How 3D and Augmented Reality Social Media Is Driving eCommerce Sales
3D and Augmented reality social media gives eCommerce brands captivating new ways to connect with customers and promote products. Augmented reality and social media are perfect counterparts, with interactive 3D experiences delivering higher conversion rates and even better performance than video promotions. Social media AR applications include photo filters, games, ads, and product try-ons. You can access these applications through native features of social media platforms or third-party apps. Here’s an overview of what you should know about augmented reality in social media, how you can use it to attract and engage more customers, and how to get started using AR technology to generate eCommerce sales.
Why Are Augmented Reality Social Media Applications So Popular in eCommerce?
Augmented reality is emerging as one of the most effective forms of social media marketing. Good social media marketing is all about engagement, and AR is one of the most engaging types of content you can post. As the popularity of AR filters on social media illustrates, engagement increases when users can put themselves into the picture. In a social context, this creates stronger connections. In an eCommerce context, it builds stronger customer relationships which generate sales.
Augmented reality is so effective for engagement that AR has taken its place alongside one of the highest performing types of social media content, videos. According to social media management provider Sprout Social, over half of marketers say video is the most valuable type of content for achieving their goals on social media. But at VNTANA, we’ve found that AR ads perform 28% better than standard video ads on social media. Augmented reality doesn’t just engage social media users; it turns them into buyers.
How is 3D & Augmented Reality (AR) Used in Social Media?
Augmented Reality (AR) technology enhances the way you experience the real world by adding a digital layer of stimuli that appeal to multiple senses like sight, touch, sound, or even smell. If you are a frequent user of social media, chances are you have already had experiences with Augmented reality (AR) though you may not have realized it at the time. Below are the three most commonly found applications of 3D & AR in social media.
AR Face Filters
Have you ever used an Instagram or Snapchat filter to alter your appearance for the camera? Whether you’re trying on different flower crowns or “beautifying” your natural appearance, these AR face filters are an excellent opportunity for brands to interact with their customers and increase awareness of their products. When compared to paid social media ads or other 2D video & photo content, branded AR filters are more likely to be shared by users in their stories, news feeds, or direct messages.
AR Try-Ons and “Try Before You Buy”
2D images and videos can only do so much to convey the benefits of your product. Offering an interactive AR experience like a product try-on allows your customer to fully experience your product just as they would in the real world. Using 3D & AR technology, customers can transform any mobile device into a 3D Viewer to see how they would look wearing a product or place a true-to-scale 3D model in their physical space. These immersive experiences not only engage customers and create positive brand experiences but can also result in 2X increased conversion rates and a 61% average increase in order value. When social media users can do AR previews and try-ons of your products, it helps remove sales barriers stemming from uncertainty about what they’re buying.
3D & AR Social Media Ads
3D social media advertising has become even more accessible for brands with the introduction of 3D & AR ads for Facebook and Instagram. VNTANA’s partnership with Meta (currently in an early, limited testing stage) automates the process of creating 3D & AR assets to use in Facebook Ads. This partnership turns what was previously a 3-day process requiring dedicated 3D modeling software or a 3D artist/developer into a 30-second automated process any social media manager can execute directly from Facebook Ads Manager. These 3D ads appear to your audience target on Facebook and Instagram feeds similar to 2D ads but with the added functionality of seeing the product from every angle, placing the product in your environment true-to-size, or directly clicking through the website to shop.
For consumers, AR is a fun way to interact on social media through filters and games. For eCommerce brands, these uses of AR also apply, but they take on a new level of significance. These AR techniques can be deployed in the content on your feed and social media ads. Using AR, you can promote purchases directly from social media or drive traffic to your eCommerce site.
Start Using Augmented Reality Social Media to Attract More Customers
Augmented reality social media applications are popular with eCommerce brands because they increase engagement and conversions, even outperforming video. Augmented reality social media examples prevalent in eCommerce include photo filters, games, ads, and product try-ons. You can create social augmented reality content by using native features of social platforms or by doing custom designs and integrations through third-party platforms. To get started with augmented reality social media app marketing, there are several tools you can use, but only one that integrates with Meta’s AR Publishing API.
The VNTANA 3D Commerce Platform is designed to help brands, manufacturers, and retailers deploy immersive online experiences for e-commerce, B2B sales, social media, and the metaverse. Increase your social media advertising performance with our fully-automated, patented 3D optimization. Our algorithm reduces file size by up to 99% without any human effort involved, so you instantly have the file types and sizes you need for seamless AR experiences on social media. Contact our sales team to discuss how we can help you attract more customers using social media AR.
