Augmented reality (AR) is changing the way people shop online. By integrating digital elements into the real world, AR allows online shoppers to visualize products in new and engaging ways. AR is quickly becoming a must-have for most businesses out there.
In this article, we’ll explore five key Augmented Reality solutions for eCommerce and the proven benefits that can boost their sales.
1. Virtual Try-Ons
You must have interacted with Virtual try-ons in one way or another. Virtual try-on technology allows shoppers to see what items will look like on themselves before purchasing. AR solutions and the opportunity they pose are far too great to be missed for the brands.
Virtual clothing try-ons and reducing purchase risk
Customers can see digitally rendered clothing overlaid on their live camera feed. Popular apps like Wannaby let users try on full outfits from brands. It ensures that the customers are buying the product with complete confidence, reducing the rate of risks that often linger while making online purchases.
Virtual makeup and accessories increase engagement
Beauty brands like L’Oreal and Sephora have AR apps that let users test different makeup products and colors. The makeup effects are shown on the user’s face in real-time, and they can see what suits them best and make changes accordingly or even order a custom product. AR apps can also overlay images of accessories like jewelry, watches, glasses, and hats on users. It allows judging fit and style before buying. Nike uses this to display its shoes to its customers, and it has become popular with its customers.
How does it help?
It helps to engage the customers in the buying experience like never before; they are not only buying a product but being a part of the entire process themselves, establishing a close bond with the product and the brand.
2. 3D Product Visualization
Another way AR is enhancing eCommerce is through realistic 3D renderings of products. Customers and shoppers can now preview detailed 3D models from all angles rather than rely on 2D photos and make better judgments about their choices. 3D visualizations help improve sales by:
Showcasing product details and a new age of eCommerce experience
3D models allow zooming in on products to view fine details not visible in photos, like textures and materials. It gives shoppers a better sense of the product’s quality. Not only that, but it also turns buying into a completely new type of experience for the customers.
How does it help?
Interacting with detailed 3D models gives shoppers more confidence about a product’s look, feel, and fit than photos. It drives more sales. Popular examples of eCommerce sites using 3D AR include IKEA, Converse, and Amazon. They use visualization as a way to show the customers intricate details of their products from the comfort of their homes.
3. Virtual try-before-buy
In-context visualization takes product viewing even further by letting shoppers preview products in their actual environment. AR technology seamlessly integrates 3D product models into your physical space itself.
In-depth product understanding
Apps can overlay makeup and jewelry onto users’ selfies or live footage using face and body mapping. It allows previewing of products in real-world contexts.
Shopping is no more ‘Boring’
Not all the shopping experiences can be considered fun and exciting. If you are not a tech enthusiast or car lover, all the technical details are enough to bore most people to sleep. Some car manufacturers and technical distributors have AR apps that overlay holograms of vehicles wherever users want. It gives a sense of scale and fit to the customers about the product before buying it.
How does it help?
AR apps like IKEA Place and Amazon AR View allow customers to visualize furniture, appliances, and decor items by placing them as 3D models in their homes. Shoppers can test sizing, arrangement options, and stylistic match. Being able to virtually stage products helps customers purchase items that properly fit and complement their spaces, resulting in fewer returns.
4. Interactive Content
AR also opens up new possibilities for eCommerce businesses to deliver unique interactive content that educates and engages shoppers. Many brands already implement them through interesting means like:
AR product manuals and deeper product engagement
Rather than traditional static instructions, AR allows product manuals with animated 3D visuals layered over products in the real world. You can follow step-by-step assembly or usage guidance in an immersive way. Interactive AR experiences are proven to keep audiences engaged for longer versus traditional static content.
AR tours and product demos
Brands can create self-guided interactive AR tours centered around products or stores. Customers can explore at their own pace with embedded hotspots that trigger demos, videos, and other 3D content. These demos enable the buyers to understand their purchase in a much deeper way.
AR-enabled packaging
Scanning packages via AR apps can unlock digital content and animations on product packaging. This content can be tailored to different stages, like pre-purchase and post-purchase.
How does it help?
Brands can monetize interactive AR experiences through paid add-ons or as standalone apps. Many different brands have started to use AR-based campaigns as a separate way to earn revenue apart from their general product offerings.
5. Gamified Experiences
Gamification by AR is already a booming trend among businesses. It aims at using gaming elements like scoring, challenges, and rewards to drive engagement and interest in the product. Some popular examples of using gamified experience include:
AR treasure hunts to create a fun factor
Brands can create AR scavenger hunts in physical spaces using geolocation, and customers can find deals and virtual branded items by exploring stores and locales. Playing AR-branded games provides entertainment that leaves shoppers with positive associations with the brand.
Sponsored AR face filters for virality
AR face filters and branded lenses that users playfully share on social media help promote brands through fun viral marketing. The inherent virality of AR face filters drives the valuable social promotion of the brand.
How does it help?
The rewards and discounts baked into AR gaming incentivize shoppers to complete objectives that lead to purchases. Brands like CoverGirl, Oreo, and Ray-Ban have successfully used AR gaming apps to engage customers and boost sales creatively. Even pizzaHut, among the famous brands, has tried it in some campaigns to boost their sales and engagement.
Among all the ways, these five augmented reality solutions are the most popular and recognized tactics where AR solutions have been successfully used to boost eCommerce and engagement for companies. Each brand has its specific products, and it can tailor its campaigns and tactics by taking a general idea from other brands and these popular AR solutions. If you are looking to uplift the shopping experience of buyers on your eCommerce website, consider creating AR solutions on no-code platforms like PlugXR. Sign up now or book a free demo on their website to get started.