WebAR Helps Build AR Experiences that are More Accessible and Convenient, Here’s How

WebAR has become people’s favorite because of the massive reach it can provide. It is due to how accessible it has become when people can open and experience 100s of different AR experiences in a single browser, unlike AR mobile applications that need people to download and install mobile apps whenever they want to experience a new AR experience.

So, What is WebAR?

WebAR is an evolving technology that simplifies the accessibility aspect of traditional AR app development. Unlike app-based AR, WebAR allows users to experience AR projects on their mobile browser. When you scan a QR code or click on a URL to the AR project you want to view, it redirects you to your mobile browsers, triggering an AR experience in real-world surroundings.

How many types of WebAR do we have?

Essentially, there are two types of WebAR - (i) WebAR Image Target and (ii) WebAR Surface Target.

WebAR Image Target

As the name suggests, here, an image becomes the trigger for experiencing WebAR. When creating a WebAR image target experience, you use an image marker as the base. Around the same image, you will add assets that tell a story. Take the example of an AR business card. The image of an AR business card becomes the marker. Over the marker, you would add multimedia information like an introduction video about you or your business. You could be adding links to your website and social media profiles. Also, you could add text, voice, and a 3D avatar that replicates how you look. Upon completing and publishing it, you or anybody else can experience it only by using the marker as a trigger. In the case of the business card, whoever you hand over your business card can just point out their phone camera on the marker to learn about you in AR.????

WebAR Surface Target

Unlike image targets, WebAR surface targets don’t need a marker to trigger a WebAR experience. You can view the AR experience by pointing your phone camera towards any surface in the real world. You might wonder if there’s a real example. Well, there are examples. Retail and eCommerce brands might use the WebAR surface target feature to integrate AR into customers’ buying journeys and elevate their experience. Say you have a furniture brand. While on your website, you have images and videos that showcase the details of the products, you might want to take this experience to the next level. You could recreate these videos and images into AR with three-dimensional models that people can virtually place in their homes, living rooms, bedrooms, gardens, and lawns to see how they fit their space, all by pointing their phone camera towards the surface where they want to place the furniture. Similarly, you could do it with many other products - carpets, home decor, and automobiles.??

How can you leverage the accessibility aspect of WebAR?

WebAR has been a disruptive technology. It has eliminated the challenges faced by traditional forms of Augmented Reality. People who were hesitant to download a new app would drop off. WebAR has addressed this and thus significantly improved the accessibility aspect. Now, the question is, who are the immediate beneficiaries leveraging this aspect of WebAR? Wheel, these people crave reach and virality—primarily marketing people who want to reach as many prospects as possible with something new and exciting every day. Imagine recreating your image and video ads in AR that your audience can not just view but see them in 3D and interact with them. It takes the excitement level to the next level significantly boosting the engagement level which ultimately leads to health metrics and higher conversion.

Who is benefitting the most from the ease of accessibility of WebAR?

eCommerce and retail brands are the first to benefit from WebAR. Take the example of an IKEA app where users can browse, pick, and choose furniture to see how it looks in their space. However, the user base of IKEA apps that allow this would be limited because it requires users to download the app on their phones. Most of its users would be people who know about it or have been IKEA’s customers. Most of the new customer acquisition happens on the website in one of the browsers (Chrome, Safari, and Opera), where people happen to browse through and explore IKEA. Now, with WebAR technology, they can integrate and offer the same features they did on their app and website. New users can view IKEA furniture in AR through their website and access it on their browsers. It amplifies the reach for retail and eCommerce brands. The same goes for popular eCommerce brands like Amazon and Wayfair, retail chains like Walmart, and home decor brands like Lulu and Georgia. They all have been benefiting from this new introduction of web-based AR and leveraging it for good.

Key Takeaway

Clearly, WebAR has been a game-changer for brands across businesses because of its easy accessibility and convenience. So, if you are planning to leverage this benefit of WebAR to boost your business, across marketing and operations, sign up to the PlugXR Platform now or Book a free demo!