Inline WebAR Set to Transform E-Commerce

There is a big new development in the AR world, known as Inline WebAR. It’s a game changer for how brands present their AR features and experiences. It creates a seamless user experience that improves analytics and sales processes across the board. 

There’s no doubt that Inline WebAR will transform E-commerce and have a positive impact in many other industries. Here’s how…

WebAR vs. Inline WebAR

WebAR, or Web-based Augmented Reality, is an app-less technology that made AR accessible to brands of all sizes. Instead of investing in an expensive app to deliver an AR experience, brands could deliver an AR experience through a unique website. Hence, the “web-based” part of the name. 

WebAR also greatly improved the user experience because it removes several steps for the user to undertake; namely downloading an app, opening the app, and activating the AR experience. With WebAR, users simply point their device’s camera at an Augmented Reality QR code or tap a link. The experience then automatically opens in a new tab in a web browser. 

The AR experience “lives” on this unique web page, much like a landing page. So, whenever a user activates the AR experience, they are redirected to this “landing page” to enjoy the experience.

Inline WebAR, on the other hand, “lives” within an existing web page or within content. And there lies the big difference: Inline WebAR does not redirect users to a new page. The AR experience is in line (integrated) with the surrounding content, whether it’s a product page, blog article, home page, or otherwise. 

How Inline WebAR Affects E-Commerce

Inline WebAR has a strong positive impact on several key analytics and processes, including but not limited to the following.

Increases Dwell Time

One of the biggest benefits of Inline WebAR is it keeps users on page. It engages users without redirecting them and then needing to draw them back to what they were originally viewing. Therefore, it significantly improves dwell time. 

Increases Engagement

One of the biggest struggles in E-commerce is keeping customers engaged. Inline WebAR engages customers without redirecting their attention to a new site or page. 

More so, it engages users far more than a standard ad, image, infographic, gif, etc. could do. Augmented Reality, at its core, is an interactive experience. It is that interaction that boosts engagement in a way no other media can.

Boosts Discoverability of AR Content

Since the AR content no longer lives alone on its own web page, it’s much more discoverable. The AR content can be integrated into home pages, popular blog posts, most successful product pages, and more to capitalize on existing traffic. 

Contextualizes Surrounding Content

Inline AR can be an excellent supplement to surrounding content and vice versa. It can actually bring the surrounding content to life, contextualizing it in a 3D, interactive way. 

Take “Try On” Augmented Reality, for instance. Users can virtually try on or try out the products they’re viewing on-page. Say they are reading about a great new flat-screen TV for sale. With Inline WebAR, they can then see how it looks on their wall and interact with it themselves through their device.

Streamlines User Onboarding

User onboarding is all about guiding users to find new value in your product in the simplest, most intuitive way. The goal is to not only show users how to use your product but also why they need it. 

Since Inline WebAR is integrated within the content, users don’t have to figure out where to click or what to do. It’s basically served to them on a silver platter. As we mentioned before, Augmented Reality is also interaction-based. That means it makes products online as tangible as possible by allowing users to try on, try out, and interact with from anywhere.

Improves Wow Factor of Website

Of course, you can’t dismiss the “Wow Factor” Inline WebAR provides, either. Or what may be better described as the “Play Factor.” Users are not only impressed by AR features, but then they get to play with them! 

Consumers are craving Augmented Reality shopping. According to a survey conducted by Interactions Consumer Experience Marketing, 71% of shoppers would shop at a retailer more often if they offered AR. Plus, shoppers stated they would willingly pay 40% more for a product if they could experience it through Augmented Reality. 

Big Step Toward Spatial Websites

As we dive deeper into the digital world, we (perhaps ironically) try to make it more and more like the real world. Developers are aggressively working towards transitioning from flat websites with 2D content to spatial websites with 3D content.  Inline WebAR is a big step in that direction.

Inline WebAR takes a flat, stagnant shopping experience and inserts a seamless, interactive experience. It helps bring the brick-and-mortar shopping experience to users without having to get them to the brick-and-mortar shop. 

That is a big deal! Why?...

The rise of e-commerce has been chiefly driven by convenience. It’s just so much easier to shop from home (or wherever) than travel to multiple stores to find what you’re looking for. 

But many online consumers miss the experience of shopping. They miss trying clothes on, testing out makeup, seeing how something works. They miss the benefits of shopping in person. Augmented Reality provides those benefits as close to the real thing as possible. 

And now, with Inline WebAR, users get to experience those benefits with minimum effort—even less effort than picking up the product they’re interested in! The tangible item isn’t in their hand, but they still get to learn about it, try it out, and interact with it as if it is. All with a tap or a scan. 

Simply put, Inline WebAR is going to transform e-commerce because it’s easy, engaging, interactive, and fun! It’s everything a shopping experience should be. 

Augmented Reality Solution Providers

Want to learn more about Inline WebAR and Augmented Reality E-Commerce? Our experienced team at Aircards happily offers a free, no-pressure consultation. See how your brand or web store can capitalize on all Augmented Reality has to offer. 

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