Marketing Applications Of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality holds tremendous promise across the business landscape. Irrespective of the industry vertical, it will be hard to not think VR as a significant tech disruptor in todays’ times. It is no wonder then that the immersive virtual reality device market is expected to grow to $407.51 million by 2018.

For business this opens up tremendous avenues to improve their service quality. VR is increasingly seen as a tool to elevate customer experience. But did you know that it can be put to innovative uses within the marketing function too? Want to know how, then read on

Tracking the application of Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality has been used by quite a few reputed brands and is fast emerging as an integral part of their marketing initiatives. Here are some of the notable uses:

• Developing innovative dimensions for successful interactions with audience
• Illustrating and presenting a product with all its remarkable features
• Expressing the motto or objectives of a brand
• Engaging consumers in the entire branding process
• Creating standalone product displays that attract your target consumers
• Demonstrating how an item or product can become an inseparable part of your lifestyle

These are some of the innovative ways brand marketers are leveraging VR. It has become a crucial tool for advertising which gives the right impetus for growth and development.

The applications of Virtual Reality

When you opt for a service or purchase a product, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Almost every consumer or buyer think about the utility of that item and its use in his life. VR taps into this particular area thus unlocking new avenues for targeted marketing. Check out these inspiring examples:

1 – Test Drives

Car and automobile brands will have to consider consumer choices and experiences. VR can help them and how! Volvo sets the most prominent example for their XC90 SUV model. The company offered a VR test-drive to prospective buyers and let them get a feel, of the actual experience.

2 – Happy VR

The VR technology is making way for itself and working through various industrial sectors. McDonald’s happens to the best instance in this context. The food chain brand has introduced their new ‘Happy Meal Box’ which is also a ‘Google Cardboard VR Headset.’ When children finish eating their lunch, they can engage in exciting sessions of a skiing game known as ‘Slope Stars.’ That’s one of the best ways of promoting the brand.

 3 – Get there

Travel operators and hospitality partners should take a cue from Marriot Hotels. The company planned beyond the traditional hotel views and leveraged the VR technology to offer the taste of the real travel experience. You will get a comprehensive picture of how your tour’s going to be, without even showing up at the place!

Signing off

VR is making a great name for itself, as far as brand marketing is concerned. Which practical application of VR has caught your attention of late? Do write to us and let us know.

AI Industrial Applications

Technological advancements have always been the prime force behind the creation of innovative applications. From the business landscape to service industries, tech innovations have completely revolutionized operations and functionalities. The latest inclusion in the list of technological discoveries is AI, which is ensuring unmatched experiences for users.

From the entertainment industry and service sectors to manufacturing and production, Artificial Intelligence or AI is the source for numerous revolutions. On that note, we can take a quick look at the most significant applications of AI.

Identifying the applications

Take a look around, and you will come across innumerable operations where Artificial Intelligence is used. Whether it is a coming-of-age gaming app or online shopping portals, AI is helping developers create personalized user experiences. Here are some of the industrial applications of the technology.

1.     Artificial Intelligence in entertainment

Games development is a significant project in the entertainment industry. With the ever-changing needs of individuals, developers are trying their best to create gaming apps with improved functionality. You must be aware of some of the names like Far Cry and Middle Earth. While playing these games, the player can impersonate a real-world person and perform several activities like him or her. Doesn’t it sound interesting? Well, it is the AI technology that makes it happen.

2.     Artificial Intelligence in e-commerce 

Every shopper wants to enjoy personalized shopping experience. You will surely love it when your targeted store knows your preferences and can offer products according to that. Almost every leading ecommerce store leverages AI to identify their consumers’ interests and develop specific shopping plans for them. Recommendations and the presence of chatbots will help consumers find answers to their queries.

3.     Artificial Intelligence in Reporting and journalism

Report preparation is an integral part of journalism and news-making. With the emergence and widespread popularity of digital platforms and channels, articles and blogs have gained huge importance amongst voracious readers. Those who wish to stay informed about the latest developments and stay abreast with tech advancements follow well-written blogs. What some of us don’t know is that simple reports and articles aren’t that tough to prepare, and one can do so by leveraging Artificial Intelligence.

