Questions

1. Do I need to be tech-savvy to create a tour?
2. How long does it take to create a tour?
3. So TourSphere creates web apps. But what exactly is a web app?
4. Isn't a web app less professional?
5. We have an iPhone app already. Why do we need TourSphere?
6. I already have a podcast tour or downloadable audio tour. Why use TourSphere?
7. I already have a cell phone tour. Why would I use TourSphere?
8. But not all visitors have smartphones. How can we reach non-smartphone visitors?
9. How do visitors find out about the tour when they come to the museum?
10. Is TourSphere for on-site visitors or virtual visitors to my museum?
11. Can TourSphere only be used for tours - or for other purposes, too?
12. What exactly is the “Kiosk App” that TourSphere offers?
13. I don't have content but like the TourSphere concept. Can you help produce content?
14. I/we have no artistic skills. Can you draw me/us a map?
15. Can I test out TourSphere for free?
16. What if I sign up for a TourSphere subscription but decide to cancel it?
17. Can I change my plan if I want? Can I downgrade from a native app or upgrade to a native app?
18. What is included in a TourSphere subscription?
19. What is included in the "Native App Packages"?
20. We're only open during the summer, do we still have to pay during the off-season?
21. How long does a TourSphere subscription last?
22. How can I change my subscription (e.g. to add a native package)?
23. Can I pay in a lump sum instead of a monthly subscription?

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Answers

1. Do I need to be tech-savvy to create a tour?

   No. Anyone can use TourSphere. In fact, it’s the first tour app platform built specifically for non-technical users. Anyone can create, update, and manage their tour, from curators to interns.

2. How long does it take to create a tour?

   That’s up to you. If you have everything ready to go (photos, text, and any audio, video, or maps you wish to use) you could launch your tour in an afternoon. It’s probably better to take your time, though. You can take as long as you like. You can even test it out on your own mobile device. We want your tour to be perfect.

3. So TourSphere creates web apps. But what exactly is a web app?

   Web app looks and feels like an iPhone or Android app - but instead of living natively on the phone, a web app is hosted on the Internet. This means that any kind of smartphone can access the app through their Internet browser. While pop culture and the media extol the virtues (and sexiness) of iPhone apps, there are many advantages to having a web app. Click here to read more.

4. Isn't a web app less professional?

   Not at all. There are a handful of functions that a web app cannot do that a native app can (such as use the accelerometer and gyroscope in your phone) but we feel that foregoing a few very specialized features in order to reach all smartphone users is a very smart thing to do.

5. We have an iPhone app already. Why do we need TourSphere?

   Here’s one good reason: you’ll increase your audience by 500%. Why? Even though iPhones apps are cool, iPhones make up only 17% of the total smartphone market. With TourSphere, you can have an awesome web app that works on all smartphones. We think going from 17% to 100% accessibility is nice. There are lots of other good reasons, such as unlimited updates to your app, no approvals needed from the app store, excellent user tracking and analytics, multi-language support, and many others. Click here to read more.

6. I already have a podcast tour or downloadable audio tour. Why use TourSphere?

   Podcast tours and downloadable audio tours require people to download the tour before they come to the museum. Unfortunately, most people don’t plan ahead. TourSphere lets you take your current podcast or audio tour and easily convert it into a smartphone app. Visitors can access the tour from their own phone, as they’re standing in your museum. No planning necessary. Think of it as on-location, on-demand content for your visitors.

7. I already have a cell phone tour. Why would I use TourSphere?

   Cell phone tours are nice but pretty limited. They are audio-only (and the audio is in mono, not stereo), one-way passive experiences. For about the same price as a cell phone tour, you can have a multimedia smartphone application. It’s a highly interactive, audio and visual immersion with maps, surveys, multi-language support, and tons of other features. In addition, unlike many cell phone tours, TourSphere lets you pay one price no matter how many people use your app. If cell phone tours are like a black and white photograph, a TourSphere app is like a full-color cinematic experience.

8. But not all visitors have smartphones. How can we reach non-smartphone visitors?

   You’re right. But the explosive growth of smartphones is stunning. By 2013, many analysts predict that smartphones will outnumber desktop computers. And that the majority of Internet use will be from phones, not desktop computers. Nonetheless, not everybody owns a smartphone. If you want to make your app accessible to every visitor, we offer a unique solution: the TourSphere iPod Checkout System. You create a native application and we set you up with a complete system of pre-programmed iPods (optimized for visitor use), and a multi-iPod charging and storage dock. It’s a perfect visitor solution that allows you to make your tour available to absolutely everyone. Remember the old-fashioned audio wands that people used to use for audio tours? Think of this as the evolution, the next step in museum tour technology. Click here to read more.

