The rise of augmented reality apps for shopping

Although augmented reality apps (AR) may sound futuristic, consumers and marketers are embracing the concept far more quickly than expected.

According to a recent study, 60% of shoppers would be prepared to use augmented reality (AR) when making online purchases if it meant they could see how items would look in their homes before making a decision.

As a result, several firms are incorporating this technology into their marketing strategy. 

What is an augmented reality app?

An augmented reality app (AR) is a software program that incorporates digital visual content (and occasionally audio and other sorts) into the user’s actual environment.

In various sectors, including healthcare, public safety, gas & oil, tourism, and marketing, augmented reality (AR) software is utilized for teaching, professional, and consumer applications.

AR apps are also utilized in retail and wholesale businesses, making the shopping experience seamless and increasing customer activity.

AR and Shopping

AR applications are transforming and revolutionizing mobile and internet shopping daily. This has elevated e-commerce platforms to new heights.

Using a smartphone or virtual reality headset, shoppers can virtually try on and test things when shopping using augmented reality.

Customers can interact with things as if they were at a physical store using augmented reality (AR), or they can see how the products would appear in their homes or, in the case of clothing, on their bodies.

By enabling customers to engage in pre-buying behaviors like digitally putting on clothing or makeup or overlaying furniture into a living environment to judge its size and appropriateness with the rest of their house furnishings, AR transforms the shopping experience significantly.

Examples of Augmented Reality Apps

 There are several augmented reality apps explicitly created to transform the shopping experience.

They include:

Shopify AR

Shopify AR is an augmented reality program that allows online store owners to create a more realistic buying experience. 

You may use this app to capture your products in 3D visuals. This helps your customers comprehend their function and size, giving them greater confidence to purchase.

Shopify AR technology enables Android and iOS users to transform any environment into their showroom. 

Interactive products allow customers to test and decide if they like or need them. 

It assists customers in getting a better feel of your products’ detail, size, and weight. This can increase your average order value.

Houzz

Houzz is one of the best AR apps for designing interior layouts and design. It is a terrific platform for home goods and furniture suppliers and buyers.

It is primarily a home remodeling software, offers e-commerce capability, allowing users to browse and purchase things in-app.

The “View in My Room” function generates AR experiences by inserting objects into a snapshot of the user’s home—using 3D technology to create a lifelike depiction.

It even shows how the product would appear in various lighting conditions. As a result, customers may shop for a new lampstand from the comfort of their couch.

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This is yet another augmented reality app for iPhone and Android that focuses on home décor. For example, the Swedish furniture business allows customers to put its pieces in their homes without requiring assembly. 

This program considers the big picture, taking into consideration your complete home’s floor layout to determine which products will go best where.

The ability to see different colors and drag-and-drop functionality emulate the fun of the actual IKEA experience.

YouCam Makeup

YouCam Makeup is another augmented reality app. It is also available for Android and iOS. This app focuses on the creativity of cosmetics. 

Purchasing makeup is usually a walk in the dark. You may need to find out what you’re getting.

But YouCam helps with this by allowing customers to use AR technology to test makeup from various major brands. 

Google Lens 

Google Lens improves the search experience for users by including fantastic AR features. Rather than typing a text-based inquiry, launch the app and point it at something you want to learn more about. 

Google Lens will recognize the object, read the writing, and save essential numbers. It will also tell you where you can buy the object (if it’s a product available online).

Furthermore, shoppers may use it to translate content on a product page from over 100 languages without downloading translation software.

Augment

Augment is another fantastic software for delivering augmented reality experiences. Augment is designed for e-commerce business owners that want to create augmented photos of their products. 

These assets are then ready for your augmented reality experience, whether in your mobile app, website, in-person activations, or another channel.

It’s beneficial for boosting “field sales”—pop-up stores, farmers’ markets, event sales, etc.

ROAR

ROAR is another of the top augmented reality apps for business owners. 

It has numerous applications, including creating an AR-powered online store available when users scan product packaging at home, incorporating AR into print advertisements, and even determining which products and categories are more prevalent when encountered through AR. 

On the consumer side, the app improves in-store and at-home brand experiences by delivering more in-depth, exciting material.

Also, the app improves in-store and at-home brand experiences by providing more profound, exciting content and information on products of interest.

They can read reviews, compare prices, and even shop the product in-app. 

Amikasa

Amikasa ranks among the home-furnishing AR apps presently only accessible on iOS (there is no Android version).

Amikasa combines products from all across the web rather than focusing on a particular store or brand, so customers can create a cohesive space without visiting every store or website. 

Users can even shop for products without leaving the app. Keep in mind that more channels equal more conversion opportunities. For example, if you offer home goods, it may be worthwhile to list your stuff on Amikasa. 

Snapchat

Sure, Snapchat is a social media program recognized for its younger user demographic, entertaining effects and messages that self-destruct.

But did you realize it’s also an augmented reality app? Those bizarre facial filters demonstrate AR in action. 

By establishing a presence on Snapchat and investing in branded filters, brands may include Snapchat marketing and AR in their strategy.

Wanna Kicks

Want a Kicks, another popular AR app, has a limited scope.

It is a sneaker-focused app that places virtual representations of footwear on your feet. So you can see their appearance if you wear them from any angle. 

And, because this age is so socially oriented, there’s an option to publish on social media and solicit feedback from friends. 

The impact of Augmented Reality on shopping

Retailers and business owners across the globe are constantly searching for ways to improve consumers’ shopping experiences. Finally, these efforts have been met with some success. 

Here are some of the ways AR has impacted the shopping experience;

Providing clients with the opportunity to try things before purchasing them

One of the most significant advantages of AR in retail is that it lets shoppers experience things before purchasing them. This is especially handy for large purchases such as furniture or equipment.

Customers can use augmented reality to visualize how furniture might look in their homes before purchasing it. 

They can also try out various features of an electronic product to evaluate if it matches their requirements. 

Increased consumer interaction can increase sales, loyalty, and constant business.

Assisting customers in finding products in stores

Another advantage of employing AR in retail is that it might assist shoppers in finding things in stores. This is especially useful for large stores with a wide range of products, such as IKEA.

Customers can use AR to find an item in the store and learn more about it using their smartphone. 

This can save them time and frustration, increasing their likelihood of returning to the store.

Improving the in-store experience

AR can improve the whole in-store experience and assist shoppers in finding things. This is because augmented reality may give a more immersive, enjoyable, and engaging purchasing experience.

AR, for example, can provide clients with information about products of interest. It can also offer clients directions and information about sales and promotions.

Finally, augmented reality in retail can give shoppers a more personalized and delightful purchasing experience.

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Boosting sales and engagement

AR can improve the in-store experience while also increasing sales and engagement. Customers with a great shopping experience are more likely to purchase and return. 

Customers can try on things, see how they look in person, and get a sense of the size and scale before purchasing them.

Increased client satisfaction

Finally, augmented reality improves consumer happiness. According to a recent study, augmented reality can boost consumer satisfaction by 3.5%.

Every point listed above improves customer satisfaction and makes shopping more fun for customers.