These cutting-edge technologies can help you create immersive and memorable experiences for customers and employees. With virtual and augmented reality, you'll set your business apart from the competitors.
What is Virtual and Augmented Reality?
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated environment that immerses users in an experience resembling reality. It allows users to interact and explore the virtual world using devices such as goggles and VR headsets equipped with the necessary technology. Augmented reality (AR) is used through a mobile device camera and enhances the real world with virtual content. AR uses the real-world while VR is completely virtual.
Ways That Businesses Can Incorporate VR and AR:
- Try On Experiences
If you run a retail business, augmented reality (AR) can help customers "try on" products virtually, enhancing their shopping experience. This interactive approach boosts confidence in purchasing decisions, reduces returns, and saves both time and money.
Examples:
- A beauty brand using AR to let customers preview different lipstick shades before buying.
- An eyewear company offering a virtual try-on feature to help shoppers find the perfect frames.
- A furniture retailer using AR to allow customers to visualize how a couch or table would look in their home.
- Virtual Tour
If you own a hospitality business, offering virtual tours can be an excellent way to boost bookings. Many people prefer to see the place they’ll be staying in before making a payment. This can also help guests choose between rooms.
Examples:
- A hotel providing an interactive 360° tour of its rooms, amenities, and property.>
- A real estate agency using VR to offer remote property tours for potential buyers.
- A wedding venue offering an immersive VR experience so couples can tour event spaces without visiting in person.
- Education And Training
Businesses can use AR and VR for training purposes. This is a cost effective way to get employees trained, as you don’t need to have a physical person training new hires.
Examples:
- A construction company uses VR to help employee’s get familiar with different tools.
- A healthcare facility training medical students with VR surgical simulations.
- Tourism
AR and VR can help boost tourism by showcasing various attractions, activities, sightseeing opportunities, restaurants, and amenities to potential visitors. They can even feature testimonials from past guests, sharing why they chose to stay there.
Examples:
- A Hawaiian resort offering a VR experience that highlights breathtaking views, luxury amenities, and guest experiences.
- A theme park using VR to give potential visitors a preview of its roller coasters and attractions.
- A city tourism board developing an AR app that guides visitors through historical landmarks with interactive stories.
- Create Games
An event can offer special AR games for its attendees. This is a cost-effective way to keep participants engaged, because all they need is their phone. Additionally, for advertising purposes, companies can create AR and VR games to promote their products or services.
Examples:
- A museum offering an AR-powered scavenger hunt to enhance the visitor experience.
- A sports stadium using AR to create interactive games for fans during halftime.
- A corporate event featuring VR escape rooms as a team-building activity.
- A charity organization using AR games to engage participants in a fundraising campaign.
