{"id":6323,"date":"2026-07-14T08:55:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T15:55:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.tlsrv.net\/?p=6323"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:08:26","slug":"how-to-create-a-virtual-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-virtual-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a Virtual Tour: The Definitive Guide (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Your visitors should never be limited by geography, mobility, or opening hours. Whether you run a heritage site, a contemporary art gallery, or a natural history museum, a virtual tour lets you bring your spaces and collections to anyone, anywhere, at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide walks you through every stage of creating a virtual tour in 2026, from choosing your format to publishing and promoting your finished experience. It is written specifically for museum educators, exhibition curators, and visitor marketing teams who want practical steps, not just theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Virtual Tour (and Why Does It Matter for Museums)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A virtual tour is a digital recreation of a physical space that lets users explore it at their own pace. For museums and cultural organisations, the value goes far beyond convenience. Virtual tours extend your reach to international audiences, support visitors with accessibility needs, offer pre-visit orientation, and create rich content for marketing campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leading institutions around the world are already using ThingLink to power their virtual tours and online exhibitions. If you want to see what is possible, explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/how-to-create-a-virtual-exhibition-the-online-tool-used-by-worlds-leading-museums\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">guide to creating a virtual exhibition used by the world&#8217;s leading museums<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Define Your Goals and Audience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In action! Explore this example from the Royal Ontario Museum below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/card\/1512516205448003587\" type=\"text\/html\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you pick up a camera or open any software, ask yourself two questions. Who is this tour for? And what do you want them to do or feel when they experience it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A tour designed to attract new visitors to a temporary exhibition has different priorities than one built to support school curriculum visits or to preserve a collection digitally. Your answers will shape every decision that follows, from content depth to the level of interactivity you include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Matching Format to Purpose<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Marketing and discovery:<\/strong> Prioritise visual impact, short text, and a clear call to action that drives ticket sales or physical visits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education and curriculum support:<\/strong> Include rich annotations, video explanations, and guided pathways through the content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accessibility and inclusion:<\/strong> Design for screen readers, provide text alternatives for audio, and consider offline access for visitors in areas with poor connectivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preservation and archiving:<\/strong> Prioritise high-resolution capture and detailed metadata in every tag.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Choose Your Content Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ThingLink supports several content types, and you can mix and match them within a single tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">360-Degree Photography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most common starting point. A 360-degree camera captures your gallery or exhibition space as an equirectangular image, and ThingLink turns it into an explorable, pannable scene. You can connect multiple rooms or spaces using transit tags, creating a seamless walk-through experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a practical overview of how 360 images and 3D scanning work together, read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/the-easy-way-to-create-virtual-tours-without-3d-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Easy Way to Create Virtual Tours Using 360 Images and 3D Scanning<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Standard Images and Floor Plans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You do not need a 360 camera to start. Annotated flat images, floor plans, and high-resolution artwork photographs all work brilliantly as the foundation of an interactive tour. This is an accessible entry point for smaller institutions or individual curators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3D Models<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For collections with three-dimensional objects, annotated 3D models add a layer of engagement that flat photography simply cannot match. ThingLink&#8217;s editor lets you add informational tags directly onto a 3D model so visitors can explore an artefact from every angle. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/guide-to-3d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">easy guide to annotating 3D models<\/a> for a practical walkthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your institution uses VR headsets such as Meta Quest or PICO, ThingLink XR even lets users pull 3D models apart to inspect individual components. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/support.thinglink.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/39759160174359-How-to-create-deconstructed-3D-models-for-ThingLink-XR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">creating deconstructed 3D models for ThingLink XR<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Capture Your Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For 360-degree tours, you can use a 360 camera. Consumer-grade models from brands like Ricoh, Insta360, and GoPro produce excellent results for most museum contexts. Shoot each room in consistent lighting, and capture multiple scenes so visitors have plenty to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also create 360 images without a 360 camera by using the brilliant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/pano-to-360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ThingLink Pano to 360<\/a> app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For flat images, use the highest resolution available. Good lighting and neutral backgrounds will make your artwork photography work harder when annotated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If physical access to your collection is limited, 3D scanning technology can reconstruct objects and spaces digitally. Some institutions have used this approach to preserve fragile or inaccessible heritage, making it available to global audiences for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"width: 100%; border-radius: 14px; overflow: hidden; background: linear-gradient(135deg,#FFB347 0%,#FF7B8B 35%,#CC80E0 65%,#5CE8D4 100%); padding: 40px 48px; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center; font-family: 'Inter',sans-serif;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 22px; font-weight: 600; color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 10px; line-height: 1.3; font-family: inherit;\">Book a free consultation<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 24px; max-width: 480px; display: inline-block; line-height: 1.6; font-family: inherit;\">Find out how ThingLink can transform learning in your organisation. Speak with a specialist today.