Budget-friendly augmented reality ideas for small businesses
So you want to implement an augmented reality solution. Maybe you’ve got an e-commerce store selling products where the aesthetic and dimensions matter, such as furniture and décor, or you’re an artist who wants to add extra value to their artworks, or you are about to launch a promotional campaign and want it to appeal to your audience.
The ideas are big, the budgets are small.
Whatever the case, you have an innovation-oriented mindset, you know that immersive technology can enhance your customer experience and you’re ready to create your custom augmented reality solution.
Here’s the thing: augmented reality solutions often involve hyper-realistic 3D modelling and app development, which can be costly for a small business with a small budget.
Perhaps, when you go digging and the rates pop up way over your budget, it feels like elaborate augmented reality solutions are just too out of range for small businesses.
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They don’t have to be. In fact:
There’s a massive opportunity right now for small businesses to start offering interactive augmented reality solutions and create winning customer experiences.
So, how do you afford augmented reality solutions on a tight budget?
That’s exactly what I’m going to tell you today.
First, though, how do I know that the above is true, i.e., that custom augmented reality solutions can be affordable for small businesses?
- As a full-time AR consultant, each day I get to talk to many early-stage startup owners, marketing managers and visual merchandisers who seek ways to implement innovative solutions to reserve their seats in the highly competitive world of visual marketing and draw up custom plans within specific budgets.
- I have networked with other industry experts who share a mutual goal to create tools and technologies that make augmented reality development — from asset creation to real-world interaction— better and more affordable.
With the right plan, even small businesses can develop efficient and cost-effective augmented reality solutions that solve a problem, answer a question or relieve a pinch-point.
Here’s a list of budget-friendly augmented reality development ideas you should consider when thinking about starting an AR solution.
Start Small
How small? As small as 3.5” x 2”, i.e. the size of your standard business card.
Before adding complex AR functionality to your online store or
campaign, you can start by adding interactive AR components to
your business card. Whether it’s a video showcasing your product line or a personal message from the CEO, augmented reality can make your otherwise obsolete business card relevant again.
The extra content will also add extra value to your business card.
Since physical cards have limited space, these virtual components are an easy, innovative way to expand the amount of information they can contain. You can even include interactive buttons leading to your web pages or making a Facetime call.
The hidden content of the business card is triggered by an AR visualization app.
Start with One Product and Test It
When it comes to showcasing your products in AR, Katelyn Coghlan, the GM of Mezmos, a Glimpse Group Subsidiary, recommends:
“Start with one product that can have a mini-campaign built around it. Maybe it’s a new product, maybe it’s a product that hasn’t moved in a while, but use a product that has a story attached to it that the business wants to tell.”
You will need to create a 3D model of the product (more on that below) and place it into an augmented reality experience on a platform that makes sense based on your business’ goals.
This can also be a great way to begin to assess the impact an AR activation has on customer engagement and sales.
Try Cost-Friendly Options of 3D Asset Development
As custom 3D modelling is highly detailed and time-consuming work, it can be costly and not affordable especially if you are planning to develop many assets on one go. Luckily there are alternatives.
Depending on your business’ product offering, there are two paths
you can take when exploring 3D modelling:
- Photogrammetry
- Optimization of existing 3D data
Photogrammetry is the process of taking multiple photographs of a product from multiple angles and stitching them together to create a hyper-realistic 3D model. This is a great solution for businesses that have smaller products, or those with a lot of details.
Almost certainly you already own the most important piece of equipment
– your smartphone camera. This means that photogrammetry is extremely affordable, as the only extra you need is photogrammetry software to create a 3D file from your photographs.
There are various free and paid software options to generate 3D models with the help of photogrammetry. So a bit of research should lead you to the right place.
In the case of larger-scale products, like furniture, photogrammetry may not be useful especially if the goal is to scale up quickly.
However, such products often have 3D data — such as AutoCAD data — that can be optimized and loaded into an AR experience, preserving all of the product elements.
Use Video Content Instead of 3D Content
If you are thinking “but those are incomparable”, you are right for the most part. 3D is what enhances the appealing power of augmented reality by creating an illusion of objects appearing in your real environment.
