How can AR simulations enhance your marketing campaigns?

Out of all AR simulations, I can see that virtual try-on of products at users own place can create a better impact while shopping online. Product return is a financial challenge for the ecomm industry all over the world. Displaying virtual product in correct dimensions, color and textures can decrease product return by manifolds. This is an example of how AR simulations can help people in real world. Gaming is another domain which is heavily using AR simulations now a days to deliver hyper realistic digital experiences. As a matter of fact, gaming is the sector which gets highest investment when it comes to involve AR simulations.

Simulation is a term long used in the industry of immersive technologies. The term Simulacra and Simulation was used in 1981 philosophical treatise by the philosopher and cultural theorist Jean Baudrillard. Simulacra are copies that depict things that either had no original, or that no longer have an original. Simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. With that said, we can conclud AR Simulations are real time layer of digital content added to the physical environment, enabled by geolocated, tag based or spatial triggers.

AR simulations are like adding a touch of magic to the real world using your phone or device. They let you see virtual things in the actual space around you through your camera. For example, you can use AR to try on virtual clothes or see how furniture looks in your room before buying.

AR simulations blend the real and virtual worlds to offer engaging and interactive experiences. By overlaying digital information onto the physical environment, they provide a unique way to visualize and interact with complex data, concepts, or scenarios. This technology is increasingly used in fields like education, where it can bring abstract concepts to life, enhancing understanding and retention. In healthcare, AR simulations aid in surgical training, allowing medical professionals to practice procedures in a safe, controlled environment. Businesses use AR for product demonstrations and virtual showrooms, giving customers a more immersive experience, and that's just a couple, everyday AR is being utilized in multiple industries.

AR simulations are interactive, virtual experiences that blend digital elements with the real world. In marketing, they offer a dynamic way to showcase products or services, providing customers with immersive, hands-on experiences.

66% of consumers say they are interested in using AR to help them with their shopping (Google Consumer AR Survey) while only 1% of retailers use AR (Mobile Marketer). It's rare to see such a large disconnect between consumer expectations and what brands offer. There is clearly an opportunity here for brands to stand out. By going beyond gimmicks and creating immersive and relevant AR experiences, brands can transform a transactional exchange into long-term loyalty. AR has the potential to create memorable experiences throughout the consumer's life cycle. It helps brands to get noticed, it helps consumers to understand a product and make choices and can enhance post-purchase satisfaction.

I agree that AR simulations for marketing can bring a lot of value, such as loyalty, impressions, positive associations with the brand, etc. BUT, one more reason to use AR in marketing is ANALYTICS. AR can give you unexpectedly good data, such as geography, the time of scanning, interactions with the links, devices, and most importantly - numbers of unique visitors by using Google analytics and Facebook pixels. All in all, AR is the instrument to find target audience and use it after the campaigns.

Launching a marketing campaign is often a costly affair. But ensuring its virality is not so easy, even for the best players in the market. AR simulations can play the magic and if played well, almost 100% of the time it can bring a viral user preference. Thus the effectiveness of a marketing campaign can increase 100x using AR simulations. AR simulations can showcase features and benefits of products or services in a realistic and interactive way, allowing users to customize and personalize them. Additionally, AR simulations can differentiate the brand from competitors, creating a unique image and fostering relationships with users. Finally, AR simulations can encourage word-of-mouth and social sharing, expanding the reach of the brand.

In addition to the data, which clearly underscores the importance of AR in advertising and marketing campaigns, this technology is about empowerment. The magic of AR lies in users' ability to open portals to alternate realities, serving as the primary catalyst for the existence of content. I like to think of AR content as untapped potential waiting to be unleashed, and the power to unlock these worlds rests in the hands of the user. These experiences offer a unique point of view, fostering emotional connections with products, places, and other individuals.

AR simulations in marketing offer a dynamic and immersive way to present products or services. By integrating augmented reality, businesses can provide potential customers with realistic and interactive experiences, allowing them to virtually engage with the product or service before making a purchase. AR simulations enhance customer engagement, build brand awareness, and significantly influence purchasing decisions by offering a compelling and memorable preview of the product's value.

Start by choosing AR development tools that match your campaign goals. Design simulations that are user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience. Test the simulations across devices to guarantee accessibility and effectiveness.

The first step is to understand the tech savviness of your target audience and their familiarity with AR tools, as well as that of the particular brand. The second step is to choose the right development tool based on the complexity of the final product for the campaign. For projects involving images and printed content, solutions like Artivive may suffice for a starting point. If an AR filter or GeoAR content is needed, Snap Inc can be very useful. For custom app or web app development, options like Unreal Engine, Unity, Niantic, and 8th Wall products are available. But remember: is not about the tools, is about the people and the magic!

Nike has implemented AR in promotional campaigns to create interactive and immersive experiences. For example, they've employed AR to allow users to virtually try on sneakers or experience product launches in a unique way. These initiatives not only showcase the products but also leverage AR to make the brand more memorable and interactive for consumers.

Examples include virtual product try-ons, where customers can see how items look on themselves or in their homes, or interactive demos that showcase product features in a way that's both informative and entertaining.

There are many to be listed, including older ones like: The Street Museum app (2011) Secrets Behind Paitings (2011) City Painter’ in London’s Carnaby Street (2020) ASOS See My Fit (2019) Burberry Elphis statue (2021) IKEA Studio app (2020) and much more.

I think the biggest thing in AR marketing will be adding gamification elements to the experience like a task, or treasure hunt, and then rewarding consumers with gifts or perks for completing! In other words, adding fun, adding time spent, and therefore adding brand recognition opportunity by creating a memorable experience.

Prioritize simplicity in design, ensuring users can easily navigate the simulation. Integrate clear calls-to-action to guide users toward desired interactions. Regularly update content to keep it relevant and align with changing marketing objectives.

Beyond the mentioned points, consider factors like user feedback – listen to what customers are saying about the AR simulations. Additionally, think about the scalability of your simulations, ensuring they can adapt to different products and marketing strategies.