Augmented Reality Ads: The Definitive Guide [2022]

Augmented Reality ads are the next big thing in digital marketing. AR ads are one of the best ways to overcome competition and encourage customers to try your products.

In the modern era of competitive marketing, marketers are always on the look to find the best marketing strategies that can give them a competitive edge. 

Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the latest technologies and developments that companies have been using to enhance their marketing campaigns. 

Related: What is Marketing?

The increasing desire for AR to enhance consumers’ experience in the entertainment and media industry makes it one of the most preferred technologies. 

As Statista reports, the number of people using AR globally is expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2023. Also, companies and small businesses have been spending a lot on AR because of its significant impact on marketing. Businesses are expected to spend more than USD 2.60 billion in 2022 on AR.

Related: Top B2B Marketing Stats

Despite AR being an instrumental technology to adopt in marketing, most businesses are still finding it a bit challenging to implement it, especially in advertising consumer products. 

Well, in this article, I look at some AR insights and provide you a definite guide for AR. Stay put into learning more about AR and understanding how you can implement it in your marketing campaign.

What Is Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that conveys or relays digital information on an image. It is powered by computer vision that enables cameras to learn more about the user’s environment to enhance their experience.

When using AR, you must have a supporting device like a smartphone or computer, where you can view the images and listen to the sound. 

AR is undoubtedly one of the most sophisticated technologies of the 21st century. It is shaking the digital landscape by coming up with new ways of superimposing an image onto people’s perception and view of the world they live in. 

Notably, the best way to understand what AR means is by thinking about Pokémon Go, one of the most widely played AR mobile games. 

What Are Augmented Reality Ads?

Augmented reality ads are a type of advertisement which uses the smartphone camera to enable users to interact with your ads.

For example, if you are selling lipsticks then you can allow your potential customers to try different shades virtually so that they may get a real look of how the product might look when they apply it.

AR vs VR – What Is The Difference?

Most people confuse AR with Virtual Reality (VR).

The difference between VR and AR is that the latter places the user in a virtual world and may require devices such as headsets while augmented reality ads only need a camera to allow customers to try products.

Oculus Go is a perfect example of VR. 

However, AR only requires a camera to get started. It’s more like trying new products sitting in the comfort of your home.

Where Are Augmented Reality Ads Used?

AR is not only used in the marketing industry. You will find it in education, construction, healthcare, and many other industries. 

In the e-commerce industry, it has changed how the advertising market functions completely. AR has given advertising and marketing, to be specific, a new definition. It is giving marketers a new platform and means to reach out to customers. 

Today, many businesses and companies are already using AR in coming up with advertising content and enriching their customers’ experience.

If you are still behind and torn between choosing the traditional ways and the modern AR triggered advertising, then you should dig more into the myriad benefits of AR to your marketing campaign.

5 Reasons Why You Should Use AR In Advertising 

AR is transforming the marketing arena by making it easier for marketers to come up with more interactive and customer-centered marketing content. Such content helps them to realize marketing ROI in the shortest time.

Here are some of the reasons why you should use AR in advertising:

1- Saves You Money 

As a startup business launching a traditional marketing campaign can consume a significant portion of your marketing budget and even paralyze your business. Traditional marketing, like print media, can be a bit expensive for a small business. 

Publishing a print advert in a magazine or newspaper costs a lot of money that makes it uneconomical for any startup. Compared to print advertising, AR advertising is a bit affordable and immersive. 

Also See: Instagram Ads Guide

The benefits of using augmented reality ads are more and outweigh the costs, which makes it a more lucrative technology for any business intending to market to a larger population.

How much you spend on AR advertising will depend on the quality of the adverts you want. A typical AR will cost you between USD 5,000 and USD 100,000. The most expensive AR comes with top quality graphics and more engaging content for your target audience.  

When you opt for AR ads, there are two types of ads that you can always go for:

• Marker-Based AR ads: that requires a target image that your users will scan on their devices to activate the virtual content.
• Location-based AR ads: that will overlay the virtual content based on your location. You don’t need a marker (a target image) for this type of AR advert.

Apart from the affordability of augmented reality ads, you can also multi-task it. That is, you can use an AR application in more than one marketing campaign.

