The metaverse is something brands are beginning to explore. With interconnected and augmented realities still being popular, the metaverse is a new contender in this. It does sound like science fiction, but virtual reality, or VR is actually a billion-collar market. So yes, virtual shopping, presentations, and experiences ARE the future.
With the metaverse offering new flexibility with concepts, there’s also a lot of brands tapping into limited products, concepts, and detailed data so that a lot of designers make choices that are informed. It is also something that can be customized to the preferences of the individual.
The products will still be shipped, but with the metaverse, customers can look at virtual shelves, and comb over what they want, choosing your products and building your brand!
Here, we’ll go over how virtual packaging, digital environments, and also interconnecting them through VR and AR is possible.
Designing for Digital Storefronts
It’s different to design for a digital storefront than to design for a brick and mortar store. Customers are coming to look at your items, and in turn, they want something that will enhance their items.
Creating a packaging that’s designed well, and looks good, is definitely a great one. You can also use unique imagery, and also various colors and details to make this work. You’d be surprised at how these virtual shopping experiences and immersive branding is a good way to improve interactions.
Integration of Digital Assets
While the item is still physical in nature, one way to incentivize people to buy from you is to use the metaverse in order to help boost your brand.
This can be used through virtual details and for a lot of people to look at the items through conferences. You can also give them digital assets that they’ll get when they buy from you.
Think of it as a unique way to make it so that your items sell, and customers get a freebie out of it. NFTs and other virtual items are a good way to sell these.
Why the Digital World Matters
The digital world is constantly evolving, with new ways for brands to constantly evolve in their own unique ways. With the advent of companies entering the digital space and working with consumers through packaging solutions, you’ll definitely be able to connect with customers in a new way. This immersive packaging may take some getting used to, but overall it does work, and excites people to have packaging experiences that work.
However, there are some challenges that come with this. There's the challenge of making your virtual packaging meaningful in the physical world. what can you use in the virtual world that will get people to actually buy from it.
The other problem is tapping into this market. It’s still new, so not everyone’s going to use it. Not to mention, there is also the fact that some people are hesitant about the virtual world, so they don’t really know what type of packaging experience they’ll get. Addressing their concerns is also a big part of this, and showing them product previews, ways the brand activates to help the customers, and some of the digital collectables they can get is a great way.
Overall, you want to make sure that the brand loyalty is completely tapped into, and really makes it useful for everyone. When you give your customers this, it does wonders.
As a brand, starting to give your customers new ways to interact with your brand is a good way to build brand loyalty, and the metaverse is right there to help!
