When looking for a venue for your upcoming date night, or perhaps a dealership where you might buy your next car, Google Street View now offers the capability for Web viewers to peek inside businesses virtually.

Google-certified photographers have been visiting Western New York businesses throughout the fall, snapping images of the businesses’ exteriors and collecting panoramic views of their interiors, too.

Approximately 70 area businesses have been added to the Google Street View Indoors project, said Jim Hilker, one of the certified Google photographers who coordinates the statewide initiative. He said there are four other Google-certified photographers located throughout the state who travel to participating businesses.

“Of all the cities we’ve visited, Buffalo has shown the best response,” Hilker said, adding that the residents and business owners are forward-thinking in terms of technology and and open-minded to different marketing strategies.

“It’s important that people understand geolocation,” Hilker said. “If someone is visiting the area, they are using their smartphones to determine where to eat or stay. [With Street View Indoors,] they’ll see right inside.”

Tyrel Reynolds, new owner of Mazurek’s Bakery in the Old First Ward, decided to give the project a chance, and he’s been pleased with his bakery’s increased visibility in Google search results. Mazurek’s is also part of our Shop Buffalo Holiday Gift Guide, which utilizes Google Maps open-source technology.

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Like Mazurek’s, West Herr Automotive Group signed on for the program. As The Buffalo News reported in October, the auto group included five area dealerships in the Google program. To see inside West Herr’s Getzville dealership, click here.

Hilker was not at liberty to discuss pricing for inclusion in the Google Street View Indoors program, but he said that the cost is a reasonable one. There’s also an introductory fee available through Jan. 1. At the start of the new year, prices will go up minimally. Any businesses interested in getting involved should request information through the program’s website.