Benefits of AR and VR in Business

From captivating customers with immersive experiences to streamlining operations and boosting productivity, our AR and VR business ideas can help you stand out from the crowd.

What is AR and VR?

Augmented reality (AR) recognises our real-world environment and adds virtual elements such as computer-generated graphics, videos, or other digital content using smartphones, tablets, or smart glasses.

Virtual reality (VR) transports us to a computer-generated, 3D, virtual environment using a headset or similar device, where we can move and interact with the world we’re seeing.

Whichever you choose, both offer a host of business benefits, including increased brand awareness and engagement, more sales, and improved customer service.

AR and VR in business

There are loads of great reasons for using AR and VR in business.

In a world where instant personal service is the norm, AR and VR can be your secret weapons. They can bring your business to life, creating immersive experiences that captivate your customers and leave a lasting impression.

Not only will it show everyone that you're a forward-thinking, tech-savvy company, it'll also set you apart from your competition and grab attention, even against big players in the market.

AR and VR can open up a whole world of opportunity. You could reach a global audience, tap into new markets, expand your horizons – and cut costs. To get those creative gears turning, we've got eight quick and easy AR and VR business ideas.

Examples of AR and VR in Business

1. Visualising products

Show off in style by using AR to create virtual images of your products. If you’re selling home accessories, AR can allow your customers to see how they would look in their new space. If you’re involved with fashion or beauty, people can virtually try on clothes, make-up, or accessories.

For a more in-depth experience, VR is the perfect tool – especially if you’re a design agency working with other businesses. Imagine architects helping you to visualise your own home or visiting a car showroom to check out or even drive a new car. VR’s possibilities are endless.

2. Powerful packaging

Spice up your product packaging by adding extra information or interactive elements customers can access via a simple AR app like Google Lens. Whether it’s handy how-to guides, product specs, demos or special promotions, AR offers a surprise bonus.

3. Training and developing skills

Create interactive training that lets people practice procedures, learn about new equipment, or nail safety protocols through VR like Vive. It's a hands-on, engaging way to motivate teams and helps learning sink in.

4. Virtual meetings (with in-article image)

VR is like next gen Zoom or Teams. Share, collaborate and interact with 3D models, documents, and presentations from all over the world with platforms like Hubs or Arthur. A VR headset can also make it seem like you're sitting in a meeting room with your clients or teammates who are actually at home or in their office halfway around the world.

French multinational banking firm Societe General and PwC are just two big names leading the way, but with cheaper, more powerful headsets and devices hitting the market, it’s an ideal time for SMEs to get involved too.

5. Enhanced advertising

Boost marketing by including AR in your campaigns. Interactive ads or games and AR filters on social media like Snapchat or Instagram are fun ways to make your brand stand out and get people talking. You can even create AR business cards that unlock content like an intro video for an unforgettable meeting.

6. Virtual tours

Well-loved in the property market, virtual tours are ideal for letting people see what you offer before they make the trip. Think travel and hospitality, event venues, restaurants, educational institutions, retail, or offices and co-working spaces, etc.

7. Enhanced customer support

AR can help your customers by providing step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting assistance, or even virtual chatbots, like the infamous Chat GPT. It's like having your customer support team by their side, while saving time and resources.

8. Host virtual events

Cement your green credentials and save money by using VR like vFairs to host virtual events, trade shows and exhibitions. Generate leads and showcase your business to a global customer base without hiring floor space, booths or travelling. It's a cost-effective way to make a big impression.

Using AR and VR in Marketing

The future of marketing is here, and it's remarkably immersive.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are ready to redefine how you connect with your target audience. From interactive AR packaging to interactive VR product demonstrations, we explain how you can captivate your audience, boost brand engagement and achieve a competitive edge.

So how are AR and VR used in marketing? The possibilities are endless, but here are five of the most popular, plus an honest look at their pros and cons.

AR advertising

Imagine a customer pointing their smartphone at a poster or product package and seeing it come alive with additional information or interactive features. It's a powerful way to engage customers and drive sales.

