Do you love shopping but hate going out?
Imagine being able to try on clothes, shoes, and accessories without ever having to leave your couch… Being able to see how items fit and look on you in real-time without having to physically try them on…
Sounds a lot like futuristic sci-fi doesn’t it? But in reality, online businesses are already using AR to sell products.
So what is AR shopping and how is it shaping the ecommerce industry?
What is AR shopping?
Augmented reality (AR) is technology that’s changing the way people shop, especially in the ecommerce space. Using AR, customers can virtually try on products, see how they fit into their homes, and make more informed purchase decisions.
Here are just a few ways AR is transforming ecommerce shopping.
1. Virtual try-ons
Virtual try-ons are a feature in AR shopping that allow customers to see how clothes, jewelry, makeup, and other items would look on them before making a purchase. Using a smartphone, they can mix and match different styles and colors on their virtual personas, all in the comfort of their own home.
Research suggests that over half the people surveyed expressed keen interest in using AR for trying on new makeup, hairstyles, clothes, and accessories.
2. Virtual showrooms
Similar to the idea of virtual try-ons, virtual showrooms allow customers to virtually place products in their homes. This is especially useful for furniture, home decor, and other items that can be difficult to envision in your bedroom or living room.
Both virtual try-ons and showrooms are designed to be fun and engaging, allowing you to play around with different looks for your virtual avatar or living space.
3. Interactive product demonstrations
Interactive product demonstrations are useful for giving customers hands-on experience with products in a virtual environment, without having to physically handle them. In short, they’re designed to provide customers with a more engaging and immersive shopping experience.
For example, customers can use AR to view and interact with electronic devices such as smartphones or laptops, seeing how they’d look and work in real life before making an actual purchase.
4. Social media filters
Social media is the bridge between reality and imagination, blurring the lines and paving the way for a new era of AR experiences. Facebook and Instagram allow users to share AR experiences – you can even use Meta Spark to build out AR filters for your stories.
They’re also excellent platforms to promote AR products and experiences, showcasing how the use of AR can transform the consumer shopping experience.
5. More product information
AR technology enhances product information and helps in streamlining each buyer’s journey. Customers can use it to find exactly what they’re looking for and make more efficient purchase decisions.
With the potential to significantly improve customer experience, AR technology is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with products and retailers, offering an immersive and personalized shopping experience.
