Is augmented reality the future of online shopping?
AR has been around for a while, but it is only recently that it has started to be used for retail applications. There are several reasons why AR could be the future of online shopping.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of using AR for online shopping. We will also look at some of the challenges that retailers face when implementing AR into their eCommerce platforms.
Benefits of Using AR in Online Shopping
Boost Shoppers’ Confidence
AR enhances consumers’ confidence in the quality of a product.
According to 56% of purchasers, AR gives them greater assurance in the quality of an item.
Using virtual experiences, customers can make risk-free purchasing decisions due to the “try-before-you-buy” function and help them make the greatest purchases.
When you consider it, using AR to try the goods is as close to actually shopping for them in a store as it gets.
Reduce Product Returns
More and more consumers are looking for a method to lower product returns, which has motivated some business owners to try new tactics.
One of the most successful tactics is to be proactive and apply AR on your product page in order for customers to make better purchasing decisions.
According to research, this reduces product returns by 25%, resulting in a more time-efficient and successful sales cycle.
Increase Customer Engagement
AR technology can increase customer engagement by 66%
Generally, customers will spend an average of 2 minutes online before they make a buying decision.
But with AR, this time increases as customers can try different products in the same way as real life, thus successful in catching the attention of the customers.
And the more time people spend online, the more likely they are to spend. Even if they don’t, they’ve become aware of your site and may do so in the future.
Challenges Retailers Face when Implementing AR into their eCommerce Platforms
Cost
The cost of AR technology is still prohibitive for many small and medium-sized businesses.
The hardware and software required to create an AR experience can be expensive.
In addition, developing an AR application requires specialised skills and knowledge, which can further increase the cost.
Compatibility
Even though most devices are compatible with AR applications, it doesn’t mean they all are.
In order for customers to use AR, they need a device that is equipped with the necessary hardware and software.
And this limits the potential customer base that retailers can reach with their AR applications.
Privacy and Security
AR technology raises privacy and security concerns as it requires access to a user’s personal data, such as their location, camera, and microphone.
This raises the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
As such, retailers need to take steps to protect the privacy and security of their customers’ data.
Lack of Standards
There is no standard for how AR should be implemented into eCommerce platforms.
But this can lead to inconsistency in the user experience and makes it difficult for retailers to develop a single, unified AR application that works across all devices.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, there are several benefits of using AR in online shopping; however, there are also some challenges that retailers face when implementing AR into their eCommerce platforms.
While AR is a new technology on the upswing, the market is not yet saturated.
So now is the time to integrate it into your eCommerce site rather than later when your competitors will have already done so.
