The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Try-On App Development, Use Cases, Benefits & Real-World Examples

Did you know that every four in ten online shoppers in the United States preferred using Virtual try-ons to decide their online shopping choices?

Imagine being able to try and experience your favorite clothing or makeup products without spending a penny through your pocket. Sounds like a dream? Virtual try-on apps are making this happen and the fashion industry can’t have enough of these already.

Although the traditional shopping experience might seem convenient, the majority of online shopping brands lose a huge chunk of revenue generation on the hands of “human uncertainty.” Why would anyone buy what they want without knowing how it looks on them? This is where Virtual Try-on (VTO) apps come in. Having transformed the e-commerce landscape in a way that the digital and physical worlds meet, VTO is a must-have for businesses around the world.

If you’re a fashionista, business owner, or industry leader looking to elevate your online store, developing a VTO solution will push past current limits. The e-commerce industry continues to grow, but so do the challenges that come with it. To succeed in today’s market, you need to let customers interact with products in a way similar to physical stores before they make a purchase. VTO technology addresses this challenge by allowing users to virtually try on products. Whether on smartphones or computers, customers can get an accurate sense of the product. This interactive experience helps them make better purchasing decisions. This experience offers online shopaholics with more confidence as they can now make a certain decision quickly.

But first, let’s learn about what really are Virtual Try-on apps:

What are Virtual Try-on Apps?

VTO apps use modern cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to create a “simulated fitting room experience.” With these technologies, customers can virtually try on products in a way that mirrors real-life interactions. For example, shoppers can hold their faces at eye level to see which sunglasses suit them best. The app adjusts the products to match their face shape and features, ensuring a personalized experience. The same goes for a user trying on clothing items such as pants or shirts, making a confusion-less shopping experience. Imagine yourself going through your online store. Do you think it is complete without a VTO?

Well, if you do, then here are a couple of benefits that make virtual try-on apps a no-brainer for businesses, no matter the shape or size. 

What Makes Virtual Try-on Apps a No-Brainer for Businesses?

A VTO software solution isn’t just a cool tech that companies can afford to miss out on until the next big thing is here, it’s a safe and sound one-stop solution to transform your e-commerce business. Let’s look at some of the reasons why:

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction and Confidence

One of the major pain points that people who primarily shop online is the uncertainty of the fit. The most popular questions every online store gets are concerning sizing and product compatibility. With the help of a VTO solution, these concerns can be answered without any problem. This approach leads to greater customer satisfaction and boosts confidence in purchasers, resulting in a happier and growing customer base. Additionally, VTO allows customers to experiment with different styles and colors. This option encourages them to try looks they might feel hesitant to experiment with in physical fitting rooms.

Reduced Return Rates and Increased Sales

According to a recent survey,  the most common reason given for 70% of customer returns/refunds in the world is that they’ve returned products due to size or fit issues. VTO also helps with that, as people cannot request a refund or return their product because of size or fitting issues, as they can clearly estimate their size with the VTO application. This can reduce the return rates and triple the conversion rates. Reduced returns also mean that there will be more cost savings by lessening the restocking fees, improving the revenue stream of the store. 

Improved Personalization and Shopping Experience

One of the best applications that can be created from VTO is improved personalization through data collection. VTO data is a goldmine for those seeking to understand customer preferences and buying habits. By analyzing how users interact with the app, industry leaders and entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights. This data allows them to create personalized recommendations that cater to each customer’s specific needs. It also helps in adjusting marketing strategies to better align with customer behavior. Additionally, VTO solutions can offer transparency by sharing data with users. Based on their previous shopping or try-on history, the app can suggest clothes tailored to their style. It can even offer styling tips, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Boosted Brand Engagement and Social Sharing

Another promising benefit of integrating a VTO solution into your online store is that it provides a new form of user engagement. Not only will your target audience be trying different products, but allowing them to share the features amongst their friends or on social media can create a different kind of buzz around the brand. This promotion comes free with VTO and can attract various customers and increase brand loyalty. There can also be different incentives for people who try on clothes so they can share that too and attract even more customers. 

