How to Use 360 Virtual Shopping Stores to Increase Your WooCommerce Sales [2024]

The ever-growing online e-commerce industries have flourished since the Covid-19 pandemic. Buyers are now more comfortable with online shopping for anything they need and this change in purchasing behavior is still growing.

However, despite all this growth, most online store owners are still only applying the standard methods for converting their potential buyers, such as using WooCommerce funnels or running discount campaigns.

One of the most unique, but appearing ways to increase WooCommerce sales is to use a 360 virtual shopping store.

360 virtual shopping store will help you to increase sales because 71% of consumers said that they would prefer to shop more if the stores used VR technology.

Today, you will learn how you too can use a virtual shopping store to entice more potential buyers and boost your WooCommerce sales.

So let’s begin.

What is a Virtual Shopping store?

A virtual shopping store enhances your online shopping experience by creating an immersive, interactive shopping environment.

As a traditional website, a virtual online store lets you browse products in a 3D space, much like walking through a physical store. You can explore galleries, view products from all angles, and even interact with items for detailed information.

To create a virtual store, you can use advanced technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), offering a more engaging and realistic online shopping experience. This virtual shopping platform enhances your convenience. It also allows you to shop from anywhere at any time.

With a virtual shopping store, you can enjoy the benefits of virtual online shopping, such as personalized recommendations and real-time assistance, making your online shopping experience more enjoyable and efficient.

How Virtual Shopping Stores Help to Increase Your Sales

A VR experience means your visitors will have more control over where they want to move in your store, just like they can when they visit your shop in person.

This flexibility allows your customers to buy in their comfort and helps you gain their trust. It enables you to get loyal repeat customers.

Because once your customers are comfortable shopping with your brand they are less likely to switch to another online store unless they get a better experience. And what better experience than a realistic shopping experience?

Following are a few direct benefits you can enjoy when using a virtual store tour.

1. Enhanced Customer Engagement For E-Commerce

VR will help your customers find the best products from your store without having to look at a long list on the shop page.

They will rather get to look at various items stacked in a virtual environment, just like in your store, click on them to view details, and place orders instantly.

If you can separate products in your store as per categories and then capture the panoramas, then the virtual online store will be even more realistic and help your buyers find products real quickly. They won’t be bored with unnecessary options and eventually place orders as happy customers.

Let’s say it’s the Black Friday season. During this time, the stores are all packed up and it’s a hassle to buy anything due to the jostling of the shoppers.

But a virtual tour will save the customers from all that. They can peacefully move around the shop and get a near-realistic experience of shopping in a busy season.

As a WooCommerce store owner, offering such a VR shopping experience will encourage more buyers to shop from your store compared to others.

2. Not Limited to Product Types or Niches

No matter what WooCommerce showroom or store you own, you will be able to use a virtual shopping store to boost customer engagement.

Although supermarkets, clothing stores, make brands, convenience stores, and other similar stores will get the most benefits from using virtual tours, other businesses can get their fair share of business growth using VR.

For example, a Virtual Car Showroom may not get orders online, but it can certainly help you get inquiries from potential buyers. The same can be said for art galleries which can get a mix of online orders and live visitations.

51% of the customers will be more likely to buy cars if they get a better experience.

This stat indicates that a virtual showroom is a good investment for car dealers.

3. 24/7 Store Availability

Virtual stores are open around the clock. It also allows customers to shop at their convenience. Let’s say a customer forgot to get pancakes when going home. He can place an order through your virtual store and you can deliver it in the morning.

However, a bigger reason why this is an advantage is if you deliver internationally. For example, suppose you write books and you have an online shop where you sell them to people all over the world.

A virtual shopping store of your bookshop will help people from overseas to place orders in their own free time, even if there is a time difference.

The realistic tour will attract international customers more as they will admire the use of advanced technology in your online shop.

4. Never Run Out of Products & Customers

Not all products are always in stock inside a physical store. In some cases, the product warehouse can take too long time to restock the products, making implementing a WMS (Warehouse Management System) a crucial step to increase efficiency.

Therefore, when a customer is shopping at a store and discovers that something is unavailable, they switch to another store quickly.

But in virtual stores, customers know that it takes time to deliver. So, you get plenty of time to stock the products and ship them right to your customer’s doorstep from the warehouse.

Plus, if the weather is not favorable, customers can still shop like they normally do while sitting comfortably at home. When the weather gets better, you can simply go ahead and deliver their products. They won’t have to get ready and go out again to collect these products.

5. Get Visitors Even If They Don’t Have Anything to Buy

If your virtual shopping tour is compatible with VR glasses, then many people will visit it online even if they have nothing to buy.

This will help with branding and often trigger people to order something that may catch their eye while taking a stroll.

Marketing Strategies to Promote Your VR Technology

Let’s say you have used virtual tours on your WooCommerce retail store. But now what?

Did you figure out a marketing strategy to let your customers know about the amazing virtual tour by optimizing your WooCommerce store?

Classic marketing uses traditional methods like newspaper and TV ads, while modern technology demands clever digital strategies.

1. Use Social Media To Promote Your Virtual Shopping Store

Social Media-sponsored ads are one of the most influential ways of digital marketing to promote your virtual store.

When you introduce an exceptional feature like a virtual tour in your online store and put that news on social media, you are bound to get potential customers. Also, social media has algorithms to reach targeted customers.

So when your potential customers are searching for products related to your shop, they’ll stumble upon your virtual store and will be intrigued to shop in a virtual environment.

