What is augmented reality? Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment. Usually, objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information. Sounds a little complicated…but when done right, the results are simple to interpret.
Why consider advertising with augmented reality? So far, only a small number of companies are using AR to bring products – and more – to life. Meaning you could amaze your customers by being ahead of the curve now, rather than playing catch-up later!
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of advertising with augmented reality.
Augmented Reality: A Unique Way to Advertise
That simple reason to start using AR advertising now? Your brand could be one of the first!
At first, using AR may seem pointless, but it is inevitable that something needs to bring billboards, radio and TV advertising a run for its money. By bringing traditional methods into the digital age, this is the perfect way to catch attention and capitalise on this market while it’s fresh and innovative.
It is also a given that augmented reality advertising boasts great engagement rates. According to Retail Customer Experience via Reydar – AR engagement is up nearly 20% since the beginning of 2020. With conversion rates increasing by 90% for consumers engaging with AR compared to other methods.
With the rise of wearable AR devices, it will get easier and easier to see AR in daily life. This could mean that the movie advert you always see at your bus stop could be experienced in a whole new way. It would be able to play the movie trailer instead, for example, if you have the right equipment such as an app or Google glasses.
With the ever-evolving digital world, content that provides immersive experiences are soon what potential customers will expect. So why not leverage this now rather than later?
An Innovative Way to Boost Sales
Augmented advertising also has a great potential to boost sales. But in an unconventional way.
Companies such as American Apparel and Converse have come up with brilliant augmented reality examples in the past. American Apparel have made it easier to view different products and colours of products in their stores. The app allows users to scan a product and it will then show the user the price of the product and further information. The best part? The customer can change the colour too.
Converse also has a similar app. Users can point their camera at their leg and choose a shoe from their catalogue. The shoe will then magically (virtually) appear on their foot. Users can then see if they like the shoe and see if it fits in with their style, making their shopping experience easier and more fun.
Check out the video below for Converse’s take on AR…
With apps such as the ones talked about above and similar such as the Ikea Place app. Potential customers can see the product in a virtual environment and decide if they like it there and then, if it suits their home.
This is key for this type of advertising to boost sales. You could use this technique to create convenience for customers, as well as adding that all-important ‘wow’ factor, to help you result in more sales.
A Cheaper Advertising Option
Many people assume that augmented reality is an expensive technology to produce and wouldn’t be wrong. It is expensive – just not as expensive as printed advertising.
With printed advertising, there are many different types. There are ads within magazines and newspapers, billboards and direct mail. All have one thing in common: a hefty printing cost!
Augmented reality means you don’t have any printed material and if you do, it’s not that much. That’s because it would be limited to any printed material directing people to the AR experience.
Another noteworthy aspect is that compared to print advertising, augmented reality advertising is far more worthwhile investing in. Mindshare via Reydar discovered that augmented reality experiences are 200% more engaging compared to their non-AR equivalent, as they deliver double the levels of engagement.
A Way To Give Life To Your Brand
One of the best parts of augmented reality? It can bring fun and inject life to your products. It is the most interactive method of advertising out there. It also has the potential to make people like your advertising.
After all, we live in a generation where no matter where we go, there’s ads in every corner. Whether that be on our commute to work, we will see ads on public transport. When we read the news, there will be full pages dedicated to ads. Even online – whether we are checking our email or browsing, ads are in our presence most of the day.
It’s no surprise that we often block ads out – it has been ingrained in us to channel them as ‘white noise’ as we are exposed to them so much. Therefore nowadays, only the most innovative forms of advertising penetrate our interest.
This is why augmented reality advertising is so forward-thinking. This could well be the technology to turn that around.
In fact we might love it so much, we will go out of our way to see adverts. For example, if there is an AR product demonstration happening in a shopping centre, you will be more inclined to stop and find out more.
Or, if you’re shopping and want to know what an item of clothing looks like on you, but you don’t have the time to try it – AR would be a convenient alternative.
The thought of creating an ad that potential customers would actually seek out to experience is too great to ignore. Augmented reality technology is the key to this, as supported by powerful recent statistics.
Another augmented reality example comes from L’Oreal. Their success story with AR saw the company’s sales go up by 49% in 2019 as a result of customers having the chance to ‘try before they buy’. This is undeniably a huge surge in interest, and cements why AR should be seriously considered by companies such as yours.
For more information on how you can get started, contact ProfileTree.
