The internet and the ecommerce payment solutions that accompany it have revolutionized the way people prefer to shop. But while consumers love the convenience that comes with looking for, and purchasing merchandise from the comfort of their own homes and having things delivered right to their door, they often miss the ability to browse in a real physical store. 

Virtual stores provide the best of both worlds: the ease of at-home purchasing, with a realistic imitation of the shopping landscape of a brick-and-mortar retail space. 

But just how are virtual stores affecting the ways people shop?

How virtual shopping works

Virtual stores utilize technology, including augmented and virtual reality, video chat, and co-browsing. With these, customers can interact with products and complete their purchases.

In today’s busy world, where multi-tasking is mandatory and financial resources are few, online shopping with virtual stores can be a lifesaver. Budget-minded consumers can harness the power of the internet to find the best bargains, and then test out the products they have earmarked in a way that is nearly as realistic as the physical shopping experience.

Augmented and virtual reality innovations can transform an ordinary screen into an immersive buying platform that mimics the actual shop. Video virtual chat technologies enable your customer care representatives to “walk” side-by-side with the shopper, assisting them in selecting the perfect item. 

In other words, they provide the human element that is so noticeably lacking in old-school ecommerce.

The importance of virtual clienteling

Virtual and augmented reality, combined with the ability to interact via chat with a human agent in real-time, gives you everything you need to create the faux in-store experience your customers are seeking. This service is known as virtual clienteling.

Instead of waiting for a shopper to reach out with a concern, as occurs with the traditional customer care model, your staff can use tools to interact one-on-one with clients, in real time. 

As soon as the shopper starts to browse through your virtual aisles, one of your salespeople can use clienteling tools to answer questions, demonstrate merchandise, and make recommendations. 

This instant relationship fosters the personalized buying experience that today’s buyers demand, and helps to streamline the complete shopping journey. In many cases, concerns and confusion can be addressed before a purchase is made, greatly reducing returns and chargebacks.

Types of virtual shopping experiences

Virtual shopping comes in numerous forms. Common ones include virtual try-ons and try-outs, 3-D web stores, virtual reality stores, image scanning, and 360-degree product views.

Virtual try-ons and try-outs

Virtual stores are changing the way people shop by offering a variety of options. In virtual try-on, AR and VR technology enable customers to get a good idea of how products like clothing will look on them before completing the purchase. 

Virtual try-ons let people bring the store into their living room to see how merchandise like furniture will look in their unique space. 

3-D stores, with 360-degree product views

In 3-D stores, sophisticated visuals and images make products look highly realistic. 

Image searches remove the need to type text, allowing people to find products simply via barcodes or images. Once they do, they can get a complete look using the 360-degree view option.

Benefits of virtual shopping

Virtual stores can furnish many benefits. Customers can receive a uniquely personalized shopping experience using multiple channels, through a platform that is interactive and highly engaging. 

Higher satisfaction and low product returns and chargebacks lead to heightened satisfaction, and a greater likelihood of repeat sales. 

Meanwhile, businesses save display space and money, and can leverage the data they gather to gain valuable insights about customers that can aid in steering their marketing strategies.

If you are interested in incorporating the virtual shopping experience into your store, talk to your credit card processing provider today. 

You and your customers are sure to be amazed at the heightened buying and selling experience it will provide.