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Consumers are becoming more educated, technologically aware, and motivated to participate and interact with businesses that treat them as such. And as technology advances, so do those desires and wants.  

As a result, companies that wish to stay competitive must invest in efficient and effective technology to strengthen their market relationships. 

An increasingly notable tech trend in marketing is Augmented Reality, which experts predict will grow in popularity. Augmented reality marketing enables businesses to provide intelligent, unique, and accessible experiences. By 2028, the global AR market is expected to have grown from $6.12 billion in 2021 to $97.76 billion.

Let's look at Augmented Reality Marketing, what it can do for your brand, and how it fits into today's retail and e-commerce landscape. 

AR Marketing 

Consumer needs and expectations are increasingly driving today's markets. People's desires alter as technology advances, and brands must adapt to satisfy those adjustments. 

Augmented Reality marketing uses AR technology to embed and embody marketing content in a customer environment. It can also be viewed as a marketing or sales strategy that enables businesses to communicate with customers and make better purchasing decisions. 

AR is a growing trend in marketing that enables organizations to give new experiences to customers while exploiting the convenience of their mobile devices. Consumers connect with businesses and make purchasing decisions via mobile, which has become one of the essential media types. 

When it comes to increasing brand value and generating sales via mobile devices, AR adds another tool to your toolbox. 

Examples of Augmented Reality in Marketing 

Let's look at some examples of how Augmented Reality is being utilized in marketing.  

Sephora  

Since 2016, Sephora's "Virtual Artist" tool has been the centerpiece of the company's App, and it is still one of the most well-known examples of Augmented Reality in the beauty business. 

Instead of seeing how specific furnishings would look in your home, this App allows users to see how they would look with various beauty items. You can experiment with lipstick, eye shadow overlays, and much more. 

Ikea 

While home designing is enjoyable in theory, it is far from simple. You'll need to get out the tape measure and mentally exhaust yourself by imagining how different pieces of furniture would appear in your home. This is no longer a concern thanks to Augmented Reality. 

You can peruse through Ikea's catalog of over 2,000 pieces, hold up your phone, and then use the camera to put digital furniture around your home with an app called Ikea Place. You can even see what a fold-out sofa looks like when it's turned into a bed. 

AMC Theatres 

As previously stated, consumers are more sophisticated than ever before, which means they've gotten more demanding and want access to information as soon as feasible. That's why AMC Theatres made sure to integrate Augmented Reality aspects into its App. 

When someone sees a movie poster, they can open the App, scan it, and learn everything they need to know about the film, including release dates, trailers, and cast members. They can even buy tickets and reserve seats if the movie has already been released. 

Toyota Vehicle Demo 

Automobiles are a significant investment for many individuals, and manufacturers have challenges selling them. To help customers better comprehend the 2019 C-HR model, Toyota developed an app that overlays photos of the hybrid drivetrain's inner workings onto physical vehicles. 

Customers can use the App to learn about features like the motor, battery, energy consumption, and gasoline tank as if they were sitting in the automobile. This engaging experience is critical for future customer acquisition. 

Gucci "try on" App. 

AR is perfect for assisting clients in making more educated product choices. Gucci's "Try-On" app precisely accomplishes this. Customers can digitally "test on" several Gucci shoes by aiming their smartphone at their foot. Users can also capture images with the App, which can subsequently be shared on social media. 

Seeing a visual picture of the product's look for premium luxury companies is helpful, as shoppers may be hesitant to spend the money. 

5 Stats About Augmented Reality You Should Know 

Still not convinced that Augmented Reality is ideal for your company? Before we go into the advantages, look at some of the Eclipse Group's statistics on customers and Augmented Reality in eCommerce: 

• Because of their AR encounter, 72% made impulse purchases. 
• If people could utilize Augmented Reality to shop, 71% would do it more frequently. 
• 61% favor stores that use Augmented Reality over those that don't. 
• AR makes shopping more entertaining and thrilling, according to 55% of respondents. 
• 40% of people are willing to spend more on a product if they try it out first using Augmented Reality. 

As the usage of Augmented Reality technology continues to rise, these figures are only going to grow. 

Benefits of AR Marketing 

While we've provided an outline of why you should implement an AR strategy for your company, here's a quick hit list of advantages. 

Encourage Purchases 

AR enables you to place a product in the hands of a customer without requiring them to leave their home. You can develop AR experiences that drive purchase, such as test driving a prospective new car or trying a new lipstick color. 

Reduce Returns 

Return management may be a significant burden for any organization regarding time and money. Consumers can use Augmented Reality to test things before purchasing them, minimizing the possibility of a return. 

Test New Products 

According to Harvard Business School, about 30,000 new consumer items are created each year, with 80% of them failing. AR may now be used to exhibit products in development and get user feedback. 

If the response is unfavorable, this saves the cost of developing costly prototypes and introducing a product only to see it fail. A favorable reaction can indicate whether a company should proceed or not. 

Provide Branded Experiences 

Some purchases are made just because the overall shopping experience in-store is so enjoyable (think of some of the gorgeous displays). Of course, that isn't easy to replicate on a website. 

On the other hand, Brands can use AR to create an in-home experience for customers that makes them feel as if they're physically in the store. 

Create Competitive Differentiation 

Using AR to differentiate your business provides a significant competitive edge, whether you are focusing on B2B or B2C sales. 

Who is more likely to evoke a response from a customer: someone armed with a brochure and a PowerPoint presentation, or someone who provides a virtual 360-degree picture of their product lines? 

Disadvantages of AR in Marketing 

Augmented Reality marketing solutions have advantages and disadvantages like anything else in life. As demonstrated by the examples, Augmented Reality solutions are simple to use and promote user-brand engagement. 

On the other hand, like with any technological encounter, this unique solution has its faults. Aside from the apparent requirement that the user have at least a smartphone (you can't enjoy AR in an old rotary dial telephone), as with all tech-based solutions, you may encounter a fault in the system, a temporary error, or a frozen image. 

Furthermore, users may have privacy concerns as with any app or innovative solution. Even if security has become a primary priority for AR app developers by updates, encryption, and other security procedures, you can always secure your privacy while enjoying an Augmented Reality experience by utilizing strong codes in trusted devices.