4.    Artificial Intelligence in Finance and banking

The rise in banking transactions and an increase in the number of financial accounts have created the need for automated processes. Data accumulation, analysis, and processing have become quite crucial for the hassle-free maintenance of business accounts. It’s here that AI makes your job easier in the following ways:

• Tracking consumer base
• Identifying and solving issues
• Ensuring 100% transaction security
• Offering suggestions on beneficial schemes and policies

Banking institutions and financial service providers are making the most of AI, thus ensuring unmatched experience for consumers.

5.     Artificial Intelligence in healthcare industry

The healthcare sector is growing by leaps and bounds thus creating the need for innovative processes and technologies. Doctors and physicians need a technology that can help them diagnose a patient easily. AI applications, specially created for the healthcare sector, can also help in the treatment procedures. That’s a great way of reducing the time which will automatically cut down costs.

Signing off

The usage and application of Artificial Intelligence have become highly important for the growth of diverse sectors. It finds specific advantages in industrial uses, as depicted in this post.

The Chat Bot Revolution

Significant developments in AI and the rapid proliferation of messaging applications have led to the growth of chatbots. We will surely come across a multitude of tasks that are performed and executed through messaging apps and software. It is no wonder that Juniper’s new research finds that chatbots will lead to a cost savings of $20 million in 2017 which will multiply to a whopping $8 billion by 2022.

It’s here that we come to the crucial point. Does the widespread popularity or increased usage of these bots point at a specific opportunity? Does it actually talk about a trend that’s going to rule the tech arena in future? Finding answers to these crucial questions is what we plan to do with this blog!

The recent developments in the world of chat bots

Chat bots have come a long way from just being communication aids to integrated messaging software. Companies are taking a keen interest in providing services and solutions around this technology. Cases in point –

1. Microsoft’s own bot framework to allow development of chatbots
2. Facebook acquires Wit.ai
3. IBM acquires Cognea

App usage recession

There’s no denying the utility of apps even till this day! Dynamic, highly functional, and innovative applications have completely transformed the way people work and do business. However, things began to change from 2015. Apps weren’t the ‘hot’ property anymore as the app market was struck by severe recessive forces.

If we refer to what Google has to say about this, we will find that an average user has nearly 36 applications on his smartphone. However, 80% of those apps aren’t used regularly. That explains the situation quite clearly. If you want your app to get noticed and used on a daily basis, it has to be relevant and rank amongst those few apps which find applications in day-to-day functioning. While social media apps are the most popular ones, it is the gaming applications that follow suit.

The emergence of Chatbots

What we need to find out is how chat bots are different from apps? Are they reincarnations of an application or distinctive entities? Let’s take a look!

Businesses today share one point of similarity. Each of them strives hard to ensure 100% satisfaction for consumers. Whether it’s a small-scale business or a huge venture, customer service and support are critical to its growth and development. It is here that chat bots enter into the scene. Every consumer or buyer will wish to gain personalized experiences while associating with a brand and chat bots can make it happen for them.

What’s the future for chatbots?

We can’t depend or rely on technologies entirely when it comes to ensuring 100% customer satisfaction and support. Human intervention is always necessary. However, chat bots ensure logical, transparent, and clear communications. You will have them right within your applications, and no matter what you speak will get recorded. So, there’s no chance of ambiguities or confusions.

As far as the current market trends suggest, chat bots are heading towards a bright future. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wait for the final results!

The Perfect Android Game

Android games have garnered huge popularity over the years. From simple games to complex gaming applications, the Android platform supports innumerable games and gaming apps. If we track the recent stats, Google Play Store records the launch of nearly 84.7K applications this year. We are talking about the reports published during March, and all of these applications are gaming apps.

In a nutshell, games are grabbing a considerable market share. Whether it’s a simple game or promotional gaming applications, users are taking great interest in one and all.

