How To Use AR And VR For Better E-Commerce Sales

E-commerce retailers are always looking for new ways to improve their sales. Some of these methods are proven, while others remain to be so. Virtual and augmented reality might be something you decide to experiment with due to its popularity, and it could prove to be a viable solution for you. 

“Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) technologies are starting to change our experience with brands and products.” 

This article will cover the basics, and some exciting opportunities augmented reality has to offer, allowing you to create a winning marketing strategy for your e-commerce shop.

Provide virtual try-on solutions 

Many big brands are already offering virtual try-on solutions with the help of AR. It makes it possible for customers to try on a product via their own smartphone from the comfort of their homes.

Plus, with the advancements in facial recognition technology, you can even allow customers to try on makeup, jewellery, or apparel.

As per stats, 60% of customers are interested in using AR technology for help when shopping.

Sephora is an excellent example of a brand using AR. They introduced a Sephora Virtual Artist feature in their app with which you can scan your face or figures and try on different looks.

With apps like these, brands will be able to manage customer expectations better and help them make a complete, informed decision before they make the final purchase. 

Offer preview placement

Customers want to visualize where and how a product can fit into their lives. They also want to walk around physically, look at the displays, and experience the environment like they do in a physical store. 

“With VR tools, you can give customers a superior experience online by showcasing your products in a way that customers understand behind a screen.”

For instance, the IKEA app uses AR tech to allow clients to see what a piece of furniture will look like in their homes. 

The app can deliver a to-scale 3D image of the item in the room via the smartphone’s camera. Clients can then reposition the furniture wherever they like.

Provide interactive user manuals

As per stats, 55% of customers refund a product as they don’t understand how to use it. Interactive user manuals can come of help here.

While selling a product with a learning curve, an interactive AR user manual can help users to understand the workings of your product more easily.

An interactive user manual can respond to user actions and offer on-page contextual support when utilizing a site, app, or a piece of software. 

The most common type of interactive manual is product walkthroughs. These messages can be customized, and actions such as a mouseover can be recognized.

Product walkthroughs or tours are interactive experiences that take the customers through the steps they have to take to complete main tasks within the product.

Their product walkthrough is simple. As soon as you log in to the product, “your assistant” tells you it will guide you through in just a few steps.

Sure enough, you are given a walk through the main dashboard in just five steps. Once completed, you will see a checklist.

The checklist further says that you can kick start with Ninox in just three minutes.

Once you complete the rest of the tasks, you will notice the different parts of the product fast and understand its value.

Consider migrating to WordPress if you aren’t already using it and scale your business. WordPress has plenty of AR plugins that let you present your 3D products in an interactive AR view. You can take the help of WordPress migration.

Leverage social media filters

Social media platforms, such as Instagram Stories or Snapchat, have AR filters. Earlier, these filters were used for fun, but now more and more brands are leveraging AR social media filters to showcase new products by allowing customers to try out how it’ll look on them. 

It can also increase audience engagement and encourage them to tag you in their content. What’s more, it can help you stand out from the competition on social media by showing what makes you special.

As per studies, the experiences that you get via AR are uniquely memorable. AR has a 70% better memory recall as compared to non-AR content. You can thus use it to deliver the info. 

Use it to build a buzz.

In marketing, there’s no more significant trend right now than augmented reality and virtual reality. 

“AR and VR technologies can help you create a buzz around your brand by creating a memorable encounter.” 

And they don’t have to be linked to the sales process directly either.

For instance, Ford can create a VR racing game to give customers a glance at what it will be like to drive a Mustang. While Ford here is not directly encouraging customers to purchase their car, they are still creating a buzz.

Enhance digital marketing efforts

AR and VR are the new frontiers, which can be used to enhance digital marketing efforts for established e-commerce brands. This is the reason why technology is gaining rapid popularity in marketing across industries. 

Naturally, they can also be used to enhance online marketing efforts in the near future. Social media platform Facebook is already trying out AR e-commerce ads. 

Google is also working to incorporate AR product images into organic and paid search results. 

When consumers tap on the View in 3D button, they get the choice to place the product in their real-world surroundings through AR or interact with your 3D virtual product.

At this juncture, customers can either return to the results page or advance to your site. 

That’s a Wrap!

Augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) are on the rise. Big brands like Amazon, Walmart, IKEA, Google, EA Sports, CNN, Marriott, etc., are using AR/VR to create new AR/VR experiences. Small businesses are also adopting AR/VR technology. 

If you’re running an e-commerce business or thinking about selling online to reach more customers, you should consider implementing VR/AR technology in your marketing strategy.

Make sure to follow the AR as mentioned above and VR tips to include the two technologies in your e-commerce marketing strategy. 

                                                                                             — Lucy is a creative content writer and strategist at Marketing Digest.