The pandemic hit the world hard bringing devastation in its wake, but it also brought its share of silver linings. It created an increased reliance on immersive technologies, online tools, and communications which worked as convenient and money-saving alternatives to how we did business in the past. Now that the pandemic is ending, it’s expected that these virtual and augmented reality methods will continue to be integrated in the foreseeable future.
The increased reliance on online formats means many companies have had to up the ante when it comes to their website and their digital showroom presence. Virtual stores are being used more often as a convenient alternative to physical showrooms and trade shows. They are working as powerful selling tools allowing consumers and clients to view products from the comfort of their homes and offices and make informed purchasing decisions.
PinkSquare is a forerunner in digital transformation with the creation of virtual showrooms producing realistic virtual appointments 3D animated product duplicates and dynamic videos that tell the whole story. Read on to find out how we can help you boost conversions with these online tools.
What are Virtual Showrooms?
Virtual showrooms eliminate the need for a physical location by allowing companies to show new product collections virtually. They typically include detailed product descriptions, photos, details, pricing, and delivery information. Some showrooms feature 3D sampling functionality which works as an alternative to physical sampling. Customers can also order through the platform.
There are a variety of industries that rely on virtual showrooms. They are commonly used for fashion, beauty, home goods, the automotive industry, and the retail sector. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey & Company, buyers and sellers, including 70-80% of B2B decision makers, prefer this digital platform to human interactions.
5 Most Outstanding Benefits of Virtual Showrooms
There is a number of advantages that come with the use of virtual showrooms for businesses. Here are a few to consider.
1. No Scheduling Necessary
The full digital experience that formats virtual showrooms provide means there is no need to schedule appointments. Clients and consumers can shop remotely from anywhere at any time.
It used to be that clients that were not local to a brand or business’s area would have to wait for a trade show to come around to view products. Now they can view and purchase when it is convenient for them. This capability has helped several companies increase their global brand reach.
2. Reduce Costs and Increase Sustainability
Physical space, showroom, and trade show expenses can rack up. A physical showroom requires renting or buying a space and paying people to run it. A trade show requires renting a booth, paying a trade show staff, and travel expenses.
A virtual showroom eliminates rental, staff, and travel fees making for an affordable alternative.
The travel and production associated with a trade show may also do harm to the environment making digital technologies the more sustainable way to go.
3. Improves Product Assortment Planning
Virtual showrooms cut down on the cost and waste associated with assortment planning. When you go virtual, you don’t have to wait for physical samples to be made. Once you get a blueprint for a product, you can upload it directly to your own virtual showroom site.
Not only does buying process for this cut down on the time of the development cycle, but it also gives you an idea of what to expect in terms of demand so you don’t make more than you need.
Business owners no longer have to spend a lot of time pulling together sample collections, making printouts of product descriptions, and gathering props that will help products sell. They can plan out collections using a wide range of devices and share their items immediately.
View our FOB project for FHF Gear.
4. Ordering Takes Place on the Platform
Virtual showrooms simplify the ordering process.
Clients can view your digital showrooms and add the products they want to their PO. They will have access to all the information they need including SKUs, fabrics, sizes, product details, delivery dates, and more. This makes for an improved customer experience.
By eliminating the need to sell to customers separately and scheduling appointments with multiple buyers simultaneously, you can sell faster and sell more.
5. Use Data to Boost Sales
A full virtual store or virtual showroom platform that collects customer data in a centralized location that is accessible via the user dashboard. This allows you to see which products are hot and which are not. It also helps you determine the needs and tastes of your customers so you can provide more personalized marketing.
Getting a real-time overview of the wholesale business and how well your products are doing means you don’t have to wait for numbers to come in to determine what you need to produce more of and what gets cut from the collection. It provides an efficient system that allows you to act faster and turn out more of what’s in demand.
PinkSquare’s Virtual Showroom Capabilities
If you are looking to set up or improve the 3D virtual showroom experience on your website, PinkSquare provides a solution that’s as close as it comes to simulating a real-life shopping experience anywhere. Our 3D animation practically eliminates the need for physical sampling. Here are some examples of the showrooms we’ve created.
Reefer Container
Our reefer container tells the whole picture. It spins around to show its size, its openings, and settings. Viewers can use a mouse to hold the product still and tilt it for a better view of certain components. Text can be added to any part of the image to provide a more detailed explanation.
Home Valet
Home Valet is a product we’ve had a lot of success with. These devices are terrific for storing food that’s been delivered when the owner is not home. Our 3D animated, virtual reality showroom provides inside views of its storage capabilities and our dynamic video illustrates how it keeps food fresh and where it can be stored around the exterior of the home.
Virtual showrooms and augmented reality are the way of the future. PinkSquare will help you create a digital environment for a virtual showroom that provides a real-life experience that gives customers the complete picture. How will you be using this technology to boost your company’s sales?