Pros

AR ads let customers interact with products virtually before buying, sparking interest and boosting conversion rates.

Cons

Developing AR can sometimes be costly, and you need a user-friendly app or platform for the magic to happen.

VR product demos

A huge 79% of consumers are interested in using VR to ‘handle’ products. Transport customers to a virtual showroom that lets people try before they buy. Think retail, estate agents, car dealerships, tourism, leisure etc.

Pros

VR lets customers experience your products in a lifelike environment anywhere, anytime.

Cons

VR may need an initial investment in hardware, and creating content can take a lot of work.

Interactive AR packaging

By animating their packaging, manufacturers can provide fun facts, recipes, or interactive games. This encourages audience engagement and increases the chance of conversion..

Pros

Surprise and engage customers by bringing your product to life and making it stand out on the shelf.

Cons

You’ll need customers to install an app, which might put some users off.

Brand storytelling

Create immersive experiences that transport your customers to the heart of your brand. Whether it's exploring your history or experiencing the product journey, VR can help make an emotional connection.

Pros

VR can make your customers feel a part of your business, raising awareness and building brand loyalty.

Cons

It can require investment in resources and development expertise.

Gamification

AR games on products can encourage people to solve fun challenges and puzzles to receive special offers, rewards or discounts.

Pros

Gamification creates engaging and memorable customer experiences, encouraging them to come back for more.

Cons

Designing engaging games can be challenging, and may not fit every brand's image.

If some of those cons are a little daunting, remember any marketing campaign takes time and money. And the returns from investing in AR and VR can be eye-opening. In fact, VR in marketing can increase customer engagement by 19% and click-through rates by 15%, while there was an amazing 94% jump in conversion rates when customers used AR to interact with products.

Tips for using AR and VR

Understand your audience

What do they need? What devices do they use? How do they find content? Once you know the answers, you can create VR and AR experiences that really hit the mark. Start by researching and understanding who your target audience is and where you can reach your customers. With this understanding, you can tailor your marketing activity to make sure it’s targeted and optimised for your ideal consumer.

Identify the need for VR and AR

Always consider if VR or AR marketing matches your goals and brand identity. If you want to increase brand awareness, VR and AR tick the box. If you want to generate leads, traditional methods might be a better bet.

Keep brand messaging consistent

Keep your brand messaging consistent. This means using your established brand guidelines – tone of voice, fonts, logos etc. across your VR and AR marketing for a seamless customer experience. Just like with omnichannel marketing[Abigail R1] , you want to make sure your brand messaging aligns across all channels, including VR and AR activity.

Consider costs and budgets

AR and VR are investments, so ensure your budget covers the initial costs, ongoing maintenance, and content creation. Always ask a qualified development company for an accurate estimate.

Make it accessible

Make sure your AR and VR experiences are user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimised to work well on various devices, so you can reach as wide an audience as possible. A great way to ensure your AR and VR activity is accessible is by testing it with real users. Quality Assurance (QA) testing is a crucial part of software development throughout the lifecycle, even before a working product is made. By getting feedback from people across a variety of different backgrounds and abilities, you’ll have an easy understanding of the usability, functionality and accessibility of your content.

Test and learn

Track the results of your activity so you know what’s working and what isn’t. The digital world moves fast, and AR and VR tech are no different, so test and tweak your campaigns, listen to your audience and adjust as needed.

Now you know how to transform your marketing activity with AR and VR, you can be sure to take your strategies to the next level, enhancing your customer experience and elevating your brand.

How you use AR and VR for business depends on your in-house skills, budget and aims.

Including AR and VR marketing in your marketing strategy can offer a unique, immersive way to connect with your audience. As the technology continues to advance, businesses ahead of the AR and VR game can create unforgettable, interactive experiences that can set your brand apart, and leave a lasting impact that engages, captivates and converts customers.

There are plenty of off-the-shelf, simple AR and VR apps or platforms that you can easily integrate with your systems. But if you really want to push the boundaries of reality, it’s worth talking to an expert first.

Want more advice on how AR and VR could help your business? Speak to one of our V-Hub Digital Advisers to find out more.