With a fast pacing technologically driven world, that changes overnight, everyone in the global market is doing their best to stay on track. The retail industry is far ahead in the process of transformation; the industry has been welcoming of technological advancements to make the online customer experience more effective and accommodating. Over the last few years, the novel concepts of technologies have actively been put into action to completely transform the dynamics of the traditional business practices.
The main objective for most retail businesses have become to provide an exceptional experience to their customers through their technological platforms – this is where Virtual Reality kicks in to make a difference. Virtual Reality applications have been affecting the overall aspect of video gaming experiences, social media advertisements, and even health & education advancements. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Virtual reality (VR) – along with Augmented Reality (AR) – in the retail industry has completely transformed the conventional ways people have been shopping for their desired products and services.
Before jumping into how virtual reality has changed the retail business, it’s important to understand what virtual reality actually means. Virtual Reality uses technology that helps create a three dimensional environment, projected as the real thing, and is easy to interact with. These virtual realities can easily be navigated through using instinctive motions.
Studies show that 77 % of online consumers don’t complete their purchases, instead abandon their carts just before check out. It’s possible that this happens due to confusion and uncertainty about whether what they wish to get would actually be the right choice or not. In order to convince customers to follow through with their purchases retailers need more than just conventional marketing techniques. Virtual reality applications could be the perfect answer to these dilemmas. The retail industry is opting for apps that uses VR data visualization to completely renovate the way people have been shopping all these years!
Why to use VR for your shopping need?
The use of VR has completely rejuvenated the way shopping needs are met; while the customer experience is upgraded to give them the best trials. These applications have enabled the retail industry to gain as many benefits as possible over their competitors. The first and foremost benefit is to redefine the visual effects of products that are displayed online, which aids in customers choosing products more wisely and leaving satisfied.
VR experience can help customers with discovering various products in a number of virtual showrooms; there might be some brands that customers might not even touch because of uncertainty for the product specifications or their quality.
Using VR technology result in increased website traffic that is generated solely based on consumer’s curiosity to learn more about the non-conventional ways of product displays. Consumers will come back to these websites again, to test the technology and even make further purchases.
Using the virtual reality experience helps improve the in-store experience for a customer which results in increased customer loyalty and dependence on a brand. These marketing strategies existed solely in works of fiction just a few years ago, can now help retain customers by giving them highest levels of customer service through virtually developed stores.
How exactly are they doing it?
Businesses are using various ways to apply VR technologies; each way has applications that are specifically designed for the need of the particular business.
Innovative ways to Test and Try Products
Companies could use the VR Technologies to make testing products easier and more accessible than before; instead of sending out samples of their products to the customers, why not opt for VR technologies that could let potential customers test them on websites and/or applications?
Not only does using virtual reality systems lower costs for the company by eradicating the expense of sending out test samples; it also includes identifying your real clients based on the suggestions and the feedback that you receive once they’ve actually used the VR technologies to test your product. Multiple brands are using technologies to provide customers with tryouts of the product; these brands belong from industries such as retail, automotive, video-gaming, software developments, etc.
The use of VR technologies can open up paths for endless possibilities for retail businesses regarding offering trials to customers. Not only do these technologies save money, but prevent companies from spending too much time on distribution and then data collection afterwards. Instead of running a conventional customer service, companies can let customers have an experience with the product or services themselves!
Creating Virtual Showrooms/Try Rooms
Companies can use these technologies to completely remodel how products are displayed to their products on their websites and/or their applications. In Virtual showrooms or try rooms customers try the products to be absolutely sure of whether they want a product or not; for example featuring VR walkthroughs for furniture manufacturing companies can help customers see how a piece of furniture would look for the spot they want it for.
With VR technologies customers never have to worry about buying something in the spur of the moment only to find out it actually is not good enough for their picture perfect realities. The same visualizations can be used for the clothing industry so that customers can try on that dress, and see if it fits their needs.
Boosting Customer Engagement and Shopping Experience
By creating VR retail stores, businesses are not just making testing products easy, instead they are perking up the customer experience to keep them hooked and interested with what companies have to offer. With the help of three dimensional visual representations of the products in question, customer will become intrigues and establish a sort of loyalty with the brand and always come back to the same brand to get top notch service. With the precise use of photography and hi-tech technology, the organization can easily promote products on various platforms, increasing the audience and potential customers. Adapting VR technologies result in gaining an edge over other producers of similar products.
Conclusion
Virtual Reality – a concept that was farfetched just a few years ago, has risen to the rescue of retail marketing. While, few companies have actually put them into work, they have started changing the overall global shopping experience. With various benefits, and applications to retail industries, VR technology is the future of the online shopping experience!