Data-driven Insights and Product Optimization

As previously mentioned, the data-driven insights from a VTO application can significantly improve the customer experience. These insights help address fit issues, resolve concerns, and provide a sense of security with each purchase. Moreover, the data collected can be used to refine the brand’s overall strategy. This data can lead to improved product approaches, such as enhancing size charts. Ultimately, it helps create better products tailored to the audience that actively shops on the online store.

Accessibility and Convenience

Not many people have the accessibility to go and visit a physical store for their shopping purposes. Customers with limited accessibility can relish in the comfort of their own rooms and try on whatever they want to get, which can bring in a whole new audience of customers to your online store. It’s up to the leaders of the industry to understand the unparalleled convenience that Virtual Try-on tech offers. Geographical location and store hours aren’t going to be a problem anymore, and the fewer restrictions there are, the more opportunities there will be to create sales. 

Reduced Environmental Impact and Sustainability

The e-commerce industry, while convenient, can contribute to environmental concerns due to excessive returns and packaging waste.  VTO technology has the potential to significantly reduce unnecessary returns, leading to a smaller carbon footprint. Consider the environmental cost of shipping and processing returned items. VTO technology can help minimize these impacts by ensuring a higher first-purchase success rate. Additionally, VTO promotes a more sustainable shopping experience. It allows users to virtually experiment with products before committing to a physical purchase.

Cost Savings and Inventory Management

The advantages of VTO stretch out past consumer loyalty and brand commitment. By diminishing return rates, VTO can prompt huge expense investment funds for your business. Lower return charges can also translate to lower restocking costs and limited bundling waste, all of which add to a healthier bottom line. VTO information can likewise illuminate your stock management methodologies. By breaking down client try-on behavior, you can upgrade your inventory allocation and limit the gamble of stockouts or overloaded items.

Competitive Advantage and Market Differentiation

The competitive e-commerce landscape in this age makes it very hard to stand out from the crowd. To target this, you need to innovate how your online store operates. Implementing VTO technology is a key way to achieve this transformation. The best part of VTO implementation is that it doesn’t need tech-savvy customers to work with. It can provide a superior shopping experience to anyone out there with a stable internet connection. The sooner you get a VTO application made for your brand, the sooner you’ll be able to differentiate yourself from those still using traditional online shopping methods. 

How to Get Your Virtual Try-on App Developed in 2024

In 2024, virtual try-on apps are a booming trend. To develop a VTO, start by defining your target audience and the key features of your app. Next, explore the exciting world of AR/VR technology to enhance the user experience. Understanding how these steps work will guide you through the development process. By following this approach, you’ll create an engaging shopping experience that sets your business apart.

Planning and Strategy

The first step of the VTO app development process comes before the process itself. This is called the planning phase, where one needs to set a clear plan and strategy in place. Here’s how you can do that:

• Define Your App Goals and Target Audience: Pick up a notepad or open up a .doc file and ask yourself questions like, what are you hoping to achieve with your VTP app? Do you want to improve your audience’s shopping experience, reduce returns, or boost sales? Know what your goals are, and the development team behind your project will tailor the features and functions accordingly to these goals. 
• Research and Competitor Analysis: There are many online stores that have successfully implemented VTO tech on their websites or apps. Learn about your competitors and how they utilize VTO in their respective industries. Educate yourself on their strengths and weaknesses and identify areas where you don’t want your VTO solution to be lacking. 

