Augmented reality: Future of marketing?

What is the future of marketing? Do we have a clear picture? Many new and advanced marketing techniques have emerged in the past few years, and they had great impact on the businesses. In this article, we’ll discuss an interesting concept called “Augmented Reality” and its impact on marketing. 

Knowing that you are equally curious, let’s get started. So, what is Augmented reality? My first encounter with this concept occurred when I planned to get my home painted. I went to the paint store to select the paint color but was pleasantly surprised after what happend next. Instead of handing over a color palette or a catalog, the staff has handed me over their iPad. Later, they asked for the pictures of my house. When I sent them the pictures, they just transferred them into their iPad, and there you go, my house was painted. Not literally, but I was able to see my house painted in all the colons I wanted right on that screen, and trust me on this, I was in awe of that technique. 

What is Augmented Reality?

 

Do you believe that the memory of whatever we see and experience stays with us for LONG unlike what we read or see? So, the explanation starts right from this point. Augmented reality gives you a platform where instead of looking at it, you are into it. In simple terms, when we talk about selling products, most companies provide us with the option – “TRY BEFORE YOU BUY ” that too virtually. What else could a customer ask for? customer ask for?

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Augmented reality has two sides. On one side, the digital products are placed in the real world, and on the other side, real people are kept in a virtual world. Have you seen Lenskart’s “Try-On” feature? It allows you to try their frames and select the best one that suits you from the comfort of your home. Especially in India, I suppose Lenskart has been the flag bearer that brought this real-life experience with augmented reality or augmented marketing.   

Other examples of augmented reality

 

I came across a popular web series called “UPLOAD,” where with the help of VR gadgets, we can enter a parallel world and experience what it would be like living there. A good number of cosmetic brands offered by Amazon also provides this feature. For example, customers can try lipstick through the app before purchasing it.    

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At the international level, even some big brands like Rolex and Ralph Lauren are also participating in this and have come up with providing a virtual platform for virtual try-on. 

What is the impact of augmented reality on marketing?

 

Today, many e-commerce companies are facing a common issue where a large number of products are being returned by customers as they do not meet their expectations. Augmented reality is the solution to this problem, as it allows the customers to try things before they buy them.  

This feature helps marketing products like clothing, furniture, paint, medical equipment, and more. So, all business that are promoting their products or services can implement this augmented reality concept and give best purchasing experience to their target customers. 

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This feature not only works for e-commerce platforms but also for physical stores. Smart mirrors used for trying clothes and furniture stores giving you a glimpse of how the furniture would look at your place are some common examples. A good number of travel companies are using this feature to give their client a tour of the property/hotel/resort before they book the same for their vacation.  

What is the future of augmented reality?

  

Researchers state that this technology can be used by educators to give students a real feel of the concepts. Imagine if you are a medical student and you get an experience of performing open heart surgery without even touching a real person. Wow! At least, if I had been that student, my concepts would be like 100% clear.    

The other areas of applications are google maps (better versions of what we have now), medical science, Education, Health care, Music, Training of military, Sports training, and the list goes on. 

If you want to know more about such exciting topics and dive deep into them with me, then enrol for a MBA in marketing through Online Manipal, and I will wait for you there to give you a tour around such areas. Online Manipal is the online learning platform of Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) that offers UGC-entitled bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The curriculum of all the course offered by MUJ is designed by industry experts keeping in mind the recent technological and business trends. As it is a completely online program, both students and working professionals can pursue it. The course fee is quite affordable compared to the on-campus degrees. Online Manipal also offers placement assistance upon successful completion of the program.  

Disclaimer:  This blog contains only the perspective of the author and is a complete unsponsored post. The sole purpose of this blog is to impart knowledge and not to publicize any mentioned brands.