor. Try it above by clicking on the 1 or B.

Unless you’ve considered funeral preplanning, a funeral home is probably something you haven’t given much thought until you need one. A Google Local 360 tour is a great way to view the facilities, share with loved ones, and ultimately decide where to invite friends and family. It even allows out-of-town family members to have a voice in the decision, or perhaps visualize where they’ll be giving a eulogy. Providing comfort and inspiration.

Is your business looking to attract more clients? We would be happy to help showcase you to invite customers to “See Inside” by creating a Google Maps Street View | Trusted 360 Virtual Tour for you! Instantly Double your visibility on Google.

Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home 215 7th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 232-3222

Client Focus: Strive Chiropractic

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Strive Chiropractic in Fargo, ND has a modern, almost coffee shop type atmosphere. It’s very warm and welcoming, and so is the staff. They’ve also paid special attention to make children feel welcome. Their Google Local 360 virtual tour does a good job of conveying those feelings, before you even set foot in the door. When choosing a chiropractor the skill of the doctors is paramount, but lets face it, the atmosphere is important too. While you’re not likely to visit every doctor before choosing one, it’s great when you can see inside from the comfort of your own computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Dr. Jake recommends you Just Get Checked. Whether you have chronic pain, or a nagging issue getting checked is the first step to getting better. That’s good advice for leading a healthier, fuller life. It’s also good advice for your Google Business profile, and website. We’ll verify your Business Profile for free, and ensure it meets Google’s guidelines. We can also give your website a local search engine optimization check up for a small charge.

Is your business looking to attract more patients? We would be happy to help showcase your professional office and invite customers to “See Inside” by creating a Google Maps Street View | Trusted 360 Virtual Tour for you! Instantly Double your visibility on Google.

Until then, we’ll see you at Strive Chiropractic 3120 25th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 893-4200

Strive Chiropractic

Fargo, ND Auto Shop

Client Focus: Mike’s Southside Auto Service

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Mike’s Southside in South Fargo, ND is a neighborhood service station that isn’t afraid to tackle the big projects. Tires, brakes, or an engine overhaul they do it all.

If you read Mike’s Google reviews you’ll notice the word honest appears often. When we first approached Mike we had a taste of that honesty. While explaining Google Street View | Trusted he immediately rejected it because it was on the computer, and he must have been having a bad day with his computer. However, on a return visit he was savvy enough to know his customers love their computers, and their smart phones, and are looking for businesses like his every day.

It used to be if you were looking for a mechanic, plumber, electrician or other service worker you’d consult a friend or family member. More often, people are instead turning to the internet. A verified Google Business profile and Google Street View | Trusted 360 tour instantly doubles your visibility on Google, and immediately invites users inside. When you view Mike’s virtual tour, you see his shop is a buzz with activity. A clean comfortable waiting area, and some of the specialized equipment they use to perform their work. Including an alignment rack not offered by most smaller shops.

 

Not tech savvy? Not sure if a Google Street View | Trusted 360 can benefit your business? Give us a call, and you could get a FREE Google T-Shirt. It’s Simple, Fast and Affordable and it Doubles your visibility on Google…WOW!

In the meantime, we’ll see you at Mike’s Southside Service, 1617 32nd Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 ph. (701) 282-5305