Choosing App Features and Technologies

The next step, after planning and strategizing your goals, is the first step of the development process. Now is the time you’ll have to choose what kind of features you want your VTO solution to have and what technologies it should be incorporating. Here are some ways to know what you want:

• Features Aligned with Business Goals: The latest tech trends can be overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean that all of them are necessary. It’s important to choose only those features that support your business goals and your audience. Suppose you’re selling makeup; why would you want advanced AR features when you can just have a shade-matching feature that fits the product more?
• Key Technologies: Similar to how most recent technologies work, VTO apps also use various combinations of new features such as facial recognition, e-commerce integration, and even AR protocols. Choose a development team that has proven expertise in these areas so nothing goes wrong with the app development process. 

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design

The key to the success of a VTO app is the interface it carries. The VTO solution should be easy to use, intuitive, and filled with features without lacking performance issues. Here are the main UI/UX functionalities a solid VTO integration needs:

• Seamless UI Design: The seamless UI design indicates that the app is clean and easy to navigate, without any clutter. Users should be able to not only find what products they’re interested in but also be able to try them on quickly without too much blotter on screen, like ads.
• Engaging UX Design: An engaging UX design has its main focus set towards a user experience that keeps them immersed. Clear instructions and fast loading times give customers more time to engage with interactive elements. This ensures that the VTO experience is both fun and informative. Giving users more and more reason to try on different clothes and potentially make purchases. 

Development Process

The main development process can be the make or break for a successful VTO app. Here is how a VTO app development process can go for you:

• Prototyping and Minimum Viable Product (MVP): As with everything, the best way to learn what your audience feels about your new integration is by giving them a prototype in the shape of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). An MVP development consists of limited features and can be used to gather feedback and make changes in the design before fully investing in a high-scale development. 
• Backend Integration: The main focus of the seamless VTO app experience can come from easy integration with backend systems and e-commerce platforms. With the help of real-time data exchanges and inventory management information within the app. 

Key Features of Virtual Try-on Apps

As talked about in the developmental process, the main core of a VTO solution lies in its feature list. Let’s talk about some of the key features of Virtual Try-on Apps:

Virtual Try-on Capability

As the name suggests, a VTO should be able to let users virtually try on the products they want using their phones or computers. There are two main approaches to attain this feature:

• 2D Image Overlays: A simpler and less cost-effective approach to a VTO solution is to use 2D images of products that can be over-layered on a user’s live camera. Although this is less immersive, it is mostly used for online stores that sell accessories or makeup. 
• 3D AR Experiences: As the name suggests, a 3D augmented reality experience consists of a more realistic and immersive VTO experience. Instead of using 2D models, VTO apps utilize 3D models that dynamically scale and position themselves on the customer’s intended part, such as the face or body. This is achieved through a feature called real-time depth sensing. The 3D AR experience in a VTO provides a more accurate representation of how the product would look if worn in a real fitting room. As a result, customers get a better sense of how the product fits and looks before making a purchase.

Integration with Product Catalog

A VTO application should do more than just let customers “try on clothes” and make purchases. It needs to integrate seamlessly with the product’s catalog to ensure a smoother user experience. This integration allows customers, whether tech-savvy or not, to easily browse through products and filter through optional colors. Customers will experience a true “fitting-room” experience from the comfort of their own homes. A successful VTO app must also include real-time inventory information for users to make informed decisions. As they browse, they should be able to add products to their cart without any interruptions.

Real-time Visualization

The best way to achieve customer retention with a VTO app is through both accurate and realistic product visualization. The product’s appearance must align perfectly with what customers see online, regardless of size. To ensure this, high-quality 3D models and textures should be applied to the products in advance. This enhances the accuracy and realism of the virtual try-on experience. A well-executed digital inventory on the VTO will ultimately deliver a seamless and satisfying customer experience.

Social Media Sharing

Many VTO apps allow users to share their try-on hauls on social media. This integration serves as a free promotional tool for the brand and boosts user engagement. Here are some ways to integrate social media within a VTO app:

• Shareable Try-on Experiences: Suppose a user really likes what they’re seeing, and whether to get additional thoughts on that or just to show it off, they post it on their social media. This can create hype for the online store and can attract more and more customers to the brand.
• Social Media Contests: Through shareable try-on experiences, companies can also host social media contests that run interactive campaigns for people to share their experiences with the VTO app. This is a brilliant way to increase brand awareness and user engagement. 

