Augmented reality is one of the hottest developments in eCommerce, with experts claiming that it is now required for specific products sold online. AR spending is expected to exceed $60 billion by the end of 2020, according to the Harvard Business Review.
It’s worth noting that augmented reality is mostly for mobile devices, with mobile eCommerce sales increasing by 24.8 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to eMarketer. The physical limits of internet shipment, which are its major flaw, are minimized through AR. Seeing a product at their own home or office boosts engagement and decreases risk, resulting in more conversions. AR fulfills the demand for a “wow factor” in addition to practical uses. Until AR becomes ubiquitous, advanced technology allows early adopters to get a leg up on the competition in terms of publicity and brand awareness.
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Let’s look at a few examples of how augmented reality is used in online retailers.
Placement at Home Apps from Amazon and IKEA, for example, let customers to see how a product would look in their home. This application of AR not only gives ease before to purchase, but it also allows for product staging after purchase without having to transport heavy objects around a room or workplace to test different arrangements. Fitting Rooms Online Imagine taking selfies to the next level by electronically “trying on” apparel and accessories to get a feel for how they’ll look on you rather than a random model. Michael Kors was the first business to use Facebook’s augmented reality (AR) advertising, which allowed users to digitally “try on” sunglasses before purchasing them.
Store for Augmented Reality
It all comes down to employing one’s imagination when it comes to utilizing AR for PR. Consider Airwalk’s invisible popup store, which debuted in 2010, as the first of its sort, and Bottega Veneta’s recent recreation of the feat in Shanghai’s Plaza 66. cBoth represent a new store location paradigm that is completely different from standard internet store models. Remember that the goal is to improve customer service, therefore let’s look at how AR can help with that.
1) By removing physical boundaries, augmented reality speeds up shopping. Make it simple to “try on” many things at the same time.
2) After a buyer makes a purchase, be sure to ask for comments. Include follow-up emails, as well as incentives for a return virtual or actual visit. Remember that, no matter how high-tech your store is, your consumers are still people.
3) Create your own app if your budget permits it. With someone else’s software, it’s difficult to get all the capabilities you need and carve out a suitably unique niche in AR. In addition, you might be able to sell your app to non-competitors.
So, how do you get started with augmented reality? Of course, there will be ideas! Take a look at these companies’ works and solutions: Zapworks. These people offer resources and ideas for using augmented reality in marketing, sales, and customer support.
Augment is a virtual presenting service for consumer items, architecture and engineering, and manufacturing scenarios. Give us a call if you’re looking for a standard or AR-enabled eCommerce solution.
We’d love to hear about your experience and offer you the same assistance and resources that we’ve provided to countless other happy customers.