But hey, we are talking affordability and video content can be a good substitute and even a great fit for particular cases.
Let’s consider this bottle of gin that showcases its uses in recipes for the preparation of various cocktails.
It has created amazing value for customers by providing them with a hands-on tool that shows how different combinations can be achieved.
What’s also great about video content is that you probably already
have a lot or can create some easy, and most AR visualization tools just require a tiny monthly fee for video activations.
Choose the Right Platform for Your AR Experience
At the moment there are three main channels AR can live on:
- App
- Social media
- The web
If your business already has an app and you want to increase downloads and engagement — or if you want to create a brand new app — adding augmented reality is a great way to do that.
App-based augmented reality solutions have the most freedom when it comes to complex interactivity and an opportunity to differentiate you from your
competitors, but there is a barrier to entry with the need to download.
However, apps don’t just have to be for consumers, they make great sales tools for salesforces who need to show products outside the confines of an office or a store.
Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat all have AR capabilities and all reach slightly different audiences, increasing the exposure of products. There are also different functionality capabilities for each platform.
For instance, Facebook can detect images and product packaging, whereas Snapchat has the option to shop for products within the carousel. With the recent partnership between Facebook’s AR platform — Spark AR — and Sketchfab — the giant 3D content platform — building augmented reality experiences in social media has become dramatically easier and more affordable as a ton of 3D assets can now be added and customized in your own experience.
These options are great for businesses who already get a decent amount of traffic from their social media channels, and who want some interactivity without the barrier of downloading an additional app (social media apps are usually installed on users’ devices).
Web-based augmented reality is the most basic solution for AR but also has the largest reach due to the fact that it does not require an app download to view.
With Web AR, banner ads can now feature 3D assets that can be placed in the physical world, but without any additional interactivity, nor any call-to-action to buy the product. This solution is great for businesses who invest a lot of money into web banner advertising and want to differentiate themselves from their competitors who do the same ad buy.
All of these platforms offer different pricing plans and are reasonably affordable, depending on your needs.
Integrate Augmented Reality Functionality into Your App
If your business already has an existing app, you might want to find out whether it is possible to integrate augmented reality functionality into it.
For instance, if you have an app that sells wristwatches, AR try-on functionality can be added to help your customers get a full understanding of the watch size and style and whether it fits their wrist.
Your AR development company will ask a few screening questions, such as whether or not your app is a native one, to find out if it is possible to integrate augmented reality into your existing app.
Naturally, this will be the most cost-effective way of creating app-based AR experiences. The costs are highly dependent on the complexity within your existing app’s technical background.
In case you are only going to create your brand’s app, you can take into account the technical specifications for it to be able to offer AR functionality. This will eliminate the need to later invest in making fundamental changes for your app to accommodate AR or building an entirely new app.
Use Ready-made AR Apps Instead of Building Your Own
To cut down costs even further, you can opt in to offering your products in niche augmented reality apps rather than integrating the functionality or creating your own app.
These apps serve as ready-made AR showrooms for different brands to offer virtual preview or try-on opportunities.
Here are a few examples of ready-made AR apps:
InteriAR — the app is a virtual showroom designed for previewing furniture and décor items in your real room to determine if they will actually fit into your space.
AR-Watches — a virtual showroom for trying on wristwatches.
Jarit — an app that allows users to preview dishes in 3D before ordering.
These apps combine a variety of brands and categories and can be deep-linked to your website for easy navigation between the two. What’s more, you are not bound to make a sale through these showrooms (although you can); instead, users can be referred to your website for checkout.
Hopefully, these simple and easy-to-implement ideas will help you to plan your first (or next) AR campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Start small: start with one product that can have a mini-campaign built around it to assess the impact an augmented reality activation has on customer engagement and sales.
- Use video content instead of 3D content for cases that will benefit.
- Offer your products in niche AR apps rather than integrating the functionality or creating your own app.
Do you have any other suggestions or questions? Share in responses.
