Augmented Reality is a hot technology that hits the mainstream technological landscape by combining digital imagery with what you originally saw. Numbers show that consumers have a growing appetite for AR brand engagement. Also, it predicted that there’ll be 4.3 billion AR users by 2025. So, brands are embracing norm-breaking Augmented Reality to increase consumer engagement. However, there are two approaches for brands to ace this goal; Traditional AR and Web-based AR. 

Both approaches are battling it out in the marketplace, but one approach is winning, and for a good reason. That approach is Web-based Augmented Reality. 

With all that in mind, what actually is WebAR? Is this a new term? What does it mean? In this article, let us break it down for you.

What is Web-based AR (Augmented Reality)?

WebAR, short for Web-based Augmented Reality, is a technology that offers you AR experiences through a web browser. Yes, it’s more mobile-oriented, but you can experience it on a desktop browser. Simply, it doesn’t need any app, software, or hardware tech to view the augmented content. 

The success of webAR is backed up by statistics. By 2024, the market cap for this technology will reach $21 billion, with 64% of flagship brands already investing in it.

WebAR has made augmented reality more accessible than ever. All you need is a link to a webpage built specifically to provide you with web-based, immersive AR experiences. That particular link would work on any smartphone, whether it’s an android device or iOS, with a reliable internet connection. 

The main advantage of webAR winning the race against traditional AR is its power to reach nearly twice as many users as AR Apps. The frictionless user experience and infinite customer reach webAR offers drives its popularity worldwide. 

WebAR is Interactive, Aesthetically Pleasing, and Takes Minimal Loading Time

Web-based Augmented Reality is a cool tech that helps you track and detect images, add animations, and lets you interact with other things on your browser. You can use it with WebGL, WebVR, WebRTC, and APIs. It’s super interactive and easy to use.

web-based ar

Previously, WebAR was pretty restricted, but now brands can get creative and be reactive with it. It focuses on using nice-looking graphics that takes minimal loading time. Also, it got helpful interactions that tell you what you need to know. Plus, there are buttons in all the right places to keep you engaged and clicking away. That means everyone can leverage WebAR — from the masses to the pro creators out there.

How does WebAR Work?

Web-based AR becomes a reality when combined with computer vision. When used on mobile devices, it is based on sensors and tracked in the environment. Using computer vision technology and sensors, web-based AR experiences can detect targets and objects, respond to interactions, display videos, animations, and more.

Adding exciting features in browsers such as accelerometer and magnetometer further allows you to fully utilize the web. Since WebAR has to put 3D objects and augmenters within your physical space, it requires quite a decent understanding of your physical environment. And to understand it, the user’s mobile device should map a surface and make estimations about the light and distance to offer immersive webAR experiences. 

However, WebAR tools use special systems to manage the content. These tools and platforms use cloud-based technology, which helps in creating seamless AR events. The triggers for these events can be QR codes, markers, locations, or anything else. When you save these triggers in the cloud-based system, you can add interactive content twitch further helps you in acing your project goals. 

App-based AR vs WebAR: Whats the Difference?

Here are the key difference between both types of AR:

app-based ar vs webar

Why Web-based AR? Benefits of WebAR for Everyone 

Since WebAR offers many practical benefits, it’s great for businesses. Moreover, it’s super easy for people to use, which means you can reach more customers without spending a lot of money. Plus, it saves businesses a lot of time and energy.

  • WebAR is Fast 

Deploying any WebAR experience is super fast and easy. All you have to do is, create a 3D model of your experience, upload it on an AR platform or page, and there, your Web-based Augmented Reality is ready to be experienced, saving you from lots of hassles and expensive resources. 

  • Capturing all the Space 

As of today, Statista estimates that 6.92 billion people around the world own smartphones, which means 86.29% own one. With such a high penetration, a whole new sphere of possibilities opens up. For capturing this space, WebAR is the best and easiest technology.

  • Compatible 

The WebAR experience works smoothly with various web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, and others. They can also easily run on Operating systems like Microsoft’s Windows, iOS, Android, etc.

  • Affordable

Developing, maintaining, and updating a traditional AR App is expensive and time-consuming. Here comes the webAR —It saves you valuable time and resources. 

  • Non-delayed Experiences 

WebAR lets you share AR content in real-time and let it go viral by sharing it on social media. This feature isn’t available with traditional or App-based AR.

Ready to experience the magic of AR? Get started with us now! 

From Virtual Try-Ons to Interactive Ads: WebAR Examples You Need to See

There’s a plethora of WebAR examples around you, thanks to the all-powerful and engaging immersive experiences that WebAR brings to businesses and agencies. Companies can now use a digital platform to conduct events that previously required a lot more money and energy to plan out.

Let’s look at some more engaging WebAR examples we’ve witnessed recently.

  • Volvo — 360 Launch 

Volvo, one of the leading car manufacturing companies, creates an amazing WebAR experience for manufacturers and users. Teamed up with studio VZ lab to launch their new Volvo S60, their webAR experience allows customization of the car’s colors, wheels, and interior in the WebAR. Also, users can easily schedule a test drive and chat with an expert.

  • Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola leverages WebAR to create an interactive experience for its “Share a Coke” campaign. You could scan a can of Coke with your phone and see a personalized message or a virtual item you could share with your friends on social media.

  • Adidas

Adidas creates an immersive virtual try-on experience for their customers with webAR. Customers could scan a QR code with their phone and try on shoes virtually, seeing how they look from different angles and lighting conditions.

  • Nestle

WebAR helps Nestle to create a virtual treasure hunt for their customers. Customers could scan a QR code with their phone and follow clues to find virtual treasures hidden around their city, with prizes for completing the game.

  • Microsoft’s Holographic Retail Platform

Web AR brings a new twist to online shopping by allowing users to interact with 3D holographic images of models right from their smartphones’ browsers. It brings the modeling runway experience right to your fingertips. You can now view new clothes and accessories on models on your phones. 

  • Pepsi

Pepsi used WebAR to create an interactive game for its Super Bowl campaign. Customers could scan a Pepsi can with their phone and play a virtual football game with prizes for high scores.

Is WebAR Free Of Drawbacks? 

The answer is simply NO. 

Besides having great potential, web-based Augemetd reality has its own drawbacks and limitations — like every other breakthrough technology. One of the major drawbacks of web-based AR is that it lacks a content-rich element. 

Secondly, while using WebAR, you are restricted by your internet connection speed. That means 3D models, complex animations, and large scenes containing high levels of detail can lead to a junky user experience.

Lastly, despite being faster and easier to deploy, Web-based Augmented Reality experiences don’t work across browsers. Despite WebAR’s challenges, it is still successful in marketing and other applications.

Wrapping Up 

WebAR is all set to revolutionize the global scenario in a matter of time. It offers you a lot of innovation and creativity, making the most out of interactive and immersive audio-visual experiences. Embracing this new technology will help businesses make their mark and increase their dedicated following now and in the future.

Get in touch with us if you want to add some cool AR creativity to your business and make things more productive! We can hook you up with some cutting-edge WebAR or traditional AR solutions that’ll blow your mind.