Shopping in-store is often a more intimate experience; try-on rooms are the epicentre of this journey. As virtual shopping has become increasingly popular, brands have resorted to replicating this sensation with digital fitting rooms for their customers. Although they may fulfil consumers’ number one concern – “will it fit me?” – retailers must now ask themselves if these solutions suit their business goals too.
Amidst the pandemic, retailers have embraced virtual try-ons to engage customers and raise sales. With AR and VR applications that mimic in-store shopping experiences, consumers can now visualize and interact with their product of choice for an immersive experience full of emotion. Specialists are touting virtual try-on as “the new frontier” when it comes to online shopping, claiming that it has the potential to skyrocket profits!
What is a virtual try-on?
A virtual try-on is an online fitting room that allows customers to virtually “try on” clothes, jewelry, eyewear, and more. By using augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) technologies, users can realistically assess how a product would look on them without having to come into contact with the item physically. This hassle-free solution saves time and reduces costs associated with in-store shopping trips by eliminating returns and exchanges.
Benefits of Virtual Try-Ons for Customers
Convenience:
The biggest advantage of virtual try-ons is the convenience. Customers can take a snapshot of themselves and select features such as size, colour, and style to find their perfect item without leaving their homes. This makes shopping easier and more efficient since customers are guaranteed that what they order will be exactly what they are looking for.
Accuracy:
Virtual try-on applications are equipped with powerful algorithms that can accurately recognize body shapes and sizes by using markers on key areas such as the head, shoulders, chest, and hips. This allows consumers to accurately measure how products fit them before committing to an online purchase.
Easier Purchase decision:
Another benefit for customers is that virtual try-ons make purchasing decisions easier. By visualising the product and how it looks on them, consumers can feel more confident in their purchases without any doubt or second guessing.
Benefits of Virtual Try-Ons for Brands
Improved Customer Experience:
The biggest advantage for brands is improved customer experience. Providing a virtual try-on feature helps create an engaging shopping environment where customers can virtually “try on” products before committing to buy. This allows them to accurately assess how a product would look on them and makes online shopping much simpler and more efficient.
Reduced Returns & Exchanges:
Virtual try-ons also help reduce returns and exchanges by giving customers an accurate picture of how an item fits them before purchasing. This saves the customer time and money and decreases costs associated with product return/exchange for a company.
Increased Revenue:
Finally, virtual try-on solutions can help increase sales due to improved accuracy and convenience compared to traditional online shopping methods. Since customers are more confident in their purchases, this leads to increased sales conversions which translate into higher brand profits.
Increased value for customers
Online shoppers are discovering that augmented reality (AR) technology helps save time and makes better purchase decisions quickly. By trying on products virtually, customers can easily explore sizes, colors, and features without any guesswork – providing them with a more informed shopping experience. 45% of people have already experienced the convenience of AR in their purchasing journey!
Is Virtual Try-Ons the game changer your business needs?
Virtual try-on is quickly revolutionizing online and brick-and-mortar shopping. Executives should focus on something other than the technology but instead determine why they want to use it to achieve their goals; what issue do they need to solve, and how will a virtual try-on help them reach those objectives? Answering these questions is essential for the successful implementation of this cutting-edge technology.
Technology should never be used in isolation. Before you decide to implement a virtual try-on app, take the time to consider how it would fit into your business strategy as a whole. Would an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) solution provide value and complement your current ecosystem? Or would it simply become another nice but ultimately superfluous gadget? The answers to these questions can help you make the best decision for your business.
What exciting possibilities lie ahead with virtual try-ons?
Virtual try-on is an incredible way to amplify the consumer in-store and online experience, as long as they serve a purpose within your business strategy and model. Virtual try-ons allow customers to experiment with products without making any commitments, but they also can help reduce the uncertainty during the shopping journey—making them a regular stop for many shoppers!
Virtual try-ons should be used to achieve a purpose rather than the absolute goal. If you understand how best to utilize this tool, why it’s being employed and where it fits into your service plan — its potential for helping grow your business is substantial! Nevertheless, if all you’re searching for is something else to add to your inventory of toys, consider investing in something more beneficial.
