7 Solid Reasons Why Augmented Reality is the Future of Online Shopping
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Augmented reality for online shopping is becoming increasingly popular among shoppers due to its ability to add virtual elements to real world experiences.
Advances in mobile computing and smartphone capabilities have made AR mainstream. 44% of U.S. adults own smartphones, and nearly 50% plan to buy online in the next year, according to eMarketer.
With this in mind, augmented reality allows consumers to interact directly with brands on platforms that were previously unavailable — and the benefits are clear: In addition to providing customers with additional information about products on websites, retailers can use AR to create interactive international online shop apps, allowing shoppers to see products in three dimensions and learn more about them.
Here are 7 Solid Reasons Why Augmented Reality is the Future of Online Shopping:
1. Retailers Can Create Interactive Shops
To create an effective retail experience, retailers must provide their customers with access to as much information as possible. By adding virtual elements to real-world environments, retailers can present customers with relevant data regarding products, promotions, and services.
For example, retailers can show shoppers 3D images of products, explain the differences between similar products, highlight features of specific models, and allow them to share photos of products on social media.
A recent survey conducted by GfK found that almost half of U.S. respondents believe that augmented reality apps would improve their overall shopping experience. Consumers who use these types of applications also report feeling more satisfied with their purchases than traditional shoppers.
2. Customers Can Shop Anytime, Anywhere
With augmented reality, consumers no longer have to wait until they arrive home to shop. Instead, they can browse the internet anywhere, anytime, and view products virtually. To take advantage of this new option, users simply download the app onto their devices, point their phones at items they wish to purchase, and instantly receive information about them.
Brands can also use augmented reality online shopping to promote their products, offer coupons and discounts, and let customers “try on” clothing, shoes, furniture, vehicles, electronics, and more. As a result, shoppers can save valuable time and energy, helping them spend less time browsing and more time interacting with content.
3. Brands Can Reach New Audiences
Traditional advertising campaigns rely on print ads and TV commercials to reach demographically and behaviorally targeted audiences.
Thanks to ad blockers and smart TVs, more people aren’t reading or watching ads.
Augmented reality allows brands to reach millions of people who don’t seek out marketing messages. 74% of millennials prefer AR to other forms of advertising, according to a study. Brands can easily incorporate AR into existing marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and engage consumers.
4. It’s Easy & Affordable
One major challenge for retailers is reaching consumers when it comes to international shops.
Only 35% of shoppers make online purchases daily, and even fewer use smartphones.
Most online sales happen outside of peak shopping hours, so companies must find creative ways to attract customers. Thanks to AR, retailers can transform brick-and-mortar locations into digital storefronts, offering consumers a convenient, integrated experience that reduces delivery times and helps them complete orders 24/7.
5. There Are No Physical Constraints
This is the future of online shopping. Augmented Reality doesn’t require expensive hardware or large budgets, making it accessible to all businesses regardless of size. Furthermore, it’s easy to set up: Simply install the appropriate software, upload images and videos, and start sharing.
Companies can even send physical goods directly to consumers using AR – without requiring them to visit physical locations or pay shipping fees. Once launched, consumers can interact with content using simple gestures such as swiping, pointing, clicking, and tilting their device.
6. It Helps Create Better Experiences
Augmented reality has proven to be an effective tool for creating memorable experiences. One example is the HoloLens 2 headset, which allows users to place virtual objects into real settings. Another is Google Street View, which lets consumers explore cities and landmarks virtually, then scan the scenery upon exiting the car.
These examples demonstrate how AR in online shopping can help create immersive environments in which consumers interact with brands. As a result, brands can use AR to encourage consumer engagement and loyalty by building meaningful relationships with customers.
7. Customer Service
This is another future trend in online shopping. Many businesses need help with customer service problems because they need to provide consistent, high quality experiences. Augmented reality offers an opportunity for companies to improve their services by allowing employees to view a product or facility remotely before visiting it.
For instance, Walmart uses AR to let its associates view products in real time, helping them identify items that are similar or compatible with others in inventory. The same technology could also be used to show consumers where store staff members are located, providing more efficient checkouts.
Other Reasons:
8. Experience
The experience you offer your customers will have an impact on how they perceive your brand. In this era of mobile devices and social media, being able to share what’s going on within your business is important.
With augmented reality international online stores, you can literally put yourself in your customers’ shoes. You can see what they’re seeing, hear what they’re hearing, smell what they’re smelling, feel what they’re feeling, and touch what they’re touching. This makes your company seem more human and trustworthy than ever.
9. It Increases Consumer Demand
With more than 90% of millennial smartphone owners owning either an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S10+, it’s clear that mobile devices are extremely important tools for many consumers. However, the majority of smartphones run Android operating systems.
While Apple dominates the U.S., China, Europe and other major markets, most Android phones are sold in developing nations, where consumers lack access to advanced technologies like GPS navigation. Augmented reality provides a way for developing nations to integrate cutting edge features into their own infrastructure. This may lead to increased demand for smartphones and other devices capable of running apps that utilize AR.
10. It Gives Employees An Edge
The advent of artificial intelligence means smart machines are becoming increasingly common in both manufacturing and office work. In fact, according to research firm IDC, AI solutions now account for nearly 30% of software development around the world. Given this growth, human developers need to develop ways to ensure they stay relevant.
Are you still thinking about what is the future of online shopping? Augmented reality can be one such solution. Companies can use it to train human workers in areas such as coding and problem solving. This allows employees to stay relevant as AI becomes more widespread.
Final Words:
AR is the future of online shopping. It’s easy to see why AR is quickly emerging as one of the hottest trends within tech today – it has limitless potential, and its applications are only beginning to be explored.
Businesses of all sizes can take advantage of this trend. AR is a perfect example of how technology can be useful to anyone, no matter what industry you’re involved in.
