The market value of eyeglasses is projected to reach $197.2 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2020 to 2027. Fortunately, modern technology has made it possible for patients to shop for eyeglasses online.
Over the last few years, many have been turning to online eyewear sellers for the convenience the online purchasing experience entails. This includes the convenience of a virtual try-on feature, which is a tool that provides buyers adequate representation of what the glasses would look like on their faces.
As a private practice, you have options available to offer the same convenience and turn your patients into loyal eyewear shoppers with an online store and virtual try-on capability.
The Eyewear Market Has Moved Online
Statista reports that over 7 million pairs of prescription eyeglasses were sold online in the United States in 2019. That figure emphasizes the increasing preferences that eyewear customers have for shopping online.
For that reason, eyewear retailers have geared themselves to use the most appropriate online platforms or delivery methods to ensure they’re meeting the demands of their market. Maryville University describes how identifying customers online, by who and where they are, is crucial to any digital marketing strategy, as it reveals consumer habits, values, and motivations. These high value data-driven insights are already available to every private practice. You can utilize your patient data to know exactly when and how to engage them, when they are the most likely to be ready to make a purchase. This is information that other online eyewear sellers will never have, offering you a major advantage in selling your eyewear online.
What other advantage can you easily add to the online experience that your patients will appreciate? Virtual try-on.
Two Key Benefits of Virtual Try-On When Selling Eyewear
Compromised to some degree when shopping in-store. Optical practices have set hours, and it can be difficult at times for patients to schedule a visit or set aside time for shopping. Virtual try-on ensures that consumers can try on a myriad of styles, take their time assessing them, and do so at any time of their choosing.
Time Convenience
Convenience is compromised to some degree when shopping in-store is the only option available to a patient. Optical practices have set hours, and it can be difficult at times for patients to schedule a visit or set aside enough time for shopping. Virtual try-on ensures that consumers can check out a myriad of styles, take their time assessing them, and do so at any time of their choosing.
Ease of Purchase
The rise of mobile-friendly sites and applications has made it easier for people to order and receive their eyewear from the comfort of home and on their own schedule. With virtual try-on, customers can enjoy a seamless process from confidently selecting the frames they want to receiving them directly from their Optometrist. Because virtual try-ons enable customers to view what a pair of glasses look like in detail, it quickens the purchase process and reduces instances of returns as well.
Provide Patients With The Best Eyewear Buying Experience Possible
Optify is a turnkey solution that puts your inventory seamlessly onto your website with virtual try-on capability powered by Fittingbox®. Book a demo to learn more and allow your patients to shop before, after, and between exams, turning them into loyal eyewear shoppers.