Augmented Reality: How Can It Improve Customer Experience?

AR (Augmented Reality) is a technology that overlays digital information with reality by blending computer-generated elements with your real-time environment. Using a smartphone camera and a mobile application, one can create Augmented Reality displays that feature 3D visuals with sound effects.

It has recently become a popular product due to its many different real-world applications. One sector, in particular, has gained significant momentum — customer experience.

Overcoming the disadvantages of online shopping

Until now, the experience of shopping online has been mediocre at best. As shoppers have become increasingly eager to shop online, a number of obstacles have prevented them from taking the plunge until Augmented Reality became mainstream.

The most significant disadvantage of shopping online is that consumers cannot physically examine and test products before buying them. Consumers are also concerned about what they will do if they encounter problems with their products once they buy them. For instance, who can help them with post-sale support and advise them on repairs, installations, upgrades, troubleshooting, and other inquiries?

Meeting customer needs with Augmented Reality

By leveraging Augmented Reality solutions, businesses can provide an interactive post-sales support system that solves customers' problems rapidly. Augmented shopping experiences are becoming more popular, with brands using Augmented Reality to let consumers try products before they buy them — from trying out makeup to test-driving a new car.

Imagine that you could virtually try-on glasses without ever setting foot in a store. Allowing customers to scan their faces into a 3D model is possible. Augmented Reality will allow customers to try different frames that the website offers, enabling them to pick the one that best suits them. Nowadays, AR applications also let customers try on clothes in 3D by considering their body measurements.

And by combining Augmented Reality with smart home solutions, you allow customers to build their future homes and customise their interiors. Imagine placing 3D furniture into a model of your house, customising the size and colour according to your preferences, and ordering it at the push of a button.

Shifting away from traditional marketing to Augmented Reality

Today, most businesses and marketers sell their products and services through advertising, celebrity endorsements, or social media. However, forward-thinking organisations increasingly embrace digital transformation and technology solutions, such as Augmented Reality, as an alternative to traditional marketing methods.

Doing so can enhance their relationship with consumers and add value at every stage of their customer journey, from pre-sale to post-sale. Brands can increase customer satisfaction and ensure future sales by providing a better shopping experience.

Connecting with customers via mobile devices makes Augmented Reality an excellent method for brands to provide unique customer experiences. The use of Augmented Reality can enhance the value of your brand on mobile devices and drive sales.

The future of Augmented Reality

In an era of online shopping, videos and images don't do products justice, increasing the risk of returns. Incorporating Augmented Reality into marketing can enhance consumer engagement with brands. Through it, traditional customer journeys become immersive and interactive.

Besides having a better visual representation of the product, Augmented Reality allows buyers to try items virtually, giving them a complete perspective. The convergence of Augmented Reality with customer service has increased personalisation, allowing brands to add value to the customer journey at every stage, increasing customer satisfaction and resulting in more repeat buyers.

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