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

Bastian Noffer
10 March 2025
The future is now: augmented reality in your hands. Image via Storyblocks.

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! 🚀