Assessing latest trends in Android game development

Tech innovations have led to the emergence of new gaming trends. You won’t find prolific gamers spending time on traditional gaming apps anymore. With the development and growth of AR and VR games, Pokemon Go has become the need of the hour. Avid gamers always wish for immersive gaming experiences, and that’s where these technologies come into the picture.

Creating a gaming app

Going by the current trends, a high-performance gaming app will fetch you huge ROIs. All you need to do is follow the right tips while developing it. Careful considerations of important aspects and in-depth knowledge of the platform are crucial in this regard. If you are planning to launch your gaming application and looking for the right platform to do so, Android will emerge as the first choice. Breeze through these tips and start working on your Android game today!

1.     Unique appeal

What’s so special about your game? What is it that makes it so unique and different from the others? Developing a unique game is more important than anything else. If your gaming app fails to deliver out-of-the-box experiences, your visitors will abandon it within a short time.

2.     Shorten wait times

A whopping 60% of avid gamers have to pass their time waiting for their games to load. As a developer, it’s your responsibility to shorten this waiting time thus keeping users hooked on to your gaming app.

3.     Chalking out monetization strategies

Since you are dedicating considerable efforts, substantial amount of time, and investments to create a game, it is imperative to know robust monetization tips. Chalk out a proper plan and make sure you implement the right strategies. Even if you are working on a freemium model, in-app purchase features will be effective.

4.     Emphasize on branding

While creating a gaming application, focus on developing it as a brand and not just a simple game. That will attract potential users and interested gamers, thus popularizing your gaming app across markets.

5.     Balance progression issues

While using a freemium model, a majority of gamers fail to get an exhilarating gaming experience. Make sure they get the desired experience while shifting from a freemium model to a paid version.

6.     Curate gaming communities

You should develop your app and work within a community. It is the key to understanding user preferences thus creating the right customer-acquisition strategies. User reviews and feedbacks will give you better opportunities to improve your app’s functionality.

Keep these six interesting tips in mind and create a unique, attractive, and stunning app for users!

The Gaming Console Debate

Are you one of those ardent fans of hardcore gaming? Then you must have taken part in the never-ending battle: PlayStation 4 vs. X-Box One. A majority of prolific gamers enjoy participating in this debate and the interesting part is that it doesn’t seem to head towards a solid conclusion. Moreover, new gamers and gaming enthusiasts aren’t aware of the features that distinguish Sony’s product from Microsoft’s flagship offering.

X-Box vs. PlayStation – the Face-off

The original and initial versions of PS4 and X-Box One are no longer relevant. We can call them as technically outdated models. However, PS4 Slim and X-Box One S will help us point out the differences. As far as the price factor is concerned, both of them are available for $300. Since it’s time for identifying the differences, let’s do that on the following basis.

1.     Technical specifications

To understand and evaluate the functionalities of both these models, the first thing we should know about are the specifications. While X-Box One has 13.1 × 10.8 × 3.1 dimensions, its counterpart displays 12 × 2.09 HW, in inches. Both the models have an 8-core CPU with x-86 processors. PS4 gains a beneficial edge in this context. PS4’s processor supports ‘AMD Radeon Graphics Core Next Engine.’

2.     Design features

Compared to its counterpart, PS4 has a sleek, unique, and stylish appearance. The device is lightweight and has a stunning light bar on its sides. The console features a sloping design on the front as well as the rear end. On the other end, the X Box One happens to be a bulky and heavy box which leaves you wondering about the weight. Although it doesn’t have an unimpressive appearance, gamers will still opt for PS4.

3.     Connectivity and Ports

Connectivity is an important requisite for high-quality gaming. Gamers will wish to have bigger and better experiences while playing their favorite games. With more ports, they can connect the console to multiple devices. It’s right here that X-Box One surpasses PS4. The wider and greater selection of ports makes it a clear winner in this case.

