3D eCommerce for Furniture | 94% Increase in Conversion Rate

3D eCommerce is all about using three-dimensional modeling to create a super immersive and interactive way for customers to see your products online. Instead of relying solely on static images or flat 2D renders, this technology enables customers to engage with products in a whole new dimension.

Thanks to rapid advances in 3D digital technologies like 3D scanning, 3D modeling, and 3D web rendering, the retail world is changing fast. These tools offer exciting new possibilities that can revolutionize how you showcase your products and engage with customers online.

In this guide, we'll take you through the exciting world of 3D eCommerce. We’ll cover the challenges you might face and the amazing benefits it can bring to your business. You'll learn:

• How to enhance your online presence with 3D technology.

• Different methods for creating 3D models.

• Ways to integrate 3D models into your eCommerce site.

• Tips and strategies for succeeding in the 3D eCommerce space.

What is 3D eCommerce

Simply put, 3D eCommerce is all about bringing your furniture products to life online through photorealistic 3D models. How does it work? Well, it starts with cutting-edge 3D scanning tech capturing every detail of your real-life furniture pieces. Then, skilled 3D artists step in to polish those models to perfection.

Whether you call it 3D eCommerce, 3D modeling commerce, or immersive commerce, the goal is the same: to give consumers a richer, more engaging way to shop for furniture online. Customers can explore furniture items in intricate detail, appreciating the texture, shape, and color as if they were seeing them in person.

With a 3D eCommerce site, shoppers get to interact with your products in a whole new way. They can spin them around, zoom in for a closer look, or even customize them, creating a browsing experience that’s as unique as your furniture.

2D Images vs 360 Images vs 3D Models

By understanding the nuances of visual mediums, you can create an immersive shopping journey.

Key takeaways:

• 2D images (traditional photography) provide a basic visual representation but lack interactivity and realism.

• 360 images offer a more immersive experience with the ability to view products from different angles but have limited interactivity.

• 3D models provide the highest level of visual engagement, interactivity, and realism, enabling customers to explore products extensively. Therefore, implementing eCommerce 3D models can significantly reduce product returns due to a clearer understanding of the product before purchase.

How Does 3D eCommerce Actually Work?

There are three main ways to create 3D models for eCommerce:

3D Scanning

Specialized 3D scanners bounce light off objects to gather data about their size and shape. This info is then turned into a 3D model.

It's great for replicating real things like antique furniture or unique pieces with lots of details.

Photogrammetry in 3D eCommerce

This method uses a digital camera to capture multiple angles of an object. Software stitches these photos together to make a 3D model.

It's good for things that need detail but don't have to be super precise.

3D Design

A graphic designer creates 3D models from scratch using specialized software, drawing from product descriptions, images, or even physical prototypes.

Which makes it perfect for custom or conceptual furniture pieces.

Once you've got a 3D model, here's how you can use it in your eCommerce site:

• 3D product viewers allow customers interact with 3D models right on your website. They can spin them around, zoom in, and see them from every angle, making online shopping more fun.

• Augmented reality technologies lets shoppers use their phones or tablets to see 3D models in their own space. They can check how one of you product item will fit in their living room before buying.

• Mixed reality takes things a step further, combining the virtual and real worlds seamlessly. Customers can take a photo of their room, remove the furniture they don't want, and replace it with 3D models from your catalog. They can rotate, mix and match several product items, compare them, and see their dimensions according to their room. This creates a truly immersive and personalized shopping experience.

• Virtual Reality allows you to integrate your 3D models into a virtual environment, bringing your products to life in an immersive digital space. This involves programming the VR experience to include your products in a digital space. Customers then use VR headsets to enter this virtual space. Inside, they can walk around, interact with objects, and examine your products as if they were physically there.

Business Benefits of 3D Commerce and 3D Modeling

Traditional product images and descriptions are important, but they often fall short of capturing the true essence of your furniture pieces. Here’s how 3D commerce and 3D modeling can significantly benefit your business:

Enhanced Product Interactivity Leading to Improved Customer Satisfaction

Today’s buyers are in control of their purchasing journey. A survey by Forrester revealed that 74% of buyers engage in extensive online research, making up over half of their decision-making process before buying.

By providing interactive 3D content, you let customers connect more deeply with your furniture. They can explore every angle, appreciate fine details, and envision how each piece fits into their space, leading to increase customer engagement and satisfaction.

2. Decreased Returns with 3D Visualization

Product returns are a major headache for online retailers, often due to items not fitting properly or looking different than expected.

3D eCommerce can help reduce this issue. A Shopify study found that companies using 3D visualization see a 5% decrease in return rates because customers better understand the product before purchasing.

Enhance your shopping experience by incorporating mixed reality or augmented reality technology, offering customers an accurate virtual try-on that provides a realistic sense of scale, proportion, and style for your products.

3. Improved Conversion Rates

Interactive models, customization options, and detailed exploration can significantly boost conversion rates. Research by Charged Retail shows that businesses using 3D visualization in their e-commerce sites experience up to a 94% increase in conversion rates. Customers are more likely to buy when they can visualize and interact with products in a three-dimensional space.

