Virtual Tour Setup in AppFolio: A Complete Tutorial

Cloudpano
July 18, 2025
5 min read
Share this post

🛠️ Virtual Tour Setup in AppFolio: A Complete Tutorial

If you're managing property listings with AppFolio and not yet using virtual tours, you're missing out on one of the most powerful upgrades in real estate marketing. 🏡 This complete tutorial walks you through the exact steps to set up virtual tours in AppFolio, enhance your listings, and boost your lead conversions. 🔥

Whether you're using CloudPano, Matterport, or another 3D solution, we’ll make the setup process painless—even if you have zero coding experience. 🙌

💡 Why Add Virtual Tours to AppFolio?

Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s answer the obvious question:

Why bother adding a virtual tour?
📈 Because listings with 3D tours get more engagement, fewer showings, and rent/sell faster.

🏆 Need proof? Check out:
👉 Why 3D Tours in AppFolio Are a Game-Changer for Property Managers
👉 The Benefits of Embedding 3D Tours in Your AppFolio Listings

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a Virtual Tour in AppFolio

Step 1: 🎥 Capture or Create Your 3D Tour

Use tools like:

  • CloudPano
  • Matterport
  • Zillow 3D Home
  • PhotoAIVideo.com (for AI-generated walkthroughs)

Once your tour is ready, grab the public URL or iframe from your virtual tour provider.

👉 Pro tip: Learn more about your options in Best Virtual Tour Tools for AppFolio Property Managers

Step 2: 🔗 Get Your Virtual Tour Link

Ensure the link is publicly accessible and not behind a login wall. Test it in a new browser tab to confirm.

If you're using CloudPano, the URL should look something like this:
https://www.cloudpano.com/tours/yourtourID

📌 Need a full walkthrough? Read:
👉 Want to Embed 3D Tours in AppFolio? Here’s a Quick Guide

Step 3: 💼 Log Into AppFolio

Log in to your AppFolio Property Manager dashboard.

Navigate to the Marketing section of the property you want to edit.

Step 4: 🖊️ Edit the Listing and Add the Tour

In the property marketing section:

  • Click Edit Marketing Content
  • Find the field labeled Virtual Tour URL
  • Paste your tour link in the field

AppFolio may display this as a clickable link or a "View Virtual Tour" button on the listing. ✅

🔍 Want a visual walkthrough? Go to:
👉 AppFolio Virtual Tour Tutorial: How to Add Interactive Tours to Listings

Step 5: 📲 Save and Test

Once the URL is added, click save.

Preview your listing to make sure the tour loads properly across desktop and mobile browsers. Mobile optimization is key! 📱

Check out:
👉 How to Improve Your AppFolio Listings with 3D Virtual Tours

🚨 What If AppFolio Doesn’t Display the Tour?

Here’s what to check:

  • ✅ Is the link public?
  • 🧱 Does your tour provider support direct URLs (not just iframe embeds)?
  • ❌ Is the tour link broken or password-protected?

Still having issues? Get help in:
👉 Can You Embed a 3D Tour in AppFolio? Here's What You Need to Know
👉 How to Embed 3D Tours in AppFolio and Boost Property Engagement

🎨 Bonus Tip: Enhance with Captions, Voiceovers, and Video

Want to go next level? Combine your 3D tour with an AI-powered walkthrough video, complete with voiceovers and captions. This gives your listing extra personality.

🎬 Get started with:
👉 Create Stunning AppFolio Listings with Embedded 3D Virtual Tours
👉 The Ultimate Hack for Adding Stunning Virtual Tours to AppFolio

🔄 Keep Your Virtual Tours Fresh

Outdated visuals can hurt trust. If you’ve made updates to the unit or staging, replace your virtual tour with a fresh version.

👉 Read: Adding Virtual Tours to AppFolio: What Works Best in 2025

💼 Real-Life Use Cases for Property Managers

  • 📦 Out-of-town renters: Reduce no-shows and wasted time
  • 🏢 Multifamily operators: Pre-lease units before construction is complete
  • 🏘️ Single-family managers: Win more owners by showcasing premium listings

👉 Deep dive: How to Showcase Properties with 3D Tours in AppFolio

📊 Track the Impact

Use AppFolio's built-in analytics or external tools like Google Analytics to:

  • Measure engagement time
  • Monitor tour click-through rates
  • Track leasing performance across tour-enabled listings

Want help setting up performance metrics? Start here:
👉 How 3D Virtual Tours Can Make Your AppFolio Listings Stand Out

🧠 Final Thoughts: 3D Tours Are No Longer Optional

Virtual tours are quickly becoming the standard for premium property marketing—not just a “nice to have.”

