If you’re a smartphone user, chances are you might have already used one of the AR applications. People use Augmented Reality apps for fun, such as playing games, creating 3D pictures, and so on.
A lot of people believe that these AR and VR apps are just for fun, but that’s not true. Emerging technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality unleash a whole new world of possibilities for businesses across the world.
AR for business is a relatively new direction. Many business sectors can leverage the power of AR apps to provide something unique to their customers or clients.
In this guide, we will be discussing different businesses that can make the most out of AR app development.
Types of Businesses That Should Invest in AR App Development
Cathy Hackl, one of the most sought-after keynote technology speakers in the world, says, “AR will add utility and further context to our lives, and this will change the way we go about our daily lives from anything to choosing what outfit to wear to how we get to a location or how we train for a job. It’s not a coincidence that every tech and mobile company has AR as part of the future roadmap.”
Augmented Reality can benefit many businesses. It can certainly provide an interactive way for customers to communicate with your business. Below is a list of business sectors that can use AR to drive more customers and sales.
1. Augmented Reality for Real Estate
People who are looking to buy a new home tend to engage more with online listings that have pictures of every room taken from every angle.
You can build a real estate app using AR technology to give real-time open house experience to customers right on their smartphones. Potential buyers can check out the house in detail without even visiting the property in person. This improves user engagement and saves time for both realtors and buyers.
Zillow, one of the leading real estate app in the US, uses augmented reality to provide users a real-time visualization fo what space might look like. It provides a virtual walkthrough to the users so they can check every corner of the property virtually.
2. Augmented Reality for Home Improvement Industry
It is difficult to go into any major home improvement store without them asking you to download their app. Some of these apps help you narrow down where something is located in the store. However, many of the newer ones also bring AR into the palm of your hand.
You can do things like visualize a piece of furniture in a room, see what different paints would look like on your walls, or even see what a light fixture would look like in your home. These apps can bring new ideas to life so people can get an idea of what they are buying before they ever spend a penny.
The best example of this is the IKEA Place app. IKEA Place has revolutionized the real estate industry using augmented reality. With this app, IKEA users can check how particular furniture or products will look in their homes right from their mobile.
3. Augmented Reality for Retail Businesses
The retail industry stands to benefit the most from augmented reality technology. There are augmented reality apps that allow people to see how different shoes or clothing items would look on them in a virtual setting.
These apps allow a person to take a picture of themselves and see how different shirts, pants, skirts, shoes, or full outfits would look on them before they buy. There are even glass manufacturers that allow people to “try on” new glasses before they make a purchase. This lets people put the items on virtually before buying, so there is no reason not to like the result when their product is shipped.
The best example of AR in retail is the Lacoste app. This international retailer’s app allows people to virtually try on shoes and see how they look on their own feet.
Dangle AR is a jewelry app that uses augmented reality to allow users to virtually try on earrings.
4. Augmented Reality for Fitness (Weight Loss) Industry
From being able to see yourself going for a walk or a bike ride to seeing what your body would look like with 20, 40, or 60 fewer pounds, AR is revolutionizing the fitness industry.
With AR fitness apps, workout enthusiasts can exercise at their homes if the weather is not fit for outside exercising. A holographic trainer is another use case of augmented reality in the fitness industry. Users can see their coach performing a particular exercise from every angle on their mobile.
Suggestic is one of the great health and fitness apps that uses augmented reality to provide better diet insights to users. When eating out, you can point your phone to the restaurant menu, and the app will instantly show you what items are good for your health and what you should avoid from the menu.
5. Augmented Reality for Healthcare Industry
With all of the changes in the healthcare sector over recent years, it makes sense that some of the best AR apps around are meant to boost the healthcare field.
These new apps allow people to work with all types of healthcare providers and get a solid idea of how that provider could improve the patient’s life. Imagine seeing a dentist through AR and being able to show you how your smile would look if you got braces without ever stepping foot in their office.
Doctors can help explain the surgery to a patient using an AR organ in front of them, answering questions as they go to calm the patient’s fears. What would new residents do if they were able to perform their first few surgeries via AR instead of potentially causing an injury to a patient?
These are all things being looked at through AR app development in 2023. Another aspect of the healthcare industry that is utilizing AR app development in 2023 is cosmetic surgery.
These apps allow patients to see what they would look like with a smaller nose, larger lips, or a bigger bust line, all without going under the knife.
6. Augmented Reality for Car Dealers
If you are in the market for a new car, then it may be best to look virtually through AR apps. Car dealerships are using these new augmented reality apps to give buyers a virtual look at the car in their own driveways or even go for a virtual test drive.
People can virtually sit inside the car and see what the interior looks like while adjusting the features or changing the radio station. Then, they can look over the outside of the vehicle and change colors, finishes, and accents. It gives a real feeling while still in the privacy of one’s home.
Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Other Industries, Too!
When looking at AR apps for any sector, it is also important to look to the future. More industries are trying to take advantage of AR apps all the time.
Travel agencies and airlines are using AR apps to show people what exotic destinations look like. There are also AR apps that allow travelers to see what conversion different denominations are from different currencies around the world.
Wi-Fi companies can use AR apps to show just how strong their signal strength is. Tattoo parlors are using AR apps to let their customers visualize a new tattoo before they get one put on. That way, people can see what it would be like before they have buyer’s remorse later on.
Develop Your AR App with Imaginovation
No matter what type of business you have, technologies like Augmented Reality can help you boost your sales and revenue through efficient customer service.
If you have an innovative app idea or if you want to integrate AR into your existing app, we are here to help. At Imaginovation, we are an award-winning team of web and mobile app developers with extensive experience in developing AR and VR applications. We develop cutting-edge mobile apps for startups to Fortune 500 companies.
If you want to boost your business with AR apps, explore our Augmented Reality Mobile App Development Services.
Let’s talk about bringing your idea to life.
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