How Augmented Reality Can Make Shopping Better for Your Customers

Remember back in 2008 when BMW used augmented reality in an ad for their Mini? It was groundbreaking at the time. I can only imagine the surprise of people trying it out, probably thinking this kind of technology was something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

AR was in its infancy then, and the idea that you could hold a magazine in front of a webcam and suddenly see a 3D model of a car on your screen was mind-blowing. You could even interact with the model, rotating or tilting it just by moving the magazine around in your hand.

Now, fast forward 15 years, and AR has moved far beyond that experimental stage. It's being used across the board—from gaming to real estate and architecture. It’s becoming a part of everyday life, and one area where it’s really taking off is e-commerce.

AR is helping bridge the gap between the online and physical shopping experience in ways we couldn’t have imagined back in 2008.

So, how much has AR evolved since that BMW ad, and what does it mean for online sellers like you?

Well, AR has grown into a game-changing tool for e-commerce. No more webcams or printed markers—today, customers can use their smartphones to place virtual products in their homes or try on clothing and makeup digitally.

IKEA and Sephora have fully embraced AR, and it's paying off big time. For instance, IKEA’s app, which lets users see how furniture fits in their space, has been downloaded over 2 million times.

This kind of virtual try-on technology helps customers feel more confident in their purchases, which naturally leads to fewer returns and happier shoppers.

And it’s not just about confidence—it’s about boosting sales. Products that use AR can see conversion rates increase by as much as 94%. When customers can interact with a product virtually, it makes a huge difference in whether they decide to hit the "buy" button.

What’s more, AR is no longer just a nice extra; it’s becoming an expectation. In fact, 43% of consumers now expect AR shopping experiences when browsing online. That’s a clear sign of where the market is heading.

AR isn't limited to big players like IKEA anymore. Thanks to tools like Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore, even smaller businesses can easily integrate AR into their online shops.

Whether you're selling furniture, fashion, or beauty products, AR gives your customers a richer, more interactive experience. It’s easier than ever to create 3D models of your products and offer your customers that immersive shopping experience.

If you’re thinking about how to stand out in the competitive world of e-commerce, AR is a perfect way to do it. With platforms like Shopify already offering built-in AR tools, getting started is simpler than it seems.

You just need to focus on mobile readiness because most AR interactions happen on smartphones. Investing in AR not only helps you meet current customer expectations but also sets your shop up for long-term success.

One popular way to use AR is by offering virtual try-ons like what IKEA and Sephora do. This is especially useful for businesses that sell things like clothing, accessories, or makeup.

Customers can use their phone’s camera to see how a pair of glasses, a hat, or even lipstick would look on them before making a purchase. If you sell furniture, home decor, or any other large items, AR can let customers see how those products would look in their actual living space.

For example, a customer could point their phone in their living room and see how a couch or a table would fit in the room. It helps customers visualize the product in their environment, solving the common problem of uncertainty with size, style, and color.

You can also enhance product pages with 3D models, allowing customers to rotate and zoom in on products as if they were holding them in their hands. This works well for everything from electronics to shoes, giving customers a clearer idea of what they’re buying.

Lastly, AR can make your marketing more engaging. You can create interactive AR ads that allow users to interact with your product before they even visit your site. It’s a unique way to capture attention and create a memorable shopping experience.

Getting started with AR doesn’t have to be complicated either. There are plenty of platforms and apps that make it easier to integrate AR into your online store, whether you’re on Shopify, WooCommerce, or another platform.

Stick around for more tips that will help your online shop thrive for the long haul!