E-commerce sales are continuously growing and are expected to reach $6 trillion in 2024. The demands of consumers continue to rise, hence the increase in the number of sellers as well as products being sold online. Every day, a new online store pops up somewhere all around the world. There have been continuous e-commerce trends popping up and sellers are trying to keep up, one among many is AR Filters.
What are AR Filters?
Augmented Reality (AR) Filters are effects or filters that are computer generated. These can be incorporated into photos or videos to improve visual effects or add dynamics. They are available on various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
While e-commerce is an evolving niche, there is no end to how it can improve user experience, and creating AR filters is just another marketing tactic that many brands use today to increase sales.
You too can take advantage of this feature. Whether you learn how to create on your own or hire a social media agency to do it for you, the benefits you’ll reap are truly rewarding.
The benefits of AR Filters in business
Better engagement
According to research, a person’s average attention span is just 8.25 seconds. If you don’t pique their interest in those few seconds, you’re a goner. Brands use a variety in capturing their customers’ attention, i.e. video, and while some of them are interesting, they don’t really achieve the goals they’re supposed to achieve.
With AR filters, attention is required, which means you get the engagement you are aiming for. Your customers will spend more time trying it out, whether it’s for a shade of lipstick or sunglasses.
Equal opportunity
When your business is just starting, it’s really hard to compete in the market. Competing with big brands is challenging, but with the evolving trends in e-commerce, it’s not as impossible as it seems to be.
With these Augmented Reality filters, you get an equal opportunity because potential customers can give your brand a chance by trying them out. There’s no harm in trying, and they won’t need to cash out yet just to try if it works for them. Your filters simply need to be visible to them to get that equal opportunity.
Unique users’ experience
If there’s one thing that helps businesses stand out amongst competitors, that’s uniqueness. It’s one thing you can offer your customers as well through your filters. That unique experience you provide them will turn them into loyal customers. If they enjoy using your filters, they’ll keep coming back, and even share it with their close community.
Increased discovery rates
If you want to increase your audience, you need to improve your chances of getting discovered. And going to social media is just one way, but it doesn’t stop there. There are many ways to get the best out of your social media accounts. The AR effects are one way to get discovered because people always visit social media platforms to discover new brands, so make sure you create an interesting one.
Expanded reach
When one user uses your filter and shares it on their story, their followers can also try it for themselves. With a single user, you can already expand your reach. Imagine how much reach your brand gets if you already have hundreds (or more) followers on your social media accounts. So this doesn’t mean that your filter has to be viral. It just needs to be as interesting as your brand.
Searchable
Augmented Reality filters are searchable, so you don’t have to worry about being the lesser popular one. If a customer wants to try out a new lipstick shade, a new hair color, or a new pair of sunglasses, they simply need to type it in the search tab and the results will show them a variety of samples. If your filter is eye-catching, then rest assured, customers would want to try it.
Trackable
Tracking analytics is very important in business because you’d want to know where your sales are coming from. You’d want to understand what your audience wants. Filters can be shared by millions of people, and if you can track them, the better. On Instagram, you will be able to track these as they provide detailed analytics on it.
Cheap
Investing in AR filters is cheaper than you may think. Compared to expenses spent in audio and video production, animation or ads, filters are cheaper because they’re simpler to create. They don’t require too much investment compared to other advertising methods. Costs will vary depending on the platform.
More sales
When you’ve improved your engagement with your customers, when you’ve achieved brand awareness and loyalty, when you’ve succeeded in beating your competitor, of course, the sales will follow. Taking advantage of the filters will help in all that was mentioned, and return rates are quite low when purchases are made because of AR since customers have already tried the products before buying them.
