Augmented Reality in Ecommerce: Future of Online Shopping

Online shopping has seeped into our lives to a great degree. A majority of us seem to enjoy it but you’ll be surprised to know that an enormous segment of consumers don’t prefer to shop online. As an Ecommerce development company, We understand that you may find it weird and ask, “Who doesn’t like shopping from the convenience of their home?” Well, there are people who don’t and they have their valid reasons for the same. According to research, 47% of consumers dislike online shopping as they cannot see products in person. Besides, 43% also reported that they prefer in-store shopping over online shopping as the latter doesn’t let them try things out before purchasing them. 

These revelations might seem like bad news but augmented reality (AR) can lift your mood. This phenomenal technology fantastically eradicates the issue of limited perception consumers face while shopping online. It empowers them to have deeper experiences with your products and visualize the effect particular things like furniture and decorative items will have on their home or office’s ambiance. 

What is Augmented Reality (AR)? 

Augmented Reality is a dreamy technology that overlays real-life environments with digital augmentation. A famous example of AR technology is Pokemon Go, the mobile gaming app which almost instantly became the talk of the town after it was released. While playing the game, players could see Pokemon characters pop up into their real-world environment - in their rooms, classroom, canteens, restrooms, and everywhere imaginable. 

Today, AR has become a sensation and you can see its reflection almost everywhere. Famous social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram are now equipped with AR lenses and filters that are captivating the hearts of users worldwide. Even the world of eCommerce couldn’t remain untouched by this phenomenal technology. For instance, a number of AR-powered eCommerce sites enable you to virtually try clothes from the comfort of your home. 

Want to know more about the applications of augmented reality in eCommerce? Let’s explore together. 

4 Incredible Ways in Which Augmented Reality is Transforming eCommerce

Item placement previews: 

Not knowing how that furniture will look in your living room or how that vase will look on your table or how some other product will affect the ambiance of your home, was once a distressing challenge associated with online shopping.

Augmented reality has eradicated this challenge for good. With AR-based item placement previews, consumers can actually visualize how a particular product will look when placed at the desired location in their home, office, or other intended places. They no longer have to rely on the mental images of a product which often lead to wrong buying decisions. 

The best part is that they do not need any specialized gadgets to access item placement previews. They can do so effortlessly with their smartphones. Seems incredible, isn’t it? IKEA, Sony, and Burrow Furniture are some eminent companies offering item placement previews to their customers. 

Have you also decided to join the league? 

Interactive and engaging user manuals: 

A majority of products are accompanied by user manuals that intend to teach consumers how to utilize them safely and in the best possible way. However, it is startling to note that people seldom read user manuals. An award-winning paper highlighted this finding. Additionally, it also unraveled that even if customers read user manuals more often than not they end up getting frustrated at their ineffectiveness. 

All these revelations pinpoint the uselessness of traditional user manuals. Users choose to learn through hands-on experience while using the product rather than navigating their way through tedious, unappealing user manuals. However, augmented reality-based interactive user manuals are gradually changing everything. 

Once users scan the product’s image with AR user manual apps, they can find interactive instructions that teach them how to use the product with engaging pointers and animations. In fact, these apps can actually help them see the operation of the entire list of features through animated videos on their smartphones. By incorporating AR-based user manuals with your online products, you can take user experience to a whole new dimension. 

Social media filters: 

Augmented reality-based social media filters have become an indispensable part of social media apps such as Instagram and Snapchat. These filters have captivated the hearts of users across the globe. Sensing the pulse of the consumers, numerous brands have started using social media filters to interact with and attract them toward their products. They let consumers try out how a product will look on them through AR filters and prompt them to respond to the call to action. 

According to research, two-thirds of customers use social media for making purchases. If you begin leveraging the power of AR-based social media filters, imagine the escalation in sales, user experience, and customer satisfaction you’ll experience. 

Virtual try-on options: 

As discussed above, numerous customers refrain from making online purchases as they do not give them the option to try things on. Everyone is aware of the fact that everything that is appealing to the eyes doesn’t always look great when worn. 

