AR in eCommerce – 10 benefits, use cases, and real-world examples for businesses

One of the major challenges the eCommerce industry encounters is elevating customers’ experience. The emergence of AR in eCommerce allows customers to visualize products in their real environment, manipulate objects in 3D, and discover an extensive comprehension of the product’s functionality and suitability for their requirements, ultimately delivering customer satisfaction.

With the emergence of new web-enabled AR technologies, businesses concentrate on personalized shopping experiences, analyzing data to provide tailored product recommendations, ultimately building robust connections between customers and companies.

Augmented reality in eCommerce utilizes tools that are accessible to an individual with disabilities, such as offering auditory and visual assistance for product instruction.

According to a Statista report, the projection indicates that 1.73 billion mobile users will engage with augmented reality by 2024.

Embedding AR for eCommerce revolutionizes the industry by creating innovative solutions, paving the way for consumers to shop, and redefining customer delight with unprecedented success.

AR vs. VR in eCommerce

Although both technologies create immersive experiences and are used interchangeably, they differ. AR-centric tools augment the real world by overlaying digital information on it.

AR apps can efficiently be used on tablets, smartphones, and other devices; however, VR  headsets obscure the real world and enable customers to interact with a virtual world as if they were physically present. In short, VR felicitates in creating a fully immersive, simulated environment separate from the real world, while AR transforms the real world by adding digital elements.

Unlocking the Potential of AR for eCommerce Success

AR has entirely revolutionized eCommerce by bridging the gap between online and offline shopping. Augmented reality not only reduces post-purchase dissatisfaction but also fosters customer loyalty.

Transforming Product and Visualisation

AR plays a vital role in revolutionizing how customers view and perceive products. Augmented reality for eCommerce allows customers to visualize and imagine consequences in their real-world spaces through AR devices and smartphones.

The captivating experience mitigates uncertainty, enabling customers to communicate and analyze products before purchasing. The benefits of augmented reality for eCommerce include virtual try-ons for clothing, offering interactive product information, or displaying customizable options. AR use case in eCommerce takes the shopping experience to new heights. The amalgamation of AR benefits businesses by enhancing brand perception, lowering return rates, and embarking on new levels of customer engagement and satisfaction.

Data-Driven Insights and Optimization

eCommerce businesses are goldmines of customer data. Deploying AR elements in these gold mines will unearth loads of customer-driven insights. Businesses gain valuable data about customer behavior and preferences by tracking user interactions with the help of AR elements. The data obtained is leveraged to optimize product displays, customize marketing strategies, and refine user experiences.

AR analytics help eCommerce businesses explore customer engagement by streamlining product offerings, refining consumer targeting, and staying at the forefront of the dynamic digital market landscape. The symbiosis of data-driven insights and Augmented Reality for eCommerce leads to efficiency and strategic decision-making in eCommerce businesses.

Personalization

AR demonstrates a notable 200% increase in user engagement compared to non-AR equivalents, underscoring its efficacy in fostering heightened interaction and interest.

AR’s influence on personalization does not know conventional boundaries, creating a shopping platform with extensive customization where buyers can visualize products in their spaces. AR in eCommerce molds an individual’s shopping journey by adapting to user preferences.

The AR-focused features offer customized recommendations depending on consumer behavior and preferences, making products easily discoverable. This personalized approach increases the tendency of successful transactions, establishing a connection between customers and the AR eCommerce platform. Utilizing augmented reality in eCommerce provides a comprehensive customized shopping experience by building a conducive environment for the buyer.

(Also read: How AR VR is Shaping the Food and Beverages Industry)

Augmenting Shopping Experience

In the eCommerce world, AR is a revolutionary force elevating AR-powered shopping experiences beyond the limits of conventions. Incorporating AR, buyers can virtually try a pair of shoes sitting at home before purchasing them. This technological marvel facilitates an immersive and informed decision-making process.

In 2022, the market value of augmented reality (AR) amounted to $10.5 billion, marking a substantial increase from the $3.5 billion recorded in 2017. Projections indicate a remarkable surge, with estimates reaching an impressive $198 billion by 2025.

AR empowers customers to make informed purchase decisions by allowing them to visualize products in their environments. This AR-enabled shopping experience instills trust in customers’ minds and minimizes the uncertainties of purchases.

