Super Easy Way to Enhance Your Online Store with Augmented Reality
Retail giants like Adidas and Ikea are making waves in the world of augmented reality (AR), offering customers unique online shopping experiences. Imagine trying on virtual shoes or visualizing new furniture in your living room before making a purchase.
If you're a small business owner or an online entrepreneur, you might think that incorporating AR into your business is out of your league. However, that's far from the truth. Affordable and easy-to-use ecommerce AR solutions are within your reach.
As you navigate the digital waters of online retail, let this post be your guide. Keep reading to discover how you can join the AR trend and enhance your customers' shopping experience.
Augmented Reality in Ecommerce
Before we explore the specifics, let's clarify what augmented reality (AR) entails. AR is a technology that superimposes digital elements onto the real world using devices like smartphones or tablets.
In the realm of ecommerce, AR can revolutionize the shopping experience by enabling customers to virtually interact with products before making a purchase. This technology not only helps customers visualize how products will look and fit into their lives but also boosts engagement and can significantly increase conversion rates.
Simplifying AR Integration in Online Stores with 3D Product Models
Augmented reality in ecommerce is more than just anattractive feature; it's a transformative innovation that modernises traditional shopping practices for the digital era.
A popular application of AR in ecommerce is the use of 3D product models. These interactive models allow customers to rotate, zoomin, and view products from every angle, providing a more realistic perspective than static images.
By leveraging 3D models, you elevate your product display from simple showcasing to offering immersive virtual experiences. These touch-and-try sessions captivate buyers and encourage them to make a purchase.
Imagine this: a customer opens your app, selects a product — say, a sofa — and with a click, their phone or tablet screen transforms into a stage for their potential purchase. They can rotate, zoom, and place the 3D model in their living room to see how it fits with their decor. It's personal, immediate, and as close to reality as possible without the actual item.
Does this sound complicated? It's not, with the right tools and approach. We'll guide you through understanding not only why but also how to master the use of 3D models in AR for ecommerce.
Creating 3D Product Models for Your Online Store
Now for the exciting part — some ecommerce platforms come with built-in AR features! Rekisa’s ecommerce platform, always at the forefront of innovation, offers a tool that allows you to create 3D models using your iOS device.
If you’re not yet a member of the Rekisa community, now is the perfect time to join and take advantage of our affordable and straight forward ecommerce solution. Besides offering a robust online store and tools for marketing and growing your business, you’ll also get a mobile app to manage your store on the go and enhance it with AR features.
All you need is the Rekisa Mobile App and an Apple Pro device equipped with a LiDAR scanner. This includes the iPad Pro 2020-2023, iPhone 12 Pro, 13 Pro, 13 ProMax, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max running iOS 17 and above.
Here’s how to get started:
- Download the Rekisa Mobile App for iOS.
- Go to the product editing page and tap the button to add a new image.
- Tap the Create 3D Model button.
- Tap Start Capture and follow the on-screen instructions for the best results.
- Scan segments as directed in the app.
- Tap Finish.
- Tap Add to Product Description.
Customer scan view the 3D model directly from the product page in your online store.
If your customers have an AR-ready iPhone or iPad, they can use their device’s camera to open the model. The virtual object will appear in their actual surroundings on the screen, allowing them to virtually place items like a coffee table in their room.
For customers using a Mac or an iPhone/iPad without AR capabilities, they can view the downloaded model in Safari or their usual picture viewer. They can then rotate and explore the 3D model as they wish.
Mastering 3D Product Models
Creating a perfect 3D product model can present challenges, especially with certain physical product characteristics that might affect the LiDAR scanner's performance. However, with the right approach, this process can become a manageable and precise task.
Here are some tips for creating an ideal 3D product model:
Choose the Right Product
Not all products are suitable for 3D modeling. Ensure your product has dimensions of at least 3 inches in length, width, and height for the best results. Clean your product thoroughly before scanning to remove any dust or dirt that could interfere with the process.
The Importance of Lighting
Proper lighting is crucial when capturing your product for the 3D model. Avoid shadows and poor illumination as they can negatively impact the final AR display. Additionally, the precision of LiDAR sensor data can be affected by shiny surfaces. Smooth, highly reflective surfaces like mirrors, glass, or calm water may cause tiny reflections that can lead to inaccuracies in the scanner’s measurements.
Avoid Sudden Movements
To achieve a high-quality model, maintain a steady hand and smooth scanning motionduring the process. Avoiding sudden movements will help create a more accurate and detailed 3D model.
By following these pointers, you'll be well on your way to mastering the creation of 3D product models for your online store.
Niches That Benefit the Most from AR in Ecommerce
While 3D product models are exciting, they aren’t suited for every niche. Digital products like ebooks, services, or custom-tailored items (such as wedding gowns) might not gain much from AR technology.
However, for businesses selling physical products that benefit from visualization and virtual try-ons, 3D models can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and engagement.
Here are some niches that can benefit the most from AR in ecommerce:
Furniture
Furniture is a natural fit for 3D models in AR, as customers can “place” items in their homes to see how they fit and look in their space.
Plants
Online plant shops often face the challenge of helping customers visualize how plants will look in their homes. 3D models can bridge this gap, offering a more accuratere presentation.
Art
For items like large paintings or sculptures, customers can benefit from seeing how a piece will look in their home before making a purchase. 3D models facilitate this interaction, helping customers make more informed decisions.
Home Decor
Items such as lamps, vases, and other smaller home decor pieces can be better appreciated through 3D models. Customers can see how these products fit into their space, leading to more confident purchases.
Shoes & Accessories
Virtual try-ons for shoes make online shopping more convenient and enjoyable for customers. 3D models provide a more accurate representation of fit and style. Accessories like bags can also benefit from 3D modeling. For instance, Atlas 46, an ecommerce seller, created a 3D product model for their tool attachment pouch, allowing shoppers to view the model when browsing the product.
By leveraging AR in these niches, businesses can create more engaging and satisfying shopping experiences for their customers.
Customers can also explore the AR feature that allows them to see how the item appears in their real-life surroundings:
If you're curious, you can view the 3D model directly in the Atlas 46 store.
To Sum Up: Benefits of Using AR in Ecommerce
By now, you should see how 3D models can elevate your sales strategy. Here’s why they’re important:
Connecting with Customers on a Wholeb New Level
A 3D product bridges the gap between the consumer and the product, fostering a personal connection that flat images can't achieve. Shoppers can "sample" the product in their space, creating a stronger desire toown it.
Reduced Return Rates
Buyer’s remorse? The fitting room effect is AR’s cure. Shoppers can ensure products fit or match before buying, reducing the likelihood of returns.
Competitive Edge
At its current adoption rate, AR in ecommerce remains a novelty. By being an AR pioneer, you differentiate yourself from competitors, creating a memorable and modern brand.
Shaping the Future of Online Retail
The synergy of augmented reality and 3D models pushes the boundaries of ecommerce. This melding of virtual and real is more than a trend — it’s a transformation.
Are you ready to turn your inventory into engaging, interactive 3D models? The technology is within your reach — just sign up for Rekisa. Brands that harness AR will not only survive the digital evolution but thrive in it.
Remember, it’s not just about selling; it’s about the experience. Give your customers a taste of the future today, and the future will be yours tomorrow. It’s time to take your online store to the third dimension with 3D models in AR.
Originally sourced from Ecwid by Lightspeed
