Using AR in e-commerce websites and how it boosts sales.
It’s no secret that eCommerce is a tough marketplace. With competition only increasing, it’s more important than ever for online retailers to find ways to stand out from the crowd and increase sales.
One way that retailers are beginning to do this is by incorporating augmented reality (AR) into their eCommerce websites. By using AR, retailers can give their customers a more immersive and interactive experience that can help boost sales.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how AR is being used in eCommerce and some of the benefits it can bring to retailers.
What is AR?
Before we dive into how AR can be used in eCommerce, let’s first take a look at what AR is and how it works.
At its most basic level, AR is the combination of real-world and computer-generated data. This data can be overlaid onto the real world to provide additional information or create an interactive experience.
AR can be experienced in a number of different ways. One of the most common is through smartphone apps, such as Pokémon GO. Other examples include Microsoft’s HoloLens and Google Glass.
AR in eCommerce
Now that we’ve covered the basics of AR, let’s take a look at how it’s being used in eCommerce.
There are a number of different ways that retailers are using AR to enhance the shopping experience for their customers. Here are just a few examples:
Visual search: One way that retailers are using AR is for visual search. This allows customers to use their smartphone camera to search for products on the retailer’s website. For example, Ikea has an app that lets customers point their camera at an object in their home and then shows them similar products that are available from Ikea.
Product try-ons: Another popular use of AR in eCommerce is for product try-ons. This is especially popular with cosmetics and clothing retailers. Sephora, for example, has an app that lets users “try on” makeup before they buy it. Similarly, ASOS has an app that lets users see how clothes will look on them before they make a purchase.
Furniture placement: Furniture retailers are also using AR to help customers visualize how furniture will look in their home before they buy it. Wayfair, for example, has an app that lets users place virtual furniture in their home to see how it will look. This can be a great way to help customers make sure they’re happy with a purchase before they commit to it.
These are just a few examples of how AR is being used in eCommerce. As you can see, there are a number of different ways that retailers can use AR to enhance the shopping experience for their customers.
Benefits of using AR in eCommerce
Now that we’ve seen some examples of how AR is being used in eCommerce, let’s take a look at some of the benefits it can bring to retailers.
Increased sales: One of the main benefits of using AR in eCommerce is that it can help increase sales. This is because AR can provide customers with a more immersive and interactive experience that can help increase conversion rates. For example, one study found that Sephora’s virtual makeup try-on increased conversion rates by 20%.
Improved customer satisfaction: Another benefit of using AR in eCommerce is that it can improve customer satisfaction. This is because customers are able to get a better idea of what they’re buying before they make a purchase. This can help reduce returns and increase customer satisfaction levels.
Increased customer engagement: Another benefit of using AR in eCommerce is that it can help increase customer engagement. This is because customers are more likely to interact with products that they can see and play with in AR. This can lead to increased time on site, which can eventually lead to increased sales.