If you have ever been in a large department store, or have done any warehouse shopping, you know how frustrating it can be to find the items that you want. Google has released a new feature for Google Maps Street View that shows the inside of participating local businesses. If the right businesses cooperate, this new feature has the potential to affect and improve the way we shop and play forever.
Who Should Participate
Large Department Stores and Warehouses – If stores like Home Depot and Target allow Google Maps into their stores, it could change the entire shopping experience. Using Google’s walking directions, users could see every isle of the store on their mobile devices and navigate their own way through the isles. Retailers could take advantage of this by using notifications to show a list of sale items in that particular section of the store. Shoppers could navigate their way around these mega stores effortlessly, improving the customer experience.
Independent Restaurants – People want to try new restaurants, but often choose chain restaurants because they are familiar. If more local independent restaurants use the new Google Maps feature, they can let potential diners see the inside of their restaurants. Guests would be able to critique the decor and atmosphere to make sure a particular restaurant is appropriate for their family dinner. If the restaurant owners are really brave, they could post pictures of their kitchen and restrooms, giving customers piece of mind when choosing where to eat. Google could even give the restaurants an option of posting current specials at the bottom of the images.
Malls – Some malls, like the King of Prussia Mall in PA, have their own mobile apps. The problem is that many lack GPS based directions; Google Maps could solve this. Mall visitors would be able to see the inside of the mall they are in, get walking directions to their favorite stores, restaurants, or even find the restrooms without frustration.
Google Maps Street View has the potential to be game changing for the customer shopping experience. It could offer new ways for businesses to reach customers that would have shied away due to unfamiliarity. The opportunity is here, but there is no telling how many businesses will open up their doors and let Google in.