Shopify AR: Augmented Reality for E-commerce

Shopify AR (Augmented Reality) lets customers view 3D models of your products in their real-world environment using their smartphone camera. This feature bridges the gap between online and in-store shopping by allowing customers to see exactly how products will look and fit before purchasing.

What Is Shopify AR?

AR technology overlays digital 3D models onto the real world through a device's camera. With Shopify AR, customers can:

• View products in their space: See how furniture fits in their room
• Examine from all angles: Rotate and zoom 3D models
• Check actual size: Understand product dimensions in context
• Reduce uncertainty: Make confident purchase decisions

Products That Benefit from AR

AR works best for products where size, fit, and appearance matter:

• Furniture and home decor: Sofas, tables, lighting, art
• Appliances: Kitchen and home electronics
• Fashion accessories: Glasses, watches, jewelry
• Outdoor products: Grills, patio furniture, planters
• Toys and collectibles: Action figures, models, games

Setting Up Shopify AR

1. Create 3D Models

You need 3D models of your products in these formats:

• GLB: For Android devices (Google ARCore)
• USDZ: For iOS devices (Apple ARKit)

Options for creating 3D models:

• Professional 3D modeling: Hire a 3D artist or service
• Photogrammetry: Create models from photographs
• CAD conversion: Convert existing product CAD files
• Shopify partners: Use Shopify's recommended 3D services

2. Upload to Shopify

1. Go to Products in your Shopify admin
2. Select the product to add AR
3. Scroll to the Media section
4. Click Add media and upload your 3D model files
5. Upload both GLB and USDZ for cross-device support
6. Save the product

3. Theme Support

Your theme must support 3D/AR media. Most modern Shopify themes (including Dawn) include this functionality. Check for:

• "View in your space" button on product pages
• 3D model viewer for rotating products
• Mobile AR activation on supported devices

3D Model Requirements

• File size: Under 500MB (smaller is better for loading)
• Polygon count: Optimize for mobile (under 100K polygons)
• Textures: Include realistic materials and colors
• Scale: Model at actual product dimensions
• Orientation: Upright, centered on origin

Benefits of AR for E-commerce

Increased Conversions

Shopify reports that products with 3D models and AR get up to 94% higher conversion rates than products with only static images. The effect is strongest for products where size and spatial fit matter — a customer who can see that a coffee table fits between their sofa and TV is far more likely to buy than one guessing from a photo.

Reduced Returns

Returns citing "not as expected" or "wrong size" drop significantly when customers use AR before purchasing. For furniture and home decor stores, this can reduce return rates by 25-40%, since the most common complaint — "it looked different online" — is directly addressed by AR visualization.

Longer Product Page Engagement

Customers who interact with 3D models spend 2-3x longer on product pages than those viewing static images. In Shopify's analytics, you'll see this reflected in lower bounce rates and higher pages-per-session on AR-enabled product pages.

Competitive Differentiation

Most Shopify stores still use only flat product photos. Adding AR puts your store alongside brands like Warby Parker (virtual try-on) and IKEA (room visualization). For categories like furniture, lighting, and wall art, AR is becoming a customer expectation rather than a novelty.

AR and Product Collections

Organize your AR-enabled products into collections to help customers discover them:

• Create a "View in AR" collection highlighting AR-enabled products
• Use tags to identify products with 3D models
• Feature AR products prominently in relevant collections

Best Practices

• Start with bestsellers: Prioritize 3D models for your top products
• Optimize file size: Ensure fast loading on mobile devices
• Test on multiple devices: Verify AR works on iOS and Android
• Promote the feature: Let customers know AR is available
• Track engagement: Monitor AR usage in analytics

Limitations

• Mobile only: AR requires a smartphone with camera
• Device compatibility: Requires ARKit (iOS) or ARCore (Android)
• Model creation cost: Professional 3D models can be expensive
• Not all products benefit: Small or simple products may not need AR

Conclusion

Shopify AR brings products to life by letting customers experience them in their own environment before purchasing. While creating 3D models requires investment, the potential for increased conversions and reduced returns makes AR worthwhile for products where visualization matters. Start with your bestselling products and expand based on results.

Related Resources

• Shopify Help: 3D Models
• What is a Shopify Collection?
• Choosing a Shopify Theme