4.     Performance

When it comes to evaluating two of the biggest gaming models, performance happens to be a crucial factor. While both of them can play some of the similar games, PS4 is slightly better than its counterpart. With a resolution of 1080p, PS4 can ensure unsurpassed experiences for gamers. However, we can’t say that X Box One is far behind. In reality, the performance of the console depends on the device it gets attached with. Considering the performance of 1st party titles and 3rd party games, PS4 earns a few more points in this department.

5.     Gaming controls

The controllers launched by both the companies can deliver smooth performance. It’s definitely a step ahead than the previous models and even better than DualShock 3. However, the DualShock 4 controller is an innovative development from its predecessors. The controller is hardy, handy, and easy-to-operate. Therefore, PS4 wins in this department, even though by a small margin.

Considering these factors, specifications, and parameters, PS4 seems to be the better option for avid gamers. However, it’s too early to make a final statement as tech innovations are continuously improving the gaming hardware sector and who knows which of these gaming platforms might win the day.

Debusting UX Myths

You have a stunning website out there to promote your services and products. You design it in a unique manner and wish to attract visitors thus converting them into leads. However, even with these efforts your site isn’t able to do so. One reason may be the UX design behind it. Unimpressive and ineffective UX designs can hit you hard! If your visitors don’t like he appearance of your site and don’t get the desired experience, they will simply move on. Here’s a stat to prove it!

A whopping 79% of visitors will abandon a site and move on to another if they don’t like its content or fail to find the desired information. UX design is of paramount significance, and there are no ways site owners can ignore it.

The ambiguity and misconceptions in UX Design

In spite of its widespread usage, the term ‘UX or User Experience Design’ often gives rise to confusion. Don Norman was the man behind the invention of this term, and he introduced ‘UX’ during the mid-90s. Although User Experience Design is at the core of numerous design processes today, some companies still haven’t opened up to it.

A lot of confusion and misconceptions have come up, which is challenging the true nature of the term. Here’s a small effort to demystify User Experience Design:

1.     Myth 1: UI and UX are identical

The complete process that determines the experience of a user is known as UX. While User Experience is the entire process, UI is just a part of it. User Interface design is a crucial element in UX which plays a major role in enhancing User Experience. Right from strategizing to design production, UX involves quite a few steps, and interface design happens to be one of them.

2.     Myth 2: UX is all about designing and not analysis

Although the term UX Design talks about ‘Designing,’ there’s a different side to it. UX designing involves critical analysis which is the reason why site owners need UX specialists. These specialists will perform market research and find out what makes user-centric designs.

3.     Myth 3: UX embraces fancy components

UX is not about how much you decorate and design your site. You might keep on adding fancy elements which will enhance the appearance of your website. However, if the operations aren’t smooth and functionalities aren’t streamlined, there’s simply no use of incorporating such fancy components and design elements.

4.     Myth 4: UX is always the second priority

No, it’s not! Whether you create UX designs for tangible items like an automobile vehicle or intangible ones like mobile apps, User Experience will be at the heart of the entire process. Knowing your consumers, their purchase behaviors, and preferences will help you nail down the right decision and make informed moves about UX design process.

5.     Myth 5: Testing is not an important part of UX

While creating UX designs, specialists have to test the design, iterate it, and make alterations as and when required. The process undergoes stringent testing, where user feedback and initial experiences are taken into account.

These are some of the common UX design myths that every design specialist should know and be aware of.

Advanatges Of IOT

Today, companies across scale and size are pushing the envelope with IOT adoption to stay relevant in an intensely competitive environment. While this technology is at a nascent stage but market sentiments are increasingly being optimistic towards IOT as a success enabler. Market analysts like Gartner are highly optimistic about IOT growth and penetration – from 8.4 billion connected things in 2017 to 20.4 billion by 2020.

What is Internet of Things?

Let’s give you a cue: Think how your standard phone has turned into a smartphone? How has a TV transformed into a smart TV? How has a lock transformed itself into a smart lock? Well, the innards remain the same. The internet has hit our lives in a never before way. It is actually making us addicted and connected. This is IOT in a nutshell.

How are companies benefitting from it?

