Previously, only a handful of companies used 3D configurators to connect with their audience. But this trend has shaken up the e-commerce world in recent years.
Unsurprisingly, product personalization has become a significant factor in buying decisions. But things have taken a major turn since the pandemic, as even small retailers have understood the importance of online presence. This has made the e-commerce industry and niche markets super competitive, and there’s no sign of a slowdown.
Brands and service providers all put everything into building a unique customer experience. Thus every new technology and feature is an important step toward standing as a reliable and customer-centric brand, and 3D configurators are among the most important. To understand how valuable these features can be, let’s dive into 8 incredible benefits, but before that, why not look at some technology fundamentals?
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So, What is a Product Configurator?
You’re wondering about a 3D product configurator, right? Well, think of it as a nifty tool that sales folks, tech wizards, and even customers can use to tweak and tailor a product’s features and parts. The tool will ensure that the final product closely resembles your thoughts on how it should be during production. You can view the product while configuring it per your choice of color, material and feature in 3D. You can also do the same in an augmented reality environment by adding immersive technology to it.
Every company that makes stuff needs product configuration software. For smaller and medium-sized companies, this tool is a lifesaver. It helps customers pick and choose configurations that work well together. But the big guns, the large corporations, get a kick out of the heavy-duty product configurators that can juggle complex rules and tasks like a pro.
Why use a product configurator for your brand?
A Product configurator can be a superpower for your brand. Especially when you have many products, each with many cool features. With a product configurator, your customers can experiment with those features, just like a chef trying different ingredients to perfect a recipe. They can create the right product for them, and you get valuable insights into their preference.
Most brands, be it furniture, Metaverse, electronics, and more, can benefit from it.
The 8 incredible benefits of a product configurator
Let us look at the top benefits that could be good reasons for you to add it to you eCommerce website:
The Personalization Phenomenon
Be it fashion items or furniture, we all like a personalized touch in the things we buy, and so do customers; they crave unique, tailor-made experiences that reflect their individuality. Thus the necessity of a product configurator, a tool, is transforming how we shop online.
By providing personalization options, you’re not just selling products but also experiences that breed customer loyalty.
A Visual Feast for the Eyes
Product visualization is a super important part of design. The art of marketing is ensuring that the customers see the best of the product you are selling and that it is as close to real as possible, and 3D models are the best way to do it.
Now, why are 3D product visuals such a big deal? Well, they’re way more exciting than plain old text descriptions. Modern software allows us to create extremely cool images with different product options, materials, and add-ons. Most top brands like Apple and Nike use 3D models on their sites to attract customers.
Your company can use a product configurator to build the perfect real-time product model without wasting resources. Think about it. And it’s not just the apparent benefits; you will also save many resources as you no longer need professional photo shoots that are super expensive to show your product.
Completion time
They’re like a memory bank for all the info clients put in as they browse and customize items to their liking. This means manufacturers can automate the whole process from quote to production without having to bug sales reps for info all the time.
And here’s the cherry on top: configurator software to slash lead times can save you a ton of money. It’s simple math. Building a prototype and then changing the production accordingly is a lengthy and expensive process, as you can not work on production unless you find a perfect example of what you need. Or changes with 3D configurators, finally.
But wait, it gets worse. Longer lead times mean your cash is all tied up in big inventories. That money could be used for other important stuff, like coming up with new ideas and getting ready-to-use products out in the market.
Reduce errors and returns
Let’s talk about reducing errors. Constant do-overs are a natural money pit because they need equipment, materials, and labor. They also consume a lot of time you could use to build a remarkable brand.
So, how do you dodge these costly reworks? Enter product configurators. These handy tools let you use predefined rules that cut down on human error, whether at checkout or when sending the bills of materials to manufacturers. By steering clear of blunders like cognitive biases and poor pricing, you’re more likely to spend less on product development.
And here’s the biggie: if you’re a manufacturer dealing with complex products like medical devices, you need top-notch visualization tools to ensure accuracy. Otherwise, mistakes can become regular, and reworks become essential to avoid disastrous results.
Harnessing the Power of Data
Product configurators are not just about pretty visuals and customization. They’re also a goldmine of data. You can optimize your offerings and stay ahead of the curve by tracking customer preferences and identifying trends.
You can make changes in your inventory accordingly and make changes in the future product line keeping these aspects in mind resulting in higher sales and a low scrapping rate.
Skyrocketing Conversion Rates
You must have also faced this dilemma in your shopping spree when you like a particular product, but there are a few things about it that you cannot stand, and in the end, you don’t buy it. When your customers can make changes in real-time, they will stick to the brand and become loyal customers over time. And as it happens, in most cases, such customers are likely to bring their family and friends to test the products. There is a high chance that you will gain many customers this way, without explicit marketing but through word of mouth, that is often considered the secret sauce of most famous brands.
Creativity and Engagement
Online shopping is a blast, right? Imagine leveling up your e-commerce site with a 3D product configurator. This would let your customers whip up a product that perfectly matches their needs. And if you throw in some instant AR, they can see how their personalized item would look in their space.
It’s like building their own Lego house. The more ways customers can customize a product, the deeper their connection with it. Every extra feature they add is like a little piece of their personality. And that’s how you create an emotional bond with your clients and boost customer loyalty. It will also increase the time and money they are willing to pay for your products compared to the competition, a moat no brand wants to lose.
Conclusion
If recent trends are any indication, 3D and configuration for product features will become a norm in upcoming years. Setting up 3D product configurators on your online store might seem like a headache, but the payoff is worth it. For example, take Nike. Customers can personalize a separate shoe section according to their taste. It’s one of the most famous features that their users use constantly, and they have attracted customers just because of this feature.
In the e-commerce world that stands at $6.3 trillion in 2023, falling behind on tech and ignoring what customers want is like shooting yourself in the foot. Small brands can especially benefit and attract many customers if they quickly hop on new trends. So, those who stay ahead of the curve will reap the rewards. If you are willing to add 3D and immersive AR to your products, a 3D product configurator on a no-code platform like PlugXR could be a good option.
