Ever wondered how Google street maps operates?

Neil Jones "geeking out" with his conventional photography. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Online is the way of the future and young Whanganui business, Your Tour 360, is no exception.

Two years ago Neil Jones wanted to step back into photography but was searching for something more conventional.

Fascinated with Google street maps he began teaching himself the ins and outs of virtual tours.

With imported technology, hours spent discovering the right software and years of playing around or "geeking out" as he puts it, Mr Jones' business started to pick up.

Put simply, the techno whizz takes 24 high resolution images at different angles and stitches them together.

Mr Jones' said he has completed projects for the Sarjeant Art Gallery and home-learning centre PAUA.

"I've had a really great response from both and people are beginning to see the real benefits it can bring to their business."

He said, with the owners permission he can even put the imagery on Google maps so customers can see the inside of the store before visiting it themselves.

"I can do that because I'm Google certified which I don't like telling people because it sounds lame. They can also use the virtual tour imagery for their social media sites like Facebook which can be a real boost."

But Mr Jones' skill level doesn't stop at virtual tours.

"I am actually finding people are more interested in product imagery. For example I have done a lot of work with Footloose in Whanganui.

"Using Footloose's online site, customers can click on a shoe and view every angle of that shoe. I've even worked out how to put that imagery on Facebook which is ideal."

Again, photos are taken at every angle and then broken up into thousands of images and pinned together again through a specialist software. The amount of photographs needed depends on the detail of the image.

Unfortunately Mr Jones' said only a few of the retail shops in Whanganui seemed interested but most of his clients are from out of town.

"Some shops are starting to grab on to it which is great but it would be good to see more local interest."

As technology keeps advancing Mr Jones said he is always teaching himself new skills.

"You've got to be ahead of the game. I started at a good time because now everything needs to be accessible on a mobile phones otherwise there is no point.

"Two years ago I was working with desktops and laptops online so it's always changing but I think that's exciting."