2- Helps You To Create An Emotional Connection With Customers 

Nearly all AR applications can create an emotional connection with customers. AR adverts are very immersive. They take the user to a virtual world and help them view the product or service in the advert for long, thus getting the details.

The customer can see the ads and interact with them. Compared to traditional marketing like billboards and banners, AR creates a more lifelike advert, which makes it more preferable if you want to market your product to a new audience. 

Related: 100 Most Useful Inbound Marketing Stats

Most customers are likely to opt for AR ads because of its simplicity, ease of use, and interactivity. The concept of AR targets improving the emotional connection between the user and the ads. 

When viewing augmented reality ads, a consumer can connect emotionally to the marketing content, and this increases the possibility of buying the product being advertised.

By building a connection with the Ads, your customers can relate more to your brand. An excellent brand reputation is all you need to stay at par with your competitors, and AR gives you a platform to achieve that. 

3- Boosts Your Sales 

The main objective of any marketing campaign is to help your business improve sales in a shorter time. AR ads, unlike other traditional forms of marketing, can help to increase your sales volume faster. 

Augmented Reality goes beyond informing a potential buyer about the product or service that you are marketing. The customers get the opportunity to try the products and find one that suits their specs. 

For instance, if you are selling glasses, shoes, watches, and clothes, your customers can easily spot the right item from your catalog after they virtually try them. This way, you increase your sales. 

AR is undoubtedly a more powerful tool for increasing sales and business revenue. If you are launching a new product on the market, your customers have to learn more about the product before they can buy it. 

Related: Best Digital Marketing Tools For Small Businesses

AR gives you a perfect platform to inform your customers about the product. By increasing brand awareness through AR ads, you position yourself before potential customers and increase your sales in the end.

4- Improves Hyperlocal Advertising 

Hyperlocal or geo-local advertising is another way of reaching potential customers through the use of customer ads. 

As a way of helping customers to get the right products and services based on their interest and buying behavior, most digital ads normally apply advanced machine learning algorithms. 

Related: Google My Business Listing Optimization Guide

AR ads apply sophisticated hyperlocal advertising in order to enhance user experience and boost results. 

Traditional adverts will simply inform a customer about the availability of a product or service. For instance, if you were an advertising café and restaurant, a traditional banner will just let the customer know where they can find these services near them. 

With augmented reality ads, you get the chance to explain to the customer more about the product and even guide them through the various locations in the café or restaurant. 

When you help your customers to get some virtual experience for the products that you are advertising, you can increase sales.

5- Enhances Mobile Advertising And Drives Offline Sales 

No matter your customers’ location, you can always custom an AR advert based on their pre-existing shopping behavior or buying patterns. Customers can get your AR adverts on their smartphones, which makes it more useful for reaching customers in different locations. 

Another benefit of using AR in advertising your products and services is that you are able to reach many customers and market your products to them. The customer must not be online to get your adverts. Unlike online or social media marketing, AR creates an offline marketing experience for online shoppers. 

If you have an online store, you can easily increase your brand visibility and drive more leads to your business by employing AR ads.

How To Use Augmented Reality Ads In Marketing Your Business 

Consumer behavior changes as technology keep advancing. Therefore, businesses must focus on marketing campaigns that address the changes in technology. 

AR is an advanced technology that any business can use to give their customers better experience when marketing. It is a tool that you can use to drive more potential customers to your business. Here is how you can use AR to enhance your brand value and drive more sales to your business.

1- Give Your Customers The Chance To Experience Your Products First 

Letting your customers try the products or services that you are offering is one sure way of winning their trust and enticing them to buy. AR enables your customers to try the products that you are offering without interacting with them physically. 

Your prospects can try clothes, makeup, and other related products without having to touch them. This way, they can choose the products that suit their tastes and preference and decide whether to buy or not.

Thus, you don’t have to get a large physical inventory in your retail shop for customers to try. 

If you are selling clothes, you can custom a virtual fitting room that enables your customers to try different clothes until they find one the suits them. With a virtual fitting room, customers can go through your e-catalog and choose the best clothes with a click, thereby increasing your sales.

