One of the significant hurdles of online shopping is the lack of a whole sensory product experience.
In a physical store, customers can try on clothes, feel the fabrics, or gauge the size of a couch in person.
Although these experiences are not feasible in eCommerce, augmented reality for WooCommerce can provide a solution by offering customers detailed information about your products from the comfort of their own homes.
What is Augmented Reality?
Retail presents a number of opportunities for AR, particularly in eCommerce.
As much as people have gotten used to the idea of eCommerce, there are still some purchases for which we need a little bit more contextual information.
That can be a barrier to selling specific product categories online.
That’s why DTC furniture merchant Burrow created an AR app that allows shoppers to customize and place true-to-scale 3D models of Burrow sofas in their living rooms.
Augmented Reality in eCommerce Statistics
Augmented reality technology is really starting to take off, and advertisers — in retail or otherwise — are taking notice.
Let’s look at some of the numbers to prove it:
- Global AR advertising revenue, which reached half a billion dollars in 2019, grew to $1.41 billion in 2020.
- One AR research firm projects that advertising revenue could top $8 billion by the end of 2024.
- eMarketer estimated that more than 43 million people in the U.S. would use social network AR at least once a month in 2020. That’s almost 21% of social network users.
- Overall, more than 83 million people in the U.S. will use AR on some device at least once per month, and eMarketer expects this number to rise to 95.1 million by 2022.
- As of June 2020, 35% of U.S. respondents said they’d used AR to visualize furniture or vehicle customizations.
- A June 2020 survey of U.S. retailers showed that 20% expected to invest in AR or VR for their company’s online store, up from just 8% six months prior.
How eCommerce Businesses Are Using Augmented Reality
The retail world is bursting with AR opportunities, especially in eCommerce. Even though people are getting more comfortable with online shopping, some items still need that extra bit of context.
Virtual Try-On Solutions
“Online, it looked amazing.” – We’ve all been there, trying on new clothes only to find they don’t look as good on us.
This fear can lower conversion rates since shoppers want to be sure of their purchase before committing.
If they take the plunge and the item doesn’t work out, return rates can skyrocket. AR helps solve this by allowing online shoppers to understand better what they’re buying.
There are AR apps for trying on clothes, makeup, accessories, and even eyeglasses, making it easier to make the right choice.
Preview Placement
Are you curious about how that couch will look in your living room? Or how that new TV will fit on your wall?
It can be tough to visualize, even in-store, let alone on a tiny screen. AR preview placement gives customers a real-time look at how a product will fit into their environment.
Interactive User Manuals
If you’re selling a product with a learning curve, an interactive user manual might be the perfect AR application.
These manuals respond to user actions, providing on-page contextual support when using software, websites, or apps.
Many AR user manual apps scan the product and highlight buttons and features using graphical arrows and animated text, making it easier for users to understand how everything works.
Social Media Filters
If you’ve been on Instagram Stories or Snapchat lately, you’ve probably seen or used an AR filter.
These filters started as just fun additions, but now more brands are using them for marketing.
AR filters are great for showcasing new products by letting people see how they look with them.
The novelty of AR filters can boost audience engagement and encourage people to tag your brand in their posts. Plus, the “wow” factor helps you stand out from other brands on social media, highlighting what makes you unique.
Benefits of Augmented Reality for WooCommerce
One of the biggest challenges of eCommerce is showing a physical, three-dimensional product in a flat, two-dimensional space.
AR can bridge the gap between shopping in a store and shopping online by making it easier to represent merchandise and giving consumers a better understanding of what they’re buying.
Here are some benefits of using AR:
- Increase Customer Engagement: AR is naturally interactive, making it easy for customers to get engrossed in your site. The longer they stay on your eCommerce website, the more likely they are to make a purchase!
- Reach New Customers: In a noisy world, grabbing attention requires a bit of a buzz. An engaging AR campaign can be a fantastic way to achieve this.
- Reduce Returns: By offering 3D views and showing what a product would look like in a consumer’s space, it’s less likely they’ll receive the product only to find it doesn’t meet their expectations.
Voice Search for WooCommerce
Voice search is another powerful tool that’s transforming the eCommerce landscape. With the rise of smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home, more consumers are using voice commands to shop online.
This trend is expected to grow, making it essential for WooCommerce store owners to optimize their sites for voice search.
Why Voice Search in eCommerce Matters
- Convenience: Voice search allows users to multitask and search hands-free, making it more convenient for on-the-go shoppers.
- Speed: Voice search is often faster than typing, enabling users to find what they need quickly.
- Natural Language Processing: Voice search uses natural language, making it easier for users to find products using everyday speech rather than specific keywords.
How to Optimize Your WooCommerce Store for Voice Search
To optimize your WooCommerce store for voice search, start by focusing on long-tail keywords.
Voice searches are typically longer and more conversational than typed searches, so it’s essential to optimize your content with keywords that reflect how people speak naturally.
Additionally, implement structured data, such as schema markup, on your site to help search engines understand and index your content more effectively.
Improving your site speed is also crucial, as voice search users expect fast results.
Ensure that your WooCommerce store loads quickly on all devices to meet these expectations.
Lastly, create conversational content by writing product descriptions, blog posts, and FAQs in a tone that matches the natural language of voice search queries.
This approach will help make your content more relatable and accessible to users relying on voice search.
The Power of Combining AR and Voice Search
By integrating both AR and voice search into your WooCommerce store, you can create a truly immersive and user-friendly shopping experience.
Here’s how combining these technologies can benefit your business:
- Enhanced Product Discovery: Voice search can help users find products quickly, while AR allows them to visualize these products in their own space.
- Improved User Experience: Offering multiple ways to search and explore products can cater to different customer preferences, making your store more accessible and enjoyable to use.
- Increased Engagement: Interactive AR experiences and the convenience of voice search can keep users engaged on your site longer, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
- Competitive Advantage: By staying ahead of the curve and adopting these cutting-edge technologies, you can differentiate your WooCommerce store from competitors and attract tech-savvy shoppers.
Conclusion
Augmented reality and voice search are no longer just futuristic concepts; they are here and transforming the way we shop online.
Whether you’re looking to increase customer engagement, reduce returns, or reach new customers, AR and voice search offer powerful solutions that can help you achieve your business goals.
Our team of experts is ready to guide you through every step of integrating AR and voice search into your WooCommerce store.
Contact CoSpark today and let us help you revolutionize your online shopping experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Augmented Reality (AR), and how can it benefit my WooCommerce store?
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays digital elements onto the real world, allowing customers to visualize products in their own environment, enhancing engagement and understanding, and reducing return rates.
Why should I optimize my WooCommerce store for voice search?
Optimizing your WooCommerce store for voice search can increase customers’ convenience, speed, and accessibility, leading to higher engagement and sales.
What are the best ways to optimize my WooCommerce store for voice search?
To optimize for voice search, focus on long-tail keywords, implement structured data like schema markup, improve site speed, and create conversational content.
How can AR help reduce product returns in my WooCommerce store?
AR provides a realistic preview of your products. This reduces the likelihood of customers receiving products that don’t meet their expectations, thereby decreasing return rates.
What are some practical applications of AR in eCommerce?
AR can be used for virtual try-ons, preview placement, interactive user manuals, and social media filters.
