Why stop at virtual events when there is a whole plethora of virtual experiences waiting for us to implement as a business or enjoy as a customer? With more businesses realizing the potential of having a virtual business, virtual retail is picking up its eCommerce game and giving users a shopping experience that includes more than just scrolling through a couple of pictures on a screen.
The future of shopping has already started to change. As more and more individuals prefer shopping online, the onset of the pandemic has made more people buy from their house versus head to a store to browse. This means that it’s imperative now more than ever to proactively try and keep our customers with us and ensure they choose our website over our competitors.
Top Features of a Virtual Retail Store
Implementing a virtual retail store? Here are some of the top features you need to have in your design:
- New design and interaction: Connect with new and loyal customers with your brand in a new and interactive way. With bespoke designs and exciting branding, you can create a feeling of awe in the customer journey as they navigate through your plush virtual store.
- Allow customers to schedule and interact with personal shoppers: Create your own way of connecting and chatting with your customers to boost engagement. To give them a more exclusive feel, you can assign a personal shopper to each customer as they browse through the merchandise. This is a great way to add personalization to your virtual store.
- Private viewings: Design the retail experience with virtual rooms that showcase your products and merchandise that customers can interact with. You can also set up a live catwalk show and connect other interactive videos or activities to keep your customer engaged.
- 24/7 Conversations: Connect an interactive chatbot to answer customer enquiries in real time. Your customers will appreciate getting feedback as quickly as possible, which will make their experience with your virtual store better.
- Share product information easily: Conduct regular Virtual Education workshops with pre-recorded or live presentations to drive revenue product sales.
- Educate, engage and convert: Make a sale through your customers by including images, videos, surveys and polls.
Top Benefits of a Virtual Retail Store
Here’s why you should design and implement a virtual store for your business:
- Measure and track your customers: As with anything done online, it’s easy to track and measure impressions and conversion rates as your customers navigate through your virtual store. Additionally, you can see what your customer is browsing and make recommendations based on their interests and habits. With this ongoing consultation, your consumer will end up spending more time on the store which could convert to a sale.
- Reduce overhead costs: By focusing on your online store, you will be able to save on costs such as rent and give your eCommerce store a good virtual experience boost.
- Keep the consumer engaged: By providing personalized consultations and 1:1 time with personal shoppers, you can keep your consumer immersed in the experience and make them want to check out every department and feature you have to offer. Additionally, when you give a consumer a bespoke and curated experience, you are really showing them that you know them and they will be able to shop items that are curated to their interest and style.
- Expand your market: A great aspect of a virtual store is that you can reach global markets if you choose to do so. The ability to market and reach a wider audience is a big advantage and one that will give you more customers provided you create exclusive shopping experiences for the global market as well.
- Your associates become your brand ambassadors: As your associates sell your products online, they can also use their voices on social media and other online platforms to share product info and be the face of the brand. This is a great opportunity to tap into different markets and reach a wider audience through your brand ambassadors.
- Create loyal customers: As your customers interact with your store, you can gather their information to send them targeted ads, messages and emails to keep their interest in your store. Simple notifications about favorite products back in stock can convert potential and current customers into loyal ones that will keep coming back for your items.
There are so many ways for businesses to be innovative and take advantage of virtual shopping. The retail industry has been one that has suffered the most during the pandemic and businesses are looking for new and profitable solutions to bring their customers back. With an interactive and exciting software platform, they can do just that and much, much more.