You’ve probably heard about AR countless times. Augmented reality has truly been changing how we experience the digital world, bringing virtual elements and creating more interactive and immersive experiences while shopping. But there’s one AR activation that’s quickly becoming a game-changer for e-commerce marketing: AR scavenger hunts.
Imagine your online home decor store hosting an augmented reality scavenger hunt, where customers search for hidden virtual furniture pieces or decor items scattered throughout your product categories. As they explore different rooms and styles on your site, they could “unlock” exclusive design tips, bundled discounts, or early access to new collections. Each found item might reveal an interactive 3D model, allowing them to visualize how it fits into their own space. This not only drives engagement but also encourages customers to spend more time exploring your offerings, boosting both product discovery and sales.
In this article, we’d like to explore why you should have seriously considered implementing AR scavenger hunts in your business — ideally, already yesterday.
The strategic importance of AR for e-commerce
Statistics say it all. Recent research from Shopify reveals that customers are 27% more likely to buy after interacting with a product in 3D. Meanwhile, Google reveals that 90% of Americans are either using or open to using AR for shopping, with 98% of AR users finding it helpful. Furthermore, 43% of smartphone shoppers expect beauty brands to incorporate AR into their shopping experiences, and 47% of car shoppers expect the same from automotive brands.
But why is this like that? The answer lies in AR’s ability to let consumers engage with products in an immersive way. AR allows you to try on clothes virtually, place furniture in your living space, or visualize makeup on your face. Another interaction that boosts engagement and sales is the AR scavenger hunt.
What is an AR scavenger hunt?
In simple language, an AR scavenger hunt is like a game in which players search for virtual objects or clues hidden in real-world locations. To play, participants use their smartphones or tablets to look through their cameras, and the AR technology places virtual items — like 3D objects, characters, or clues — into the real world on their screens.
You might ask how it can help your e-commerce business. Here is the thing — gamification has always been an amazing tool for sales. Gamification turns everyday interactions into fun, engaging experiences that motivate customers to participate. By incorporating elements like rewards, challenges, and competition, it boosts engagement, encourages brand loyalty, and often leads to higher conversions and social sharing.
Let’s say you run an online cosmetics store. You could set up an AR scavenger hunt where customers explore your website to find hidden virtual beauty products. Once they collect all the items, they unlock a special discount on the products they find. This way, they’ll be more engaged with your site and will like to buy something after the fun experience.
Key benefits of AR scavenger hunt for e-commerce
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of how AR scavenger hunts can drive engagement, boost sales, and create a memorable shopping experience for your business.
Element of gamification
First and foremost, the AR scavenger hunts provide people with gamification. As mentioned above, gamification is a powerful tool because it taps into people’s natural love for challenges, rewards, and competition — it turns shopping into a fun and interactive game. By adding elements like hunting for clues, completing tasks, and earning rewards, it creates excitement and keeps customers engaged. Gamification works great as people enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when they complete a challenge, and the anticipation of a reward motivates them to keep going. All these make shopping an enjoyable and memorable experience, building stronger connections with your brand and increasing your sales, of course.
Customer engagement
Think about your last game experience. Once you start playing a game — it’s difficult to stop, right? In the same way, AR scavenger hunts hold customers’ attention for a longer period by turning the shopping experience into an interactive game, encouraging exploration and participation. Instead of just browsing products passively, customers are actively searching for hidden virtual objects or solving challenges, which keeps them engaged. The combination of curiosity, the thrill of discovery, and the anticipation of a reward (like a discount or exclusive item) motivates them to stay on your site or app longer. Each new clue or virtual object they find gives them a sense of progress, making them more likely to continue until they complete the hunt. This extended engagement increases the chance of customers exploring more products and making a purchase.
Higher conversion rates
Limited-time AR scavenger hunts or exclusive prizes create a sense of urgency that pushes customers to act quickly. Knowing that the hunt is only available for a short period or that there are exclusive rewards like limited-edition products motivates shoppers to participate right away. This fear of missing out (FOMO) drives customers to complete the hunt and make a purchase before the opportunity disappears.
Viral content
AR scavenger hunts can actually turn passive viewers into active participants. When users take part in an AR scavenger hunt, they often feel excited to share their progress or wins on social platforms. This leads to user-generated content (UGC) that spreads quickly and organically, increasing your brand’s visibility and reach.
For example, participants might post about completing the hunt or finding exclusive virtual items, creating a ripple effect among their followers. The shareable nature of AR scavenger hunts makes them a powerful tool for modern marketing, allowing brands to connect with users in a creative, interactive way that encourages them to spread the word themselves.
Brand loyalty and retention
First, shoppers view brands that use augmented reality activations as more innovative and modern, which highly influences customers’ perception of your brand. Next, thanks to the AR scavenger hunts that create positive, engaging experiences, customers are more likely to return for future purchases (and fun😉). The personalized and immersive nature of the hunts makes customers feel valued, strengthening their connection to the brand. Over time, this sense of engagement and fun fosters stronger brand loyalty, increasing the chances that customers will stay loyal to your brand and recommend it to others.
Successful example: Coca-Cola’s Fanta Halloween AR scavenger hunt
Coca-Cola’s use of AR in its Halloween-themed scavenger hunt is a prime example of how the brand creatively engages consumers through interactive marketing in 2024. By integrating AR into the Coca-Cola app, the company invites users to participate in a gamified experience centered around its Fanta brand, tying in the Halloween theme with “Pumpkin Points” and eerie, festive games.
The approach combines entertainment with brand engagement. Users are encouraged to download the app and play AR-enhanced Fanta Halloween games, collecting points that can be redeemed for themed prizes. This interactive experience not only promotes Coca-Cola products but also fosters ongoing interaction with the app. By linking a fun, holiday-themed campaign with tangible rewards, Coca-Cola enhances brand loyalty while creating memorable customer interactions.
The integration of AR with mobile technology in this campaign highlights Coca-Cola’s ability to adapt to modern marketing trends. The brand leverages seasonal excitement — Halloween, in this case — to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, all while encouraging repeated app usage. The emphasis on “trying your luck” for prizes adds a gamification element that taps into the thrill of winning, further incentivizing participation.
Overall, this scavenger hunt is an effective example of how any e-commerce business can integrate technology and thematic events to build deeper connections with its audience and enhance brand presence during key seasonal periods.
What it takes to build a successful AR scavenger hunt
We bet that after diving deeper into how AR scavenger hunts can make your marketing skyrocket, you’re eager to know what it takes to build this AR activation hunt for your business and where to get started.
Designing a captivating AR scavenger hunt involves more than just creativity — it requires technical expertise to ensure the experience is smooth, interactive, and scalable. From selecting the right AR platform and integrating complex features like real-time tracking to ensuring cross-device compatibility, there are many moving parts that need to work seamlessly together.
This is where our expertise comes in. KITRUM’s team of seasoned developers and AR specialists understand the complexities involved and can help you navigate every step of the process.
