Augmented Reality (AR) is changing the way companies advertise their products. In this article, we examine how augmented reality is changing the way we market products online. Digital marketing is on the brink of game changing and life changing technological shift.
AR Improves Navigation and Discovery of Products
Whether or not your store is open, customers will always have access to your products and inventory. They can even come into the store and use the AR app!
The best aspect of this is that AR improves the way we search for products in a store. Also, it can guide you to discover other products as well. When you’re in a shop, you can use an AR app to find out where a specific product is in the warehouse. Also, you can find out when the product comes back into stock and receive inventory alerts.
Product Placement Changes
AR will change product placements. AR animates products before the customer’s eyes, bringing them to life by integrating them in the real world. Imagine a furniture store showcasing its wares with virtual chairs and tables in the space where potential customers can try out different options.
Virtual Dressing Rooms
Another possible scenario is that AR apps could allow people to see if they look good in clothes before buying them. Eyeglass retailers like Warby Parker and Zenni have been early adopters of AR technology for the virtual try-on features of their websites.
Retailers can recreate changing rooms in their stores virtually.
Customers can try on clothing, rather than having to rely on online images of virtual models which don’t exist. This will help prevent returns due to sizing. Not everyone looks like the supermodels in online catalogs, so virtual sizing helps prevent returns and delivers greater customer satisfaction.
Improves Conversion
Once customers know more about a certain product – such as how well it looks on or whether it fits – they are more likely to buy it. AR starts to make business sense when you can give people 3D-visual information about products. This offers near hands-on experience without stepping foot inside the actual store. This broadens your customer base geographically.
Improve Accessibility
Augmented reality is especially beneficial for elderly or disabled people who may find shopping difficult.
Also, AR adds an extra level of understanding and participation in your consumer environment. As smartphones become more powerful, businesses are already starting to develop apps that use AR to give people more information.
For example, in the US there are apps that can be used with clothing labels which allow customers to virtually “try on” clothes before buying them. It’s likely that in the very near future you will see this sort of technology in shops everywhere.
AR may also be used in the future for travel guides, allowing tourists to get additional information through an app about a destination they are visiting by pointing their smartphone at a landmark.
Many companies, such as Best Buy and Amazon, use augmented reality to create virtual dressing rooms. For example, Warby Parker launched an augmented reality feature that allowed users to virtually “try on” eyeglasses from home.
Interactive tutorials are perhaps the greatest use of augmented reality. Think about how useful an interactive tutorial would be for products with complex assembly instructions. Perhaps an AR tutorial could help a customer install their own appliance, by pointing out exactly which parts need attention.
Many companies use augmented reality to create games that allow customers to win products or discounts. This is something many in the advertising industry find exciting because who doesn’t like games!
A great example of how companies use augmented reality is Coca-Cola. They created an augmented reality campaign that allowed people attending music festivals in Brazil to scan special codes with their phones to see themselves on stage with musicians. For example, people attending the Lollapalooza music festival were able to take pictures of themselves and share them on social media as if they were standing next to one of the bands or artists playing that day.
Augmented reality will be a game changer in digital marketing. In the next couple of years, expect to see more companies using augmented reality to create interactive ads, tutorials, and games.
If you’re interested in creating an augmented reality app for your business, please contact ViviScape. We are experts in developing AR applications and can help you create a campaign that engages and excites your customers. With our help, your business can join the ranks of those who are already using augmented reality to change the way they advertise. Contact our VR/AR team at ViviScape or call (574) 207-6511 to learn how you can integrate this exciting technology into your marketing plan.
