How AI-powered augmented reality is transforming the shopping experience, allowing customers to virtually place products in their own environment before purchasing.

The Challenge: Helping Customers Visualise Products in Their Space

One of the biggest hurdles in online shopping is the inability to see and experience products in a real-world setting. When shopping for large items like furniture, home decor, or electronics, it’s hard for customers to imagine how a product will fit in their home, office, or living room.

Traditional product images and descriptions often fail to provide the full picture, leaving customers with uncertainty and increasing the likelihood of returns. Customers may worry that:

  • A sofa won’t fit in their living room.
  • A lamp won’t match their home decor.
  • A coffee table won’t be the right size or colour for their space.

As a result, businesses face challenges in reducing cart abandonment and returns, while also providing an immersive shopping experience that meets customers’ expectations.

The solution? AR Product Visualiser.

How AR Product Visualiser Works

AR Product Visualiser uses mobile augmented reality (AR) to allow customers to virtually place products in their own environment before they purchase. Here’s how it works:

1. Product Selection and Mobile Integration

The customer browses your online store and selects a product they’re interested in, such as a piece of furniture, a decorative item, or an accessory.

  • Once the product is selected, the AR option is offered as part of the product page or through a dedicated mobile app.
  • The customer clicks on the “View in My Space” button to activate the AR feature on their mobile device (iOS or Android).

2. Using the Mobile Camera to Visualise Products

The AR Product Visualiser uses the mobile camera to allow customers to scan their environment in real-time.

  • It analyses the space (e.g., living room, kitchen, office) and shows where the product can be placed, based on the dimensions of the space.
  • Customers can move the product around, adjusting its size, position, and orientation to see how it fits in different parts of the room or space.

3. Adjusting the Product’s Appearance

The AR visualisation allows customers to make changes to the product’s colour, size, and features:

  • Colour options: If the product is available in multiple colours, the customer can toggle between them to see how each variation looks in their space.
  • Size adjustments: Customers can scale the product up or down to ensure it fits their space perfectly.
  • Customisation options: For configurable products, customers can test various configurations in real-time to see how the product fits their needs.

The AI-based system also enhances product details such as textures, materials, and lighting to provide a realistic preview.

4. Real-Time Visualisation and Interaction

With AR, customers can get a real-time preview of how products will look in their own environment. They can move around the product, get closer, or see it from different angles to make sure they’re happy with how it fits and looks.

  • Lighting simulation: The AR tool adjusts the product’s look based on the current lighting of the space, whether it’s daylight, evening light, or artificial light.
  • Interactive feedback: The tool may offer helpful tips or suggest complementary products, such as matching cushions or accessories, based on the user’s selection.

This immersive experience lets customers feel confident that the product will meet their expectations before they commit to purchasing.

5. Save and Share

Once the customer is satisfied with their AR visualisation, they can save the image or video of the product in their space.

  • They can also share the preview on social media, or with friends and family, to get feedback before finalising the purchase.

For added convenience, the customer can directly proceed to checkout with a “Buy Now” option available right from the AR visualiser.

Key Benefits of AR Product Visualiser

1. Enhanced Customer Confidence

The AR experience allows customers to visualise products in their own space before purchasing, eliminating any doubts about fit, style, or appearance. This leads to greater customer confidence, reducing hesitation and increasing conversions.

2. Reduced Returns and Cart Abandonment

By giving customers the ability to see how products fit in their space, AR helps reduce the likelihood of incorrect purchases. This leads to fewer returns and lower cart abandonment rates, as customers are more likely to make informed purchasing decisions.

3. Improved Shopping Experience

AR provides a fun, engaging, and interactive shopping experience that enhances customer satisfaction. It enables customers to feel more connected to the product and provides a more personalised shopping journey, which drives customer loyalty.

4. Increased Sales and Average Order Value (AOV)

AR visualisation makes it easier for customers to envision complementary products, leading to increased upselling and cross-selling opportunities. For example, after seeing a sofa in their living room, a customer might decide to purchase matching coffee tables, rug sets, or lighting fixtures, boosting AOV.

5. Scalability and Reach

As the demand for mobile shopping increases, the AR Product Visualiser allows businesses to scale their e-commerce offerings without the need for costly physical stores or extensive photo shoots. This means businesses can expand into new markets globally with ease and deliver a seamless experience to customers anywhere in the world.

Real-World Example: 25% Increase in Conversion Rates

A leading furniture retailer integrated the AR Product Visualiser into their e-commerce platform to help customers preview how furniture would look in their homes.

  • Before AR: The retailer experienced high cart abandonment due to customer uncertainty about product fit and aesthetics.
  • After AR Implementation:
    • Customers were able to preview furniture in their home environments, resulting in more informed purchases.
    • The retailer saw a 25% increase in conversion rates, as customers were more confident in their choices.

The retailer also experienced a 20% decrease in returns, as customers could visualise the furniture before committing to the purchase.

Why AR Product Visualiser is Essential for E-Commerce Businesses

With augmented reality transforming the online shopping experience, the AR Product Visualiser tool is essential for e-commerce businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve. By allowing customers to see and interact with products in their own environment, businesses can increase conversion rates, reduce returns, and create a more engaging shopping experience.

The AR Product Visualiser provides customers with a truly immersive experience, enabling them to confidently purchase products without the risk of regret. Whether you’re in the furniture, fashion, or electronics industry, the power of AR can help you drive sales, improve customer satisfaction, and build brand loyalty.

Final Word

The AR Product Visualiser is revolutionising the way customers shop online, giving them the confidence to make better purchasing decisions and reducing the barriers between the virtual and physical worlds. By integrating AI-powered augmented reality into your e-commerce store, you can create a more interactive, engaging, and efficient shopping experience that drives sales and increases customer satisfaction.

At Vortex IQ, we are committed to helping businesses optimise their e-commerce platforms with cutting-edge AI-driven solutions that improve customer experience and boost conversions.