So you want to put an augmented reality system in place. Perhaps you run an e-commerce store that sells items where aesthetics and measurements are essential, such as furniture and décor, or you’re an artist looking to add value to your work, or you’re about to launch an advertising campaign and want it to appeal to your target market.

The budgets are limited, but the ideas are enormous.

In either case, you have an innovative attitude, you understand how immersive technology can improve the customer experience, and you’re ready to build your augmented reality solution.
Here’s the deal: Hyper-realistic 3D modelling and software creation are popular in augmented reality solutions, which can be expensive for a small business with a limited budget.

They aren’t required to be.

Small businesses have a tremendous opportunity to start providing immersive augmented reality solutions and build winning customer experiences right now.

So, how can you get virtual reality on a shoestring budget?
That is precisely what I will tell you today; small businesses can create powerful and cost-effective augmented reality solutions that solve a problem, answer a question, or alleviate a pain point with the right strategy.

When considering an AR solution, here is a list of budget-friendly augmented reality development ideas to consider.

Start small.

How small is it? As tiny as 3.5” x 2”, which is around the same size as a regular business card.

You can start by adding interactive AR components to your business card before adding complex AR features to your online store or campaign. Augmented reality will make your otherwise outdated business card meaningful again, whether it’s a video highlighting your product line or a personal message from the CEO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKuO55H433c

Your business card will gain more value as a result of the additional material.
Since physical cards have limited text or image space, virtual components are a simple and creative way to increase the amount of data they can hold. You can also have interactive buttons that take users to your website or enable them to make a Facetime call.
An AR visualization software activates the business card’s secret content.

Katelyn Coghlan, the GM of Mezmos, a Glimpse Group subsidiary, suggests the following when it comes to showcasing your goods in AR:

“Start with one product that can have a mini-campaign built around it. Maybe it’s a new product, maybe it’s a product that hasn’t moved in a while, but use a product that has a story attached to it that the business wants to tell.”

Use Video Content Instead of 3D Content

If you’re thinking, “But those are incomparable,” you’re mostly right. By generating the illusion of objects appearing in your actual world, 3D strengthens the appealing power of augmented reality.

But, hey, we’re talking about cost, and video content can be a decent substitute, if not a perfect match in some cases.

Consider this bottle of gin, which demonstrates how augmented reality showcases how it is used to make various cocktails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcoPlvhi_LI

It has provided consumers with incredible value by giving them a hands-on method that demonstrates how various combinations can be accomplished.
Video content is also excellent because you probably already have a lot or can quickly film some, and most AR visualization software only charges a small monthly fee for video activations.

Use Ready-made AR Apps Instead of Building Your Own

To save even more money, rather than combining the features or making your app, you can choose to sell your goods in niche augmented reality applications.
These apps function as pre-built AR showrooms for various brands, allowing them to provide virtual previews or try-on opportunities.

Here are a few examples of ready-made AR apps:

InteriAR — the app is a virtual showroom designed for previewing furniture and décor items in your real room to determine if they will actually fit into your space.

AR–Watches — a virtual showroom for trying on wristwatches.

Jarit — an app that allows users to preview dishes in 3D before ordering.

These apps bring together a range of brands and categories, and they can be deep-linked to your website for quick navigation. Furthermore, you are not obligated to make a sale through these showrooms (though you can); instead, users can be directed to your website to complete the transaction.

These quick and easy-to-implement ideas can hopefully assist you in planning your first (or next) AR campaign.