With fast-growing technology and changing user engagement, developers must look for new ways to adapt and stand out. The good news? Augmented reality can help capture some of this engagement, create memorable experiences for users, and build your brand recognition.
What is Augmented Reality?
Augmented Reality (AR) is a three-dimensional experience that combines the real world with virtual 3D elements placed in your surroundings to create an immersive environment for users. From Fantasy worlds to realistic objects and characters, this new technology opens the door to a whole new way of communicating with prospective clients.
According to Statista research, the AR and VR market amounted to 16.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 and is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace, with forecasts of 160 billion dollars by 2023.
Today most, if not all, of the latest mobile devices have hardware that can handle Augmented Reality. With mobile phones dominating how users access information, now is the perfect time for developers to jump in and become part of this fast-growing technology.
Who can benefit from AR?
Businesses of all types (apparel, healthcare, navigation, gamification, manufacturing, education, etc.) can provide a new user experience with a little help from Augmented Reality.
One great example of how you can use AR in your marketing is to increase app downloads. Adding an AR element within your advertising can create a noticeable bump in app downloads as well as user engagement. If done correctly, you can even drive repeat visitors and engagement within your application.
AR also can also help increase sales. Allowing users to experience how shoes, clothing, or jewelry will look before they buy from your site or application can aid in customer satisfaction and decrease returns. Bonus? This allows you to introduce new products that the user would not have discovered.
Combine AR and Geo-Targeting with the help of onscreen elements that provide a fun game-like experience. This can help guide users to visit key locations and purchase your products or services directly from their mobile devices.
So how can you jump into developing for AR? And what tools can help you jump in with as few barriers to learning and executing as possible?
5 Tools to Execute Augmented Reality Experiences
1. A-Frame
A-Frame is a free web framework for building virtual reality experiences and allows you to combine WebVR with HTML as well as Augmented Reality. The advantage of using A-Frame is the use of HTML to achieve amazing results. It’s also simple to implement and provides a quick learning environment.
2. YouAugment
You can create AR mobile app projects with the use of YouAugment’s Free AR/AI Creator without the need for coding skills. This tool can provide intro-level AR development while you build your skills in the Augmented Reality world.
3. Spark AR
This tool allows developers of all levels of expertise to create Augmented Reality experiences with or without code.
4. Unity
A Mobile Game platform, Unity allows you to build Augmented Reality content. Although this tool requires a bit more of a learning curve, it gives users the ability to expand AR development beyond the other tools listed here.
5. Adobe Aero
This tool, recently released to the public, allows integration with other Adobe software, such as Photoshop. This will allow you to develop AR content in a familiar work environment and natural workflow.
Are your developers ready to transition into this exciting and new augmented reality world? Let us know in the comments or chat with us at [email protected].