No doubt, customers can return products that don’t fit them well or look great on them, but apparently, no one likes diving into the return process. Besides, high return rates are a huge menace for e-commerce companies as it costs them time, effort, reputation, and money. 

Augmented reality shopping has emerged as a groundbreaking solution to this pressing issue with ecommerce. It enables customers to virtually try what they are buying whether it be a pair of jeans, a top, a t-shirt, makeup, or an accessory. This gives them an experience similar to looking at themselves in a mirror. Warby Parker, Lenskart, L’Oreal,  Wanna, Farfetch, and Prada are some brands already offering AR-based try-on options.

Now that you have acquainted yourself with the fantastic uses of augmented reality in eCommerce, it’s time to get familiarized with the enormous benefits that come along.

The Mesmerizing Payoffs Associated with Augmented Reality Integration 

Enhanced customer engagement: 

An engaging experience leaves an indelible imprint on your customers’ minds and encourages them to revisit your online store time and again. In short, customer engagement is the key to earning customer loyalty and thriving success in the highly competitive world of eCommerce. 

Augmented reality is a captivating technology that can make customers hook to your website. The more time they spend exploring your site, the more likely they are to make purchases. Besides, they can get so well familiarized with your products that they can do word-of-mouth marketing for you. 

Wider access to potential customers: 

Augmented reality features can help you create a buzz and attract multitudes of consumers to your site. Whenever we hear about a new technology we can try out, we are instantaneously driven to do so. When Chat GPT, the incredible AI chatbot was released in November 2022, swarms of people tried their hands at it. 

As people come flooding to try your AR features, imagine the extent of popularity your site will gain. Even if they don’t make any purchases the first time, they’ll remember you and likely come back to explore your products and make a purchase. 

Reduction in return rates: 

With AR, you can give shoppers a complete experience of how a particular product will look in their environment or on them. Given that, they can make a measured and informed buying decision. This in turn brings a significant reduction in product return rates, which is immensely beneficial for your eCommerce company. 

You save money involved in picking up the returns and shipping them to the desired inventory. Along with this, you also save the time, and effort involved in the process. Apart from this, enhanced reputation and improved customer experience are among other perks you get to enjoy.

Escalated conversion rates: 

Numerous people refrain from making an online purchase despite feeling a strong inclination toward a product because they are uncertain if it would be the right fit for themselves or their home. 

However, augmented reality can make it possible for them to get a glimpse of how a product would look in their environment. This gives them a kind of certainty when it comes to right buying and prompts them to make a purchase. This way, AR can make your conversion rates skyrocket, thus, enhancing your overall profits. 

Better customer relationships: 

In the words of Kathy Ireland, “In business, it’s about people. It’s about relationships.” Your customers are the most valuable assets of your organization. Strong customer relationships can not only take your organization on a constant upward spiral of growth but also empower you to withstand any jerks that come your way. 

If your customers love you, they’ll support you through all the thick and thin, and help you earn thriving success in the end. Augmented reality can bring you and your customers closer than ever and facilitate the formation of sturdy bonds. By improving customer experience and overall satisfaction, AR boosts customer happiness which is the precursor to the development of strong customer relationships. 

Let’s Wrap Up

Augmented reality is a fabulous technology that has taken eCommerce to a whole new sphere. It has slewed all the online shopping issues that once perturbed consumers. They no longer have to refrain from engaging in e-shopping due to the limited perception it initially offered. With AR, they can virtually try clothing items, furniture, makeup, eyeglasses, accessories, and everything else they aspire to buy. Besides, AR-based interactive user manuals have made learning to use a new product a piece of cake for them. 

Coming to the business side of things, AR improves customer engagement, consumer access, customer relationships, and conversion rates. It also brings a considerable reduction in return rates which saves companies both money and time. Now that you know the phenomenal ways in which augmented reality can transform your business, it’s time to decide whether you want to integrate it into your eCommerce model or not. In case you choose to leverage the power of AR, LN Webworks, a web development company can assist you with the process.