Higher ecommerce sales — but high returns. Will this shirt in a medium size fit me? Or should I go with the large? Better get both and take advantage of a free return. How do I know that this blue couch will work with the color scheme of my living room? The increase in online shopping reflects what Gartner research finds are consumers with lowered confidence. Not towards the businesses they’re considering, but rather towards themselves and “their ability to make good buying decisions.”
How can a business instill confidence in their customers? Those who provide the right information will reduce buyer’s remorse, the culprit behind reduced customer loyalty and advocacy.
The global pandemic has proven traditional shopping experiences won’t fly anymore. Consumers are in control and they’re expecting innovative and intuitive digital experiences that make life easier to justify purchases they’re considering.
We have just what you need to digitally transform your Shopify website and finish the sale: A Shopify 3D and AR model creation app with a robust set of comprehensive ecommerce add-ons to provide customers with the information they need, as 66% of shoppers say augmented reality increases their confidence that they’re choosing the right product for their needs.
Let’s look at 5 ways 3D and Augmented Reality (AR) content can not only boost customer confidence to convert visits into sales, but also how it’ll get you in good grace with the right crowd.
1. See-It-In-Your Space Experiences
3D versions of your product bring textures, shapes, and angles to life on screen while AR mimics in-person shopping by putting products overlaid within a customer’s space pointed out by their mobile devices' camera. The immense amount of detail leaves customers knowing exactly what they’re purchasing before the package arrives at their door.
A model created through our app will automatically enable “View in 3D” and “View in AR” buttons. We take it 1 step further with our “View in a Room” widget that allows customer to upload images of their choosing to place 3D models into.
Check out one of our clients taking advantage of these great tools here and the video walkthrough below:
2. Provide Customization Features Through a Configurator
Those in the furniture or clothing business will likely have a lot of products with variations to show to customers who in turn want the ability to study every option available to them. That’s where our product configurator tool comes in to empower customers with personalization. One 3D model lays the groundwork, as it becomes the base where colors can be swapped, and arrangements switched to tailor products.
Consumers can select different product options such as furniture size, fabric colors and textures, add-ons such as upholstery protector, and so on, and can configure the different components until they find the perfect couch for them. With product configurators at their disposal, shoppers can get a better idea of what they are buying before they make a purchase–and are less likely to return it as a result.
A recent Deloitte survey found that 36% of consumers are interested in purchasing personalized products such as these.
Put the power of personalization in your customers’ hands with our product configurator tool that changes the color of an object as well as its arrangement, allowing clients to explore countless options and pick their favorite. 44% of customers that experience personalized shopping experiences say they’ll become repeat buyers. An easy and tailored shopping journey means more confidence!
The ability to swap out pieces, colors and textures of products in real-time promotes imagination for clients and boosts engagement as they spend time designing a customized product. Multiple configurations don’t mean costs skyrocket to account for multiple 3D models. 1 model created with our Shopify app establishes the base and leads to multiple versions and the ability to swap colors and textures with our configurator.
3. Virtual Photography
A Salsify survey among U.S. digital shoppers found that 60% of US digital shoppers said they needed to see an average of three or four images when shopping online while 13% said they needed five or more. This isn’t a surprise, as the more detail the better to boost customer confidence in what they’re buying.
But can any business plausibly meet this demand? To purchase studio space, equipment, lighting, props and hire a crew for every product in a catalog isn’t feasible.
But there’s still a way to meet consumer expectations: you can virtually place your 3D product models in beautiful settings without the high cost of photography. One 3D model lays the groundwork for a visually appealing and beautiful product portfolio. Easily switch up the environment, size and angle of items without the high costs!
4. Hotspots
62% of consumers abandon their shopping experience when they encounter struggles online and 52% are likely to go with a competitor if you’re not providing them with the right information
Don’t make customers endlessly search for the answers they're looking for – add messages to your 3D and AR models that describe and link to specific features of your product through a single click!
Adding hotspots to your 3D and AR models highlight key product features while allowing your clients to earn and engage with your products virtually.
5. Custom CTA's
Shopify Plus’ report on commerce trends notes that “the checkout is your store’s most critical moment. The faster and easier you make it to check out, the more money you can make.” You want to make it as seamless as possible for your customer to finish their purchase. As they’re interacting with your 3D models and engagement is at the highest level, our custom CTA’s provide clear interactions that make it simple to move towards a purchase. It promotes a seamless shopping experience with functional buttons like “add to cart,” “checkout,” “Apple Pay,” “View similar items,” all inside the AR experience.
Appeal to Those Affecting Market Spend the Most
Businesses who implement these 3D and AR digital experiences are building for the future: Gen Z is entering the workforce, and they’re bringing a spending force of up to $143 billion with them.
Gen Z are currently teenagers or entering their early twenties, making up roughly 25% of the population. In 2020, it’s estimated they accounted for about 40% of all consumer markets.
Wow and Connect
Gen Z is more likely than their predecessors to expect companies to translate their products into digital experiences. Combine this with the fact that 64% of teens say that images they see online influence products they purchase, and 3D and AR content is the perfect way to digitize content and display products in an immersive way. Switch it up and change your boring, typical photo carousel into a 3D/AR-filled one to gain the trust of Gen Z.
Engagement and Retention
Gen Z has an attention span of 8 seconds which is 4 less than Millennials, so impactful and attractive content is a must. Make them stop scrolling with interactive features they can’t take their eyes off. Our recently launched SaaS solution, ARitize Swirl, is a self-serve platform that allows for the creation and management of clickable 3D and AR banners for ecommerce sites.
Interacting with customers right off the bat on your homepage immediately engages with them and establishes a connection. Check out an example here.
Businesses can simultaneously meet the demand of young shoppers for meaningful, eye-catching content while promoting engagement and retention; according to Accenture data, 50% of consumers better recall brands that regularly engage them using immersive technologies and 47% of consumers say immersive technologies make them feel more connected to products.
Ready to get started with your Shopify 3D and AR model creation app from Nextech AR? Schedule a demo to learn more about building customer confidence and positioning your business to stay competitive for the future.
