3D product configuration is a useful sales tool that has many different benefits for companies across a variety of industries and their customers. But because the technology is relatively new, it can be confusing for those that are unfamiliar to understand how they work and how to implement these systems into their own business. Expivi is here to address all of these uncertainties and give you a rundown of what exactly a 3D product configurator can do for your business, and how they work in real-time.

Introduction to 3D Product Configuration

To start, you may be wondering, what does a 3D product configurator do? Essentially, real-time product configurators employ 3D interactive software to create a comprehensive visual representation of your products that your customers can manipulate and customize to their exact needs. We begin by creating accurate renderings of each of your products that are loaded into the interactive product configurator. Then we create a series of rules based on what customizations are allowed. This allows users to create their own unique products based on the options that are available to them, and no options that aren’t.

The customer is guided through every step of the process to ensure that they are creating a product that can easily be fulfilled, but that meets each of their desired specifications. Because the products are rendered to scale, and in a 3D environment, your customers will be able to get an optimal visualization of the product that they are about to order.

After the initial onboarding (where we work with you to design each of your products in the 3D interactive software), we will load the 3D product configurator onto your e-commerce platform to create a seamless process for both you and your customers.

How Do Real-Time 3D Product Configurators Create a Better Customer Experience?

There are many benefits that your customers will experience from utilizing an interactive product configurator. To begin with, instant customizability improves engagement and conversion rates. Because customers can see an augmented reality version of the product they are buying as they customize it, they will feel more ownership over the product, and more comfortable with making a purchase. It also gives them greater confidence in the product and increases the desire to own it. Customization keeps customers on your site for longer due to the enjoyment they can get from picking each little detail of their order. This, in turn, will convert to greater investment in the product, and increase the likelihood that they will hit “purchase now.”

In addition to more enjoyment during the shopping process, customers who engage with 3D product configurators show a greater degree of satisfaction with the final product. This is due to the hand they had in creating it, and knowing exactly what they are going to get, reducing surprises when the product arrives.

Research shows that customers are also beginning to expect product configurators, especially in certain industries where the products are very specific but can’t always be viewed in-person. Providing this service is becoming a necessary part of the customer experience.

How Can a Real-Time 3D Product Configurator Benefit Your E-Commerce Business?

While most businesses are interested in customer satisfaction (as it leads to repeat business), there are many other benefits that companies experience when they use a 3D configurator in their e-commerce store. As previously mentioned, interactive product configurators have been shown to increase conversation rates.

They are also very useful for more complex products, as they can walk your customers through the different options in a simple, user-friendly manner that allows them to understand their options and visualize the final product more easily. This in turn, leads to a lower return rate as there are fewer surprises upon delivery. Your customers had a hand in building their product and were able to see an accurate, to scale image of the product that they are ordering.

In addition, 3D interactive cloud solutions save time and up-front spend in many areas across your business. Not only do you have to minimize the amount of time each salesperson spends with a customer, but it can also reduce the necessary size of your fulfillment team, who normally would have to enter each of the custom options for every single client. Instead, the customer takes care of this themselves. This process also reduces the number of mistakes made in the data input process, which again, minimizes returns.

And if all of that isn’t reason enough to invest a 3D product configurator, there is also a great deal of evidence showing that customers will actually pay up to 20% more for customized products. There is the understanding that they could have the basic version, but if they want their exact specifications, it will come with a slightly higher price tag. For most customers, this is worth it. You can also save your company money by connecting the demand for products directly to what you produce. Because more of your products will be made-to-order (to some degree), you won’t need to maintain as many finished products or excess supply of products that are in low demand.

Did you like this article on 3D Product Configurators? Learn how to build your own here.