The AVS Journal
Matterport or Zillow Tour: Questions to Ask Before Choosing
Choose between Matterport and Zillow tour services by comparing the actual AVS deliverables, intended viewing destinations and ongoing arrangements. Avoid deciding solely from a platform label or assuming that every feature promoted by either platform is included in the booking.
Start with the marketing use
Explain whether the tour is primarily for a listing destination, an independent property page or direct sharing with remote viewers. Ask how each option fits that use in the current workflow. The best choice depends on the experience you need and where buyers will encounter it, not simply which product name sounds more advanced.
Compare scope and associated outputs
Provide size, levels and separate spaces, then confirm what can be included. Ask about any floor-plan outputs, sharing options and review process relevant to the project. Keep included deliverables distinct from optional extras. A side-by-side quote is useful only when the property scope and requested outputs are comparable.
Ask about availability and management
Confirm hosting terms, who manages the tour and how later corrections or extensions are handled. Those arrangements may matter as much as the initial presentation. Avoid assuming that a link remains live indefinitely or that a tour can be transferred to another account without checking the specific service agreement.
Example: choose around a longer marketing period
An illustrative property expected to need an extended presentation should compare the initial service and the cost and process of continued availability. Another listing may prioritize a particular sharing workflow. These are practical reasons to choose, without making a blanket claim that one platform is best for every home.
Compare the actual offers
- Name the main viewing destinations.
- Match property scope and included outputs.
- Confirm review, hosting and support arrangements.
- Ask about any requirement that is essential to the marketing plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does one platform always produce better marketing results?
No universal outcome can be promised. Presentation quality, property preparation, distribution and the listing itself all affect how useful the tour is.
Can AVS recommend an option for my listing?
Provide the property details and intended use, then ask for a comparison of the current services. A recommendation is more useful when tied to specific requirements.
Platform reference: Matterport’s real estate tour overview.
