TOP 7 MUST-HAVE TIPS for Virtual Tours of Art Galleries in 2025

With the global virtual tour market estimated to grow from $1.22 billion in 2023 to $15.92 billion by 2034, offering virtual tours of art galleries and historic sites is no longer just a novelty - it's a business opportunity with exponential potential. This article explores the top tips and strategies for entrepreneurs looking to succeed in this booming sector. In 2025, it’s all about leveraging technology, understanding user demand, and creating unique cultural experiences.

Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or someone exploring creative industries, a virtual tour business can be easy to launch, home-based, and highly profitable with the right approach.

Why Virtual Tours Matter in 2025

Expanded Access: Virtual tours "democratize" access to art, allowing global audiences to enjoy cultural landmarks without traveling.
Rising Popularity: More than 5 million virtual tours are visited daily worldwide, with younger audiences (18 to 34) being 130% more likely to book after experiencing a virtual preview.
Boosted Visibility: Business listings with virtual tours receive 12% more engagement, and websites featuring tours see engagement increase by 5-10 times.

Furthermore, the pandemic accelerated the demand for these experiences, a trend that is only expected to grow with the adoption of immersive technologies like AR and VR.

7 Must-Have Tips to Start a Virtual Art Gallery or Historic Site Business

Here’s a step-by-step guide for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Identify the Right Problem to Solve

Start by considering the key barriers preventing people from visiting art galleries or historic sites in person - distance, cost, time, or limited physical access. Your virtual tour should address these challenges by providing immersive and meaningful cultural experiences.

2. Define Your Target Audience

Understand who you’re catering to:

Millennials and Gen Z: Attracted to interactive, tech-forward formats like VR.
Educators: Interested in virtual tours for affordable and accessible school programs.
Disabled or elderly individuals: Appreciate experiences that remove physical barriers.

3. Choose the Right Technology

Invest in user-friendly and engaging software to create your virtual tours. Tools like Matterport and advanced AR/VR applications can help you:**

Map spaces in 3D for immersion.
Use AI-powered interactive guides for navigation and storytelling.
Implement voice-activated commands for accessibility.

4. Build a Business Model

Think about long-term profitability. Revenue streams for virtual tour businesses include:

Subscription fees for educational institutions.
One-time purchase tickets for premium tours or events.
Corporate sponsorships for gallery partnerships.
Virtual reality add-ons for an enhanced experience.

5. Create a Simple MVP

Your minimum viable product (MVP) doesn’t need to be fancy. Start small with one or two gallery tours using 360-degree cameras, high-quality images, and detailed artist or historical descriptions.

6. Pay Attention to Marketing Early

Launching your business is one thing, but marketing it is the real challenge. Use tools like the AI SEO Blog to create high-ranking content that drives traffic to your website. Marketing strategies can include:

Social media engagement with teasers or VR snippets.
Email marketing campaigns.
Collaborating with influencers in the art or travel sectors.

Additionally, submitting your business to directories using the F/MS Marketing Directories can help increase your visibility and build backlinks for SEO.

7. Secure Your First Customers

Use pilot programs offered at reduced costs to attract your first clients. You can also partner with local galleries or schools for discounted or free trials to spread the word.

Most Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Virtual Tour Business

Overcomplicating the Design: Start with what is manageable and scalable. Focus on content quality rather than excessive features.
Ignoring Analytics: Regularly analyze user engagement to improve your offerings.
Underestimating Marketing Needs: Failing to invest in tools like the F/MS Marketing Services for backlinks and search optimization can leave your business invisible online.
Neglecting Accessibility: Ensure your tours are user-friendly and compliant with basic accessibility standards.

Practical Examples of Virtual Tour Success

Virtual tours have made a significant impact globally:

COVID-19 Adaptation: Museums like The Louvre and The British Museum reported online event participation increasing from a few dozen in-person visitors to thousands during the pandemic.
Regional Growth in Asia-Pacific: Led by China, Japan, and South Korea, this segment is anticipated to grow well past its current 4.9% market share, thanks to urbanization and smart tech adoption.

Leveraging the F/MS AI Article Writer

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by marketing or content creation, the F/MS AI Article Writer can help. This tool generates high-quality, SEO-optimized content for Google, Bing, and AI platforms like ChatGPT. Use it to create engaging blog posts, marketing copy, and LinkedIn articles to position yourself as an expert in your niche.

Closing Thoughts

The future of art and cultural tourism lies in the digital space. By following these seven tips, leveraging tools like F/MS Marketing Services, and avoiding common mistakes, you can set yourself up for success in this space. With the global acceptance of virtual experiences, 2025 is the perfect time to start a virtual tour business.

Whether you’re showcasing the artwork of Renaissance masters or the architecture of ancient ruins, the key is to make these cultural experiences accessible to all. Agile planning, impactful storytelling, and smart marketing will ensure your business stands out in this ever-growing market.

Ready? Your virtual tour empire awaits. Start today!

FAQ on Virtual Tours of Art Galleries and Historic Sites

1. Why are virtual tours important in 2025?

Virtual tours democratize access to cultural experiences, allowing global audiences to enjoy galleries and historic sites without traveling. They also boost business visibility, with websites featuring virtual tours seeing 5-10 times higher user engagement. Learn more about virtual tour benefits

2. What technologies are key for creating immersive virtual tours?

Technologies like Matterport’s 3D mapping, AR/VR platforms, and AI-powered guides enhance virtual tours by making them interactive and engaging. Features such as voice commands improve accessibility and user convenience. Explore Matterport technology

3. How did virtual tours grow during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the pandemic, museums like The Louvre transitioned to online events, experiencing dramatic increases in participation. For instance, events with 30-40 in-person attendees saw online attendance jump to 800. Read more about virtual tours during COVID

4. What is the target audience for virtual tours?

Virtual tours appeal to various groups, including tech-savvy Millennials and Gen Z, educators seeking affordable school programs, and individuals with physical limitations. These groups find immense value in accessible, tech-forward experiences.

5. Which regions offer major growth opportunities for virtual tours?

The Asia-Pacific region, led by countries like China and South Korea, has seen rapid growth in virtual tours due to urbanization and tech adoption. Other growing markets include the Middle East and Africa, driven by smart city initiatives.

6. What are common revenue streams for virtual tour businesses?

Virtual tour businesses generate income through subscription fees for schools, single-ticket sales for premium content, corporate sponsorships for gallery collaborations, and VR add-ons for enhanced user experiences.

7. Can I use AI to write SEO-optimized articles that help my brand grow?

Most business owners don't understand how SEO works, let alone how to use AI for writing blog articles. That's why for busy business owners there's a great free tool that doesn't require much knowledge. Write articles for free

8. What are some marketing strategies for launching a virtual tour business?

Successful strategies include using platforms like the AI SEO Blog to create high-ranking content, engaging audiences on social media with VR teasers, and collaborating with influencers in the art or travel sectors. Explore AI SEO Blog

9. What are the most common mistakes in the virtual tour business?

Typical mistakes include overcomplicating the design, failing to prioritize accessibility, neglecting data analytics, and underestimating the importance of marketing. Learn more about marketing tools

10. How does user engagement change with virtual tours?

Websites featuring virtual tours see a 5 to 10 times increase in user engagement, and businesses with virtual tours on Google listings experience 12% more clicks. These insights highlight the strong appeal of visual and interactive content.

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.