Mobile augmented reality lets shoppers place or try a digital representation of a product within a live view of their surroundings. Retailers use it for furniture placement, virtual try-ons and product demonstrations before purchase.
Augmented reality (AR) places a digital object or effect into a live view of the user’s surroundings. Retail and ecommerce apps use it to preview furniture in a room, try a colour or show how a product might fit before purchase.
For example, a retailer like IKEA can use this technology to show its online customers how a piece of furniture, such as a sofa or a table would look in their living room.
Augmented reality isn’t just about highlighting products, though. AR can be successfully to create hype about a product or a company. Social media filters on Instagram and Snapchat are an excellent example of using this technology for this purpose.
There are several other ways businesses both online and offline can use AR to their advantage. Some of these are:
Blends traditional retailing and online shopping
AR provides businesses with the opportunity to blend retail and online experiences. Many people enjoy shopping physically, but they’re unable to enjoy the experience through eCommerce platforms. With AR technology, eCommerce stores can recreate the experience and also eliminate the hassle of never-ending lines and inventory costs.
Makes trials easy
Trial rooms may sometimes have long lines, and it may become incredibly frustrating for customers to wait for their turn. The advent of virtual mirrors can help customers find their sizes and see how a particular piece of clothing will look and fit on their bodies.
The same method can be applied to online stores, too as businesses can use this technology to allow customers to see, for instance, how a pair of glasses will look on their faces through gamification features that scan the face.
Increases brand awareness and presence
AR can be utilized effectively to build a brand’s overall awareness to a broader audience. Mobile apps with advanced AR features can help firms create and provide unique experiences they’ll always remember. The advent of AR will help businesses devise retailer marketing tactics that are more creative than they’ve ever been exposed to before.
Earns better ROI
AR is an innovative technology that’s continually developing. Hence, any m-commerce or e-commerce retailer that utilizes this technology will experience more significant benefits than retailers who aren’t using it. Integrating the retail sector with AR is crucial today, and it’s also become easier and more cost-effective to implement.
Avoids Post-Purchase risks
Many people end up being unsatisfied with their online purchase, increasing return rates. Online retailers have a responsibility to ensure their customers get exactly what they order online. Unfortunately, not every brand can live up to this principle.
Many sellers showcase fraudulent or low-quality products. Traditional two-dimensional images potentially give customers a false representation of products, which significantly impacts customer satisfaction. This misrepresentation can be mitigated through AR technology, where customers can view 3D images, thereby leaving minimal margins for error.
Hence, this gives businesses to offer greater customer satisfaction, allowing them to gain new customers and satisfy existing ones, too. Customer retention plays a massive role in today’s eCommerce world, and businesses need to impact potential customers significantly. Augmented reality is one of the ways to do that.
Conclusion
Retailers such as Adidas, Sephora, Amazon and Nike have used AR in customer experiences, but adoption alone does not make the technology useful. A retailer should implement it when the preview answers a product question and works on the devices its customers use.
AR works when the preview answers a buying question
A retailer should start with a specific uncertainty, such as size, placement or appearance, and test whether the AR experience reduces it. Accurate product models, clear device requirements and a conventional image or measurement fallback remain important. A novelty filter may attract attention without improving purchase confidence.
