The combination of marketing and technology has been one of the most successful transitions in the last 20 years.
What used to cost a lot of money and time can now be handled within minutes with minimal supervision and minimal labor costs.
Among the many technological advancements that have been used to make retail digital signage interactive is Augmented Reality marketing.
Today, we will look at what Augmented Reality marketing strategy is and how it has transformed commercial digital signage interactive techniques around the globe.
We will look at what Augmented Reality is, why interactivity matters, the benefits of Augmented Reality in marketing innovations, and how some of the big brands are making use of retail digital signage with Augmented Reality.
So read this piece to the end to find out exactly how AR experiential marketing can be used to boost sales and improve the business.
What Is Virtual and Augmented Reality Marketing?
As a standalone digital signage technology, AR is an enhanced digital version of the physical world that a person can achieve through digital visual elements.
This vision and digital elements use sound and other sensory stimuli that are then delivered straight to the brain through technology, making experiential marketing even better.
When it comes to marketing strategies and advertising, multi-touch Augmented Reality has revolutionized how brands can package products and services to their clients.
It is an effective sales strategy of providing users with unique experiences that are engaging to the point where the line between real and virtual becomes blurry.
AR ads are an emerging trend that is becoming very popular, especially among the B2C markets around the globe.
This new technology made ads more interactive while improving the quality of delivering information straight to the users in a customized way.
This is why every enterprise needs to monetize digital signage options they have.
Why Interactivity Matters
In the current digital environment, interactivity is everything.
When it comes to business where digital marketing is the lifeline, having a new technology framework that allows the interactivity between the brand and the customers is crucial for the following reasons.
- It helps you engage with your customers on a fun and personal level no matter how many they may be, and this does increase sales as it is a multi-user platform.
- It increases your reach and customer engagement across all digital platforms, especially social media.
- It is one of the most effective ways of satisfying your customers with your products and services and driving sales up.
- It is cost-effective as it lowers ad costs by eliminating physical branding materials.
- It is an effective way of measuring your performance. With a content management system, it gives you a good idea of what is working and what is not without relying on large physical inventory elements.
- AR filters are a direct line between the brand and the customer satisfaction, and these can give you a clear picture over the cap to my needs.
7 Benefits of Augmented and Virtual Reality Marketing
AR is a necessary technology, and there are many benefits that an Augmented Reality marketing strategy can bring to your business.
Some of the most notable ones include the following.
1. Dynamic Eye-catching Content
Augmented Reality (AR) marketing help create dynamic and eye-catching content that will attract more users in the long run for your business.
In contrast to traditional marketing tactics, Augmented Reality marketing is most flexible as it allows a business 2 create anything that they weren’t when it comes to digital ads.
An Augmented Reality experience can further boost customer interactions as they get to see things in a way they have never done before.
The impression that Virtual Reality marketing leaves on people usually leads to future purchases as they will always come back for more.
2. Customers Get to Virtually Try on Products
Virtual and Augmented Reality Marketing gives customers a chance to virtually try on products before making the final purchase.
This has not only changed how users engage with brands but has given them a very exciting opportunity that allows them to visualize how they want the product to feel and look before making the final decision.
With this, there is no more guesswork on the part of the users. At the same time, brands don’t have to deal with product returns every few days since an informed decision is made by the customer based on the results of using VR.
3. Mobile Integration
The ability to integrate Augmented Reality (AR) with mobile phones has further boosted the ability of brands and companies to reach their customers on a more personal level.
With over 3 billion smartphone devices that are active around the globe, combining VR with mobiles is a very effective way of bringing digital marketing straight into the hands of the consumers.
It would be tough for them to ignore this high level of marketing since they are able to visualize products beforehand.
4. Enhances Brand Image and Reputation
AR marketing is a good opportunity for brands to boost their reputation in the market via retailtainment.
There is a certain respect and impression that customers have when you incorporate advanced technologies like Augmented Reality. They are more likely to do business with you than your competitors, who may not have the same facilities.
Therefore, as much as setting up Augmented Reality in digital marketing may end up being costly; companies will reap more in the long run since you will be attracting more clients as compared to other marketing purposes.
5. Creative Flair
There is a lot of room for creativity where AR Marketing is concerned. In this regard, the relevant content you can achieve or do for marketing purposes is only limited by how creative you can get.
You can combine any element to further enhance your message on the products and services that you are offering to attract any potential customer.
You could use audio, video images, or graphic elements to bridge the gap between the virtual world and the real physical one and create the much-needed buzz for great success.
6. Can Be Used to Educate or Enlighten Customers
AR Marketing can be used by marketers as an in-store tool to educate and enlighten people. If you’re an enterprise looking to launch a new product for the first time, rather than use the boring traditional methods of launching a product or service, you will be served better if you use a creative angle to better interact with people.
And the most effective way of pulling this off efficiently is through the use of AR marketing techniques. The AR experience is a digital version of a business card and a fun way for companies to enhance customers’ unique experiences and enterprises should invest in digital signage to reap these benefits.
7. Incorporate Gamification into Marketing
Augmented Reality Marketing is also one of the few avenues businesses can incorporate games into advertising. They boost interactivity between clients and brands.
Therefore, businesses and marketers are encouraged to integrate gaming into Augmented Reality Marketing to increase interest and reach specific demographics without using too much money on brand awareness.
The Technology of the Future
Augmented Reality solutions are the next step of ads in an environment where digital marketing is taking over rapidly.
Enterprises and marketers that have not incorporated Augmented Reality marketing into their marketing efforts are their brand value.
By the time most of them will be catching on to this technology, those who already have will be many steps ahead of them.
They will have more experience when it comes to handling Augmented Reality marketing, giving them an edge over their competitors as consumers interact with tech-savvy brands more.
How Big Brands Are Using Digital Signage with Augmented Reality Technologies
So what are some of the successful examples where big brands have used Augmented Reality marketing and an advanced face recognition system to boost their sales?
The following are some of the notable examples of brands that have taken advantage of this tech.
Burger King
Burger King’s “Burn That Ad” is a good example of a marketing strategy that took advantage of Augmented Reality technology.
It created an app feature that allowed consumers to point their cameras on competitors’ ads which would then burst into flames on their screens. At the end of this, customers would receive a free Whopper from the nearest Burger King restaurant.
This was an exciting AR gimmick, and it worked successfully, creating lasting memories in those that tried it.
AMC Theaters
Another example is what AMC Theaters did some time back. They also incorporated VR Technology into their AMC app.
It allowed consumers to scan movie posters to receive all the relevant information like the trailer, the length of the movie, contact options, and details on the cast.
They could also scan the posters to purchase tickets immediately and, at the same time, watch YouTube trailers and explore direct Google reviews of the movie all from one place.
Other Examples of AR in Action
Another AR marketing example includes Timbaland’s use of VR tech in their fitting rooms.
Home Depot also allowed consumers to add virtual products into their virtual dressing room to get a feel of how they will look and explore many other options.
Sephora also used this kind of technology to give consumers a chance to try out different makeup products to see how they would look in them.
Takeaway
The use of AR technology as a marketing strategy is the future and there is no stopping it.
Every venture that has a digital presence right now needs to start switching to AR Marketing and creating fitting content to compete in the next ten years.
If you’re looking to embrace interactive digital signage strategies for your business, digital marketing campaigns, AR virtual events, or digital signage wayfinding, feel free to get in touch with us.
We will be more than happy to explore Rev Interactive solutions that might suit your business!
