A new study shows that almost 60% of e-commerce consumers abandon their shopping carts because they just browse aimlessly or without direct shopping intent. However, 31% come back to make a purchase, usually within two days of the first visit. Some products, such as fashion and beauty products, have a shorter sales cycle – under 19 hours – while sales of complex products can take more than 48 hours to complete.
But what is it that makes the purchase take so long?
One factor is that customers want to make informed purchases. In fact, around 60% of consumers do research before making a purchase. Some people want to consult others or read reviews. Almost 70% of consumers will read up to six reviews before deciding to buy. In general, customers want to feel confident that their purchase is the right one. The question e-commerce stores are asking themselves is: How can they shorten the sales cycle from days to hours? One way is to use the automation features of a product configurator, such as the Aniconfigurator from Animech. A product configurator gives potential buyers the tools to quickly make informed decisions.
What is augmented reality (AR)?
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows people to experience digital content (images, sound, text) in a lifelike environment. In recent years, the popularity of the technology has skyrocketed, with company after company in industry after industry adopting AR. In other words, AR is becoming part of everyday life.
If you’re still wondering what augmented reality means – you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will take a closer look at AR and turn the spotlight on its practical and commercial applications.
To understand what AR is, it is important to understand what it is NOT.
Unlike VR, AR does not put you in a virtual reality by putting on a headset. No, AR allows you to continue interacting with the real world, while still being able to experience digitally rendered objects.
Common uses of AR
So, what is augmented reality used for today? Much more than most people think. In fact, nowadays almost every industry has found ways to apply AR technology to improve processes and results. Common uses include:
- Education and training
- Entertainment
- Game
- Sales
Today, most of these AR experiences are enabled by smartphones, tablets, and desktop and laptop computers. However, the development of more advanced AR devices could open the door to even more applications. The benefits of AR only continue to expand into new sectors, such as healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, telecommunications, education and public safety.
AR in e-commerce
While all the AR use cases mentioned above are exciting, the one that is most relevant to most businesses – especially at a time when companies around the world have been forced to close their physical stores – is AR-driven sales.
But how can AR help your sales flourish?
With the help of a product configurator from Animech, the Aniconfigurator, you can take your marketing to new levels. Aniconfigurator allows businesses and consumers to configure products in AR, VR and 3D. Animech delivers top quality 3D applications and allows you to entertain customers in a unique way.
In times of recurring pandemic restrictions, consumers are increasingly relying on remote shopping. At the same time, customers want to make informed purchases. But how does that equation work when the opportunities to visit physical stores and feel and touch the objects are limited?
The answer lies in the evolution of modern technology – where Animech has proven to be at the forefront of helping companies digitize their commerce. The future of AR is bright, as customers have quickly adapted to this technology. According to pre-pandemic statistics, 100 million consumers shop through AR technology. This has only increased in recent years.
Real-time AR and 3D rendering
Make it easier for consumers to understand what they are actually buying. Here are three key ways this tool can accelerate sales:
Aniconfigurator educates the buyer
Turning speculators into buyers requires an education on what your product can offer. Customer behavior is different today than in the past.
Today’s customers are looking for:
- High quality digital interactions
- Innovative experiences
- Reliable product information.
- Best value
Price is no longer the single most important factor, but the quality of the product and its ability to meet expectations are now also highly sought after. To demonstrate value, merchants must deliver a seamless experience that includes a configuration process for customized products.
With an Aniconfigurator, the customer is able to educate themselves about a product – see all possible angles and configure the color and shape. This is even if the product is not even manufactured.
How a piece of furniture looks from the back or sides is just as important as from the front. By showing product dimensions, people can know if the item will fit in the desired space. Displaying images containing possible add-ons in real time makes it easier for customers to buy.
With a 3D product configurator, merchants can deliver the high-quality experience that the browser demands. Product configurators provide both text and visual information that enables customers to make informed decisions about the products they buy.
In a nutshell: The more information customers can acquire about a product, the more likely they are to buy.
Building trust with augmented reality (AR)
People today want to be constantly entertained – shopping is no exception. Hence, you need to keep up with the times and offer potential customers the technology they require to make a move. AR is one such tool.
Using a VR headset to occupy the environment you want to place your furniture in, or being able to see, twist and turn a pair of shoes – that’s what adds value to a shopping experience. The visual experience plays a big, big role in whether or not a purchase is made. So, you better invest in the right technology – otherwise you risk losing significant revenue and falling behind competitors.
Because if you can give the speculator what it is looking for in terms of information, then there is no need to consult others to ensure that its choice is correct. Making AR part of the sales process can shorten the sales cycle.
According to Forbes, augmented reality improves customer engagement and can increase sales by as much as 200%. Because customers interact with the product for longer – and more intensely – they have the opportunity to experience the true value, which increases the likelihood that they will speculate and buy in the same session. Traders do not have to wait 19 hours, as in a typical sales cycle.
“Seeing is believing” feeling
Platforms like Aniconfigurator have proven to overcome industry after industry. Take the real estate industry as an example, where digital tours are becoming more and more frequent. Why? Indeed, thanks to technological developments, speculators no longer have to travel from A to B to interact with the object. Geography is often an obstacle.
This is a luxury service that e-retailers should follow. With online product configurators, sellers can show potential buyers multiple views to help them visualize possible uses for the product. A modern and cost-effective substitute for the constant use of traditional photo technology.
Hence, we at Animech are proud to provide the Aniconfigurator for our clients. AR technology that helps businesses and customers create a high-quality online shopping experience.
Animech is at your service
Animech knows 3D, AR and VR. Whether it’s the products for your e-commerce, any of the other uses listed above, etc.
By staying at the forefront, Animech has helped global companies do the same.
We are moving towards a time when 3D modeling has become standard, not least in the product design process. Smart visualization is here to stay. So if you haven’t already done so, it’s good advice to consider implementing it in your processes and marketing.
