How to use AR Marketing for your own online shop
When it comes to pushing sales figures and offering customers a unique and highly useful shopping experience, more and more e-commerce companies are relying on web augmented reality marketing. Not only does WebAR offer meaningful added value for customers online, it also guarantees differentiation and standing out from other conventional online shops. But even if some providers are already making use of the technology, it is not uncommon to see the first mistake in marketing: Many customers do not even know that there is the possibility of visualization in AR on the website when browsing on the desktop. The insight only comes later when the smartphone accidentally calls up the website, where the application display only becomes visible - often too late when another purchase decision has already been made. This is just one aspect of AR marketing that should not be neglected, because the virtual product presentation will not bring any results if the customers are not aware of the possibilities. In this article we want to show you how to get the most out of WebAR for your own webshop and what steps are necessary to do so.
Step 1: Start with the basics
In order to be able to use WebAR at all, a little technical preparatory work has to be done first. At Mazing, we attach particular importance to the fact that there is as little effort as possible for providers of an online shop. After we have created the 3D model and the associated 3D and AR viewer, the whole thing can now be integrated into the website within a few minutes using an HTML iframe. For convenience, our free iFrame Generator be used. Alternatively, you can also link to the 3D and AR view with a direct link. The forwarding can take place, for example, by clicking on a button in the form of images or text.
We recommend embedding the 3D/AR viewer on the main and/or product page. The advantage of displaying on the main page is the immediate attention of the customer or prospect as soon as the website is accessed. Once the product page has been clicked on, the customer is more easily encouraged to make a purchase, since the WebAR product display in this case not only attracts attention, but also gives an improved impression of the product and guarantees more security in the purchase decision.
Once integrated into the website, the public must now be made aware of it. Augmented Reality still needs to be explained, so it is important to inform customers how the product display in the AR Viewer works and that this is done very easily and intuitively. There are various ways of advertising the new feature in the online shop: The simplest is probably sending out a newsletter to regular customers, in which the viewer is best represented by a GIF. E-mail is initially a good opportunity for communication as the resources are already in place. In addition to this, we also recommend writing a press release to bring the innovation to a wider audience. Another option, which is particularly relevant for publications in print media or distribution at trade fairs, is the display of a QR code. This can be scanned by any smartphone, which takes you directly to the WebAR display.
2nd step: sales advice
It is important for every company to advise its customers competently and simply. Augmented Reality Marketing can be used as a supporting tool to successfully implement exactly this. When advising customers, the WebAR visualization should be pointed out both online and on site. When buying online, care should be taken to design the main or product page in such a way that the customer immediately knows how to get into the viewer. Since the placement itself takes place on a smartphone device or tablet, it is important to add a button on the desktop version of the website that contains a QR code for access. This is always included with the delivery of the viewer from Mazing. WebAR should also be explicitly referred to when calling customers.
When visiting a showroom, digital product placement can be used just as well. In brick-and-mortar retail, there is the possibility of distributing flyers with QR codes printed on them for the individual products to customers. After the consultation in the showroom, the customer can test the product again virtually in their own home.
3rd step: Sales Boost with social media
Filters are used by millions of users every day across social media. We are also happy to support you in creating an Instagram filter for your products. A filter allows companies to go viral faster, for example by posting a story with the product filter. Users can easily click on the filter and then try it out for themselves and share it again. This way you can quickly reach an organic reach.
Another and, for some companies, more effective way of promoting your own products through AR on social media is to network with influencers who already have a large reach. Instead of sending expensive test products and paying bloggers to advertise, it is better to send them virtual products in the form of AR, which they then include in posts. We would also be happy to support you in finding and preparing an influencer augmented reality marketing campaign.
4th step: Analytics
Data is the new gold when it comes to measuring the success of your own marketing strategy. On the mazing platform you can follow live analytics, which provide information on how the engagement with the AR display on the website is developing. This includes measurements of the number of 3D view views, how many times the AR view was opened and a product was placed, and how many QR code scans took place on the site. It is always important to ensure that data on the 3D and AR view are compared proportionately and that changes in the conversion rate are read out.
We are always available for a free AR marketing consultation, easy here
