Augmented reality implementation and 3D experiences have become essential tools for furniture businesses aiming to sell online more effectively. Research shows the vast array of benefits unlocked by enabling immersive experiences such as product visualization and real-time customization. Brands including DFS, IKEA and Home Depot have seen the technology boost conversion rates by up to 200%. Snap research shows that 80% of customers feel more confident in purchases made with the help of augmented reality. Data from Shopify shows that 3D visualization can reduce return rates by up to 40%.
By allowing businesses to showcase their full product range interactively and cost-effectively, enabling customers to explore pieces in lifelike detail, and tailor them to their preferences with live customization, these technologies are no longer a luxury – they represent a strategic advantage. For brands that have not yet begun their augmented reality implementation, the first question is usually: how do we get started? This guide provides a clear, disruption-free path to integrating immersive experiences into your product pages – seamlessly and efficiently.
“AR has quickly become an essential technology for retailers.”
– Harvard Business Review
Getting started with AR implementation
Buyers access immersive experiences through a 3D and augmented reality viewer. The most straightforward way to include this on an existing product page is via an iframe – a standard snippet of code that embeds content on almost any webpage.
Using a platform such as the solution developed by Enhance XR, businesses can create immersive product experiences in 3D and AR in under 30 seconds. Once the experience is created, the tool generates a code snippet that can be pasted into any page or channel. This process requires no technical knowledge, allowing even non-developers to add immersive functionality quickly and confidently.
Best of all, this method of augmented reality implementation causes no disruption to existing systems. It enables a seamless integration for both businesses and end-users, enhancing product pages without altering your backend infrastructure.
Choosing how to display 3D and augmented reality experiences
Once your augmented reality implementation is complete, you can choose how 3D and AR experiences display on product pages. There are many different options for users to choose from, but here are the two most common approaches:
Direct load
With this option, the 3D viewer automatically launches when the product page loads, giving buyers immediate interactive access. They can zoom, rotate, and even project a true-to-scale digital version into their physical space using a mobile device.
User load
User load starts with a 2D image and provides two buttons underneath – 'View in 3D' and 'View in your space.' This gives users the choice to explore the product on their terms, providing the same engaging functionality and allowing the user to access an immersive experience whenever they choose to do so.
Enabling real-time product personalization
A major benefit of augmented reality implementation for highly customizable products like furniture is real-time product personalization. According to a survey by McKinsey, 71% of consumers expect businesses to offer personalized experiences. With 3D and AR, customers can change features like color, material, and finish directly on the product display.
This eliminates the need for physical samples of every variant, saving businesses time and resources. For buyers, meanwhile, it offers the kind of personalized buying experience that is both more engaging and more effective. Research from Shopify finds that customers interacting with products through 3D and AR experiences are 44% more likely to make a cart addition and 27% more likely to place an order.
“71% of consumers expect businesses to offer personalized experiences.”
– McKinsey & Company
There are two ways to implement personalization functionality within your augmented reality setup:
In-viewer customization
With this option, buyers can configure products directly inside the 3D and AR viewer. Enhance XR’s platform allows brands to define a wide range of configurable elements – such as the legs, arms, or fabric of a chair – and then provide a range of available options for the customer to choose from – such as different colors or materials – which are then displayed interactively within the viewer itself.
On-page customization
Alternatively, customers make selections outside the viewer, directly on the company’s website, and the updates are reflected in real time. This bi-directional flow allows the viewer to sync with your site’s interface, providing a seamless experience for the buyer. It also facilitates direct integration with shopping carts, enabling customers to add personalized items to their carts and purchase instantly.
Additional tips for effective 3D and augmented reality implementation
How your business integrates 3D and AR into product pages will influence key metrics such as buyer interaction and conversion rates. Here are two practical tips for optimizing the potential of your implementation, and the visual experience for buyers:
Maintain a 1:1 iframe aspect ratio
While this sounds technical, it simply means ensuring that the 3D viewer displays with equal width and height—such as 100x100 pixels. This ensures clear visibility of products within the viewer, prevents overcrowding, and ensures that all buttons and user options are displayed correctly and accessibly.
Position the viewer near your transactional buttons
One of the main benefits of augmented reality implementation is the proven ability to increase conversion rates. Locating the viewer close to your 'Add to Cart' button or similar call-to-action buttons streamlines the purchase journey and encourages quick decision-making.
Making your product pages work harder
There are many ways to implement 3D and AR, but they all share one essential feature: simplicity. Today’s digital solutions allow furniture companies to integrate seamless immersive experiences without disruption, technical hurdles, or delays – and regardless of technical know-how and resource.
With proven ability to increase conversion rates, enhance user satisfaction, and streamline operational costs, 3D and augmented reality implementation offer a host of benefits for businesses in the ecommerce arena. That’s why ensuring you integrate them both effectively and efficiently is crucial to maximizing their potential. Start your integration today and transform the way customers experience your products online.
