The pandemic has pushed brands to adopt AR quickly.

Customers are choosy when it comes to purchasing a product. Be it a cosmetic item like eyebrow pencil or an ultra modular fridge, all they want is to examine them from top to bottom before purchasing. To keep up with the changing desires of consumers, brands have to run alongside them with developing Artificial intelligence technology.

As the emergence of need started roping the brands and employees, new technologies like Augmented Reality are used in running the race. Augmented reality acts as an interactive experience of a real-world environment where objects that reside are enhanced by computer-generated virtualisation. Marketing and sales strategies are quickly adopting the technology to give customers a unique and enhanced experience without actually having to be at the place. The process could be unravelled in any mobile devices.

The use of augmented reality is further strengthened by the pandemic. As people are still at home making minimum transportations and doing online shopping, augmented reality will fill the gap to give consumers a shop going experience. Some textiles are demonstrating dresses to their premium customers through video calls. But that is not an easy job as it needs more labour. Augmented reality can be pitched in for better performance.

Mobile phones are the most interactive media type for people to adopt easily. Consumers interact with brands and make purchase decisions with the use of the device. The level-up technology has not just fulfilled the consumer, but also enhanced the brand value through digital marketing.

Ways to amplify brand value using augmented reality

Virtual trial rooms and digital makeup 

Trial rooms, cosmetic samples, test drive and many more such testifying concepts were created to fulfil the customers and prove them that the product works better for or on you. However, wearing every dress that the customer feels good or taking all the cars for a test drive doesn’t work that easily. It consumes time and needs will power.

Henceforth, augmented reality is used at marketing spaces like this to keep up with the rising trends in the retail industry. Augmented reality is now at the sprouting stage. But it is expected that the use of augmented reality will drastically increase in the coming years.

Augmented reality allows the customers to model and try on makeup, clothing and a wide range of products without needing to directly interact with them. Customers can trial on hundreds of samples without getting tired. For example, Facebook has used augmented reality to allow users to digitally sample makeup and accessorise letting them to model their look before buying anything. The first Facebook-AR collaboration let people try on sunglasses which amused them on a large scale.

Cosmetic brands are front-line takers of augmented reality. Customers are not willing to trial every shade of lipstick before concluding to buy one. To complement the customers need, brands like Sephora, L’Oreal and Perfect Corp have partnered with their customers to give them an experience of digital makeup. Virtual fitting rooms are also trending in the Covid-19 era as people skip the shop visits. It is unlikely to be safe for customers to trial on every dress in the scare of contracting the virus. Brand companies are also not willing to offer a trial experience to customers now. Virtual trail rooms can help at such a situation. Customers can choose from a wide library of cloths with a single tap. If the trend of AR virtual trial rooms continues, it is more likely to be adopted pushing the actual trial room off the business soon.

Experience augmented touring of places

Not just virtual, customers can also have a physical location or product experience through augmented reality. Augmented reality provides the customers with an object to pull up an AR experience tailored wither towards giving additional information about the product or supplemented brand-related experience.

Augmented reality used in industrial and market stretch is used to show customers the actual interface of a physical structure with every small detail. The ticket-sales company StubHub created an AR app where the users were allowed to enter the stadium virtually and see how the field looks from every seat. They can choose once they feel that the seat fits for their viewing taste. Starbucks was innovative in turning a coffee shop to a digital tour using augmented reality. Users were taken on a virtual tour inside the cafe where they get a 3D display, scan objects and can find additional information about the shop.

Hyundai is the first motor company that took initiative to create an augmented manual for drivers and Mercedes also featured with ‘Ask Mercedes’ option where an AI assistant was paired with augmented reality interface to answer the queries of customers.

Get connected through scanning a brochure or card 

Imagine coming across a pamphlet or a brochure and find it interesting. The contact information in the sheet might not be of much help always. But an augmented reality feature in brochure and visiting card can add the next level of the virtual component.

The process lets the user scan a printed material with their mobile devices to access a range of features giving them more information and ways to get in contact with the brand. It can be a video demonstration or statistics that basically attract the user to know more about the firm. A business card scan could feature the company or a person’s mail id, LinkedIn account or a phone call.

Enrich marketing by creating a buzz

Product value matters, but what stands higher is the marketing strategy. Brands try their best to kindle the customers whenever they plan to release a new product. The same goes for technology. When a new technology is obtained by a brand to give customers easy access, it seeks wide attention and creates a buzz enriching the marketing and sales strategy.

Augmented reality is a whole new experience which customers would love to undergo. A well-designed AR assistance will spike the market revenue of a company as people talk and generate their lasting AR memory. It is indirectly connected to the market strategy. One such successful initiative was taken by Pepsi. The company held an AR virtual window marketing alongside a bus station wall leaving passers-by to go berserk. Pepsi managed to gain revenues by generating customer discussion. The youtube video of the campaign gained 8 million views frenzying the sales and market value.

Augmented Reality (AR) is directly or indirectly benefitting the brands through its features which are used to expand the business range through virtual customer experience and smart marketing. The initiative could easily attract customers leading to increased business opportunities and sales.