Augmented Reality (AR) has become one of the best options to drive mobile sales and brand value. Customer requirements and desires progressively drive markets. As technology progresses, people want change. According to a study, 88% of midsize businesses use AR for a variety of tasks. So, a brand must stay up to date.
AR is a marketing and sales trend that allows firms to provide customers with new experiences on mobile devices.
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Mobile is a key way through which customers connect with companies. Purchasing decisions through mobile are estimated to reach about $36 billion by 2026. AR can boost sales and brand value on mobile devices.
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The Global Report from Snap Consumer 2021 reported that in the next five years, 74% of consumers worldwide are estimated to use AR even more frequently in their daily lives.
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How to use Augmented Reality in Advertising
AR helps a business grow in various ways. Some of the crucial points are mentioned below.
Boost trials
Augmented reality allows businesses to add a digital layer to their physical products and places. Customers can scan a product or item to get an AR experience relevant to the product or brand. Several sectors and markets use AR in this way. The ticket-selling business StubHub produced AR software that showed a 3D picture of the Super Bowl venue. Fans could see the field from numerous seats to pick the ideal one.
Starbucks uses AR to digitise a retail tour. Users may scan shop objects to obtain a virtual tour that supplements the real location.
Hyundai and Mercedes use AR in the automotive business. Hyundai was the first to build an AR manual for drivers, and Mercedes has improved it. Mercedes has an intelligent virtual assistant called ‘Ask Mercedes’, which uses an AR interface.
Test before buying
Potential customers have always desired to sample the items. This sales tactic is effective, as seen in fitting rooms, cosmetic samples, and car test drives. AR shopping is a retail trend.
AR allows buyers to try on cosmetics, apparel, and household products without touching them. AR eliminates the need for a huge physical inventory, so clients may try hundreds of things to get the best fit.
AR’s uses are growing as more firms recognise its potential. Facebook is pioneering AR applications. Its AR app lets consumers digitally try on cosmetics and accessories before buying them. The first Facebook AR ad let users put on virtual sunglasses using their cameras.
The cosmetics sector has also embraced AR recently. Sephora, L’Oreal, and Perfect Corp have partnered to allow shoppers to try on cosmetics virtually. AR is useful for online cosmetics sales since users must model the makeup on themselves.
Nykaa has recently started AR for some of its cosmetics. Buyers can use AR to check the cosmetics digitally on themselves for some brands. The customers can also select their skin tone and see what a product would look like on their complexion.
AR can also create a virtual dressing room. Dressing rooms are a must when buying clothes. Customers must carry piles of clothes to the changing room, and personnel must restore the items. In addition, a store’s clothing try-on selection is restricted by inventory.
The AR changing room eliminates the hassle by letting shoppers access a digitised library of apparel. Topshop and Timberland have developed AR fitting and changing rooms to assist shoppers in picking apparel products.
Promote the brand
Augmented reality may be utilised as a sales and marketing tool. While past AR applications focused on revenue, AR may also be used to boost a brand’s reputation. If implemented appropriately, an innovative, surprising, or enjoyable AR experience may generate brand attention. Most people are new to AR, so a well-designed experience will produce lasting memories. People like a happy, contented brand. So, exposure and goodwill may pay off.
The Pepsi bus station AR campaign is a good example. Pepsi allowed consumers to view an AR virtual window at the bus terminal. Users saw a tiger, UFOs, and robots in the AR vista. By leveraging bus waiting with AR, Pepsi generated debate and boosted its brand. Uber followed suit with a similar promotion in Zurich. It produced AR experiences for riders and collected 1 million YouTube views.
By using such techniques, firms may earn millions in earned media. An AR campaign may help a business stand out in a competitive market and generate buzz and name recognition.
Enhance branding
Adding a virtual element to business cards and brochures with AR can boost their effectiveness. Users can scan printed papers using mobile devices to obtain information and contact options. A user may scan a brochure to bring up a movie showcasing some part of the material. This adds a dynamic element to the static text.
Alternatively, a business card may employ AR to display contact choices. It can let the user get in touch with a single click, whether via email, LinkedIn, or phone call. AR-enhanced branding materials add virtual features to the text to boost interaction.
AR in B2B
It is said that, by 2025, 75% of the world’s population will actively use AR. AR may change B2B customer and vendor experiences in various ways. The B2B sales process has always been a tug-of-war between client expectations and what a vendor can provide. AR may enhance the sales process chain-wide.
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Creating dynamic sales presentations is one of the most important ways AR can boost B2B sales. The former model included pamphlets, flyers, and a PowerPoint presentation. Contrast that with a salesforce outfitted with a digital device. The device can access bespoke AR apps showcasing their product ranges in 360 degrees. It is clear which sales team wins.
According to recent data, 61% of consumers already prefer to shop at stores that offer AR capabilities. Indeed, AR sales tools can give consumers a high-level overview or a thorough study of specific components.
By bringing the product into the conference space, AR gives customers more decision-making information. AR is also great for customising. Clients generally want customised products and solutions. Vendors often struggle to meet these requests.
AR tools help engage customers in product design. This feedback may then be digitally sent in real-time to the seller. This allows customers to obtain exactly what they want and merchants to supply it. AR helps vendors meet customer expectations.
40% of consumers claim they would pay extra for products if they could personalise them in AR. AR also has a big influence on post-sale assistance. Oftentimes, users rely on user manuals or online information repositories, which are unhelpful or hard to traverse. It might lead to consumer discontent and a loss of business.
AR solutions in customer service are just starting to take off, but early results are encouraging. AR guides and remote tech support may make customer service more dynamic and responsive.
Conclusion
AR is more than a gaming novelty. It is expected to drive sales and marketing advancements in the coming decade. Forward-thinking firms may improve consumer experiences through AR. This will lead to more business prospects and sales.