When it comes to eCommerce, visualization is a powerful tool. One of the most effective ways to help your customers visualize using your product is through the use of augmented reality.
Whether they're doing so on an iPad, iPhone or laptop, customers visiting your site want to know what your product will look like in real life after they purchase it. But simple 2D pictures aren't enough — you must introduce enhancements to the customer experience to push them towards the checkout.
We're in an era where the physical world is giving way more and more to the metaverse. So it’s important to be proactive in presenting your product to your customers. You also have to be proactive in how you enable them to experience it before they purchase it.
Enter augmented reality experiences. Using augmented reality apps is a great way to spruce up your digital content in a way that entices your site visitors.
The technology itself is becoming more and more common. AR glasses or smart glasses, Snapchat, headsets, Google Glass and other innovations in the virtual world are exposing customers to it on a daily basis.
So, what is augmented reality? How can you use it to provide your customers with real-time digital information that closes sales?
Read on and find out; we have four tips to make augmented reality work for you.
What is augmented reality?
First, a definition: augmented reality in this context enables you to use cutting-edge technology to integrate your product visualizations with your customer's camera or photographs.
Think of Pokémon GO and its ability to integrate overlays into the user's field of vision. In the context of an eCommerce site, augmented reality allows for a different buying experience.
Simply put, your customers can upload their photographs so that they can see your product in their space.
Why is this effective?
With static imagery, your customer can only get a limited interpretation of how they can expect the product to appear. But with augmented reality, they can see a product as it will look to them after they purchase it.
This enhanced visualization capability is a powerfully persuasive technique. Not only is it better for the customers (by providing them an authentic look at how the product will fit into their lives), but it's also better for your business.
Now that we’ve established what augmented reality is, implement these four tips for getting the most value from it.
1. Show your customers just how immersive augmented reality can be
Whether you're using virtual reality or augmented reality, customers will value the next-level experience they receive from this state-of-the-art digital presentation.
Research shows that 66% of shoppers credit augmented reality with increasing their confidence in the product they're purchasing.
By displaying videos or photos of other customers using the same technology prominently on your website, you'll give them a better idea of what they can expect to see when engaging.
This primes them for going through your sales and checkout process. They'll be ready for the mixed reality experience.
It shows them that while shopping at your online store isn't exactly like going to IKEA, it's preferable to other eCommerce options that offer a less holistic shopping approach.
By demonstrating use cases of the technology through simulations, you'll highlight that it's not just a miracle of software development. Augmented reality is an easy-to-use feature that your customers will immediately benefit from when using your site.
2. Showcase testimonials from other customers who enjoyed AR experiences on your site
Customer testimonials can be one of the most powerful ways to promote a product. There's no better evangelist for your product than a previously satisfied customer.
So, wouldn't it also stand to reason that you can apply this logic to those who have used augmented reality through your site?
Most of your product reviews will focus on the product itself. But you can also include customer reviews that discuss how using augmented reality improved their overall buying experience.
Working these references into your website or social media channels will help your real-world customers know just how well your digital experience is for them. They'll hear it from the most reliable source: other customers who have put your augmented reality to good use.
3. Give shoppers recommendations on how to get the most out of your AR technology
Augmented reality is a great feature to add to your online store. But it's only effective if your customers understand the technology and how to use it.
Include clear, concise instructions on what your customers need to do to achieve the full effect. You may want to include this as a bulleted list on your website.
You can also post a brief tutorial video on what they'll need to do. This has the added effect of demonstrating the technology works.
When your customers want to know what your product will look like in a real-world environment, these resources help ensure they'll have no issue doing so.
4. Remind your site visitors that your AR app works for mobile or desktop devices
Your users are going to arrive on your site through a variety of devices. They might use PCs, laptops or mobile devices.
Including a note — or visual evidence of users on these various types of devices — will help your customers understand that whatever they're using, augmented reality will work for them.
It won't matter whether they favor Apple or Android. They'll know that when they come to your store, they can use your AR applications to get the most out of their time there.
The bottom line is that however you choose to optimize your customer's augmented reality experience with your site, the first and most important step is integrating it with your eCommerce store. To do this, you'll want to partner with a trusted provider who understands how to implement it.
That's why you should partner with Threekit. We're well-versed in using technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to help digital stores level up their buying experience.
For more on how Threekit can help, contact us today.