FAQs
How much does it cost to set up augmented reality? ›
Generally, AR could cost over $7000 to $250,000 (in large-scale enterprise solutions). The amount of money needed to create an AR solution depends on many factors, such as the type of AR application, complexity, and the project's longevity.
Why is augmented reality expensive? ›The more realistic the App looks and behaves, the higher the production costs. This is because a lot of time needs to be invested to get all the details right – making AR visualizations look highly real requires many working hours. Photo-realistic 3D models, textures, and lighting have to be created.
How long does it take to implement augmented reality? ›Developers need about 40-160 hours to implement marker-based AR technology.
How do I start my AR startup? ›- Brainstorm Industries Where AR is or can be Used Regularly.
- Define a Business Model for Your Augmented Reality Startup. AR development services. ...
- Analyze Competitive AR Startups and Tailor your own Strategy to Ensure Product Success. ...
- Conclusion.
- Go to arize.io and select “Get Started Now” to set up an account.
- Select “Create AR” and then “Tap to Start.”
- Select the type of AR experience you want to add on top of your trigger image.
- Upload or add the link to the content on the trigger image and upload the trigger image (JPEG only).
The hardware components of AR include: Sensors/tracking: Digital cameras and other optical sensors, accelerometers, GPS, gyroscopes, solid-state compasses, RFID, and wireless sensors. Input devices from users: Microphones, touch screens, gesture devices, stylus, pointers, and gloves or other body wear.
How do you use Ikea AR? ›To use it on the web or a mobile device without LiDAR, you simply have to input a series of photographs of a room. Those are then “automatically processed and assembled into a wide-angle, interactive replica of the space, with accurate dimensions and perspective,” IKEA said.
What are the four major applications of augmented reality? ›- Medical Training. Medical Training – AR technology has a major application in Medical Studies. ...
- Interior Design and Modeling. ...
- Classrooms for Education. ...
- 4. Entertainment. ...
- Retail Industry.
AR incorporates three features: a combination of digital and physical worlds, interactions made in real time, and accurate 3D identification of virtual and real objects.
Which is cheaper AR or VR? ›Less Expensive Than VR — AR is less expensive than VR, especially if your business already has tablets, or if your employees have phones they can use. Plus, if you have the hardware necessary for AR training, you'll have an easier time delivering it at scale.
Who is leading augmented reality? ›
| Companies | Our Ratings | Revenue (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 4.5/5 | $274.5 Billion |
| Microsoft | 4.5/5 | $143 Billion |
| VironIT | 4.5/5 | $17.60 Million |
| VR Vision Inc. | 4.3/5 | $12 Million |
So, there you have it – the average cost for a custom full virtual reality training ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 or more per project. It's important to remember that based on your vendor, content, and scale, these prices will vary.
How much does virtual reality software cost? ›| Type | Development Time | Approx. Development Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Window on World VR | 104–150 hours | $2600-$3000 |
| Fully Immersive VR | 280–340 hours | $7000-$7500 |
| Telepresence VR | 240–300 hours | $6000-$6400 |
| Web-Based Virtual Reality | 280–350 hours | $7000-$6900 |
The Future of Augmented Reality
The augmented reality market will continue to grow as the years go by, especially as technology becomes more and more accessible to consumers. With there being a significant growth in the focus on metaverse technologies, AR is the next step for many businesses.
The sweet spot for balancing quality and price with AR-15s is usually between $900 and $1200. If a manufacturer starts advertising too far below that price, then you have to ask what compromises they are making to get there.
How do I make an AR app without coding? ›UniteAR's Instant AR App Creator allows you to build incredible white labelled AR app in 5 minutes with no coding at all. All that you need to do is, just upload your logo, set up template and download your app. No licensing is required to publish your app and UniteAR does not make any advertising on your app.
How do I start an AR VR company? ›To become an AR/VR developer, you must be able to work with video game engines such as Unity or Unreal. These are two platforms that allow you to recreate environments in 3D. Besides, AR/VR developers must be able to understand programming languages such as C++, C#, JavaScript, or Swift.
Can I own a AR with no serial number? ›Serial numbers are required for self-made firearms:
California law also requires individuals who possess, manufacture, or assemble firearms in the state to apply to the DOJ for a unique serial number for each self-made firearm.
