Virtual reality and augmented reality are not the preserve of sci-fi movies and video games anymore. The two technologies have a vital role in the recent retail experience. The applications are many with considerable benefits, but most eCommerce brands have not embraced these technologies. However, these functions are going to become increasingly popular and prominent in the future years. Maybe someday you can buy online lottery tickets using this application.
Here’s why these technology will be popular in the future;
How can brands introduce AR and VR on online shopping platforms?
1. Testing items before purchase
The most famous tool of AR in the eCommerce platform is virtual try-on solutions or VTOs. These virtual tools have eased the shopping experience to make better purchase decisions, while brands can understand the needs and meet customer expectations.
In short, the client can try on a product virtually through any internet device with cameras. Thanks to the basic AR technology, visionary customers can see themselves accessing an excellent product at the comfort of their homes on their screens.
Additionally, these applications have attracted several clients who are aiming at enhancing their shopping experience. According to the shoppers, online try-on solutions are perfect for retailers dealing in jewelry, shoes, clothes, eyeglasses, and more.
The try-on technology has been there for a long time. Still, many people have used facial technology recently. These have been courtesy of the rise of social media filters that have accelerated its fame.
There are many ways customers can try products before buying apart from VTO. And by using AR, the customer would see how the object would look in the real world. The decor industry primarily uses this technology. For instance, if the buyer buys a sofa, he will know exactly how it looks after placing it in the house.
2. Recreating the In-Store Experience
Virtual reality is crucial since it bridges the gap between online and traditional ways of shopping. In a conventional brick-and-mortar store, a retailer can still attract customers by playing music in the store. But that is not possible online unless brands employ VR to display their products online in a natural environment.
3. Interactive User Manuals
Interactive user manuals are another non-sales-related application of AR. This process writes the theme at the image editing option PixelPhant. Shoppers can get a virtual walkthrough of their new item using an application to scan a product like a coffee machine, explore its features and learn how to set it up.
According to the experts, this kind of application can lower your after-sales support teams’ disappointments. Enlightening your customers about the products you offer makes them know you better, reduces your work as customer care, and improves engagement.
4. Building Buzz
VR and AR do not need to be directly proportional to the sales process. Sellers can alternatively use this technology to create brand awareness and promote industry buzz.
How Do VR and AR Benefit Brands?
Both virtual reality and augmented reality have measurable, tangible benefits to eCommerce brands that directly impact sales, levels of customer satisfaction, and many others.
1. Remove Friction from the Customer Journey
Friction is still a problem in the buyers’ journey, despite many buyers adopting eCommerce. AR and VR have reduced that friction in some way. Rather than taking chances and buying sunglasses and returning those if they do not look good, customers can purchase AR instead.
Buyers can alternatively embrace VTO technology to virtually find solutions to their questions without speaking to a customer service team. For instance, they can find out a rough estimate of the dimension of a sofa by virtually putting it in their room.
2. Reduce Returns
AR and VR technology is good in that it reduces return rates. The Try-before-you-buy initiatives are an exciting AR shopping opportunity to help lower the return rates in the fashion industry. Allowing buyers to see a product online and even try it virtually gives them more confidence in their purchasing decision, eliminating the need to purchase many versions of a single product.
3. Improve Digital Marketing Efforts
VR and AR may also contribute to improving online shopping efforts in the future. Facebook is currently displaying AR eCommerce ads. Google is in the process of introducing AR product images to both organic and premium search results.
Users can freely inspect their three-dimensional virtual product or put it in the real-world environment using AR. Shoppers do this by pressing the View in 3D button. At this point, they can either go back to their website or return to the previous page.
Final Thought
VR and AR are not fringe technologies anymore. Many things are accelerating the use of AR and VR, not only the examples above. According to recent research, $15.81 billion was put on the world virtual reality market in 2020. And it may grow at a yearly rate of 18% until 2028. Such growth would allow eCommerce brands to embrace VR and AR into the online shopping experience to impress customers.
