What Is Web AR And Its Impact On Marketing?

If it’s your first time hearing about web AR, well, there’s a lot to unpack. This trendy new technology is being included in marketing plans all the way from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies – and for good reason. Not only is it an eye-catching novelty, it’s also an effective one. Now, let’s get to know why web AR is making all that buzz across different industries.

What is Web AR?

Web Augmented Reality (also known as Web AR) is an innovative form of technology that doesn’t require a mobile application to function. This is because the AR experience is done through a mobile web browser. But just in case you aren’t familiar with this new type of technology yet, here’s what the fuss about augmented reality is all about.

Augmented reality changes the way we communicate with the world around us. Just by using your phone camera, you can contextualize different pieces of visual information right in front of you. With augmented reality, you can simply take a photo of that new product in the store and know more about the product details. You can even take your tourist experiences to the next level with AR by taking a photo of a landmark and finding more about its history! It’s cool isn’t it? But, those are just some of the many use cases of AR.

Thanks to the rapid growth of mobile web browsers, the development of web AR became possible. Many companies are now taking part in the slow transition of including augmented reality on their web pages. This allows websites to actively engage their audience instead of allowing them to be passive consumers of information. And even better, all it takes is a mobile phone with a web browser to consume this new form of technology.

What Is The Impact Of Web AR On Marketing?

The use cases of web augmented reality cannot be emphasized enough. Let’s talk about its impact on a major field: marketing. When it comes to marketing, it’s all about finding the next big thing – web AR fits the bill. So, what makes web AR in marketing so special?

It’s Accessible

One of the main selling points of web AR is its ease of access – you just need a mobile browser to work! There’s no need to think of going to the App Store or Play Store to download a mobile application that can just gather dust in your phone’s storage. The process is as simple as clicking the link – and voila! You are now free to enjoy the AR experience.

Increased Feeling Of Ownership

Instead of being passive viewers, customers now become active participants – having a say in their own AR experience. This is beneficial especially when marketing in retail. Products and displays can be enhanced with interactive content which allows brands to provide an immersive experience. Whether it’s a customer previewing that new piece of furniture in your living room or a restaurant improving guest experience with web AR, customers will be inclined to interact with content that interests them. Interacting with these items gives a customer that feeling of control, making them more inclined to buy your product.

An Emotional Experience Helps Drive Sales

People are more likely to remember things that affect them emotionally – web AR does a great job at that. By provoking an emotional response, a customer is more likely to buy your product. The AR experience allows them to visualize a product without it having to be physically there.

Improved Customer Engagement

Because it’s a new type of technology, using web AR in your marketing campaign is an easy way to pique interest. Everyone just loves that trendy new piece of tech. Thus, using web AR in your marketing strategy will be an easy way to connect with your customers. Multiple studies have shown that immersive technologies, such as web AR, are successful when it comes to the brand recall of consumers.

Easy Integration In Marketing Campaigns

When it comes to making a marketing strategy, it isn’t too complex to include web AR in your plan. First, it’s browser-based. That already ticks the box of accessibility. Next, web AR can also be used in a number of ways.

Embed QR codes on objects or in the digital space – they work, too! Most consumers already use a smartphone to search for information about a product. Hence, scanning QR codes shouldn’t be such a big deal. Another benefit of web AR is that it integrates with other digital tools as well, such as Google Analytics. Marketers can collect data from this powerful tool to successfully implement effective business strategies.

Get Instant Consumer Feedback

A benefit of web AR that is often overlooked in marketing is the ability to obtain customer feedback. When consumers undergo an AR experience, marketers can easily ask for feedback on their products. If the reception to your new product isn’t positive, just scrap the idea or make some changes. That way, you prevent any unsuccessful rollouts.

Take Part In The Next Big Thing

With a growing field such as web AR, seeing the latest developments unfold year after year is simply inevitable. Keeping up with these can help your company stay up to date with the latest trends in the market, so you don’t get left behind. For example, have you ever imagined a virtual world in augmented reality, digitally mapped over Earth? Concepts like these are no longer imaginary – they’re real. Getting up to speed with web AR can help your company introduce new products and services that your competitors might not have even considered – putting you ahead of the pack.

Final Word

When the digital and physical worlds collide, a new type of technology emerges – web AR. With all the benefits to marketing it provides, it’s proven that it’s not just a fad. It’s here to stay. So if you still haven’t considered using web AR in your marketing strategy, you might actually be doing your company a disservice.