Online shopping only continues to increase in popularity but has traditionally been a limited sensory experience when purchasing, especially when compared with brick-and-mortar stores.
Enter AR shopping.
Think of Augmented Reality (AR) as an enhanced version of the real world around you. This technological experience involves digital visual elements, sound, and other sensory stimuli. (Remember Pokemon Go? How about that puppy dog Snapchat filter?)
Therefore, AR shopping capitalizes on this technology by incorporating e-commerce elements, giving customers deeper and more thorough information about your products without leaving their homes.
Keep in mind that AR is not the same as virtual reality. AR simply enhances your physical reality, while VR is fully immersive.
Some examples of AR shopping that have been appearing in the retail industry:
- A furniture store enabling customers to place true-to-scale 3D models of furniture items in their homes.
- Clothing stores offering virtual “try-on” options for shoppers.
- Businesses with more complex products providing interactive user manuals to help customers better navigate how to use the product.
While 71 percent of consumers say they would shop more often if they used AR, about 52 percent of retailers say they are not prepared to integrate AR into their retail.
The opportunity is there for you to get a leg up on your competition. The following are three reasons why you should consider using AR shopping for your business.
Reach new customers
Only about 1 percent of retailers say they are using AR. By exploring how AR shopping could work in your business, you’ll be getting ahead of the curve.
Due to the clear demand for AR shopping capabilities, you can seize the opportunities to draw in new customers simply because of the user experience you can deliver during the purchasing journey.
Increase your customer engagement
Because of how interactive AR is, AR shopping makes it easy for customers to essentially get hooked on your website or app.
Flexible customization options that consumers explore puts the power in their hands.
The bonuses of increased engagement include higher conversion rates and developing a relationship with your potential customers (even if they don’t make a purchase).
Reduced potential returns
The nature of AR shopping allows consumers to get a better understanding of your products before making a purchase. With all the additional information customers get, this helps promote overall satisfaction.
About 27 percent of consumers return goods because they were “not as described.”
Satisfaction translates into a lower return rate.
In conclusion
Whether AR shopping is right for your business entirely depends on your goals and the type of products your business sells. Not every product lends itself well to AR shopping. Clothing or make-up makes more sense than candles (that need to be smelled), for example. So, it’s important to evaluate for yourself if it’s a fit.
Check out our Digital Marketing 101 Guide for Beginners to ensure you’re exploring all your marketing opportunities as well.
