What is 3D technology in digital commerce?
Retailers are increasingly recognising the value of 3D technology and its potential to improve the customer experience. In fact, a survey conducted by Gartner found that 46% of retailers planned to deploy either AR or VR solutions by 2023 to enhance the customer experience. Digital commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services through electronic channels such as the Internet. In this context, the term 3D technology refers to the use of computer graphics to produce three-dimensional representations of e-commerce products that can be interacted with in a virtual world.
How 3D transforming the buying experience?
3D technology is revolutionizing the way products are designed, manufactured, and sold due to its potential to make e-commerce more engaging and cost-effective. The application of 3D technology in digital commerce is changing the future of e-commerce in three key segments: augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and 3D product visualization. To learn more about these key segments that are being transformed by 3D technology, continue reading this article.
Augmented reality (AR)
As far back as 2019, 62% of consumers said they would prefer to shop at a store that offers AR experiences over one that does not, according to a survey by Vertebrae Inc. AR enhances the physical world by superimposing digital information and graphics on top of the real world. When AR is being leveraged for digital commerce, customers can use their smartphones or tablets to virtual "try on" apparel, see how furniture might look in their home, or visualize how a product would fit into their lives.
This significantly improves user engagement and produces a more immersive, realistic buying experience. By eliminating the inconvenience of the customer having to physically visit the business to view those products, it can also increase customer satisfaction.
Virtual reality (VR)
VR, on the other hand, creates a fully immersive digital environment that can be interacted with. This can be used by customers to engage with products more realistically. For instance, customers can be transported to a virtual showroom to view different types of furniture and test out the products in their own homes. Customers may be able to make more informed purchasing decisions as a result, increasing the enjoyment of the shopping process.
According to a study conducted by Samsung, shoppers tend to spend significantly more time on websites that offer VR content compared to those that do not. The study revealed that visitors to sites with VR content spent 130% more time exploring and engaging with the products, indicating that VR can be a powerful tool to keep consumers engaged and interested. This increased engagement can lead to higher conversion rates and increased sales, making VR an attractive option for businesses looking to improve their online customer experience.
3D Product visualization
With 3D modelling and visualization, businesses can develop realistic and interactive product representations that can be viewed from all angles and interacted with in a virtual world. Not only does it allow customers to view products in a highly realistic way, but it also gives them a more engaging way to engage with products, leading to higher engagement and sales. As demonstrated by a Shopify report, merchants who implemented 3D and AR experiences saw a 94% higher conversion rate compared to those who did not.
3D product visualization is especially helpful when customers are purchasing items such as furniture or home decor that are challenging to picture in two dimensions. This is in stark contrast to the current state of digital commerce which is mainly about showing buyers multiple 2D photos of the same product, which can be less engaging. Customers are unable to experience the same amount of engagement and realism with 2D photos as they can through 3D product visualization.
How can you use 3D technology to scale product visualization for e-commerce?
There are a few ways that e-commerce businesses can scale up product visualization using 3D technology to improve their customer experience and drive sales.
Create 3D product models for each product
By creating 3D product models for all of your products, customers can view the products in a way that is much more similar to the actual experience in real life. This has the potential to increase customer satisfaction and reduce the risk of product returns.
Making 3D product models for all products can significantly raise a company's visibility. CSCONNECT specializes in creating customized 3D models that perfectly match your product catalog and specific requirements, using cutting edge technology to produce hyper-realistic 3D models that accurately represent a range of products in a virtual environment. By making thorough and accurate product visualizations available to customers, businesses can enhance website traffic and their reach on social media and other digital channels.
Use 3D product visualization across all sales channels
By integrating 3D visualization into a range of touchpoints, businesses can offer customers a consistent and immersive digital experience, which in turn boosts engagement and revenue.
Examples of such touch points include your website, social media channels, and email marketing. For instance, businesses may provide clients a more interesting and interactive experience by incorporating 3D visuals into their email marketing materials, possibly leading to an increase in revenue and consumer engagement. At CSCONNECT, we work closely with our customers to ensure that their custom 3D models are tailored to their specific needs and are optimized for multiple online platforms.
Improve customer service by using 3D visualization
3D visualization can be used to enhance customer service. For instance, virtual tours of a building or product can be provided using 3D visualization. This immerses customers into the shopping experience, as they are able to view the products in a manner that is not possible with conventional 2D visuals. By using CSCONNECT Virtual Try-on solution, shoppers can make more informed buying decisions, leading to fewer returns, and a more positive shopping experience overall. This will result in higher customer engagement and a more memorable experience, both of which can increase sales and improve client loyalty.
Virtual support and assistance is another way that 3D visualization can be utilised to enhance customer service. In order to help customers with product assembly, troubleshooting, or maintenance, an e-commerce company could, for instance, employ 3D visualization to provide virtual support sessions. This may reduce the need for in-person customer support sessions, increasing productivity and cutting costs for the company.
Customization and personalization with 3D visualization
With the use of 3D technology, e-commerce companies can produce extremely accurate and detailed product renderings that can be tailored to each customer's unique preferences. For instance, a customer can select a product's colour, finish, or size and view a real-time illustration of that product with those chosen qualities.
By giving customers more influence over their purchases, this level of personalization not only enhances the consumer experience but also increases brand loyalty. Consumers are more likely to become repeat customers and recommend the brand to others when they believe that their preferences are being met. Additionally, providing customized product visualizations can also differentiate a company from its competitors and develop a unique selling proposition.
Tap on 3D technology for your online store with CSCONNECT
At CSCONNECT, our goal is to enable customers to experience digital in the real world. That's why we offer a range of cutting-edge services, including virtual try-on and shoppable augmented reality content, to help e-commerce companies leverage on the power of 3D technology and stay ahead of the competition.
By partnering with us, you can take advantage of our team of experts who will work with you to create a tailored solution to meet your specific needs. We'll help you integrate 3D technology into your operations, providing you with the tools you need to enhance the customer experience, boost engagement, and ultimately increase your bottom line.
To find out more about how we can assist you in leveraging 3D technology for online sales, request a product demo or register for a trial with us right away. With our expertise and innovative solutions, you can stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving digital landscape and ensure that your customers have the best possible shopping experience.