9. How do visitors find out about the tour when they come to the museum?

   We recommend featuring the tour prominently on your website so visitors learn about it before they arrive. We also strongly suggest that you feature the app in prominent signage in the lobby or admissions desk. We even provide a list of design templates that you can use for this very purpose.

10. Is TourSphere for on-site visitors or virtual visitors to my museum?

    Both. Ideally, you want visitors coming through your museum doors. But TourSphere lets you become a “museum without walls,” allowing you to provide a virtual museum experience to a global audience. This way you raise awareness about your museum with people who could never physically visit it. There’s no limit to the number of visitors you can reach.

11. Can TourSphere only be used for tours - or for other purposes, too?

    We built TourSphere primarily with guided tours in mind, but it’s flexible enough to be used for lots of other purposes. Feel free to try using TourSphere for any other kind of mobile application you can think of. You don’t have to pay anything until you’re sure you want to publish it. Go crazy.

12. What exactly is the “Kiosk App” that TourSphere offers?

    Our “kiosk app builder” came directly from our own experience. You know when you visit a historic home or mansion? They have each room filled with antique furniture and paintings, but there isn’t much to tell you about the different artifacts. Maybe just a placard with some text on it. This is the traditional historic home experience. But what if you could easily create a touchscreen app that allowed you to mount an iPad in the room, with a high-resolution image of the room itself... and visitors could touch each artifact on the iPad screen to access information about it: text, more photos, audio and video. This puts the visitor in control and transforms the one-way, passive experience into something new and exciting... and highly interactive. TourSphere lets you create your own touchscreen kiosk apps that redefine the traditional visitor experience.

13. I don't have content but like the TourSphere concept. Can you help produce content?

    Our partner company, Audissey Media, is an award-winning production company that specializes in educational content. Audissey offers scriptwriting, voiceover services, recording, editing, soundtrack composition, sound design, video editing and pos-production. In short, Audissey is a full-service mobile media production company. Click here to read more.

14. I/we have no artistic skills. Can you draw me/us a map?

    We have a unique service where we can: a) create a completely custom map for you; or b) give you a Photoshop template that allows you to create your own map in just a few minutes.

15. Can I test out TourSphere for free?

    Yes. You can create an account and start designing your tour for free. Even better, you can do real-world testing of your app on a limited number of smartphones to ensure it looks and functions exactly as you wish. You don’t pay a dime until you’re ready to go public with your app.

16. What if I sign up for a TourSphere subscription but decide to cancel it?

    Then we stop charging you. No questions asked.

17. Can I change my plan if I want? Can I downgrade from a native app or upgrade to a native app?

    Absolutely. We don’t want to lock you into any plan or contracts. So you have total freedom to change your plan at any time.

18. What is included in a TourSphere subscription?

    You get a highly dynamic, super-interactive web app. It works on any Internet-enabled smartphone no matter the operating system (Apple, Android, Blackberry, etc.). You get 24/7 access to the TourSphere content management system, which give you complete control of your app. You get unlimited updates, multi-language support, mapping functions, robust analytics, and lots more.

19. What is included in the "Native App Packages"?

    In addition to getting everything described in TourShpere subscription above, you also get a native smartphone app in the platform of your choice (e.g. an iPhone app). We handle the complete app store submission process, all app compliance testing, and app store communication. We optimize your app’s design and layout for your target platform, plus we handle all monthly payouts from the app store (if you want to charge for your app). Plus you get up to 10 updates per year included.

20. We're only open during the summer, do we still have to pay during the off-season?

    No! Think of TourSphere like a utility: you can stop or start your app at any time. If you’re a seasonal museum or destination, this means you can turn your app “off” when the season ends. You pay nothing, not even a holding fee, while your app is “off”. TheTourSphere platform saves your tour even while you’re closed for the season. When you’re ready, just log back into your account and turn you tour back on.

21. How long does a TourSphere subscription last?

    TourSphere is completely flexible, so you can keep your app subscription for as long as you like. Or you can cancel it anytime.

22. How can I change my subscription (e.g. to add a native package)?

    Just log into your account. Enter the Subscription Manager. Follow the steps to make whatever changes you need to your subscription.

23. Can I pay in a lump sum instead of a monthly subscription?

    Building a really good app is expensive. So we offer apps at a monthly fee, to bring the price down and make great apps affordable for everyone (not just the big guys). Still, we understand that sometimes a museum would rather pay a one-time fee instead of a smaller monthly fee (especially if you’re funding your app with a grant). So we indeed offer the choice to pay a one-time fee. To calculate your price, just take the monthly fee and multiply it by the number of months you want to pay for. Contact us if you have any questions.