<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #0a2540; color: #fff; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; padding: 12px 28px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-family: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/demo\">Book a free consultation \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Build Your Tour in ThingLink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With your images or models ready, you can start building inside ThingLink&#8217;s editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Upload your 360 image, flat image, or 3D model to your ThingLink workspace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add interactive tags to points of interest. Tags can contain text, images, video, audio, links, and even embedded third-party content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect scenes using transit tags to let visitors move between rooms or space<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preview your tour on desktop and mobile before publishing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For a full step-by-step walkthrough of the building process, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/how-to-make-an-interactive-virtual-tour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">How to Make an Interactive Virtual Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Add Depth with Immersive Learning Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A great virtual tour does more than show spaces. It tells stories and creates moments of discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider adding guided pathways that walk visitors through a narrative, audio commentary from curators or conservators, video interviews with artists, or contextual archive photographs embedded alongside contemporary images. For inspiration on how immersive techniques deepen engagement, read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/what-is-immersive-learning-a-guide-to-creating-amazing-immersive-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What Is Immersive Learning?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One strong example of storytelling through virtual tours comes from Mount Washington Observatory, which used ThingLink to expand access to a location that is physically challenging to reach. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/a-new-route-to-the-summit-how-mount-washington-observatory-expanded-access-with-a-thinglink-virtual-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how Mount Washington Observatory expanded access with a ThingLink virtual experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another compelling case comes from the University of Arizona, which used ThingLink to make ancient world collections accessible to students and researchers globally. Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/where-the-past-has-an-exciting-future-making-the-ancient-world-accessible-for-all-at-the-university-of-arizona\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how they made the ancient world accessible for all<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Publish, Share, and Promote<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ThingLink tours can be embedded directly on your website, shared via link, or published to social media. For marketing teams, the embed option is particularly valuable because visitors experience the tour without leaving your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For venues or events without reliable internet, ThingLink&#8217;s offline desktop application lets you download and present your tour locally, with no connection required. This is ideal for gallery openings, school visits, or presentations at conferences. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/support.thinglink.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360036616214-Offline-viewing-for-desktop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">offline viewing for desktop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For ideas on how cultural organisations have promoted their virtual content, see how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/vermont-art-online-bringing-culture-to-their-communities-in-the-face-of-covid19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vermont Art Online created a virtual tour connecting museums and galleries<\/a> to reach their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virtual Tour Ideas Specific to Museums and Galleries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure where to start creatively? Here are formats that work particularly well for cultural institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Permanent collection highlights:<\/strong> Guide visitors through your most significant works before they arrive in person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temporary exhibition previews:<\/strong> Build anticipation and drive ticket sales with a teaser tour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Behind-the-scenes access:<\/strong> Take visitors into conservation studios, storage areas, or archive rooms they would never normally see.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Educational pathways:<\/strong> Build curriculum-linked tours for school groups, with questions and activities embedded alongside the content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Augmented reality exhibits:<\/strong> Overlay digital information onto physical gallery spaces for visitors using mobile devices. Read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/the-easy-way-to-create-augmented-reality-exhibits-in-an-art-gallery-or-museum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">creating augmented reality exhibits in an art gallery or museum<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For a broader set of ideas, explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/virtual-exhibition-ideas-for-museums-and-cultural-heritage-sites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">virtual exhibition ideas for museums and cultural heritage sites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ready to Build Your Museum&#8217;s Virtual Tour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating a virtual tour no longer requires a specialist developer or a large budget. With ThingLink, your team can build, publish, and promote a professional interactive experience using content you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start exploring what ThingLink can do for your museum or gallery. Book a call with our team and take your first scene live today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"width: 100%; border-radius: 14px; overflow: hidden; background: linear-gradient(135deg,#FFB347 0%,#FF7B8B 35%,#CC80E0 65%,#5CE8D4 100%); padding: 40px 48px; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center; font-family: 'Inter',sans-serif;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 22px; font-weight: 600; color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 10px; line-height: 1.3; font-family: inherit;\">Book a free consultation<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 15px; color: #ffffff; margin: 0 0 24px; max-width: 480px; display: inline-block; line-height: 1.6; font-family: inherit;\">Find out how ThingLink can transform learning in your organisation. Speak with a specialist today.<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"display: inline-block; background: #0a2540; color: #fff; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; padding: 12px 28px; border-radius: 50px; text-decoration: none; font-family: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/demo\">Book a free consultation \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your visitors should never be limited by geography, mobility, or opening hours. Whether you run a heritage site, a contemporary art gallery, or a natural history&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[484,216],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6323"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6323"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13807,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6323\/revisions\/13807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thinglink.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}