How 3D Product Customization Will Change The Face of E-commerce

By 2025, the e-commerce market is expected to reach new heights in terms of value of goods sold. Across the globe, eCommerce is seemingly changing the approach to customers' shops at a rapid pace.

Trends come and go. Some trends come and stick. And there is one trend that is likely to show up and reign over the market for the long haul, and that is Product Customization.

There are a variety of existing players in the eCommerce market, and new ones are emerging frequently, so 3D product customization will be a sure shot winner in the battle of distinction between manufacturers and retailers as well as consumers.

Every shopper wants to purchase products that they truly adore and that they feel happy to own, something which will light up their hearts. With that in mind, the customization software system has been developed to help customers achieve the utmost satisfaction with their purchasing decision. This allows them to design and curate products according to their tastes, likes, attributes, preferences, and needs. As soon as 3D is added to the design software, it becomes more entertaining, engaging, and easy to use since it uses a relatively simple UI.

Many eCommerce websites offer a variety of customizing solutions, but the process requires refinement from time to time, based on the latest market trends.

Having a 2D view is one of the complications, as certain parts of the product are not visible when the viewer tries to see them. By combining 3D customization, the customers get to see their own customized product down to the smallest detail.

Customizing 3D products is incredibly easy and hassle-free, as shoppers can see the product in its entirety - its color, its size, its shape, its characteristics, etc., and it offers the flexibility to make changes as determined by their needs. In the end, the customer feels more comfortable and confident about the customization process.

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The Interface is Simple to View and Use

The product is viewed holistically. Customers are able to view the product from any angle they desire with a variety of options such as zooming, checking the attributes they choose, and using enhanced gesture controls for different platforms.

Easily Customizable

The customization process is more convenient and comfortable when the result can be viewed from all sides. With the options of improving textures, adding accessories, and choosing colors, customers can customize every individual curve and corner, making the whole process more exciting. By making it easy and fun to design the product customers are more likely to spend additional time and create something they’ll cherish.

Creating Custom Effects

A selection of graphics and art can be offered for users to upload, as well as text style libraries - which include text dimensions, fonts, shading, and other design elements.‍ If you can do it in MS Paint, you can do it here, and better too.

So Why Has 3D Become Better Than Photography?

According to 63% of shoppers, product images are more important than product descriptions.

The picture will determine whether they even click through to the text. It’s shallow, but true. 

If the image of your product doesn't excite them enough to spark curiosity, you will have a lot of people skimming over it. To stand out from the crowd in an overcrowded market, many brands and retailers rely primarily on imagery to make that vital first (and perhaps only) impression.

E-commerce is now responsible for a growing percentage of business in global retail, so brands need to think carefully about the visual presentation of their products. It's fine to practice traditional photography and videography, but if a picture is worth a thousand words, just think what the value of something better than photography will be. A 3D product visualization is better than a photograph for three reasons.  

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‍‍The 3D Experience is Immersive

The 3D experience goes beyond just showing the buyer how the product will look; it allows them to test and explore it in similar ways to what they would do in-store. Engaging a shopper in this way puts the power in their hands, letting them discover what makes this product ideal for their needs. A higher level of consumer confidence in the purchasing process and a lower frequency of returns have also been proven to drive higher sales when consumers are able to view a product in 3D.

This is especially true when 3D is applied to e-commerce using augmented reality. In a study conducted by Deloitte, 40% of consumers are willing to spend more to experience a product in augmented reality, and 61% would prefer to shop at a retailer that offers AR experiences.

Buyers can see exactly what they are getting in 3D

Many buyers find it important to choose a brand based on its ability to cater to their individual needs. Henry Ford's famous approach of "you can have any color as long as it's black" has been tossed aside long ago. Choosing something is important, but understanding what you are getting is just as important.

Typically, brands have the option of only displaying the most popular color, material, or feature, shooting the product in all colors and configurations, or allowing buyers to use 3D configurators to see the exact choices they are making before buying. 

Using 3D product configurators allows brands to display additional features and add-ons as they will appear with the primary product without confusing the buyer. There is nothing worse than getting your order and discovering you need another piece or product that needs to be purchased separately. These headaches can be prevented by including 3D configurators on ecommerce sites.

Brands Save Time and Money With 3D

3D product configuration has many benefits for brands, including the possibility to save time and money on asset management, as well as not having to conduct repeated photo and video shoots. If new features, colors, or materials are released, a 3D texture and model file can be added to the visual platform and pushed across all channels where that particular model is used instead of reshooting. Are you releasing a limited edition for a short time only? This option can be added and removed easily as needed instead of having a special shoot to collect assets that then need to be stored and managed. 

Today's busy market demands high-quality visuals for brands to remain competitive. While keeping up with increasing consumer demands, marketers search for the best way to grab attention in an ocean of videos and images. Through digital channels, consumers must be able to see not only what the product is, but also its quality and functionality for their needs. With 3D product visualization, brands can engage customers in both a visual, experiential, and immersive way that is difficult for photography and videography to match.