 AR gives your customers the chance to make their judgments about your products before they can go ahead and make any purchase. 

2- Use It To Enhance Your Brand Status 

Apart from using AR to target more direct sales, you can also use it to enhance your brand reputation. If you execute an AR advertising campaign well, it can help create a more engaging and interactive experience for your customers. 

Most customers, especially online shoppers, prefer brands that entertain them as they shop. With an eye-catching AR advert, you can generate lasting memories and improve your brand visibility to target customers. 

AR plays a significant role in creating a buzz around your brand and giving it the maximum exposure it needs to attract sales.

Uber gives you a good example of using AR to enhance brand status. The company used AR to set up a customized advert that would improve their customers’ experience. After launching the advert, the company realized a steadfast increase in the number of YouTube views for their adverts. 

AR helps a brand to stand out from the rest of the park. It creates a lasting social discussion on products amongst potential customers. This improves brand awareness as many people can learn about your business through augmented reality ads.

3- Offer Augmented Touring Assistance 

Businesses can use AR to add a digital component in the information they provide to their customers. When going through the business catalog, your customers can pull an AR and learn more about the product’s hidden features. This helps them to make the right decision before they can shop.

AR is applicable in many industries to enable augmented touring assistance. 

For instance, in the sports and entertainment industry, Stub-Hub, a ticketing company, has created an AR app for customers. The app helps the customers to have a 3D view of the stadium so that they are able to pick their favorite tickets. 

Starbucks is also applying AR to help its customers tour their coffee shops and get a virtual experience of their services. 

Examples of companies using AR to come up with marketing campaigns that can increase customer engagement are endless. In the automobile industry, Hyundai and Mercedes have been using AR to create an augmented manual for car drivers. 

Mercedes has a special feature called ‘ask Mercedes ‘in its products that offer AI assistance to users. With this feature, users can simply ask any questions and that they have about product usability, which enhances their experience. 

4- Use AR In Creating Branding Materials 

Businesses can simply add a virtual component to their branding materials like business cards and brochures to make them more engaging. With AR, users can scan different branding materials with their mobile devices to collect more information about your business, like contact and location. 

For example, customers can scan a brochure with their mobile phones and go through a video that contains a step-by-step guide on how to use the products and services that your business is offering.  

Related: Video Marketing Guide For Businesses

Also, you can use AR on your business cards to provide a variety of options that your customers can use to reach out to your business like direct emails, phone calls, or social media contact. 

By using augmented reality ads, you can incorporate various virtual elements into your branding materials and enhance your customers’ experience.

How To Build An Augmented Reality Business Card

There are multiple tools that you can use to create an AR business card for your brand. Here is how to use Aurasma Studio to build a business card.

• Signup and create an account with Aurasma Studio
• On the Aurasma Studio, select ‘create New Aura’ which is the AR experience that Aurasma Studio provides.
• Choose a trigger image by pointing your device camera view on to a trigger. Your mobile phone screen should show all the AR effects and elements. Pick an image that you want, rename it, then click ‘save.’
• Edit your trigger with the contrast, color, and shape that you want. Click ‘Next’
• Add overlays to your trigger. You can upload a file from your device or use one that exists on your Aurasma Studio account.
• Name the file and click on’ save.’
• Edit the overlay and click ‘Next’ when done.
• Rename your Aura and save it.

Now, you can download the Aurasma Studio app on your smartphone, log in to your account then point your phone camera on the trigger you have just printed. Sit back and enjoy the AR experience.

How To Create And Publish Augmented Reality Ads  

Before you can publish an AR ad and enable your target customers to interact with your adverts, you must first include some AR effects on the ads that you create. Use Spark AR Hub to add AR effects on your ads. 

Here are the steps you should follow to go through this:

1. Visit the Spark AR Hub official site.
2.  Proceed to upload AR effects on behalf of your page by creating a permission group in Spark AR Hub.