The 7 most prevalent programming languages for AR development are C#, C/C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Visual development tools, and Swift.
What are 3 augmented reality applications? ›- Houzz.
- IKEA Place.
- YouCam Makeup.
- GIPHY World.
- Google Lens.
- Augment.
- ROAR.
- Amikasa.
What are the 4 key elements to virtual reality? ›
Virtual Reality comprises 4 primary elements: virtual world, immersion, sensory feedback, and interactivity.
What are 3 types of augmented or virtual reality? ›There are 3 primary categories of virtual reality simulations used today: non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully-immersive simulations.
How do I integrate AR into my website? ›...
Thus, let us follow the process step by step.
- Create a 3D model. Initially, you will need to create your 3D models. ...
- Convert your 3D model to USDZ. Next, you will need to convert your 3D model to USDZ if it isn't already. ...
- Build your website. ...
- Embed the AR USDZ files to the website.
To let customers view your products in AR, install the 3D Warehouse app, get 3D models of your products, add the 3D models to the app, edit your theme to enable AR Quick Look, and then add the AR badge to your 3D products.
How do I enable AR on Google? ›- Open Edit > Project Settings. Select Google ARCore and verify that ARCore Required is checked.
- Set the appropriate Minimum API Level by clicking Edit > Project Settings > Player, and selecting the tab with the Android icon.
- IKEA Mobile App. ...
- Nintendo's Pokémon Go App. ...
- Google Pixel's Star Wars Stickers. ...
- Disney Coloring Book. ...
- L'Oréal Makeup App. ...
- Weather Channel Studio Effects. ...
- U.S. Army.
In the case of the Facebook Metaverse, it is owned by the company founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
What are the two issues associated with augmented reality? ›The top 5 augmented reality problems are: Technical Issues With Augmented Reality Training (e.g. hardware, content, and user difficulties) Limited Augmented Reality Training Content Capabilities. Vendor Issues When Outsourcing Extended Reality Training.
What are the ethical issues with AR? ›Ethical questions around AR include user safety, information overload, violation of privacy, and harmful social effects [22,23]. Ethical issues lead to wide-spread criticism against the public use of products such as smart glasses [24].
What makes a good AR experience? ›A good AR experience immerses users into interactions. It only happens when people believe that what they see on the screen is real. It's vital to devote as much of the screen as possible to display the physical world and your app's virtual objects.
What is the cheapest type of virtual reality? ›
The cheapest option is the Google's Cardboard headset, if you want a device that can run through 360-degree videos or interactive adventures.
Is augmented reality expensive? ›A quick answer is anything, from a few thousand dollars for a straightforward AR app to $300,000 and more for a feature-rich, custom AR solution.
Is metaverse AR or VR? ›Does the Metaverse Need AR/VR? Technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) are all strongly tied to the concept of the metaverse (VR). With the use of augmented reality technology, you may incorporate virtual objects into the actual environment.
Which algorithm is used in augmented reality? ›AR technology often uses SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping): a computer vision algorithm that compares visual features between camera frames in order to map and track the environment.
Does NASA use augmented reality? ›SLS has joined an array of augmented reality virtual 3D models in the NASA app, available for download free of charge. Users of the app can view the SLS model in augmented reality by placing it virtually in their own environment – on a table, for instance – and in regular object mode for rotation and display.
Which industry is investing most in augmented reality technologies? ›Since the introduction of AR and VR technology, the entertainment sector has been their area of application. In this sector, these technologies are used in the production of gaming, movies, sports, travel, and other platforms.
Is virtual reality business profitable? ›The VR world is growing fast, and analysts predict that the industry will earn over $2.4 billion annually in the next few years. Starting a VR app development business can be a profitable venture with high growth prospects.
What is the average salary of someone in virtual reality? ›The average virtual reality salary in the USA is $70,344 per year or $33.82 per hour. Entry level positions start at $32,663 per year while most experienced workers make up to $138,500 per year.
