Have you ever walked into a store and just felt like nothing was matching? You know, that one thing you see in the catalog that you’ve been looking for, but it’s not actually available in stores until someone shows you? Well, for some businesses, this can be a good thing. For example, the retail industry has embraced the use of AR/VR to enhance the customer experience and find exactly what they’re looking for faster and avoid impulse buys.
So how are businesses using AR/VR to enhance the customer experience? Let’s see.
1. The Importance Of Matching
In our online stores, we’ve found that many customers don’t know the exact size of a product they want. This can be because the product pictures don’t represent the actual size of the item, or because the product description doesn’t include information such as the scale of the item. In either case, customers could end up purchasing the wrong size or type of product.
When we’re unable to accurately describe an item, it can be difficult for customers to know if they made the right choice. We’ve also seen this problem with furniture and home decor items where the chosen pieces don’t always match up to what is pictured.
2. Helping Customers Discover Products And Services
A great way to help customers discover products and services is through the use of AR/VR. By putting the customer in the driver’s seat, AR/VR enables businesses to help them discover products and services that they may have been looking for. You might have seen this kind of technology in car rentals, where the driver can see what items are available and available at what car rental locations before they decide where they’d like to go. It also makes it possible to create direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns, such as when we use a VR video to promote our products.
3. Show, Don’t Just Tell — Demonstrative AR/VR Simulations
AR/VR is being used to both augment and embed existing visualizations and user experiences. By building a VR environment where customers can see, feel, and interact with products in a more tangible way, businesses are able to create more engaging in-store experiences for their customers.
For example, fashion retailers are using AR/VR to enhance the customer experience and create more personalized shopping experiences for their customers. Some customers may prefer to try on clothes in their own homes, while others may prefer to shop in a store where they can see the items in real-time, as they’re being worn.
4. Take The Guesswork Out Of Product Activation
Product activation is a critical aspect of any business. Product discovery can be challenging, and it’s often the case that a customer will buy a product only to find that it doesn’t work for them. This can be incredibly frustrating and can lead to customer churn — people who will no longer shop at a brand after experiencing a bad or less-than-optimal experience. With AR/VR, businesses can eliminate the guesswork involved with product activation. By putting the customer in the driver’s seat and showing them how a product actually works, businesses are able to reduce customer frustration and increase retention.
5. Make In-Store Experiences Even More Personal
If you’ve ever wanted to try on clothes in your own home, but were afraid to go into public because you didn’t want to be stared at by other people, or make a scene, that’s exactly what AR/VR can do for you.
By putting the customer in the room that they’re looking at products in, and showing them how the item actually looks on them, businesses can create more personalized shopping experiences.
Wrapping Up
AR/VR has the potential to create a more personal shopping experience for customers. AR/VR can help bring products that customers see in catalogs to life, and can also be used to help companies create more engaging in-store experiences. How are businesses using AR/VR to enhance the customer experience? Let us know in the comments! Ready to start your own AR/VR business? Click here to find out how.
