How to deploy AR or 3D for an online store
June 25, 2024
How to deploy AR or 3D for an online store
In recent years, you see more and more consumers making purchases online. However, buying certain products often lacks a feeling. You don’t just buy a sofa, table, painting or espresso machine. As a consumer, you want to experience, feel and see the product in the space where it will be placed. Augmented reality (AR) ensures that this feeling is there. For example, you can use AR to visualize a piece of furniture in a room or experience what a bicycle looks like in real life. But what’s involved if you want to visualize your product in AR or 3D?
Product visualization in AR or 3D
Augmented reality is a technology that visualizes digital objects in the real world. Visualization can be done through smartphones, tablets and AR glasses. For Web stores, you can use WebAR. This is a variant of AR that can be accessed through Web browsers without the need for special apps or hardware. This means consumers can easily view a product through a smartphone or tablet. Wondering how WebAR works and can visualize products in your environment? Test it out below.
The difference between AR and 3D is how the product is visualized. Do you want people to be able to view the object even on their laptops? Then 3D is the solution. Visualizing products in 3D allows them to move around the product. You can make this interactive by combining it with a product configurator. Consumers configure the product themselves and can move around the 3D object to view it in full.
5 steps to create a product in AR or 3D
- Step 1: Digitize your product in 3D
Do you want to use AR or WebAR? Then you must always have your product in 3D. There are several ways to do this, depending on the complexity of the machine and your expertise. If you already have a CAD model, you have a head start. If not, there are plenty of software tools available to help you model your machine in 3D.
- Step 2: Determine how you want the consumer to experience it
Once you have a 3D model, you need to start thinking about how you want the customer to experience it. You can choose to make the product visible only in 3D, so customers can move around it and see it in detail.
However, do you want to offer consumers the unique experience of AR? Then you need to look for an AR platform. With Total Reality’s platform, you have the ability to easily integrate a WebAR solution into your website. A button appears on the website’s product page with “View in AR” and then consumers can view the product in real life.
- Step 3: Integrate the 3D model with the platform
Total Reality customers use the ILC platform. They provide a STEP file / 3D CAD model, we make sure the model becomes available within the platform. This way you have a working AR solution on your website within five to ten days.
- Step 4: Adapt your marketing accordingly
Make sure consumers can clearly see that they can visualize the product in AR. Because the product becomes tangible, they are more likely to purchase. Use it in your campaigns. Allow doubters to view the product in AR through a remarketing campaign. Or publish a campaign to raise awareness by publishing an AR filter on TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram with your product.
- Step 5: Testing and refining
Make sure your product is displayed in different environments and on different devices. Google Analytics allows you to measure the usage of the solution based on events. See where people drop out and possibly test how high the conversion rate is with/without AR solution.
Examples to improve the shopping experience
In a previous blog, ‘Deploy WebAR for a unique shopping experience‘, we described 10 unique examples for deploying the technology. AR and 3D offer your business the opportunity to enhance the shopping experience. It makes products tangible to the customer. For products with a higher purchase threshold, this is a way to win over consumers.
The technology is interesting not only for purchases in the B2C market, but also for B2B companies. Are you selling a machine or part of a machine? Then make sure you can show your product with AR or in 3D. This will set you apart from the competition. With technology, you can easily give product demonstrations to provide insight into functionalities and usage scenarios. It is also possible for B2B companies to link WebAR to a physical or virtual showroom. Using innovation technologies such as WebAR gives B2B companies the opportunity to improve the customer experience.
Differentiate yourself with WebAR
Augmented Reality on the Web is a game changer. It allows people to visualize and experience products in a way that was not possible before. At the same time, it allows businesses to increase customer engagement and improve conversion rates. WebAR is clearly shaping the future of shopping, and the potential is far from exhausted. Are you curious about the possibilities for your business? Then contact us and we will show you different expressions in a demo.
Want to know more about (Web)AR?
Want to know how AR and 3D can take your webshop to the next level? Ask your question using the form below, or request a no-obligation consultation. We would love to tell you all about the possibilities for your business!