Want to boost your online store’s sales with AR? Here’s everything you need to know in 30 seconds:
AR lets shoppers see your products in their space before buying – no apps needed, just their phone’s camera.
| What AR Does | Impact |
|---|---|
| Boosts Sales | Up to 250% more purchases |
| Cuts Returns | 40% fewer returns |
| Engages Users | 2.7x longer site visits |
| Increases Cart Adds | 44% more items added |
Quick Start Guide:
- Pick a platform (like Shopify AR or ViewIt 3D)
- Create 3D models of your products
- Add AR viewer to product pages
- Test on phones
- Track results
Cost Breakdown:
| Service | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic AR Viewer | $19-49 |
| 3D Models | $100-300 per model |
| Platform Setup | $0-299 |
Pro Tip: Start with 5-10 top products to test AR before going all-in.
Want proof? DFS furniture saw 112% more sales after adding AR views. L’Oreal tripled conversions with virtual makeup try-ons.
Getting Your Store Ready for AR
Here’s what you need to set up AR in your online store:
Technical Setup Needs
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| SSL Certificate | HTTPS required for AR security |
| Mobile-Ready Site | Must work on iOS/Android browsers |
| Loading Speed | Pages load in under 3 seconds |
| Server Space | 500MB+ for 3D model storage |
Platform Options
Most ecommerce platforms support AR right now:
| Platform | AR Support | Integration Options |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Built-in AR | Shopify AR + 3D models ViewIt3D app |
| WooCommerce | Plugin-based | ViewIt3D, Vectary |
| Magento | Custom setup | ViewIt3D APIs or iframe |
What It Costs
Here’s a breakdown of AR expenses:
| Service | Monthly Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic AR Viewer | $0-299 | Web viewer |
| 3D Model Creation | $80-300/model | One-time fee |
| Platform Integration | $0-2990 | Based on platform |
| Hosting Fees | $20-50 extra | 3D file storage |
Team Skills
Your staff will need to know:
- How to handle 3D files
- Product photo setup basics
- Basic HTML changes
Here’s something cool: Shopify found that products with AR get 94% more sales. That’s HUGE.
"Most stores succeed with AR by starting small. They test their top products first, then add more based on results", – Jennifer Liu, Google’s Director of Product Management
Want to get started? Pick 5-10 products and test AR first. With 35% of U.S. shoppers already using AR for furniture and cars, plus 5G making everything faster, now’s the time to jump in.
Making 3D Product Models
Want to add 3D models to your store? Here’s what you need to know.
Ways to Create 3D Models
You’ve got 4 main options to get 3D models:
| Method | Cost Range | Best For | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Scanning Apps | $0-20 | Small products, testing | 1-2 hours |
| Professional Services | $80-300/model | High-value items | 3-5 days |
| In-house Creation | Software costs | Regular updates | 1-2 days/model |
| Ready-made Models | $20-100/model | Standard products | Immediate |
Looking to scan products yourself? These apps get the job done:
| App Name | Price | Key Feature | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIRI Engine | Free + Premium | 4K textures | Interior items |
| Qlone | Free (iOS), $20 (Android) | AR dome tech | Small objects |
| Polycam | Free + Pro | Lidar scanning | Large items |
Making Models Work Online
Here’s what you need to know about file formats:
| Format | Use Case | File Size | Platform Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLB | Web/Mobile | Medium | All platforms |
| USDZ | iOS AR | Small | Apple devices |
| FBX | Production | Large | Design software |
Before you upload, make sure to:
- Keep files under 10MB
- Test on phones and tablets
- Clean up image quality
- Cut out unnecessary details
Quality Checks
Here’s how to make sure your models look GREAT:
| Check Point | Standard | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | Under 10MB | File inspector |
| Load Time | Under 3s | Browser tools |
| Visual Detail | Match product photos | Side-by-side comparison |
| Mobile Display | No distortion | Device testing |
Picking an AR Service Provider
Here’s what you need to know about choosing an AR platform for your store:
| Feature | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Works on all devices | iOS + Android support |
| Integration | Connects to your store | Direct store plugins |
| File Types | Handles your 3D files | USDZ (iOS), GLB (Android) |
| Speed | Fast loading | Loads under 3 seconds |
| Analytics | Shows performance | Views + interactions |
| Support | Gets you unstuck | Response times + help docs |
There are 4 main types of AR solutions:
| Type | Works Best For | Cost/Month | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web AR | 3D&AR product on any ecommerce | $0-280 | Viewit3d |
| App AR | Better natives features | $300-5009 | Unity |
| Custom | Special needs | $1,000+ | Vuforia |
| Plugin | Product configurator | $99+ | Zakeke |
Before you pick a provider, check these must-haves:
| What to Check | Why | How |
|---|---|---|
| Store Setup | Works with your platform | Check docs |
| Mobile Tests | Loads fast everywhere | Test tools |
| Storage Space | Fits your 3D files | Check limits |
| API | Links to your tools | Read specs |
The numbers speak for themselves:
Shopify found that brands using AR boost their sales by up to 250%.
Here’s what popular platforms offer:
| Platform | Monthly Views | Monthly Cost | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViewIt 3D Free | 1.000 | $0 | 10 |
| ViewIt 3D Basic | 20.000 | $19 | 50 |
| Vectary | 10.000 | $24/user | Plan-based |
| Auglio | 1.000 | $79 | No limit |
Start with a free trial to test the platform with your products. Pick what fits your budget and needs.
Setting Up AR Step by Step
Here’s how to add AR to your online store:
| Step | What to Do | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create Account | Sign up at ViewIt 3D | – Pick Free ($0) or Basic ($19) plan – Get admin access – Add team logins |
| 2. Add Models | Upload 3D files (GLB) | – GLB for Android – USDZ for iOS or convert GLB automatically – Check size limits |
| 3. Set Display | Choose viewer settings | – Pick where it shows – Set mobile options – Add QR codes |
| 4. Test | Check everything works | – Test iOS + Android – Check loading – Look at model quality |
| 5. Go Live | Open to public | – Remove password – Watch performance – Check user numbers |
Making AR Easy to Use
Here’s how to make AR work better for your store:
Helping Users Find AR
Your customers need to know AR exists. Here’s where to put it:
| Location | What to Add | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Product Pages | "View in Room" button | Shows AR option |
| Homepage | AR demo banner | Gets attention |
| Navigation | AR filter option | Makes AR items findable |
| Search | AR badge on results | Helps spot AR products |
User-Friendly Design
The basics that make AR work:
| Setting | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Button Size | 44px minimum | Makes tapping simple |
| Load Time | Under 3 seconds | Stops people leaving |
| Instructions | 3 steps or less | Gets people started fast |
| Camera Access | Clear purpose message | Shows it’s safe |
Mobile Setup
Your AR needs to work on phones. Here’s how:
| Device Part | What to Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | Fits all phones | Auto-resize AR view |
| Memory Use | Under 100MB | Compress 3D files |
| Battery Use | Max 5%/hour | Lower refresh rate |
| Network | Works on 4G | Reduce model size |
Speed Improvements
People spend 20% more time browsing when AR loads fast. Make it quick:
| Speed Fix | Result | How |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | 40% faster | Keep models under 15MB |
| Caching | 2x faster loads | Save AR data on phone |
| Pre-loading | Instant start | Load while browsing |
| CDN Use | 60% faster | Use ViewIt 3D’s network |
"The key to successful ecommerce design is ensuring the experience is user-friendly, accessible, and adds value to the customer journey. It should be intuitive, easy to use, and work on multiple devices to maximize the benefits of the technology." – Kerrin Meek, Design and Experience Director at We Make Websites
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Rebecca Minkoff made these changes and saw:
- 44% more cart adds
- 27% higher orders
- 65% better purchase rates
Remember: You’ve got 30 seconds to impress users with AR. Make them count with fast loads and simple controls.
Growth Plan
Keep your AR moving forward:
| When | Do This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Add products | Keep stock current |
| Every 3 months | Add features | Stay up to date |
| Yearly | Check everything | Make sure it all works |
"AR content should be as easy to manage as any other content. Merchants shouldn’t need a developer just to add new colors or materials." – Gavin Ballard, Disco Labs CEO
The Numbers Show It Works: Look at Ulta Beauty‘s GLAMlab:
- Users jumped 7x after COVID
- Shoppers tried 50+ million makeup colors
- People bought with more confidence
More Proof It Works:
- AR lifts sales 63%
- Returns drop 40% with good AR
- AR market grows 41.50% each year
Check daily, fix problems fast, and plan ahead. That’s how you keep AR displays working for your business.
Checking AR Results
Here’s what AR does for online stores:
| Metric | Results | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| View Time | 75+ seconds | Shoppers spend more time looking |
| Memory Rate | 70% higher | Products stick in minds better |
| Cart Adds | 44% more | More people click "buy" |
| Orders | 65% more | Higher sales numbers |
| Returns | 40% less | Fewer unhappy customers |
Want proof AR works? Here’s what stores found:
| Store | Money Back | Sales Boost |
|---|---|---|
| DFS | 22x ROI | 112% jump |
| CB2 | Beat targets | 21% up |
| MADE.com | More sales | 25% growth |
| Overstock | Better results | 200% increase |
Here’s what Shopify’s AR boss, Russ Maschmeyer, says:
"The ROI on that is essentially unquestionable at this point, and super exciting for merchants and for buyers."
Numbers That Matter:
- Shopify stores sell 250% more with 3D/AR
- Houzz’s orders jumped 11x with AR
- BMW’s AR app gets 25% of users closer to buying
Track These Things:
- Daily: Page views
- Weekly: AR usage
- Monthly: Sales and returns
Get Customer Input:
- Quick surveys after AR use
- Email questions post-purchase
- Check reviews about AR accuracy
- Watch support questions about AR
Keep it simple: Watch your numbers, ask customers what they think, and adjust based on what works.
Wrap-Up
Here’s what the data shows about AR in online stores:
| Key Area | What Works | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Impact | 3D/AR product views | 250% more sales (Shopify stores) |
| Customer Behavior | Virtual try-ons | 2.7x longer site visits |
| Return Rates | Better product views | 40% fewer returns |
| Cart Adds | 3D product views | 44% more items in cart |
Top stores are getting big wins with AR:
| Store | AR Setup | Results |
|---|---|---|
| DFS | Web-based 3D/AR | 112% more sales |
| Gunner Kennels | Shopify AR tools | 40% more orders |
| Rebecca Minkoff | 3D modeling | 65% more purchases |
"It just solves some really obvious pain points that have existed in ecommerce forever." – Russ Maschmeyer, Shopify’s Product Lead for AR
What You Need to Know:
- Focus on products that’ll give you the biggest return
- Double-check your AR features before going live
- Keep an eye on your metrics
- Get customer input
- Make changes when needed
The Numbers:
- AR market hits $50 billion by 2024
- Returns cost stores $550 billion each year
- 3D models now cost hundreds instead of thousands
How to Get Started:
- Choose your AR platform
- Create your 3D models
- Add tracking tools
- Test and improve
- Add new products
Bottom line: AR delivers results. Stores that use it boost sales and cut returns. Start with a small test, track what works, and build from there.