1.  Liaise with your AR producer to create AR effects in the Spark AR Studio. When creating the effects, you must ensure they meet the set content policy by Spark AR Hub and Facebook terms.
2.  When you are done creating the AR effects, you should come up with a video incorporating the effects. The video will act as proof to the reviewers that you have met all the content policy requirements. Note that the public cannot view this video.
3.  In the drop-down menu at the top left corner, you can choose the effect owner.
4. Click on the ‘Upload effect’ then choose Facebook Ads as your AR effect destination.
5. Fill out Facebook upload foam.
6.  Choose the effect on the Ads Manager once Facebook and Spark AR Hub have approved it.

How To Publish Your AR Advert 

• Visit Facebook Ads and click on Ads Manager.
• Click on +Create

• Choose any objectives that can relate or support AR adverts, for example, Brand Awareness, Conversions, etc.
• Click continue
• Select a budget, your target audience, and placements. Then click on continue.
• Click a single image or video below the Format section.
• Upload a new video by clicking on ‘upload video.’ If you have initially saved a video on your device, you can ‘Browse Library’ to select the video.
• Next to ‘Add an Experience’ window, tick the checkbox and proceed by selecting the Add AR experience.
• On the drop-down menu, choose an effect that you want to appear on your ads. Most of the effects appearing on this menu are those that Spark AR Hub has approved based on its content policy.
• Add your site URL and CTA. Click Done
• Choose the kind of action that you want your audience to take by clicking on the Text Overlay. There are different options for call to action. You can choose the ‘Tap to interact’ or ‘Tap to try it on’ options.
• Click ‘preview on mobile’ to preview your AR advert. Spark AR Hub will send you a notification that you can follow to open the preview ad on your smartphone.
• Go to the notifications tab on your Facebook app to open the preview video.
• Click ‘Done’ if you are satisfied with the AR advert.

5 Examples Of Companies Running Augmented Reality Ads 

Now that you have understood what are augmented reality ads, why they are used in advertising, and how to create AR ads, let us take a look at some of the companies that are running effective AR ads to woo their customers.

Here are the best examples of AR ads:

1- Pepsi – Bus Shelter AR Ad 

Pepsi, one of the leading soft drink companies, was able to market their brand to a large audience by using AR ads.

In their Pepsi Max AR ad campaign, the company installed cameras and screens in different bus shelters in London. 

The cameras overlaid virtual objects to entertain people while they wait to board buses.

2- Man City Football Club – AR Stadium Tour 

Man City Football Club used AR to come up with immersive and engaging match day programs for their fans. On its 125th birthday celebration, the football club integrated AR into their stadiums to enhance their visitors’ experience.

The AR stadium tour includes a 360-degree cinema screen and a 3D holographic content designed to create a more engaging and immersive experience for the visitors.

And to celebrate, we’ve launched a brand new stadium tour! ?

INFO ➡️ https://t.co/0qXCe2VH3V pic.twitter.com/Gu3jtcVhpm

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 16, 2019

With the AR, the stadium’s visitors were able to sit close to and interact with the club’s manager, Pep Guardiola. Man City Football Club is one example of how AR can be useful in the sports industry.

3- Gucci – ‘Try On’ Campaign

In the fashion and clothing industry, companies are competing to create the best experience for their target customers using AR. Gucci is one of the latest companies to use AR in their ‘try on’ camping. 

The company has added AR in its mobile applications to help customers try on sneakers and other shoes in their library before they can proceed to buy.

By simply using the smartphone, a customer can see how the sneakers will look like on the feet. The customer can then swipe their smartphones to the left to experience another pair of shoes. 

Apart from trying the shoes, the customer can also take photos and share it with friends on social media. 

Gucci is using augmented reality ads to enable its customers to have a virtual experience of using their products. The strategy has helped them establish a reputable brand by boosting customer experience.

4- WWF And Coca-Cola Save The Arctic Campaign

Coca-Cola and WWF partnered to come up with a campaign that would help them raise funds for the conservation of arctic. The Arctic is the home to the worlds’ polar bear. In the campaign, the company came up with an AR stunt at the London Science Museum. 

In the augmented reality ad, visitors at the museum were able to get close to a virtual polar bear family and create an emotional connection with the wildlife.

The campaign that took three months generated over 900 positive comments on social media and appeared over 388 times in the mass media. 