Virtual Try-on Apps Are Changing the Way You Experience These Global Brands

Businesses around the world are implementing VTO technology in their online stores or through applications to generate sales and attract new customers; some examples are:

• Sephora: It is one of the most popular beauty brands in the world, uses a foolproof VTO app. This app allows both customers and new users to try on makeup products before making a purchase. This has been a game changer for sephora, increasing customer satisfaction and less return rates.
• Warby Parker: Warby Parker, one of the most famous eyewear retailers in the United States, was one of the first brands to adopt VTO technology through an application. Users can access the app and virtually try on any kind of glasses or sunglasses they have, making Warby Parker more and more popular in the eyewear market.
• Adidas: Just do it? This sounds like a message that Adidas heard very well, as their VTO adoption has created a whole new market for fans of the brand by allowing them to try on shoes virtually on their application.
• Levi’s: Levi’s has been the benchmark for denim brands since its birth, and with the help of a VTO app, it has generated higher sales than ever before by allowing users to try on jeans and different clothing items on the internet. Levi’s caters to a wider audience than before by offering a personalized shopping experience that a VTO solution makes possible.

Will Virtual Try-on Apps Rule the Future of Shopping?

As the future of e-commerce depends on balancing innovation and user experience, VTO apps will become a necessity for delivering a top-tier online shopping experience.

• Better Customer Experience:  A VTO solution takes a customer’s anxiety away because they can have a clearer idea about what they’re getting and can ultimately decide if they want it or not without even buying it. Through VTO integration, any brand can have a more satisfying shopping experience. 
• Reduced Costs and Increased Profitability:  By minimizing returns and improving conversion rates, VTO apps translate to significant cost savings for businesses. Additionally, data insights from VTO usage can inform product development and inventory management, further optimizing profitability.
• Personalization and Brand Engagement:  By unlocking a whole new level of personalization, VTO technology uses data collected from user behavior and preferences, and can adjust their recommendations to give the users a more engaging and interactive experience.

Key Takeaways

Before finding the one-stop solution for your Virtual Try-on App development needs, take a moment to review a quick recap. It highlights the numerous benefits this technology offers to businesses around the world:

• With VTO, increased customer satisfaction is just another bonus to generating more sales.
• Get rid of those hasty return rates and finalize your sales through VTO, since there is no way for a customer to return something that they tried on before making the purchase.
• The more personalized a shopping experience is, the more likely it is that a new customer will return to shop again, and might bring others with them. 

How Can Cubix Help with Your Virtual Try-on App Development Journey

Having been at the forefront of software development for the past 18 years, Cubix offers the transformative power of VTO technology for businesses and organizations around the world. Through our expertise in development and design, the cutting-edge VTO app that your business and your target audience need is one stop away. 

Our VTO app development service is a one-in-a-million chance, which comprehensively includes:

• Strategy and Planning: Helping you define the goals your app needs, the target audience your business caters to, and the key features that’ll go in your VTO app are all going to be covered in the planning process. 
• Technology Selection and Integration: Being experts in AR development, e-commerce integration, and all the essential technologies for VTO apps, all you’ll need to do is select what you want. 
• User Interface and User Experience Design: Through the creation of a user-friendly while at the same time, feature-loaded interface, your VTO app will create a seamless virtual try-on experience that many brands cannot give. 
• Ongoing Support and Maintenance: After the deployment of your VTO app after development and testing, Cubix takes pride in offering aftercare. Offering ongoing support to ensure that your VTO app doesn’t need any fixes, and updating it constantly for a more positive user experience.

If you are an entrepreneur or a leader in the e-commerce industry, VTO technology can take your brand to the next level. Contact us to discuss how we can create a custom VTO solution for your business. Our solution will not only increase your sales but also help you gain more returning customers.