To encourage digitization and to provide uninterrupted services to the customers, today more and more companies are leaning towards this technology. In the next few lines, we will discuss about the benefits that it provides:-

• It elevates the customer experience

Today, the companies are taking unusual steps to increase the customer experience and one among them is IoT. In the hospitality sector, IoT technology is playing a profound role. Some hospitality chains like Virgin Hotels, offer an app that helps the guest to control the TV or regulate the room’s thermostat. “With the Internet of things we are looking at ways devices interact with basic functionality at the hotel, “mentioned the vice president of sales and marketing for Virgin Hotels. Other hotel chains like Mariott are planning to join the similar bandwagon.

• It simplifies business

The Internet of Things has been a buzz word for various industries including airport, theme parks and a lot more. This technology offers the chance to streamline the cost of operations and helps the company to refocus on what the business actually needs. Don’t believe?  Here’s an example of a company that needs no introduction, Disney. Recently, it has launched a Magic Band initiative in Orlando, a network of internet ready sensors inside every object in the park that further help to simplify guest transportation to lodging to itinerary planning to reservations to dining.

• It improves productivity

Productivity largely depends upon the kind of technology that you have deployed. At least, the largest manufacturer of paints, Asian Paints believes in it. In a recent interview, with Harish Lade, the general manager Systems confirmed that they have leveraged IoT technology for its packing lines. Through it they can keep a track of the containers-like whether they are packed optimally, under packed (against the norms) or over-packed (means giving the product for free), thus giving a check towards the productivity levels.

Conclusion

IoT technology is poised to bring a change in various industries like retail, logistics, FMCG, etc. It is rightly quoted, “The Internet of Things has potential to change the world, just as the internet did. May be even more.”

 The Key To Customer Retention

McKinsey says that 70% of the buying experiences are determined by how the customer feels they are being treated. If you have a good customer retention strategy in place, this number can shoot up to provide a substantial amount of revenues in the form of repeat business. Also, it has been proven that pitching for a new account costs far more than taking steps to nurture an existing client account.

Here are some tips to enhance digital customer retention to a new level altogether

• Capture audience data

You will roll retention improvement plans only when you have the necessary information to analyze in the first place. The good news with the digital medium is that it offers a lot of potential footprints/crumbs that can help you collect a wealth of information about your customers.

By getting to know your customers better, you can tailor deeply personalized marketing campaigns. You can also create buyer personas and group customers under a similar persona. Once this is in place, you can push targeted ads to appeal specifically to them and increases the chances of conversion.

• Be S.M.A.R.T.

Defining your goals is the 2nd step in improving digital customer retention. You can set your retention goals around the S.M.A.R.T principle (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely). You achieve a better clarity when you have volume, intensity, and time associated with the goals. For example – Upsell 17% of existing customers to make a repeat purchase within 3 months through the company website.

• Use content marketing to improve digital customer retention

A common tendency of digital customers is to go with products or service they may have heard from someone or came across on the Internet. The only way to drive sales from this KPI is to ramp up your content marketing campaigns. This form of inbound marketing help convert strangers to engaged sales prospects, and then to loyal customers, with the help of smart content marketing. With quality content marketing you can easily reach out to a bigger audience online. You will also enjoy a top of mind recall value.

• Marketing automation

Some concrete measures to use marketing automation to improve customer retention include –

–       Response automation

With real time response to customer queries in chats or phone calls, they know they are being taken seriously

–       Rewards automation

Repeat customers who achieve specific milestones can be sent rewards or incentive automatically.  This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also keeps them loyal to your brand.

–       Social media

With automated posts put up regularly on social media, you can increase your customer engagement, improve retention, and create a personable visage of your brand

• Pick up the phone

The importance of a personal conversation can never be undermined in marketing. With a phone call you can get to know customer pain points when they use your product or services. You can also show that you care for them with this one-on-one interaction.

By 2020, customer experience is poised to overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator. With these handy tips, you can easily amplify your customer retention strategy with great outcomes.