4. Boosting Customer Confidence and Trust through Realistic Visuals

Without the ability to physically see or touch a product, customers rely heavily on visuals to assess quality and value.

3D models play a key role in establishing this confidence. By offering realistic visuals, you elevate the perception of your furniture pieces. Customers can see fine craftsmanship, intricate details, and true beauty, creating a sense of trust and assurance that what they see online matches what they will receive.

What Are Some Challenges in 3D Commerce?

Today's shoppers are seeking a seamless fusion of digital conveniences: vast product selections, comprehensive product information, and peer reviews. They desire the ability to virtually try out furniture and seek shopping experiences that transcend mere transactions.

But turning these desires into reality comes with hurdles. Here are some common challenges in 3D eCommerce:

• Creating high-quality 3D models can be expensive. You need advanced technology and skilled artists to make detailed and realistic models of your furniture.

Solution. Begin with your best-selling items to see how 3D models impact sales and customer engagement.

• Integrating 3D models into your existing eCommerce platform can be a technical hurdle. You’ll need to ensure that your website can handle the interactive content without slowing down or crashing.

Solution. Collaborate with experienced web development professionals specializing in 3D model integration.

• Transforming your product catalog into 3D models is no small feat. It involves photographing and scanning your furniture, then creating accurate and detailed 3D representations. This process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially if you have a large inventory.

Solution. Consider partnering with professional 3D modeling companies to streamline the process.

• Creating compelling 3D materials requires creativity and technical know-how.

Solution. Hire experienced 3D designers who specialize in creating compelling visuals.

How to get Started and Succeed with 3D eCommerce

New technologies will only become faster, cheaper, and more versatile over time. It is crucial to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the digital future. Here’s a straightforward guide to getting started and succeeding with 3D e-commerce.

1. Level Up Your Product Pages with 3D Technology

The combination of 360-degree rotations, HD zoom, and immersive room scenes, you create an engaging environment for customers to explore your furniture. Take inspiration from King, who nailed it with their 360-degree view feature. Customers love being able to rotate products, zoom in on details, and even choose different fabrics. It's all about giving them the confidence to make informed buying decisions.

Product Pages with HD Precision

High-quality images and detailed descriptions are crucial for online shoppers. According to Salsify, 41% of US shoppers rank these factors among their top three considerations when choosing where to shop online. Plus, 30% won't buy if product images are poor or missing.

Attention to detail matters, especially on your product pages. Baymard's research shows that 56% of users immediately dive into product images when landing on a product page. Unfortunately, many are met with lackluster visuals and disappointing zoom features.

Joybird gets this right with crystal-clear zoom features. They let customers see every stitch and texture up close, making the online shopping experience feel luxurious.

Captivating Room Scenes

Context is everything, especially in furniture sales. Providing in-scale images helps customers understand the size, while room scenes help them visualize how the product fits into real-life settings.

However, traditional methods of creating room scenes through photography are labor-intensive and costly.

Crate and Barrel, a well-known international furniture and home décor retail store is a prime example of a website that offers the ability to view products in a room setting.

2. Use 3D Beyond the Product Page

Now, let's kick it up a notch and explore advanced ways to leverage this awesome tech for your ecommerce businesses.

Product Listing Page (PLP)

The product listing page (PLP) is often where customers start their shopping journey, so it’s a critical touchpoint. Consistent and eye-catching thumbnails can make a huge difference here.

Check out Inside Weather, a DTC furniture brand that's all about offering a modern, personal, and accessible shopping experience. They've nailed their online platform, especially when it comes to their product feed. Notice how their PLP thumbnails are consistent and visually stunning? That's all thanks to 3D product visualization. With this tech, Inside Weather can create uniform PLP thumbnails effortlessly.

Cart Experience with 3D Visualization

One of the big challenges in online shopping is cart abandonment. Often, the browsing experience feels disconnected from the checkout process, which can lead to customers leaving their carts before completing a purchase.

How can you fix this?

Use high-quality images of the product variations that the customer has added to their cart. Keeping the product images consistent throughout the shopping journey can help maintain a seamless experience and reduce cart abandonment.

Serena & Lily, known for their stylish coastal designs, do this really well. When a customer selects a product and adds it to their cart, Serena & Lily displays an accurate image of that product in the cart. This helps customers instantly verify their choice, boosting their confidence as they move through the checkout process.

3. Center Your Furniture Business on the Power of 3D

Beyond the initial implementation, there are several additional ways to leverage 3D commerce at scale throughout your furniture business:

Augmented Reality (AR) in eCommerce

AR commerce, or AR shopping, lets customers view and interact with virtual products in their real-world environment. With over 1 billion smartphones and tablets capable of AR, this technology is a game-changer for the furniture industry. Augmented reality services for in-home trials. AR technology helps customers “try on” furniture products by using camera-equipped devices such as mobile phones before purchasing them. This technology bridges the gap between online and in-store shopping experience.

For example, CB2, a stylish offshoot of Crate & Barrel, uses AR to let customers visualize furniture in their space directly through their browsers. By incorporating a QR code for easy access from desktop to mobile, CB2 ensures a seamless AR experience without needing separate mobile apps.