How long does it take to learn AR VR? ›The average development time for a VR training program is 8-10 weeks or more, but some projects can be completed in as quick as 4 weeks or as long as 6 months or more. VR program development time is dependent on the three phases of development and the factors that go into each phase.
How much does it cost to create a metaverse app? ›Metaverse Development Cost Across Industries
Cost Of Development- On average the development cost of Metaverse games lies between $30,000-$300,000. Cost Of Development- Depending on the complexity of the social media Metaverse the development cost can be from $25,000 to $400,000.
How much does it cost to make an augmented reality game? ›
Quick Rundown of AR Game Development Cost
An advanced AR game with GPS and location recognition costs between $120,000 – $200,000. An AR game like Pokémon Go costs more than $200,000 depending on features, location recognition, GPS and real environment simulations.
Put simply, AR adds to reality, whereas VR replaces reality. In augmented reality, digital features are overlaid onto the real world.
Will AR replace a smartphone? ›The combined market for AR and VR headsets is expected to grow tenfold from 2021 through 2028, and for the future yet to come, AR could potentially replace that one gadget that our lives depend on so much — our smartphones.
What are the disadvantages of augmented reality? ›The disadvantages of augmented reality include bulky and expensive headsets with a limited field of view (FoV), security concerns when AR data is manipulated to influence worker decisions, a high and expensive learning curve to use, and a lack of truly precise spatial location systems for AR objects.
How much does a virtual reality setup cost? ›Cost for installation: Typical cost for a one-person installation (if required) varies from $2,000 ~ $10,000 depending on location, install duration and requirements for the system scope.
How much does it cost to create a virtual reality? ›| Type | Development Time | Approx. Development Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Window on World VR | 104–150 hours | $2600-$3000 |
| Fully Immersive VR | 280–340 hours | $7000-$7500 |
| Telepresence VR | 240–300 hours | $6000-$6400 |
| Web-Based Virtual Reality | 280–350 hours | $7000-$6900 |
Less Expensive Than VR — AR is less expensive than VR, especially if your business already has tablets, or if your employees have phones they can use. Plus, if you have the hardware necessary for AR training, you'll have an easier time delivering it at scale.
Which platform is best for augmented reality? ›Best Augmented Reality Development Platforms include:
Google ARCore, Apple ARKit, Vuforia Engine, Spark AR Studio, Vuforia Studio, Hololink, EasyAR, Wikitude Augmented Reality SDK, Banuba Face AR SDK, and PaleBlue Augmented Reality Solutions.
Metaverse Development Cost Across Industries
Cost Of Development- On average the development cost of Metaverse games lies between $30,000-$300,000. Cost Of Development- Depending on the complexity of the social media Metaverse the development cost can be from $25,000 to $400,000.
Elements of Augmented Reality
To successfully accomplish such a feat, AR leans on various gadgets and digital capabilities, such as a camera, sensors, computer vision, and some sort of display or flat surface.
What is the cheapest type of VR? ›
The cheapest option is the Google's Cardboard headset, if you want a device that can run through 360-degree videos or interactive adventures.
What are the 3 types of virtual reality? ›There are 3 primary categories of virtual reality simulations used today: non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully-immersive simulations.
How much does an Oculus virtual reality cost? ›| Google Cardboard | Oculus Rift | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Google Cardboard: Varies by model, usually $20-30 | Oculus Rift: $599 |
| Platform | Google Cardboard: Most smartphones | Oculus Rift: PC |
| Release Date | Google Cardboard: Available | Oculus Rift: March 28th |
| Positional Tracking | Google Cardboard: None | Oculus Rift: Camera |
Technical Issues With Augmented Reality Training (e.g. hardware, content, and user difficulties) Limited Augmented Reality Training Content Capabilities. Vendor Issues When Outsourcing Extended Reality Training. Augmented Reality Training Can Be Less Immersive Than Other Modalities.
Is metaverse augmented or virtual reality? ›It is a simulated digital infrastructure that employs Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Blockchain Technology, and other social media concepts for creating spaces mimicking the real world. One can also define Metaverse as a 3D version of the Internet that can be axccessed through a unified gateway.