With AR app development services, brands can augment the shopping experience by offering customers virtual try-ons, product visualization tools, and interactive displays, ultimately leading to increased engagement and sales.

AR-powered Store Navigation

Apart from simplifying the shopping process, AR store navigation, a feature that contributes to the rise of AR in eCommerce, delivers an enjoyable shopping experience, posing as an asset for improved customer satisfaction for eCommerce businesses.

This gravitating technology for store navigation transforms the shopping experience by offering intuitive guidance within the virtual space. Buyers can navigate and surf the online shopping store, discovering products efficiently. Augmented Reality for eCommerce integrates real-world landscapes with digital information, building an interactive interface to surf product categories and locate specific items.

Exceptional Marketing Campaign

Marketing campaigns are a crucial ace card for eCommerce businesses. AR in eCommerce enhances these campaigns by adorning them with exceptionally immersive experiences. Companies can integrate augmented reality for eCommerce to build appealing advertisements to attract audiences—visually compelling campaigns magnetize customer attention, elevating brand reputation.

One of the benefits of augmented reality for eCommerce is animated products, allowing customers to visualize and gauge the product’s effect before advancing to purchase. Incorporating this top-notch technology elevates brand positioning and delivers effective and memorable marketing strategies in this eCommerce competition landscape.

Gamified Shopping Experiences

AR in eCommerce makes shopping a game! The technology adds entertainment to the shopping experience, transforming the process into a game. Gamified shopping incentivizes buyers to explore more products via quizzes, virtual rewards, or interactive challenges.

This systematic approach contributes to keeping consumers actively involved, giving them a sense of enjoyment during shopping. The gamification process through AR makes the eCommerce platform more memorable, interactive and a platform to witness growth in repeat customers.

AR-Enabled Shopping Carts

As per Grandview Research, the augmented reality segment was valued at approximately $5.83 billion. Projections indicate that by 2030, the market is expected to surge to $12.76 billion.

AR-enabled shopping carts allow buyers to assess how the products added to their cart fit in their lives. This unique way of shopping has revolutionized the online realm, allowing users to visualize items in real-world setups. The outcomes of such facilities include precise decision-making, reduced buyer’s remorse, and rising customer satisfaction. This interactive way of shopping declutters the purchasing process and adds to a more enjoyable journey for the customers, eventually boosting conversion rates and customer loyalty.

AR-Powered User Reviews

Customer feedback powered by AR has elevated transparency and authenticity to unprecedented heights. This technological marvel allows potential buyers to review working products via shared customer experience. The benefits of AR in eCommerce enable users to gauge outcomes realistically before purchasing.

Customers become confident about their choices by assessing how buyers have benefited from the product. AR-enabled reviews assist customers in making a well-informed shopping journey, fostering loyalty and trust in the minds of consumers.

Location-Based AR Promotions

AR in eCommerce creates opportunities for location-based promotions. By incorporating AR technology with geographical data, online businesses can deliver customized advertisements to users depending on their location. This synergy helps enhance user involvement and increase the relevance of marketing campaigns.

From highlighting exclusive offers and best deals to great discounts, location-based AR promotions build an extravagant shopping experience by being contextually relatable, boosting sales, and driving customer engagement. This unique approach ensures promotions are relevant and cater to the buyer’s specific needs at different geographic locations.

Types of AR Applications

There are different kinds of AR applications, each serving other purposes as well as user experiences. By offering a diverse spectrum of applications, AR integrates digital elements and boosts customers’ interaction with the physical world.

Superimposition-based AR

Superimposition-based augmented reality in eCommerce is a strategical approach in which CGI (computer-generated images) are overlaid into the real-world view in real-time, based on the recognition and tracking of specific objects in the physical environment.

Projection-based AR

Projection-based technology involves the projection of the digital content directly onto the physical surge as in real-time. Businesses leverage different key features to offer unique and engaging ways for users to interact, such as interactive surfaces, dynamic overlays, gesture recognition, and spatial awareness.

Location-based AR

Location-based AR, widely known as geospatial AR, analyzes users’ location to trigger AR experiences. Accelerometer data, a compass, and a combination of GPS are used to determine and establish users’ positions and orientations.