Endless Aisle Concept

The endless aisle concept allows you to showcase your entire furniture catalog through your 3D eCommerce site, even if some items aren't available in-store or in your warehouse.

In physical stores, kiosks and tablets can enable customers to browse and order products that may not be on display or are out of stock. This expands their choices and offers access to a wider range of products.

Loaf, a dynamic British furniture company, uses 3D content to enhance brand experiences at furniture markets and allows retail partners to explore their collections and product details. By integrating 3D product configurators into in-store experiences, you can offer a more personalized and immersive shopping journey.

Email Marketing and Social Media Engagement

A strong digital marketing strategy is crucial for eCommerce success. High-quality product visuals in your email marketing campaigns and social media posts can significantly boost customer engagement and brand awareness.

Sofacompany, a Danish direct-to-consumer brand, excels at this. They use rich product features like 360-degree views, product configurators, and 4K zoom on their website. Additionally, they incorporate these high-quality visuals into their email marketing and social media campaigns, creating a cohesive and engaging customer experience.

Digital Product Showrooms Using 3D Models

Create 3D model once, use it everywhere. To maximize the impact of 3D for commerce, consider enhancing the experience with virtual showrooms.

3D Virtual Showroom. These digital showrooms offer a gallery of a hundred pre-designed spaces, each meticulously crafted to highlight your furniture in the best possible light. You can select a background that complements your style, add a furniture model, and then move, spin, and adjust the lighting until everything looks perfect. Each showroom acts as a canvas for your furniture pieces, sparking inspiration and helping your customers visualize the perfect setting for their homes.

Computer vision technology takes the virtual showroom experience to the next level. By incorporating computer vision into your virtual showroom, you can offer advanced features such as object recognition, and real-time scene analysis. This allows customers to interact with products more intuitively and provides.

Learn More

In The Future of Furniture E-commerce: Data, Trends, or What's Hot in 2024, we dissect the latest data-driven insights that are redefining the way consumers engage with furniture online. Explore the trends that are gaining traction, from the surge in sustainable choices to the impact of experiential technologies like augmented reality and virtual showrooms.

How to Choose a Quality 3D eCommerce Platform

Before you start, it's crucial to evaluate your current capabilities. Identify what’s working, what’s not, and the specific features you need. This self-assessment will guide your search and help you make a smart choice.

What to consider:

• Think about the features and functionality you require. Consider your target audience and their preferences when shopping for furniture online.

• Don't overlook the importance of fast-loading product pages. Slow pages can turn customers away, harm your SEO, and damage your reputation.

• Make sure the platform you choose integrates seamlessly with your existing ecommerce system.

• Partner with a vendor that acts as your ally throughout the process.

• Seek a vendor who not only has product expertise but also offers industry knowledge.

• The world of technology is always changing. Pick a platform that is ready to scale, grow, and adapt to new trends and demands.

• Once you’ve pinpointed a platform that meets your needs, schedule a demo. Seeing the platform in action will give you a clearer understanding of how it works and how it can benefit your business.

Check out Zolak Solutions

3D Product Visualization: Zolak Showroom

Our visualization software enables customers to explore a vast selection of furniture within hundreds of realistic interiors. They can easily customize items and find the perfect combinations for their homes, all directly on your website.  Customers can also upload a photo of their room and replace their current furniture with your products to see how it would look in their space. 

The process involves several advanced steps:

1. Initial Scan and Geometry Calculation:

• The system scans the room's geometry, identifies objects, and determines their positions.

• A neural network identifies objects and their masks.

• The room's geometry is calculated using AR data from the capturing device, including the camera’s angle and elevation.

2. Image Refinement and Object Exclusion:

• The system removes identified objects from the photo and enhances the remaining scene.

• A neural network detects foundational planes within the photo.

• Algorithms correct shadows and rectify planes, ensuring high-resolution and accurate visual details.

• A generative neural network refines the entire image, correcting color discrepancies and enhancing details.

By showcasing furniture products with Zolak, your customers can browse virtual catalogs, visualize products in their desired settings, and make more informed purchasing decisions, thus enhancing the overall eCommerce experience.

3D eCommerce Customizer: Zolak Configurator

Zolak Configurator offering endless customization options, allowing customers to tailor every aspect of their furniture. From colors to materials, give customers full control over how they want their products to look and feel. By seeing their customized product in real-time, customers gain confidence in their purchase. They know exactly what they're getting, reducing the chances of returns and increasing overall satisfaction.

In-store salespersons can also use Zolak Configurator to showcase all the customization options available. They can even upsell by suggesting additional features or premium materials, boosting the average order value and maximizing revenue.

3D eCommerce Content Creation: Zolak Studio

With Zolak Studio, creating captivating visual content for your furniture has never been easier. Using just one 3D model, Zolak Studio can produce thousands of photorealistic 2D images. These images showcase every customization option and angle imaginable, giving your customers a comprehensive view of your products.

Don't have a 3D model? Zolak's expert team can create it for you. Just provide at least three reference images (front, side, and back) along with the dimensions of your furniture.

Contact us to see the product you are interested in action.

3D eCommerce Stats and Data