This article by Jon Wade, originally featured on Shopify
Augmented Reality Brings a New Dimension of Engagement to the Customer Experience
Augmented reality (AR) has transformed the smartphone camera into a window through which consumers can engage with interactive digital scenes in the physical world.
On the other side of this window, brands are also harnessing AR to serve up creative experiences to delight their customers. Today, more brands are investing in blended shopping experiences that set them apart from their competitors and connect with customers in more familiar settings. Through mobile AR, you can create interactive 3D scenes that can be brought to your customers or even be used to bring your customers to you.
Bringing the interactive AR scene to customers
With mobile AR, brands can draw customers in with unique marketing activations that bring products to life right in front of them.
Without the restraints of physical inventory or set up, the experience of picking up and evaluating products in a retail setting, or discovering a product while passing by an artistic window display, can be actualized wherever your customers are.
These engaging AR displays can enhance your product launches and marketing campaigns with new layers of excitement.
For example, you could send customers a push notification with a VIP alert on their phone to build buzz about an upcoming product launch. After a countdown clock strikes zero, the customer could also use their AR-enabled mobile device to participate in the product reveal in the comfort of their own living room.