Virtual reality is not a new concept. It started out as a staple of futuristic fantasy worlds in science fiction books and movies, and has been the next big thing on the digital frontier for the last decade or more.

After years of false starts and second chances, it looks like the era of virtual reality might finally be upon us now. With that in mind, here’s how businesses have been leveraging the impending mainstream acceptance of VR.

Train your employees

One of the most obvious uses of virtual reality is for training purposes. Unlike conventional training methods in the real world, VR technology can be used to teach students how to perform specific tasks by experiencing them hands-on inside immersive computer simulated training environments.

VR training allows users to actively experience activities such as learning how to use new equipment without any of the inherent risks to personal safety or expensive equipment.

Simply being able to hit the reset switch anytime something goes wrong during a virtual practice session leads to saving both time and money on in-person education, equipment repairs, and liability insurance.

Quality content has already been developed for VR training simulations in a wide variety of industries, usually focusing on highly specific cases within sectors like aerospace, defence, real estate, and retail.

VR applications in healthcare are being leveraged to teach surgeons how to complete highly complex operations using new procedures and instruments within a simulated environment. As access to state-of-the-art VR technology improves, more businesses will devise training systems with virtual simulations.

Prototype your products

Companies in the design and manufacturing industries can use VR to better conceptualise and visualize product prototypes. This will likely save them millions by carrying out initial idea exploration in a virtual space as it eliminates the need to build full-scale working models before starting production.

While there will obviously be some initial up-front costs for education, software, hardware, and platforming, these are likely to be mitigated by the early detection and elimination of most post-production complications.

That’s because VR design reviews allow each product to be examined from any angle and condition, so early changes can be made when designers visually understand the scale and space of each product.

In fact, there are already a number of industries starting to rely on the technology to enhance their productivity with accurate 3D modelling in virtual reality. Architects were one of the first to begin using the technology, as they are able to provide their clients with completed design concepts they can explore before signing on the dotted line.

Aerospace companies like Airbus and Boeing also extensively rely on VR simulations when designing aircraft as it allows them to test new models and features safely within digital spaces.

Close more deals

Virtual reality is going to have a massive impact on the future of sales and retail sectors. This new tech will ultimately enable businesses to close more deals by providing a more accurate understanding of consumer behaviours, product patterns, and consumption trends in specific scenarios.

VR is increasingly providing convenient alternatives for consumer information and other aspects of early-stage market research for an instant overview of how an individual feels about an entire brand or an individual product in their range.

Businesses will also be able to make more conversions using VR as it can also be used to create new possibilities in customer service and marketing when it comes to showcasing services and products.

Rather than visiting a retail showroom, VR will soon allow us all to go shopping without leaving home if we want. Consumers will be able to interact with a brand’s products inside virtual reality simulations simply by putting on a VR headset and looking at the screen on their 5G smartphone.

Which is why many experts believe more than 100 million consumers will be using VR technology to go shopping online as well as in-store within the next 2 years.

Give your customers a different experience

Virtual reality technology is already giving businesses the opportunity to change how they engage with consumers. The number of e-commerce solutions that are based in VR have consistently increased over the last few years, which allows smart businesses to leverage the technology during pre-purchase encounters.

Allowing consumers to engage with brands in VR increases their purchasing confidence as they can interact with products or experience services in context.

An example of this technology in use would be creation of a virtual showroom where customers are able to interact with products directly inside a 3D world. Not only will these VR experiences provide individual shoppers with an extremely realistic visualisation of their completed bathroom, but they will also be able to turn on faucets, open drawers, and even walk into the shower.

Because they can see and experience it themselves in 3D, they will be able to confirm everything will work well inside their homes. This often has a direct impact on customer loyalty, while also increasing conversion and retention rates.

Final thoughts

As mainstream adoption VR technology continues and becomes increasingly more popular, the entire consumer experience will evolve along with it. Which is why more and more businesses are finding out how they can leverage virtual reality for their benefit now, before their competition does. The future in NOW.