Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies have rapidly advanced in recent years, providing users with immersive and interactive experiences. One of the latest innovations in this realm is the 3D product configurator. It allows customers to personalize and customize their offerings in real time. It is transforming how brands interact with consumers, especially in retail and e-commerce, when shoppers don’t have to install an additional app.
Businesses can increase customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and skyrocketing sales by allowing real-time personalization and visualization. Using 3D touch in your product or service can increase lead conversion by 250%. With the increasing popularity of immersive technologies in this new-age Metaverse and other 3D virtual worlds-based marketplace, the 3D product configurator for Shopify, other E-Commerce websites, and native websites will benefit businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
This article will give you a complete overview and understanding of product configurators, explaining what they are, how they work, and why they hold a promising future for online & offline businesses.
What is a Product Configurator?
It is a software feature that allows users to create, customize, and visualize their product designs in a 3D space. Customers can adjust various features such as size, color, shape, texture, and other specifications, making the purchase unique to their preferences. They can also see their product in real time, making it easier to visualize the final result and make informed purchase decisions.
It can be integrated into various e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. It will make it easier for businesses to incorporate this technology into their online stores. By implementing a product configurator on their website, companies can offer customers a more interactive and engaging shopping experience, increasing customer satisfaction, retention, and sales.
Product Configurator and E-commerce
3D configuration technology is a game-changer in the current e-commerce transformation from 2D e-commerce to 3D commerce. It allows businesses to offer customers a more interactive & engaging shopping experience, increasing customer retention, retention, & rapid growth in sales. With a customized e-commerce experience, businesses can let their customers personalize and visualize their products in real environments. It will build an urge to shop without reluctance regarding the end-product quality and other similar concerns. According to other market research and analyses, a whopping 74% of total online customers around the globe prefer 3D and augmented reality technologies while shopping online.
E-commerce & Product Configurator Examples in Action
Several popular brands across various industries have already implemented 3D configuration into their e-commerce platforms.
Apparel & Lifestyle
In the Apparel industry, Adidas has launched a 3D product configurator that allows customers to design and customize their shoes by choosing the color, texture, and design of different shoe parts. It has helped Adidas to improve customer engagement and increase sales by providing customers with a more personalized shopping experience. Moreover, the brand plans to integrate its 3D product animators into its metaverse stores to offer a uniformly good user experience in online and brick-and-mortar stores.
Furnishing & Household
The fun part is here; the trend is not just popular in ‘try-on’ specific sectors like apparel. Leaders in the furniture industry also equip the technology. IKEA, one of the most innovative and popular furniture brands, has a 3D configuration. It allows customers to design and visualize their room layouts and furniture arrangements. It has helped IKEA increase customer engagement, satisfaction, and sales by providing customers with a more trustworthy purchase environment and an interactive and personalized shopping experience.
E-commerce Stores
The results also reflect in the statistics e-commerce is hitting an all-time high in the US region, with annual e-commerce sales worth $8.1 Trillion. One of the most popular e-commerce giants, Amazon, has implemented 3D configuration for its Amazon Custom service. It allows customers to design and personalize their purchases without additional assistance or even leaving the platform. Customers can choose their products’ design, color & specifications, such as laptop sleeves, phone cases, and clothes. It has helped Amazon significantly improve customer engagement and increase sales by providing customers with a better, customizable, personalized shopping experience.
Integration of Immersive Tech & 3D Configurator
Integrating immersive technologies and 3D configurator has revolutionized how we interact with products and services. Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) provide users with an interactive and immersive experience. At the same time, it allows for the customization and visualization of the final product in real time. Together, these technologies offer a powerful combination that can be used to create unique and engaging experiences for consumers.
One of the most exciting developments in this field is the emergence of the metaverse and other virtual worlds. The metaverse is a virtual environment that allows users to interact with each other and digital objects in a simulated 3D world. Virtual worlds are a subset of the metaverse, immersive environments designed to resemble the physical world. Users can create and customize their avatars in these virtual environments and interact with other users and objects worldwide.
Immersive tech and 3D product configuration for businesses
It allows businesses to create and customize their products and services in a highly immersive and interactive manner. For instance, in the previous section, we discussed how a furniture company could use an AR-enabled 3D configurator. It allows users to design and visualize their furniture in their living room without lag or delay in real time. Similarly, a car manufacturer could use a VR-enabled 3D configurator to allow users to design and experience their dream car in a virtual environment.
Another great example is the fashion industry. Retailers can use an AR-enabled 3D configurator to allow customers to try on virtual clothes and accessories, seeing how they look and fit in real time. This offers customers a unique and engaging shopping experience and allows them to make informed purchase decisions. Nike provides 3D product configuration for its shoes, allowing customers to customize their sneakers’ multiple elements. Customers can choose from various colors and materials and add personalized text to their shoes. The 3D configurator also allows customers to see a realistic 3D model of their shoes before purchasing. It gives them a better understanding of how their design will look.
Benefits of a Product Configurator
For B2B Businesses
1. Customization
With 3D configuration, B2B businesses can offer customized offerings that meet the unique needs of their clients. This can help companies to attract and retain clients by providing tailor-made solutions. B2B clients are also value-sensitive. 3D configurations will help businesses streamline their customization needs better in real time.
2. Cost Reduction
It can help B2B businesses reduce costs by automating the sales process, reducing errors, and improving efficiency. This can result in faster sales cycles, reduced time to market, and, ultimately, increased revenue.
3. Improved Customer Experience
It provides a highly visual and interactive customer experience that can help B2B businesses engage with their clients and build stronger relationships. This can help enterprises to differentiate themselves from their competitors and create long-term loyalty.
For B2C Businesses
1. Enhanced Product Visualization
The 3D configuration provides B2C businesses with a powerful tool for visualizing products in 3D. Approximately 66% of buyers feel more confident after getting a 3D visualization. This can help businesses showcase their products more engaging and immersively, leading to increased customer engagement and higher conversion rates.
2. Personalization
With 3D configuration, B2C businesses can offer personalized products that meet the unique needs of their customers. This can help companies to attract and retain customers by providing tailor-made solutions.
3. Reduced Returns and Exchanges
Did you know that 20% of online sales are returned to sellers selling in online stores This number is a mere 9% for in-store shopping. The 3D configuration feature can help B2C businesses reduce returns and exchanges. Customers get an accurate visual representation of the things they purchase. This can help customers make informed purchase decisions, resulting in a more satisfactory experience and reduced costs for the business.
Conclusion
In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses must leverage the latest technologies to stay ahead. The 3D product configurator is a powerful tool for companies looking to improve customer experience, reduce costs, and increase revenue. Whether you’re a B2B or B2C business, it provides unique benefits to help you differentiate yourself from your competitors and build stronger customer relationships. Pick the best tool that doesn’t just limit to 3D view but also provides AR view and is up for integrating futuristic technologies. At PlugXR, we make product configuration a seamless process. You can add a 3D configurator to your website and mobile app where your customers can visualize the product in 3D and AR, and interact with it, making confident buying decisions, leading to negligible product returns. Book a free demo now to get started!