Is Augmented Reality the Next
Big Thing in Business Marketing
Many people start a business because they want to transform people’s lives, whether by streamlining their daily experiences or offering a superior product. So why not use augmented reality (AR) to provide your clients with an even more transformative experience?
If you’re unfamiliar with AR or know a little about it but want to learn more about how augmented reality works in the business world, let the Digital Marketing Group break it down for you. We’ll explain why augmented reality is the next big thing in business marketing and give you the needed information to decide whether AR is the right marketing tool for you.
Augmented Reality Defined
Augmented reality is a combination of the real world and the digital landscape. Think of it as a meeting of the minds between real objects and digitized images to deliver a more enhanced, augmented experience. In other words, augmented reality overlays virtual objects onto real-life scenes to create an entirely new user experience.
You may be wondering how augmented reality differs from virtual reality. The latter creates a virtual world. Think of a video game that takes us into an alternate universe, whereas AR builds on our existing environment to expand its possibilities. AR delivers a heightened experience grounded in a real-world setting but with a few digital enhancements. So, instead of speaking about AR in the abstract, let’s walk you through a few real-life examples.
AR in Motion
Many industries have already begun to tap into the potential of augmented reality in business in myriad ways. From online shopping to job training, the possibilities are virtually limitless. Here are just a few industries implementing AR to expand their customer base, enhance user experience, and ultimately, grow sales.
Retail
People have been trending toward the convenience of online shopping for a while now. You can buy just about anything from the comfort of your couch these days. But one significant downside to online shopping is the inability to truly experience what you’re buying before adding it to your cart. For instance, you can’t physically try on clothes or jewelry when shopping online. If you’re buying a piece of furniture, you can’t see how it looks inside your home before it’s delivered.
But AR changes that. For instance, using a smart device camera, AR allows you to try on clothes for size, switch out colors and patterns to see which outfit works best, and even accessorize. One of the most well-known examples of AR in the retail sector is L’Oreal’s ModiFace, which allows customers to try on makeup before they purchase a product.
Likewise, if you want to see how a piece of furniture or artwork would look inside your home, you can upload a photo of your living space to an AR-enabled app. Then you can arrange digital furniture pieces in the space to get a feel for whether they would complement your existing design. Similarly, Home Depot developed the Project Color App that allows people to compare paint colors in their rooms to find the shade they like best before making a purchase.
So why exactly is creating this type of AR experience necessary for your business? Well, AR can enhance the customer experience, drastically reducing online returns. The more interaction someone has with a product before purchasing it, the greater the chance the product will deliver a satisfying result.
Education
The pandemic caused schools to switch to distance learning, and many students’ learning suffered as a result. But AR has the potential to offset those learning losses by fostering a more immersive educational experience. For instance, using an AR app, students can explore a historical figure or object in 3D, breathing new life into traditional textbook reading. It’s a revolutionary way to keep students engaged and entertained and help them retain knowledge, regardless of whether classroom instruction is virtual or in-person.
Real Estate
Say goodbye to architectural blueprints and drawings. Now, you can see a commercial building or home long before it’s even built. AR technology can create a 3D simulation that enables you to explore the home or building within its natural surroundings. This type of simulation makes it easier to understand what sizing adjustments may be needed and could help architectural firms avoid costly mistakes.
AR as a Marketing Tool
You can probably see that the business industry is trending toward AR more often and in much more creative ways. Part of that approach involves using AR as a marketing tool. Customers are significantly more likely to remember interactive, immersive experiences over a verbal pitch of your product or service.
Are you attending an industry event or launching a marketing campaign? Entice people to give your business a try by considering the use of AR to attract new clientele.
For example, when Burberry launched a campaign celebrating its signature Olympia bag, the designer label used a pop-up AR experience to drum up interest. By scanning a QR code at the Harrods department store, customers could see the statue of Elpis come to life. They could also take photos and videos with Elpis, which could be shared on social media, generating even more engagement and product buzz. The result was a unique and memorable experience for Burberry customers.
But AR marketing is no longer limited to large companies or major corporations. Instead, it’s becoming much more accessible for those who want to operate an AR campaign on a smaller scale.
If you’re interested in learning more about AR and whether it would be a good fit for your business, reach out to the team at DMG. We can help you develop a marketing strategy focused on growth and increased revenue.
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