2. Hire Influencers For Brand Recognition

Influencer marketing is one of the smartest marketing strategies to adopt considering recent trends. They usually have a considerable amount of loyal followers.

So when they promote your virtual reality shopping experience, the followers are certain to take a look at your virtual store.

Also, add Explainer Video in your Virtual Store Tours where you can add a mini video of the influencer promoting your brand or service.

People believe in reviews. And if you get good reviews from a known influencer your brand can benefit from word-of-mouth (WOM) advertising. Which can eventually get you local and international brand recognition.

Create Special Virtual Store Tours for Campaigns

VR tours are itself is a unique marketing strategy that can make your customers intrigued to buy products from you. So why not wisely utilize virtual tours?

Virtual storefronts are displaying particular products on the online store’s landing page or product page to attract potential customers’ attention

In a physical shop, the storefront is a window that displays attractive and exceptional products to draw customers to enter the shop. And this can be utilized in online stores as well.

Virtual stores can utilize Virtual Tours (VR) to create unique storefronts.

Here’s how,

1. Update Virtual Tours on Your Website During Holiday Seasons

During the Holiday season, you can add virtual tours of your store decorated with holiday festivities and decorations.

You can add virtual tours specifically to showcase seasonal products according to the product types and prices.

So when your customer clicks on a product, an on-click product description along with a cart button will appear for them to purchase directly within the virtual tour.

This will let your customers know that your WooCommerce store is holiday-ready and all products are in stock. So they get to feel the holiday vibe even when they’re shopping virtually with a virtual tour.

2. Add Virtual Tours of Discounted Products

Virtual tours open up the possibilities for all kinds of creativity. When you are arranging sales or discounts, you can organize the discounted items and take 360-degree panoramic photos of them to create a virtual tour.

This will make your customers will be intrigued to buy the discounted products within the virtual tour.

You will also be able to add different scenes to your virtual tour under different offer categories. These ideas will also work well with best sellers, new products, and many more.

Suitable Tool to Create A Virtual Store in WordPress

One of the best tools for creating Virtual Shopping Stores is WPVR. For your WooCommerce store, it will let your customer purchase a product directly from the virtual store.

The plugin will help you create virtual stores with exceptional features like Hotspots, Explainer Videos, Brand Marketing Information, Virtual Tour Background Music, and many other features.

With the WooCommerce Addon of WPVR, your customers will be able to purchase a product directly from the virtual shopping store.

Examples of 360 Virtual Shopping Stores

To give you a better understanding, here are some examples of 360 virtual shopping stores:

CFS Furniture:

The CFS virtual shopping store enhances customer experience by offering a convenient and accessible way to shop from home, available 24/7.

It features a 3D virtual showroom, allowing customers to explore products interactively. Detailed product information and customer reviews help in making informed decisions. Personalized support via chat ensures assistance is readily available.

Additionally, the store allows for easy comparison of products and access to exclusive online promotions and discounts. It provides an easy and efficient shopping experience

The White Room:

The White Room offers virtual bridal consultations for a personalized shopping experience from home. Customers can schedule one-on-one video appointments with bridal consultants. It allows them to explore and discuss their preferred wedding dresses and accessories.

This service provides expert guidance and helps brides find their perfect gown remotely. It also ensures a comprehensive and supportive shopping experience.

It helps to select the best product displayed and customize it according to the customer’s design in consultation. Customer can discuss further after seeing their showcase with a virtual shopping store.

Ritika Shoes:

Ritika Shoes offers a virtual store experience that allows customers to explore and purchase their latest collections from the comfort of their homes.

This virtual showroom provides an immersive 360-degree tour. It also enables users to view shoes in detail and get a realistic feel for the products.

Customers can navigate through the store, examine different styles, and make purchases just as they would in a physical store, but without the need to travel.

The virtual store leverages advanced technology to create an interactive and real shopping environment. This setup is designed to enhance the customer experience, making it easier to browse, compare, and select the perfect pair of shoes.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the secret to creating a successful business is ensuring your customers leave happy and satisfied. A virtual shopping store can transform your customers’ buying journey, making it smooth, engaging, and memorable.

By providing an immersive and realistic experience, a virtual store helps customers feel more connected to your products, increasing their probability of returning to shop again.

Moreover, this unique shopping experience sets your store apart from the competition, giving customers a reason to choose you over others. It’s a perfect way to enhance customer loyalty and boost your online sales via WooCommerce.

So, go ahead and launch your virtual shopping store now with WPVR. Start giving your customers an exceptional shopping experience and boost your WooCommerce sales.

** FAQs **

How does a virtual shopping store improve my customers’ experience?

A virtual shopping store offers an immersive, realistic shopping experience, making it easy for customers to navigate and find products. This enjoyable and engaging journey encourages them to return.

Can I use a virtual shopping store for any type of product?

Yes, whether you run a supermarket, clothing store, or even a car showroom, a virtual shopping store can enhance customer engagement and boost sales across various niches.

How do I promote my virtual shopping store effectively?

To promote your virtual store, use social media ads and collaborate with influencers. This will help you reach your target audience and showcase the unique virtual shopping experience you offer.

Will a virtual shopping store help increase international sales?

Yes, virtual shopping stores are available 24/7. It even allows international customers to shop at their convenience. As a result, this flexibility can attract global buyers and increase your sales.

Is it complicated to set up a virtual shopping store?

Not at all, with tools like WPVR, setting up a virtual shopping store on WordPress is straightforward. Additionally, these tools offer features like hotspots and explainer videos to enhance your store effortlessly.