Digital marketing has come a long way since its inception in the early 1990s. From basic website design to sophisticated data analytics and machine learning algorithms, the evolution of digital marketing has been fueled by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviour. One recent development that has gained significant attention is the onset of 3D product configurators. These tools are changing how businesses approach digital marketing, offering customers a more immersive and interactive experience.
In the past, digital marketing primarily involved using text and static images to convey information about products and services. However, with the development of new technologies such as 3D modelling and virtual reality, businesses can now create 3D product demos and 3D product configurators that allow customers to interact with products much more engagingly.
To say that 3D product configurators have significantly impacted digital marketing would be stating the obvious. This tool provides customers with a shopping experience like never before. For instance, customers can not only personalise a product as per their needs and taste but can also see exactly how their customised product will look before making a purchase. This level of interaction with the product gives the customer a sense of ownership of the product, which reduces the likelihood of returns and increases customer loyalty.
If you think 3D marketing is only for customer satisfaction and boosting sales, you might want to think again. This 3D tool can help overcome some of the major issues of digital marketing.
Present-Day Challenges of Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is a rapidly evolving field that presents numerous challenges for businesses. One of the most significant challenges is engaging with customers in a way that is both memorable and effective. However, 3D configurators can help solve some of these challenges by providing customers with an innovative and immersive experience.
Here are some of the problems of digital marketing that 3D configurators can help solve:
Lack of differentiation
In today's highly competitive digital marketplace, businesses are constantly seeking new ways to engage with their customers and stand out from the crowd. One of the issues that businesses face is how to make their products or services more memorable and appealing to their target audience. This is where 3D product configurators step in.
Using a 3D configurator, businesses can offer an immersive experience enabling customers to interact with products in real-time. Customers can customise various product features, such as colours, fabrics, materials, and design, to create a personalised product that meets their exact specifications. This interactive experience makes the product more engaging and increases the likelihood of a customer purchasing it. This level of customisation allows customers to feel more involved in the purchasing process, which can lead to a stronger emotional connection with the product and the brand. Also, the degree of customisation the brand provides using 3D configurators can enable them to differentiate itself from its competitors.
Limited data on customer preferences
One of the biggest challenges of digital marketing is the limited amount of data available on customer preferences and behaviours. With 3D product configurators, businesses can overcome this challenge by providing a wealth of data on customer interactions with products. By using a 3D configurator, businesses can track how customers interact with products in real-time. This includes data on what features customers are customising, which colour schemes they prefer, and how they navigate through the configurator. This data can be analysed to gain insights into what customers are looking for and what features and attributes they value the most in a product. Businesses can then use this information to tailor their marketing efforts and create targeted advertising campaigns that are more likely to resonate with customers. For instance, businesses can use the insights to develop personalised product recommendations or targeted promotions aligned with the customer's preferences and needs.
Additionally, the insight gained from 3D configurators can be used to develop new products or improve existing products. By analysing the data on customer interactions with products, businesses can identify areas where their products are falling short and make the necessary changes to meet customer needs and preferences.
Low conversion rates
Low conversion rates are a major challenge for businesses engaged in digital marketing. One reason for this is that customers may not fully understand what they are buying, leading to uncertainty and hesitation in the purchasing process. This, however, can easily be overcome by using 3D product configurators. By allowing customers to design and customise products in 3D, businesses can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the product. Customers can interact with the product in real time and visualise how it will look and feel when customised to their specifications. This level of customisation and interaction can help customers make more informed purchasing decisions and ultimately increase the likelihood of a sale.
Moreover, allowing customers to visualise and customise the product in 3D makes them less likely to be surprised by the product's appearance or functionality when it arrives. This can lead to greater customer satisfaction and fewer product returns, ultimately resulting in higher conversion rates and greater business profitability. To drive the point home, stats show that 3D product configurators increase conversions by 250%.
3D product configurators are one of the most efficient and effective marketing tools businesses can use to create strong relationships with their customers. And this is not just because they help fill the gaps in digital marketing but also because they are revolutionising the marketing industry.
4 Ways 3D Configurators Aid Digital Marketing
3D product configurators are aiding the way businesses approach digital marketing. And here’s how this tool is doing it:
Increasing customer engagement
This one is a no-brainer. 3D configurators provide customers with an interactive and personalised experience that can significantly enhance customer engagement. By allowing customers to customise products in real-time and see the changes in 3D, they become more invested in the product and the brand. This experience offers customers a sense of ownership and control over the product they are designing, leading to a deeper connection with the brand.
This can lead to increased brand loyalty and customer retention. By providing a unique and innovative experience, businesses can differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract customers who are looking for something different. Moreover, when customers are satisfied with their personalised product, they are more likely to recommend the business to others and become repeat customers.
Simplifying the buying process
3D product configurators help simplify the buying process for customers. It does this by allowing them to design and customise products in real-time without the need for extensive technical knowledge. Customers can easily select their preferred features and see the changes in 3D, making the process intuitive and straightforward.
This simplification of the buying process reduces the likelihood of customers abandoning their shopping carts. When the buying process is complicated or confusing, customers are more likely to become frustrated and abandon their purchase. However, with 3D configurators, customers have a clear understanding of what they are buying and can make informed decisions. This leads to a more satisfying and streamlined buying experience, increasing the likelihood of customers completing their purchases. In fact, stats show that 3D product configurators make customers 11x more likely to purchase products.
Expanding product offerings
A 3D configurator allows businesses to expand their product offerings by enabling the customisation of existing products or the creation of new ones. By offering a wide range of customisation options, businesses can appeal to a wider audience and provide a more personalised experience for their customers, increasing sales opportunities. For instance, a clothing brand can offer customers the ability to customise the colour, fabric, and style of their garments using a 3D configurator. This allows customers to create unique pieces that fit their individual preferences and style, increasing customer satisfaction.
This 3D tool can also be used to create entirely new products that align with customer needs and preferences. For example, a furniture company can use a 3D configurator to create customizable pieces catering to customers' needs and preferences. This expands the business's product offerings and helps it stand out from competitors by offering unique and personalised products.
Providing real-time pricing
The ability to see the cost of custom product changes in real-time is a significant benefit of 3D product configurators. Traditionally, the custom product ordering process has involved contacting a sales representative or submitting a quote request, which can be time-consuming and lead to inaccurate or unexpected pricing. With 3D product configurators, customers can adjust product features and see the price update in real-time, giving them a clear understanding of the costs associated with their design choices. This transparency can help customers make more informed purchasing decisions and feel more confident in their buying process.
The real-time pricing feature of 3D product configurators can also help businesses streamline their sales process by eliminating the need for back-and-forth negotiations on pricing. Sales representatives can focus on assisting customers with design decisions rather than negotiating costs, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined sales process.
Wrapping Up
The future of digital marketing is likely to continue evolving at a rapid pace, with new technologies and innovations transforming the way businesses approach marketing. In this landscape, 3D configurators are poised to play an increasingly important role in digital marketing.
Looking at the future, there is no doubt that 3D product configurators are likely to become even more sophisticated and immersive, providing customers with an even more engaging and interactive experience. If you’re someone who is looking to up your digital marketing game using 3D product configurators, then Exhibit 360 is the place for you. We provide unique and innovative 3D product configurator solutions that will help you increase conversions, better communicate with your customers and reduce returns. Contact us to learn more.
