Virtual reality is fast becoming a practical tool for all industries, from fashion to automotive to real estate. It gave rise to virtual showrooms, which gives consumers a one-of-a-kind experience.
A virtual showroom takes consumers into a virtual location. Here, they can interact with a company’s products as if they’re in the real world. Sales meetings can be held, products can be launched, and much more with this personalized design.
In real estate, for example, potential buyers can take a virtual tour of a house several states away. A car virtual showroom can allow users to drive the latest model without even leaving their home.
This is a great way to generate leads from different locations. It also provides a unique experience for consumers.
So, how do you create an online virtual showroom? Keep on reading to learn how you can create one.
1. Model Your Showroom
Like in real life, you have to design your digital showroom. Keep in mind that everything is possible here.
The showroom can be as large as you want as well. Clients can navigate within the virtual space, so you can create anything from a small booth to an entire store.
To make it more engaging, it’s better if users can engage with the location as if it’s in the real world. You are able to place products on a shelf, create booths, pedestals, and more.
If you want to base your virtual showroom on a real location, you’ll have to take pictures. Create 3D pictures of the space or prepare the 2D plans.
There are a few things to note here to maximize engagement. First, you have to decide on your default starting view. What’s the first thing a user sees when entering your virtual showroom?
Make sure it provides the best impression on your clients. Show the highlights or anything you want to draw their attention to.
Depending on the scale of your showroom, you might also have to add a floor plan. This makes it easier for your visitors to orient themselves and inform them of areas they’re yet to explore.
Work With a Professional
You can have a third-party business to help you design your virtual space. They will also help you create 3D models, 2D plans, navigation recommendations, and integrations. After all, not every business has the resources or team to create one for themselves.
Many businesses specialize in creating personalized virtual showrooms, so you can make sure it’s tailored to your brand and all your needs. You’ll have to find the right company, though, which is a topic for another time.
3D model libraries might help you. These have ready-made content so you can populate your showroom with assets faster. You’ll have to pay for the assets, but they can still be cheaper than creating 3D assets from scratch.
2. Digitalize Your Products
Next, you’ll have to bring your product into the virtual showroom. Like in the above step, you’ll need 3D models so your clients can view them at any angle. If you already have 3D data, like in Sketchup or such, the process becomes easier.
Otherwise, a third-party company can still help you create 3D models from scratch. Of course, you also need their help so your virtual products can perform like their real-world counterpart.
A flowy dress, for instance, needs to appear flowy in the virtual space so buyers can appreciate it better. This is an example of a less complicated product. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a virtual car that users can drive and use.
You’ll then have to place these assets in your virtual showroom. After which, you can make them interactive in the following step.
3. Add Hotspots and Interactive Elements
Hotspots are interactive elements in the virtual showroom that provides more information to the clients. For example, a client can click on an object to reveal a text hotspot. This contains more details about the object.
You can use this to provide a brief description, specifications, and any additional information.
If you want to provide more visualization, you can also add image hotspots. Show what the product looks like at night, for example, or show other variants of the same product.
These can help clients in their decision-making and they provide in-depth details about your products.
You can also add other cool interactive elements. Want to showcase your furniture pieces? Allow clients to design a room and choose from your product selection.
The small things can make the whole experience. Allow them to open and close closets and cupboards, so they can get an idea of the storage space. If your furniture comes with other colors or textures, allow them to choose, as well.
Of course, this depends on your industry, but you get the idea.
4. Upload to the Internet
You can have the whole virtual showroom experience on your website or send to your sales team to send to potential customers.
Typically, virtual showrooms are uploaded on websites, sent in emails or social media at the same time. Include a link in your email newsletters and embed it on your landing pages. This way, you’ll also be able to reach those who can’t come to the booth.
Create a Virtual Showroom Now
A virtual showroom presents many benefits, and it isn’t that hard to do, as well. Creating one can take as fast as a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your project.
With the right help, though, you can build physical and virtual showrooms that will generate leads. If you want to learn more, schedule a call and let’s talk.