Most museums worldwide are also using AR to help visitors learn more about wildlife and, if possible, create an emotional connection with the wild.

5- John Lewis – Man On The Moon Created By Stink Digital  

In coming up with John Lewis’ Man on Moon Christmas campaign, StinkDigital used AR. In the AR advert, customers were to point their mobile phones to’ Man on Moon’ image on shopping bags and branded packaging to unlock a 3D moon. 

The 3D moon released animations and facts to users. By creating an interactive experience for users using AR, John Lewis improved its brand reputation and increased customers in 2015. Below is an image of the AR advert.

The Challenges You Are Likely To Face When Using AR Ads 

Augmented Reality may look like the most affordable and simple technology that you can use in your advertising campaign. Like traditional marketing tools, it also comes with some challenges within its path.

Here are some of the challenges of AR ads you should be aware of before you decide to choose it as your primary marketing tool.

1- It Needs A Mobile Application To Support It 

Augmented Reality applications work best if supported with an external device like a screen that can display digital information to users. It works best through mobile applications. 

That means users have to install mobile applications that can support AR on their phones and other portable devices. 

There are different platforms that users can download such applications directly to their smartphones and other devices. Depending on the type of device that you are using, you can visit Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download any AR applications to your device and begin enjoying it.

AR applications give different experiences. Therefore, users may be forced to install more than one AR application on their mobile devices to get different AR experiences. Because of the technicality with downloading such apps, most users may refrain from using AR at all.

However, there is the latest development that is underway to make it more comfortable using AR. 

Blippar is coming up with Augmented Reality Digital Placement (ARDP) technology that does not require users to have more than one AR application to get the best AR experience. 

With ARDP, users and advertisers will need a smartphone or a desktop camera only to activate AR. ARDP technology will make AR more convenient for users because it will remove the need to install more than one third-party application on your portable device to support AR.

2- Limitations On Hardware selection 

To get the best experience with AR, you must get the right device that gives high-quality graphics and sound. Just like in playing computer games, you need a device that gives the best graphics to get the best experience. That means you have to get a quality screen that can show some HD images. 

Unlike smartphones and smart glasses, computer desktops give high-quality images. Portable devices may lack the hardware to facilitate the best AR experience for users. 

Therefore, your customers will have to spend a lot of money to get some quality modern smartphones if you want to optimize your AR experience. 

The problem of choosing the best hardware for AR makes it a bit challenging to use AR in marketing your brand to the target audience. 

3- You Must Have Some Coding Skills To Create An AR Advert

If you are thinking of creating augmented reality ads for your brand, then you should know that the DIY solutions may take much of your time. You have to choose the best SDK tool that you can use to create an AR advert. 

These tools are available from different companies that specialize in creating the best AR applications. Once you get such tools, you can easily create your AR ad and begin marketing your products and services to customers. 

The only limitation to applying SDK tools is that you must have some coding skills if you want to create the best AR advert. Many business owners or marketing professionals may have such programming skills to code an easy-catching AR advert. 

Notably, even some of the top marketing firms do not have qualified personnel to create the best AR ads. Therefore, you may have to hire a professional to craft or create an AR ad for your business. 

How To Measure The Success Of Augmented Reality Ads Campaign

There are three main metrics for measuring the success of an advertisement. 

First is how long it can keep the target audience on the hook so that they get the message. Second, is the kind of reaction that the advertisement creates for users? Last, is the adverts’ ability to re-engage and convince the customer into buying the product being advertised? 

AR is the only technology with the ability to achieve all these marketing goals, which makes it the future for advertisement. 

AR is, no doubt, one of the latest technologies that you should look forward to adopting if you want to take your business to the next level. It gives your marketing team numerous advantages in the marketing field. 

The ultimate goal in marketing is to increase sales, and AR gives your business that platform to showcase your brand to the target audience and increase your sales in the shortest time possible. 

Many companies have already adopted AR in their marketing campaigns because of the many benefits it comes with, and you should not hesitate to join them. 

AR comes with many benefits such as repeat engagement, innovative brand image, and immersive media experience. All these benefits should give you a reason to invest in AR ads if you want to build a reputable brand in the market.