[Also Read: Geospatial AI: Transforming Analytics with Spatial Intelligence]

Markerless AR

Markerless AR does not necessitate markers to trigger the AR experience. It is powered by a software algorithm, cameras, etc., and it leverages computer vision to track the users’ environment.

Marker-based AR

Marker-based AR can easily and quickly detect an object and deliver information about the object on the screen. QR codes, images, and specific patterns serve as reference points for the AR app, recognizing digital content.

AR as a Game-Changer: How Brands are Leveraging

Prominent organizations leverage AR for different purposes, such as elevating product demonstration, creating innovative solutions, and customized recommendations. Let’s explore!

IKEA

Appinventiv has developed one of the best types of AR applications in eCommerce for IKEA, catering to the challenges faced by IKEA’s in-store customers. Employing augmented reality for eCommerce businesses like IKEA helps gain insights into customer preferences and user information. This AR integration has resulted in a massive retail rollout of 7+ Ikea stores in the UAE.

Adidas

Adidas is an Augmented Reality eCommerce example. Appinventiv has transformed the giant into a mobile experience and crafted one of the best types of AR applications in eCommerce with 2+ million downloads and more than 500k new customer acquisitions!

Learn from the best in eCommerce! Our case study reveals how we crafted an end-to-end app, propelling Adidas to gain 500K new users.

Edamama

By leveraging augmented reality in eCommerce, Appinventiv has successfully translated the vision of Edamama into reality. The incorporation of AR aligns with Edamama’s commitment, resulting in the successful home delivery of 20,000 SKUs and securing $5 million in funds.

6 Street

Appinventiv has integrated AR and revolutionized 6th Street’s shopping experience, making it one of the best examples of augmented reality eCommerce. Augmented reality applications in eCommerce deliver a captivating shopping experience to fashion retail. The AR integration has yielded 3+ million iOS App downloads and 1+ million Android App downloads!

Navigating AR Integration Challenges in eCommerce: Solutions for Seamless Implementation

As an innovative company, Appinventiv understands that AR integration into eCommerce poses unique challenges. Our comprehensive approach involves strategic problem-solving and proactive issue recognition. Acknowledging the significance of user interface and user experience, we prioritize seamless UI/UX design to improve user engagement.

Data analytics is paramount in upgrading AR content delivery and guaranteeing customized data-driven experiences. Our strategic methods include deploying cloud-based platforms for effective scalability and resolving compatibility concerns via web-based AR solutions.

We at Appinventiv provide user education and robust customer support. We also declutter the integration process, enabling enterprises to embrace the revolutionary potential of AR in eCommerce.

Empower your AR Projects with Appinventiv’s Expertise and Innovation

This comprehensive blog post explored the transformative impact of augmented reality on eCommerce, delving into the challenges and strategies associated with its implementation and showcasing how businesses harness this technology to its fullest potential.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses concentrate on creative ways that can assist them in attracting customers’ attention and retaining them for a long period. AR in eCommerce offers exceptional, innovative methods and flexibility in terms of time and location. Augmented reality advances process power, network capabilities, and device miniaturization by elevating user experiences.

Building a world-class quality augmented reality app necessitates an extensive and holistic approach. Our eCommerce app development services focus on compelling and intuitive user interfaces, cutting-edge technologies, and successful developing & testing processes, allowing customers to visualize products in their space.

Our integrated digital solutions streamline processes and enhance user experiences, leading to higher conversion rates and customer loyalty.

Connect with us to make your AR project more effective and successful by ensuring the end product hits every target.

FAQs

Q. How does augmented reality enhance product discovery for eCommerce shoppers?

A. Augmented reality enhanced product discovery in eCommerce in various ways, such as providing a realistic sense of scale, proportion, and compatibility, ultimately minimizing product returns and boosting customer delight.

Q. How do we ensure accurate augmented reality-driven product display in eCommerce devices and environments?

A. Ensuring accurate AR-driven product display requires addressing device compatibility, environmental factors, processing power, sensor accuracy, network connectivity, content quality, and continuous user testing.

Q. What is the future of AR in eCommerce?

A. Augmented reality is poised to modernize the eCommerce industry by providing shoppers with immersive experiences that transform how they interact with products. As AR technology constantly advances, we can anticipate more sophisticated and seamless integration, making it more engaging and tailored to individual preferences.

THE AUTHOR

Amardeep Rawat

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT