AR is transforming online shopping in 2024, making it easier, more personal, and more reliable. From virtual try-ons to AR-guided in-store navigation, these tools are helping shoppers make better decisions and reducing returns for businesses. Here’s a quick overview of the top AR features driving e-commerce success:
- Virtual Try-On Tools: Test products like clothes, makeup, or furniture from home.
- AR Product Placement Previews: See how items fit in your space before buying.
- Interactive AR User Guides: Learn how to use products with step-by-step AR demos.
- Social Media AR Filters: Try products directly through platforms like Snapchat or Instagram.
- Virtual Showrooms: Explore 3D product spaces for a more interactive shopping experience.
- AR Filters & Smart Mirrors: Try items on virtually with AI-powered mirrors and filters.
- AR for In-Store Navigation: Use AR apps to find products and deals in physical stores.
- Personalized AR Shopping Features: Get tailored recommendations based on your preferences.
Why it matters:
- 30% more likely to buy when using AR.
- 25% fewer returns.
- AR shopping market projected to hit $54.7 billion by 2033.
| Feature | Customer Benefit | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Try-Ons | Better size matching | Fewer returns |
| Product Placement Previews | See items in real spaces | Increased sales |
| Personalized Features | Tailored recommendations | More repeat buyers |
AR is no longer a luxury – it’s becoming essential for any online store aiming to compete in 2024 and beyond.
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1. Virtual Try-On Tools
Virtual try-on tech is changing how we shop online – now you can "test drive" products from your couch. And the numbers? They’re pretty eye-opening:
| What Changes | The Results |
|---|---|
| Returns | Drop by up to 25% |
| Customer Interest | Half of shoppers try multiple items |
| Getting the Right Size | Better size matching |
| Buying Confidence | More people hit "buy" |
Big names in retail are seeing real results. Take Warby Parker – they use AR to match glasses to your face shape. Or look at Sephora, where you can see how makeup looks on your actual skin tone before buying.
Here’s something cool: Zalando built a virtual fitting room that uses AI to help pick your size. And get this – 50% of their shoppers try different options on their digital mini-me. It’s not just for clothes either – people are using it for everything from picking couches to trying on rings.
Good news for smaller businesses: Thanks to tools like Viewit 3D, you don’t need a massive budget to jump on the virtual try-on train. Whether you want basic "try before you buy" features or something more fancy, there’s probably a solution that fits your budget.
Think of virtual try-ons as your personal fitting room at home. But that’s just the start – AR can also show you how that new couch would look in your living room or how that painting would fit above your fireplace.
2. AR Product Placement Previews
Want to know if that couch will actually fit in your living room? AR product placement is changing how we shop online by letting you see products in your space before buying.
Take IKEA‘s AR app – it’s like having a virtual showroom in your home. Point your phone where you want to put that new coffee table, and boom – you can see exactly how it’ll look and fit. No more returning furniture because it’s too big (or too small).
The numbers back this up: people who use AR to preview products are 65% more likely to buy. Here’s what some top brands are doing with AR:
| Brand | AR Solution | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Virtual room placement | Fewer returns, better size choices |
| Burrow | Exact-size 3D couches | Buyers feel more sure about purchases |
| Viewit 3D | Budget-friendly AR tools | Helps smaller stores compete |
"AR previews personalize shopping by showing how products fit into a customer’s space."
The best part? You don’t need to be a retail giant to use AR anymore. Small businesses can jump in too, thanks to platforms like Viewit 3D.
Here’s what makes it work: Getting the size right is everything. Burrow nails this with their couch models – what you see in AR is exactly what you’ll get in real life.
AR isn’t just about placing furniture either. It’s opening up new ways for customers to learn about products through interactive guides and tutorials.
3. Interactive AR User Guides
AR user guides are changing how customers learn about products – both before they buy and after. Think of them as digital product experts right in your pocket. Here’s what BigCommerce has to say about these guides:
"An interactive user manual responds to user actions, providing on-page contextual support when using a piece of software, website, or application."
These guides work through your phone’s screen, showing you exactly how to use products in real-time. For online stores, they’re making a big difference:
| What It Does | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Shows Products in Action | Lets customers see demos any time |
| Cuts Down Returns | Buyers know what they’re getting |
| Builds Trust | Helps shoppers make better choices |
| Helps After Purchase | Makes products easier to use |
Take the Burrow at Home app – it’s a perfect example of AR guides done right. The app helps customers put furniture together, pick styles, and even maintain their pieces, all through AR tech on their phones.
Want to add AR to your store? Companies like Viewit 3D make it simple to create product demos. The key is keeping things practical – focus on solving real problems instead of adding fancy features just because you can.
These guides do more than just teach – they make shopping smoother and set the stage for what’s next in AR, like those fun social media filters you might already use.
4. Social Media AR Filters
Social media AR filters are reshaping how e-commerce brands sell products in 2024. These filters turn scrolling into shopping by letting users play with products in real-time.
Just look at Gucci’s AR campaign on Snapchat. Their virtual shoe try-on wasn’t just fun – it reached 19 million users who could "wear" shoes through their phones. Here’s how these filters help brands sell more:
| What It Does | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Shows Products in Action | Users see items in their space |
| Builds Buying Confidence | Try products before spending money |
| Spreads the Word | Users share filters with friends |
| Makes Buying Easy | Buy right from the AR experience |
The trick? Make filters that solve real shopping problems. Today’s social platforms let users buy products right through the AR experience – no more jumping between apps or websites.
"The integration of AR into social media platforms is revolutionizing how brands connect with their audience, seamlessly connecting discovery with purchase", notes a recent industry analysis.
These filters help shoppers buy with confidence. Take IKEA – their AR features cut returns by 35% and pushed sales up 14%. Why? Because people know exactly what they’re getting when they can see products in their space.
More brands now weave AR filters into their social selling plans. It’s not just about posting products anymore – it’s about letting customers interact with them. And while AR filters are making waves on social media, virtual showrooms take this tech even further.
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5. Virtual Showrooms Experiences
In 2024, virtual showrooms are changing how we shop online – and the numbers tell an exciting story. When shoppers can explore products in 3D spaces, they’re 80% more confident in their purchases and return items less often.
Think of these spaces as digital stores where you can get up close with products, just like you would in person. It’s especially powerful considering that over 60% of shopping journeys now start online.
| Virtual Showroom Impact | Results |
|---|---|
| Purchase Confidence | 80% higher buyer confidence |
| Shopping Journey | 60%+ start their search online |
| Return Rates | Fewer product returns |
| Customer Engagement | Better product interaction |
Companies are jumping on board fast. Take Obsess, for example – they’ve built more than 350 AI-powered virtual stores for big brands. These digital showrooms give businesses a smart way to show off their products without the overhead of physical stores.
Diesel‘s HYPEROOM platform shows how this works in fashion. Their 360-degree digital platform has transformed how buyers browse collections, making wholesale buying smoother while keeping the experience personal and engaging.
"The direct customer interactions made possible through virtual encounters present unique ways in which retailers can engage and learn about them", reports Forbes Magazine.
These digital spaces pack some serious features. Shoppers can spin and zoom in on true-to-life 3D products, get instant details about what they’re looking at, and buy right then and there. Companies like Viewit 3D are making this possible by creating detailed 3D models that help shoppers make better choices.
The tech keeps getting better too. Smart mirrors and AR filters are adding new layers to the experience, making shopping more personal than ever.
6. AR Filters and Smart Mirrors
In 2024, AR filters and smart mirrors are reshaping how we shop, both online and in stores. By blending AR with AI, these tools help shoppers see and interact with products before buying.
Take Coach‘s SoHo flagship store, for example. Their AR mirror lets customers check out the Tabby bag with cool 3D effects right there in the store. No need to pick up the actual bag.
Here’s what these smart mirrors can do:
| Feature | What It Means for Shoppers |
|---|---|
| Live Product Preview | See items on yourself instantly |
| Light Settings | Check how items look in daylight vs. evening |
| Virtual Makeup | Test cosmetics without the mess |
| Smart Suggestions | Get AI-picked items that match your style |
The beauty industry’s really running with this tech. MAC Cosmetics has mirrors that let you try on makeup with just a tap. These aren’t just simple filters – they look at your skin tone and features to suggest products that’ll work best for you.
And guess what? This stuff actually works for business. Stores with AR mirrors say shoppers spend more time looking at products and feel more sure about what they’re buying. It makes sense – when you can see how something looks in different lights and get smart style tips, you’re more likely to make a choice you’ll be happy with.
Plus, these systems connect right to online shopping. So if you like what you see in the mirror, you can buy it right away. But it’s not just about trying things on – AR is changing the whole way we move through and shop in physical stores.
7. AR for In-Store Navigation
Shopping just got easier with AR navigation in physical stores. A Google Consumer AR Survey shows that 66% of shoppers want AR help while shopping – and stores are stepping up to meet this demand.
"AR is revolutionizing in-store navigation by integrating interactive elements into mobile apps", explains Andrew Makarov, Augmented Reality Lead Solution Architect at MobiDev.
Take Walmart’s mobile app – it’s a perfect example of AR in action. Shoppers point their phones at store shelves to find what they need fast. The app shows product details and deals in real-time as you walk around.
Marks & Spencer took it a step further with their List&Go app. Picture floating arrows showing you exactly where to go – it’s like having a personal shopping guide in your pocket. Here’s what makes these AR shopping tools so helpful:
| Feature | What It Does For You |
|---|---|
| Product Finder | Spots items instantly – no need to ask for help |
| Smart Shopping Path | Shows the quickest way to get everything |
| Deal Alerts | Tells you about sales as you pass by |
| Stock Checker | Lets you know if items are available |
This tech is a win-win. Shoppers spend less time searching and more time finding what they need. Stores see happier customers and their staff can focus on other tasks. The best part? The system keeps up with store changes, so directions are always spot-on.
AR is changing how we shop, making each trip more personal and hassle-free.
8. Personalized AR Shopping Features
AR is changing how we shop by making the experience more personal – both online and in stores.
Take L’Oréal‘s smart AR system. It doesn’t just let you try on makeup virtually – it studies your skin tone and texture to suggest products that work best for you. This helps shoppers pick the right products quickly and feel good about their choices.
IKEA’s Place app shows how AR can be your personal shopping buddy. Using LiDAR technology, it measures your room and suggests furniture that fits your space and taste. Car dealerships are jumping on board too – now you can customize cars in real-time, playing with different colors and features. Home improvement stores let you see how paint colors will look on your walls before you buy.
Here’s what makes AR personalization tick:
- Virtual try-ons: Test products without touching them
- Smart measurements: Get size recommendations that fit
- Style matching: Find items that match your taste
- Real-time customization: See changes as you make them
The numbers back up AR’s success. Perfect Corp.’s AR try-on tools helped boost revenue by 17.7% in just one year. Why? Because their system gets smarter with each use, making better suggestions the more you use it.
Gen Z shoppers especially love this personal touch. They want shopping experiences that feel made just for them, and stores are listening. More brands are adding these AR features to their websites and apps.
Companies like Viewit 3D are making it easier for stores to hop on the AR train. Their tools help track what customers like and tweak suggestions to match.
| Feature | What You Get | How Stores Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Analysis | Products that match you | Fewer returns |
| Style Matching | Items you’ll actually like | More sales |
This is just the start. As AR gets better, shopping will feel more and more like having a personal shopper who knows exactly what you want.
Conclusion
AR technology has changed online shopping in 2024, with eight key features boosting sales and making shopping better. Let’s look at how these features help stores make money while keeping customers happy.
AR has set new standards for online shopping by fixing common problems – like not being sure how products look or fit. Here’s what the numbers tell us:
| AR Feature | Business Impact | Customer Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Try-Ons | 40% fewer returns | Better buying choices |
| Product Placement | More sales | See items in your space |
| Custom Features | More repeat customers | Personal shopping |
Real-world examples show how well this works. L’Oréal built a smart AR system that checks your skin and suggests products. IKEA’s Place app lets you measure rooms and see how furniture fits in your space.
In 2024, AR isn’t just a fancy extra – it’s a must for online stores. Thanks to platforms like Viewit 3D, smaller stores can now use AR too, which helps both shops and shoppers.
What’s next? Smart glasses might change how we shop by letting us try things on without using our hands and showing product info right before our eyes. Mix this with new ways of running online stores, and shopping will become even easier.
FAQs
How is augmented reality used in eCommerce?
AR is transforming how we shop online. By 2024, 1.73 billion mobile users will try AR shopping features – that’s a LOT of people virtually "trying before buying."
What’s in it for businesses? The numbers tell an exciting story:
- Shoppers are 30% more likely to buy when they can see products in AR
- They’ll pay up to 40% more for items they’ve previewed in their space
- The market’s growing fast, with a 29.9% yearly growth rate expected through 2033
| Feature | Business Impact |
|---|---|
| See Before You Buy | 30% boost in purchases |
| Product Testing | 40% higher spending |
| Market Expansion | 29.9% yearly growth |
AR helps shoppers feel more confident about their purchases by showing them exactly how products will look in their homes or on their bodies. When combined with AI, AR gets even smarter – imagine getting product suggestions based on what you’ve been trying out in your space.
Thanks to tools like Viewit 3D, AR isn’t just for big retailers anymore. Small businesses can now jump in and give their customers this immersive shopping experience too.
