How augmented reality (AR) is revolutionizing the customer experience in mobile apps—and what problems it solves

Why should you, as an entrepreneur, consider AR now?
Whether in e-commerce, real estate, skilled trades, or manufacturing, many companies face the same challenges:
✅ Customers want to better understand products or services before making a decision.
✅ Sales pitches and consultations take time and resources, especially for products that require explanation.
✅ Wrong decisions lead to returns, unnecessary costs, or delays in projects.
This is where augmented reality (AR) comes into play.
With AR in a mobile app, customers can interactively experience products or services, test them in a realistic way, and make more informed decisions—right on their smartphone.
🔎 And best of all: Mobile apps enable ongoing interaction with customers, increase their willingness to buy and reduce costs through more efficient processes.
What specific problems does AR solve in different industries?
🛍 Retail & e-commerce: Fewer returns thanks to better purchasing decisions
Problem:
❌ Customers are unsure whether a product is right for them or will meet their expectations.
❌ High returns cause costs and strain logistics.
Solution
✅ With AR, customers can test products in their environment in their original size – from furniture to clothing.
✅ Color, material, and size options can be played through in real time without the customer having to leave the store or website.
Benefits
✔ Fewer wrong purchases and returns → direct cost savings.
✔ Faster purchasing decisions thanks to realistic product visualizations.
✔ Higher customer satisfaction through interactive, self-determined experiences.
📌 Source:
According to a Retail Perceptions study, 71% of customers say they would buy more often if they could try out products with AR (RetailDive).
🏠 Real estate & architecture: Convince customers faster, accelerate sales processes.
Problem:
❌ Customers have difficulty imagining real estate or construction projects based on plans.
❌ Long journeys for viewings cost time and resources.
Solution:
✅ Virtual tours or AR models of properties directly in the app enable a realistic impression – even before construction begins.
✅ Customized visualizations show potential buyers or tenants what a property could look like with furniture or decorations.
Benefits
✔ More efficient sales conversations – fewer physical viewings necessary.
✔ Faster purchase decisions because customers can realistically imagine the property.
✔ Better visualization of conversions or renovations.
📌 Source
A report by Goldman Sachs estimates that the AR/VR market for real estate will grow to over $2.6 billion by 2025 (Forbes).
🔧 Trade & industry: More efficient maintenance, training, and support with AR
Problem
❌ Skilled workers need extensive training or have to be sent to the site.
❌ Incorrect maintenance leads to downtime and high costs.
Solution:
✅ AR-supported maintenance and repair instructions directly on smartphones provide technicians with interactive instructions in real time.
✅ With an AR app, an expert can display instructions remotely, preventing errors early on.
Benefits:
✔ Shorter repair times and less downtime.
✔ Lower training costs, as knowledge is available at any time.
✔ Less travel for skilled workers, as many problems can be solved remotely.
📌 Source:
Companies such as Siemens and Boeing are already using AR for maintenance and training and report 30-40% faster troubleshooting (Harvard Business Review).
Why mobile apps are the key to AR adoption
📱 1. Customers always have their smartphones with them
Mobile apps offer instant access to AR experiences without the need for additional software installation or complicated operation.
📌 Source: 85% of consumers actively use their smartphones for product research and purchasing decisions (Think with Google).
🛠 2. Seamless integration into your business processes
Apps can be linked directly to product databases, merchandise management systems, and CRM tools, creating an automated and personalized customer experience.
📌 Source: Companies with digitally integrated sales channels increase their conversion rates by up to 30% (Gartner).
🔁 3. Long-term customer loyalty through regular use
Apps are not a one-time experience like an advertisement, but remain permanently present in the customer's everyday life. Companies can offer regular updates and new AR features.
📌 Source: Companies with engaging mobile experiences increase customer loyalty by up to 70% (Statista).
🎯 4. Higher conversion rates & fewer abandoned purchases
Interactive AR experiences in shopping apps increase the likelihood of purchase by up to 40%.
📌 Source: (Accenture).
📊 5. Detailed analytics & data-driven optimization
Companies can collect valuable data on how customers interact with AR to optimize products, marketing strategies, and the shopping experience.
📌 Source: Data-driven AR optimization can increase sales by up to 20% (Forrester).
Act now: Bring your products to life!
What could an AR app look like for your company? Let's talk – we develop customized mobile apps with AR integration that are perfectly tailored to your business.
💬 Book a no-obligation consultation and discover the possibilities! 🚀