Augmented reality in customer service is a futuristic solution to the age-old problem of online shopping. Before the advanced AR solution, customers relied on 2D images and product descriptions for online shopping. The lack of information about the style, size, and fit in the description led to high product return rates.
Today, many businesses have recognized the benefits of using AR to improve customer service and reduce high product return rates. Immersive technologies like AR and VR help brands offer practical and creative approaches to buying and selling products online. In this AR blog, we’ll dive into how retailers can use AR to enhance customer satisfaction in 2023.
What Is Augmented Reality For Business?
To grasp the impact of augmented reality on customer service, you need to put yourself in the shoes of a buyer.
Suppose you’re a customer shopping online, and you come across a product that interests you. With the AR tool, you’ll be transported to a new world with visually interactive AR content.
In the augmented reality world, you can try makeup or clothing virtually or see how furniture looks in your living space using your smartphone. As a result, this helps you to purchase products quickly with a seamless and convenient experience.
Introducing AR technology to improve the customer experience helps brands drive sales and build strong relationships with potential customers. It strengthens brand loyalty and allows enterprises to interact with customers better and enhance customer retention rate.
5 Uses Of AR To Boost Customer Service
AR can help offline and online businesses enhance the customer experience. Online shoppers can better visualize the product in the virtual world using immersive visual interactive and computer-generated images. In fact, a survey indicated that nine in ten Gen Z shoppers were willing to see products in their space using AR.
If you plan to target your audience and make online shopping fun, here we have jotted down common uses of AR.
Try-Before-You-Buy Experience
At the point of sale (POS), augmented reality improves customer shopping experiences. The AR tech benefits buyers’ journey by helping them try products while browsing. Such techniques help shoppers eliminate doubts while assisting brands in boosting engagement and sales.
The best way to understand how AR apps work is with an example. SelfStylo virtual makeup try-on app is one of the best AR tools helping fashion brands improve customer service. It allows customers to try virtual makeovers. Online shoppers can apply lipsticks, eyeliners, mascara, eyeshadows, etc., virtually to see how the product looks on them before purchasing.
Another example of an AR-powered customer experience is virtual fitting rooms. They’re a convenient alternative to physical dressing rooms. Shoppers can try hundreds of garments and check the fit from every angle without physically touching them.
Training Customer Service Agents
Many customers prefer speaking with a service agent while browsing or purchasing products. That said, it’s essential to train your service agents to meet ever-evolving customer demands. The powerful new technology makes training quick and highly efficient.
Staff can try different products using AR-powered tools without physically handling every item. When the staff understands the product details, it helps them to efficiently handle customer queries about a product or service. The best example of using AR as a staff training tool is Lowe’s 3D AR app. It creates high-fidelity 3D models to help staff members view and experience products digitally.
Eliminate Uncertainty From Online Purchase
The eCommerce market is growing by leaps and bounds, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite that, there’s still a drawback to shopping online. Shoppers cannot physically access or try a product before purchasing. As a result, customers return purchased products, making it a loss for brands.
Fortunately, AR-based apps allow users to remove doubts while shopping online. The cutting-edge technology helps small and large retailers to get an in-depth understanding of the product. Thus, AR helps customers better judge the product and assists brands in improving the overall buyer’s journey.
Self-Service Customer Support
Many businesses are using AR self-service support to help customers after purchase. With the help of an augmented reality application, shoppers can point their smartphone’s camera at the product and get a comprehensive, in-depth self-service overlay.
AR customer service puts resources like help sheets and FAQ pages in customers’ fingerprints. Buyers can quickly resolve issues on their own and save time using AR customer support.
In-Store Navigation
Wandering around a large store searching for products makes offline shopping frustrating for customers. Augmented reality apps used to improve customer experience help brands enhance their in-store navigation.
Not only does it help customers navigate stores faster, but it also lets them easily find and try on the products before purchasing. Thus, the fully immersive experience makes customers feel valued and empowered.
Integrate Augmented Reality In Customer Service
Augmented reality in customer service is a real game-changer for brands. It is revolutionizing how customers communicate, interact, and shop online. Many largest stores, like IKEA, Gucci, etc., use AR to better serve their customers and drive revenue.
If you are a beauty and cosmetic brand looking to incorporate the interactive tool in business, contact the AR experts of SelfStylo today. The AR tool has unique features like split-screen, social media integration, etc., to help brands ease online decision-making.
Don’t just wait; schedule a free demo with SelfStylo and get ready to use augmented reality in customer service.