Let’s talk about the elephant in the ecommerce room: returns. They’re the uninvited party guest who shows up unexpectedly and ruins all the fun. One of our Shopify store owners, once had a customer return a dress because it “didn’t make them feel like Beyoncé.” (It was a $30 sundress.) Returns aren’t just annoying—they’re budget killers. But what if you could prevent buyers from ordering the wrong size, color, or “Beyoncé-level glam” in the first place? Enter augmented reality (AR) and quizzes, the dynamic duo of modern ecommerce.
The Problem: Returns Are Eating Your Profit Margin
Returns cost U.S. retailers a staggering $816 billion back in 2022. For small businesses, it’s worse—you’re not just losing revenue, you’re paying for shipping, restocking, and crying into your coffee. The root issue? Buyer uncertainty. Customers can’t touch, try, or test your product through a screen. So they hedge their bets by ordering three sizes and returning two.
But here’s the fix: Interactive content bridges the gap between “I hope this works” and “I know this works.” Let’s discuss.
AR Try-Ons: Your Virtual Fitting Room
AR isn’t just for Snapchat dog ears anymore. It’s the closest thing to magic for reducing returns.
Case Study 1: Warby Parker’s “Virtual Try-On”
- The eyewear giant lets customers “try on” glasses via their phone camera.
- Result: 50% fewer returns and a 21% boost in conversion rates.
- Why it works: Customers can see if those tortoiseshell frames make them look like a professor or a hipster.
Case Study 2: Your Local Jewelry Store
A small biz client of ours added AR to their ring collection. Shoppers could see how a size 6 solitaire looked on their hand.
- Result: Returns dropped by 35% in 3 months.
- Pro Tip: Use Shopify’s built-in AR tools or apps like Zakeke for affordable 3D modeling.
Quizzes: The Mind-Reader That Sells
Quizzes aren’t just for finding out which Friends character you are. They’re stealthy sales machines that reduce decision fatigue.
Case Study 3: Function of Beauty’s Hair Quiz
- The haircare brand asks 10 questions (hair type, goals, scent preferences).
- Result: 90% of quiz-takers buy, and returns are under 5%.
- Why it works: Personalized product recommendations = fewer “meh” purchases.
Case Study 4: My Failed Plant Parenthood Quiz
I once created a quiz called “What Succulent Are You?” for a client’s plant shop. It was cheesy, but conversions jumped 25%. Why? Because shoppers who took the quiz bought plants labeled “hard to kill” instead of tropical divas.
How to Nail It:
- Ask specific questions (e.g., “Do you wash your hair daily or weekly?”).
- Use outcomes to recommend products (e.g., “You’re a Weekend Warrior! Try our dry shampoo”).
- Add humor: “Congrats, you’re a fiddle leaf fig! (Needs sunlight and constant validation.)”
The Power Combo: AR + Quizzes
Pair AR with quizzes, and you’ve got a returns-reducing powerhouse.
Example: A shoe brand uses a quiz to determine a customer’s arch type, then recommends insoles with AR previews.
- Result: Returns dropped by almost 40% because buyers knew the insoles fit and matched their shoes.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Octane AI to build quizzes that integrate with AR features.
How to Start Without a Tech Degree (or Beyoncé’s Budget)
- Pilot a Quiz: Tools like Interact or Typeform have free plans. Start with 5 questions.
- Test AR Lite: Use Instagram or Snapchat filters to let customers “try” products. (Yes, even sunglasses!)
- Repurpose Content: Turn top quiz outcomes into Reels or TikTok demos.
The Remix Response
AR and quizzes turn “I’m not sure” into “Sold.” They’re not just shiny gadgets—they’re profit-protecting, sanity-saving tools.
Your Homework: Add a 3-question quiz to your product page this week. Example: “Find Your Perfect Lipstick Shade” or “Which Coffee Roast Matches Your Chaos Level?”