Summary:
INTRODUCTION: THE METAVERSE AND THE IMMERSIVE WEB
On our blog page or social media accounts, we frequently use terms like metaverse, immersive web, interactive web, and next-generation e-commerce. We wanted to start by explaining these terms, and then we’ll discuss how you can bring your brand into these new generation experiences.
WHAT ARE THESE TERMS? HOW ARE THEY RELATED? WHAT IS NEXT-GENERATION COMMERCE?
Some use the term ‘metaverse’ to describe a single virtual platform, a virtual world, or a network of worlds, while the metaverse also signifies the technological foundation of the future of the internet; it includes the immersive web along with other rising technologies.
We are in a time where the introduction of virtual worlds and experiences used by businesses and consumers has made the internet more space-like, more common, and much more including. As these experiences get more popular, they offer more real digital activities through avatars and interactive settings. These let users explore branded, digital scenes, stretch the limits of the real world, make users happy, increase awareness of brands, and make customer experiences better.
The immersive web experience is a special kind that lets users have a deeper and more impactful experience online. One of the main features that makes it different from traditional web experiences is that the immersive experience offers more interaction and participation. These kinds of experiences are often enriched with three-dimensional graphics, sound effects, and other interactive elements, allowing users to go on a more impressive online journey.
NEXT-GENERATION COMMERCE
Next-generation commerce, as part of this immersive web, is a type of commerce marked by richer, virtual experiences beyond just clicking ‘Add to Cart’ on a 2D screen. Through explorable spaces and engaging activities, businesses can capture curiosity and attention in longer and new ways compared to traditional platforms. Therefore, moving from e-commerce to immersive commerce (iCommerce) allows businesses to interact with customers in a new way, bringing a more personal and human touch back to our online interactions by adding more depth to digital engagements.
THE EVOLUTION OF E-COMMERCE AND THE NEW INTERNET
Since the internet started, the worldwide web has changed from a static, text-only place to a lively, interactive space full of creativity. This change started the age of e-commerce, bringing a revolution that put the global market right at our fingertips, opening up a world of endless possibilities. Now, the global e-commerce industry is expected to be worth over $4 trillion by 2023. We are moving from the two-dimensional limits of old digital screens to the wide, three-dimensional spaces of the immersive metaverse, making commerce better. But what is making this change happen, and how can you join in?
STARTING YOUR IMMERSIVE WEB EXPERIENCE
Creating your brand’s immersive web experience involves planning and strategy, which is more complex and important than just building your virtual world, similar to all your other projects. It’s somewhat akin to constructing a home or a space for shopping and experiences. The main difference is you’re not using concrete, hammers, or iron. You start with a piece of paper and a pencil before reaching for a hammer, and you can finish up in front of a computer. The work where you lay out your strategy, planning, and ideas is as crucial as the world itself.
SHAPING YOUR VIRTUAL WORLD: FOUR STEPS TO STARTING YOUR IMMERSIVE WEB EXPERIENCE
1. DEFINE YOUR GOAL
What is the purpose of your virtual world? Is it a brand experience, an interactive commerce store, a product launch, or something else? Setting a clear goal from the beginning will help you plan the content, organize the project, and decide whether the metaverse should be shared or owned. It will also assist in understanding which integrations to apply, such as a metaverse-ready CRM or compatible avatars.
2. SET KPIs AND MEASUREMENTS
After defining the goals for your immersive experience, it’s time to determine your KPIs and measurement values. The creation of your virtual world should align with these KPIs to meet and even exceed them. For instance, if you’re aiming to create a brand experience, your KPIs might focus on interactions, navigation time, impressions, and reach. On the other hand, if you’re diving into setting up your own immersive commerce store, KPIs will include conversion, revenue generation, and upselling specific targets. Identifying the methods and measures you can use to achieve these targets will help in creating a successful immersive web experience.
3. DESIGN AND CREATION
This stage involves a fun process. Now, you can start designing your environment and creating your virtual world. You should determine the type of world you want by closely communicating with your designer. Should the world be inspired by imagination or realism? Should it focus on science fiction or a historical period? Thanks to metaverse technology, there are limitless possibilities, so having a clear vision and effective communication is crucial at this stage. Finally, you need to prepare marketing content appropriate to the nature of your virtual space, organize brand assets (in both 3D and 2D formats), plan a campaign, and consider your target audience. Considering our professional services during this process could be beneficial.
4. ACCESS PLANNING
To set your budget, you’ll need to plan your delivery scenario. How will your virtual world be accessed? By how many people? You should consider whether the metaverse will have limited or open access. How will it be promoted – through a special link or social media? More importantly, how long will your world be accessible? All these factors will be shaped depending on the purpose of your world.
WHO WILL BUILD YOUR VIRTUAL KINGDOM?
After setting a specific strategy, thinking about the talents that can bring your vision to life is a critical step. Do you have people within your business who can assist in this area? Next, you should identify the talents that will realize your vision and structure your team accordingly.
Skills in metaverse and immersive web technologies will be in high demand; especially digital engineers, designers, developers, and new technology specialists with expertise in crypto, digital assets, and AR/VR strategy. However, new business development, marketing, sales, and other functional areas will also play vital roles.
To guide you to the right software partner, finding a software development company or a specialized team that fits your needs is crucial. These partners can provide the technical knowledge and experience to realize your metaverse vision. Carefully reviewing references and past projects before collaborating can help you select a suitable software partner.
In conclusion, identifying the right talents, building your team, and collaborating with a suitable software partner are important for success in your metaverse journey. This will contribute to the realization of your vision and the success of your presence in the metaverse.
CONCLUSION:
The potential opportunities of the Metaverse and the immersive web shine as if they are limitless. Therefore, it’s time to assess the impact of this development on your brand and explore the available opportunities. If the Metaverse offers opportunities that could directly affect your business, seizing these opportunities becomes an inevitable necessity. The point where you need to hurry is to determine what the Metaverse could mean for your brand and to shape a long-term strategy.
ABOUT ARİMARS
Arimars, offering a customized Metaverse Shopping platform for brands, enables leading companies to provide a virtual world experience for their customers, employees, and distributors. It allows interaction with 3D digital assets and their physical sale. On this customized platform, our 3D virtual experiences are easily accessible through brands’ websites. This experience works seamlessly on PC, mobile devices, and VR headsets, without the need for downloads or installations. Moreover, brands can update the content within the environment through the control panel we provide. As your strategic partner, Arimars shapes your virtual world strategy and aids in executing your virtual world plan. To learn more about how Arimars can assist you in establishing your presence in the metaverse, reach out to us.