Augmented reality (AR) is no longer just a playground for tech giants. Today, businesses of all sizes – including those in retail, education, construction, and marketing – are harnessing AR technology to stand out, engage customers, and enhance experiences.
In this article, we’ll dive into:
What augmented reality actually is
What XR means (and how it relates to AR)
Use cases for AR apps in business
What is WebAR and why it matters
Real-world AR examples from IKEA, Pepsi Max, and Bauhaus
Why now is the right time to bring AR into your business strateg
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital elements – like images, 3D models, animations, or text – onto the real world in real time. Typically, users view these experiences through a smartphone or AR glasses.
Unlike virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in an entirely separate environment, AR enhances the world around them. That makes it perfect for business use cases like product previews, interactive instructions, and immersive marketing.
Businesses can use AR to:
Visually explain complex products
Allow customers to try before they buy
Train employees more effectively
Create memorable, shareable campaigns
Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term that includes:
AR (Augmented Reality): Digital content layered over the real world (e.g., WebAR product previews)
VR (Virtual Reality): Immersive digital environments that replace the real world
MR (Mixed Reality): Combines physical and digital environments in real time, often with advanced interactivity (e.g., Microsoft HoloLens)
What connects these technologies is the idea of merging digital and physical realities to deliver more impactful, intuitive experiences.
📚 Learn more: What is XR? (Adobe)
AR apps can benefit nearly every industry. Here are some key use cases:
Let customers “place” items in their own environment before buying
Reduce returns and increase buyer confidence
Provide real-time, on-site digital instructions
Improve accuracy and safety
Simplify complex processes through visual explanation
Enhance knowledge retention
Create campaigns that stop people in their tracks
Use AR filters, WebAR activations, or branded experiences
WebAR is a browser-based version of AR that doesn’t require users to download a separate app. Experiences are launched via a link or QR code and open directly in the smartphone browser.
Benefits of WebAR:
Zero installation = more users
Quick to deploy and update
Ideal for time-limited campaigns or in-store activations
Lower development costs
🧠 Learn more: What is WebAR? (8thWall)
IKEA’s Place app lets customers “place” furniture in their homes using AR before making a purchase. It reduces friction, builds confidence, and significantly cuts down return rates.
📲 Read more on Wired
In London, Pepsi Max transformed a bus stop into an interactive AR experience. Through the glass panel, pedestrians saw UFOs, tigers, and explosions happening on the street.
The campaign went viral and was praised for creativity and engagement.
In Finland, home improvement brand Bauhaus launched a campaign combining live events and WebAR to promote backyard saunas. The AR experience visualized the possibilities of outdoor saunas in real space – supporting a legislative change and connecting with customers emotionally.
Here’s why smart businesses are investing in augmented reality:
✅ Better Customer Experience – Content is interactive, visual, and memorable
✅ More Engagement – Users spend more time with your brand
✅ Easier Communication – Visual explanations work across languages and complexity levels
✅ Innovative Brand Image – AR positions you as a forward-thinking company
✅ Improved Efficiency – From onboarding to support and training
AR is no longer futuristic – it’s a practical, high-impact way to communicate, teach, sell, and inspire. Whether through a standalone AR app or WebAR campaign, your business can use this technology to create standout experiences that drive real results.
Let's talk more and create a cool AR-campaign for your brand.