If you’re looking to win more listings, rent faster, and create better experiences for renters and buyers alike… 🎯 this is your next move.

💬 Have questions? Dive deeper with:
👉 Step-by-Step Guide to Embedding 3D Tours in AppFolio Property Listings
👉 How to Add a 3D Virtual Tour to AppFolio Listings [Complete Tutorial]

📚 More Resources for Property Managers Using AppFolio:

Share this post
Cloudpano

Choose The Right 360° Camera

Insta360 ONE RS 1-Inch 360 Edition

  • Compact, ready to go anywhere

  • Interchangeable lens that’s upgradeable

  • Dual 1-inch sensors for improved clarity and low light performance

  • Dynamic range and 6K 360° capture

  • 360° photo resolution at 21MP

Learn More

Insta360 X4

  • 8K 360° video recording for ultra-detailed visuals.

  • 4K single-lens mode for traditional wide-angle shots.

  • Invisible selfie stick effect for drone-like perspectives.

  • 2.5-inch touchscreen with Gorilla Glass protection.

  • Waterproof up to 33ft for underwater shooting.

Learn More

Ricoh Theta Z1

  • 360° photo resolution in 23MP

  • Slim design at 24 mm thick

  • Built-in image stabilization for smooth video capture.

  • Internal 19GB storage for photo and video storage.

  • Wireless connectivity for remote control and sharing.

Learn More

Ricoh Theta X

  • 60MP 360° still images for high-resolution photography.

  • 5.7K 360° video recording at 30fps.

  • 2.25-inch touchscreen for intuitive control.

  • USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer.

  • MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.

Learn More
Property Marketing
Allows potential buyers to explore properties in detail from anywhere, enhancing the real estate marketing process.
Automotive Spins
Create an interactive virtual showroom and engage affluent digital buyers with live 360º video calls, all through the CloudPano mobile app for a complete automotive sales solution.
Interactive Floor Plans
Create 2D and 3D floor plans with measurements in 4 minutes or less, all from your phone. Download the Floor Plan Scanner app and get your first scan free.

360 Virtual Tours With CloudPano.com. Get Started Today.

Try it free. No credit card required. Instant set-up.

Try it free
Latest posts

See our other posts

Interviews, tips, guides, industry best practices, and news.

Step-by-Step: How to Add Floor Plans to MLS Listings for Better Visibility

This step-by-step guide shows real estate professionals how to add a floor plan to MLS listings to boost engagement, generate qualified buyer leads, and improve listing performance across Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and IDX websites. Learn why floor plans matter, how to create and format them for MLS compliance, and how to ensure syndication platforms display them correctly. Includes pro tips for agents, photographers, and brokers looking to stand out in competitive markets.
Read post

How to Upload High-Resolution Photos to the MLS for Clearer Listings

This article explains how to upload high-resolution photos to Zillow and MLS listings for maximum visibility, clarity, and buyer engagement. It covers photo requirements, file sizes, aspect ratios, and step-by-step upload instructions for both Zillow Agent Hub and MLS syndication. Readers also learn pro tips for preparing media, avoiding compression issues, and enhancing listings with drone photos, floor plans, and virtual tours. The guide positions CloudPano as the perfect partner for creating MLS-compliant, eye-catching real estate visuals that convert.
Read post

MLS Virtual Tours: Adding 3D Home Tours to Real Estate Listings

In today’s real estate market, static photos aren’t enough—buyers expect interactive, MLS-ready 3D tours. This guide shows real estate agents how to add a Zillow 3D Home Tour step by step, why 3D tours dramatically increase listing views, and how CloudPano helps create professional, MLS-compliant virtual tours in minutes. You’ll also get pro tips for making your Zillow 3D Home Tour stand out and learn how to share tours across all major platforms for maximum exposure.
Read post