Augmented Reality (AR) is transforming the way we shop online, bringing interactive and immersive experiences right to our fingertips. With over 1.73 billion AR-enabled devices worldwide, 51% of smartphone users are already shopping with AR. Integrating AR shopping features into your e-commerce app not only elevates customer engagement but also increases conversion rates and brand loyalty.

Why Integrate AR into Your E-Commerce App?

☛ Keep Your Customers Engaged

One of the biggest challenges of online shopping is the inability to see or try products before purchasing. AR solves this by offering virtual try-ons and 3D previews, helping shoppers make confident decisions. 57% of customers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand offering AR experiences. The more interactive your shopping process, the more likely customers are to return.

☛ Higher Conversion Rates and Lower Returns

AR not only amazes your customers but also drives real business results. Products that incorporate AR content experience a 94% higher conversion rate than those without it. By allowing shoppers to visualize how products will fit or look in their own space, AR reduces uncertainty and decreases post-purchase dissatisfaction. This leads to fewer returns and ultimately happier customers.

☛ Competitive Advantage

More than 60% of consumers prefer retail experiences that incorporate AR. By adopting this technology, brands can gain a significant advantage over their competitors. Integrating AR into your app demonstrates a commitment to providing users with the best possible experience, which helps your brand stand out and encourages customer loyalty.

How to Integrate AR Shopping into Your E-Commerce App

☛ Figure Out How You Want to Use AR

  • Try Before You Buy (Virtual Try-On): Great for clothes, jewelry, glasses, makeup, and even small electronics. Customers can see how things look on them.
  • See in Your Space (Product Placement): Perfect for furniture, home decor, appliances, and art. Users can put 3D models of products right into their room.
  • Interactive Product Tours: Let customers explore product features in 3D, zoom in on details, or even take apart virtual models.
  • Fun AR Games: Add playful AR elements, like treasure hunts or fun filters, to get more people to use your app and discover products.

☛ Choose How You’ll Build the AR

You have a few choices here, depending on your budget, tech skills, and how much you want to customize things.

✍ AR Toolkits (SDKs):

  • ARKit (for iPhones/iPads): Apple’s tools for building AR on their devices. It works really well with Apple products.
  • ARCore (for Android phones): Google’s tools for building AR on Android devices. It’s similar to ARKit.
  • Tools for Both (like Unity with AR Foundation, Vuforia): If your app works on both iPhones and Androids, these tools let you build AR once and have it work on both, saving you time. Unity is a popular choice because it’s great for 3D.

✍ Ready-Made AR Solutions:

Some companies offer AR tools that are almost ready to go. You can add them with less coding. These are often made for specific products (like AR try-on for glasses) and might offer less customization but are quicker to set up.

✍ Hire an AR Company:

If you don’t have experts for AR in your team, working with a special AR development company can be the best way to get great results. They can handle the tricky tech stuff, making 3D models, and putting it all together.

☛ Create Awesome 3D Models of Your Products

This step is super important! How well your AR works depends a lot on how good your 3D models are.

✍ Be Accurate:

Models must be the right size and look exactly like the real product (colors, textures, materials).

✍ Make Them Light for AR:

3D models need to be made lighter so they work smoothly on phones without draining the battery. This means using fewer details and efficient textures.

✍ File Types:

Common file types for AR are glTF and USDZ (mostly for iPhones/iPads).

✍ How to Make Them:

  • 3D Modeling Programs: Using tools like Blender, Autodesk Maya, or 3ds Max.
  • Taking Pictures: Creating 3D models from many 2D photos. Great for realistic looks.
  • 3D Scanning: Using special scanners to capture the exact shape of real objects.

☛ Put the AR Feature into Your App

Once you have your 3D models and have picked your development method, it’s time to actually put it in your app.

  • Using the AR Toolkit: This means writing code to use the AR tools you picked (ARKit, ARCore, or a tool for both). You’ll need to handle getting camera access, finding flat surfaces (to place objects), understanding finger movements (for making objects bigger/smaller, turning them, moving them), and showing the 3D models.
  • Designing the App Screen: Make a simple and easy-to-use part of your app that clearly shows how to turn on and use the AR features. Buttons like View in AR, Try On, or a special AR icon should be easy to see.
  • Connecting to Your Backend: You’ll need a way to send your 3D models from your online storage to your app. Consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for quick loading.
  • Test, Test, Test: Try out your AR features many times on different phones, in different lights, and with various products. Look for any slowness, visual glitches, or problems with how users experience it.

☛ Tell Your Customers About It!

Having amazing AR features is pointless if your customers don’t know they’re there or how to use them.

  • Clear Buttons: Put View in AR or Try On buttons clearly on your product pages.
  • In-App Guides: Give short, clear instructions or a quick guide the first time a user tries an AR feature.
  • Marketing: Talk about your AR features in your social media, emails, and app store descriptions. Show cool videos of your AR in action!
  • Customer Pictures: Encourage users to share their AR experiences online and show off what they create.

Key AR Shopping Features for E-Commerce Apps

  • Virtual Try-On: Let your users try on clothes, glasses, or makeup using their phone camera.
  • 3D Product Views: Allow users to see products like furniture or gadgets in 3D and place them in their own space.
  • Interactive Details: Show product info, reviews, or customisation options right on the AR view.
  • Share the Fun: Make it easy for users to share their AR experiences with friends on social media.

Choose the Right AR Tools and Platforms

Selecting the right augmented reality (AR) development tools is crucial for aligning with your needs and budget. Consider the following factors:

  • License Type: Decide between free and commercial licenses; weigh the features against the cost. 
  • Supported Devices: Ensure compatibility with smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses.
  • Operating Systems: Determine whether to support iOS, Android, or both, based on your target audience.
  • Capabilities: Look for essential features like geo-location, 3D modeling, and real-time rendering, reliable for your specific use case.

Some popular AR development platforms include ARKit for iOS, ARCore for Android, and cross-platform solutions like Unity or Vuforia.

What Challenges Might We Face?

  • Cost: AR can be expensive, but we can start small and grow as we see success.
  • Device Compatibility: Not all users have the latest phones. We can offer web-based AR or make sure our app works on popular devices.
  • Creating 3D Models: This takes time, so we can focus on our best-selling products first.
  • Privacy: We must be careful with user data and be honest about how we use it.

AR Shopping and the Future of E-Commerce

The future of e-commerce is immersive, personalized, and accessible. AR shopping experiences are at the forefront of this shift, bridging the gap between online and offline retail. As smartphone AR capabilities advance, expect even more innovative features, like voice-activated AR shopping, AI-powered personalization, and seamless integration with social media platforms.

Brands that embrace AR today will not only delight customers but also future-proof their e-commerce business for years to come.

Looking for an Expert to Bring AR to Your APP?

If you’re looking for a trusted partner to help you integrate AR into your e-commerce app, we’re here to help! At 21Twelve Interactive, we specialize in creating innovative, user-friendly AR experiences that make shopping more fun and engaging. Whether you’re just getting started or want to take your existing app to the next level, we can work with you to make it happen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Most modern smartphones and tablets support AR, especially those running iOS (with ARKit) and Android (with ARCore). We always aim to make our AR features work smoothly on as many devices as possible.

The cost depends on the complexity of the AR features and the number of products you want to showcase. Starting with a few key products and features can help manage costs while we test and refine the experience together.

Not at all! Our goal is to design AR features that are simple, intuitive, and user-friendly. We provide clear instructions and support so everyone can enjoy AR shopping with ease.