What is Google Shopping’s new Virtual Try-On feature?

A woman trying on clothes

Google Shopping Virtual Try-On (VTO) is a revolutionary feature that allows shoppers to virtually try on clothes on real models and see whether an item is right for them before you making a purchase (for those interested, you can learn more about how Google developed its new generative AI model). 

Understanding the Benefits of Google Shopping Virtual Try-On

Higher customer satisfaction

There are several benefits to using Google Shopping’s VTO for both shoppers and fashion businesses. One of the main advantages is the ability to visualize how a product will look or fit before buying it. This feature reduces the risk of purchasing something that doesn’t meet the customer’s expectations, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction and lower return rates.

Shopper convenience 

Another benefit is the convenience it offers. Customers can try on multiple products without leaving their homes. This saves time and eliminates the need for physical store visits, especially in the current era of online shopping dominance. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, footwear, or even jewelry, you can virtually try them on and see how they fit or look in your space before making a purchase. This eliminates the hassle of ordering multiple sizes or styles, waiting for them to arrive, and then returning the ones that don’t work. It streamlines the shopping experience and makes it more efficient for both customers and businesses.

Changing the game for fashion retailers

Google’s VTO can be a game-changer for fashion businesses. It enhances the overall shopping experience, boosts customer engagement, and increases conversion rates. By incorporating this feature, businesses can distinguish themselves from competitors and attract more customers.

Imagine you’re a retailer selling clothes online. With VTO, you can provide your customers with a unique and interactive shopping experience. They can virtually try on different items, select the model they relate to, change the color of the item, and even adjust the fit. This immersive experience not only helps customers make confident purchase decisions faster, but also creates a sense of connection and engagement with your brand. As a result, customers are more likely to convert and become loyal repeat buyers.

In addition, it can also help businesses reduce product returns and exchanges. By allowing customers to virtually try on products, they can have a better understanding of how the product will look or fit in real life. This reduces the chances of disappointment upon receiving the product and subsequently reduces the need for returns. This not only saves businesses the cost and effort of handling returns but also improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.

This revolutionizes the way we shop online, providing a more immersive and personalized experience. With the ability to visualize products in real-time and try them on various models with different characteristics (ethnicity, body types, age, and more) customers can make confident purchase decisions, while businesses can differentiate themselves and drive higher conversion rates. VTO is expected to become an integral part of online fashion shopping, transforming the way we shop and interact with brands.

Can I use Google Shopping Virtual Try On on my website?

The short answer is yes. You can use Google’s Shopping VTO with your brand/store, but it requires some explaining: 

Google Shopping Virtual Try-On is currently available for specific product categories, including apparel, eyewear, and makeup. If your business falls within these categories, you can take advantage of this innovative technology to showcase your products. To use Virtual Try-On on your website, you need to follow a few simple steps: 

Firstly, you will need to create a Google Merchant Center account. This account serves as a central hub for managing your product listings and feeds.

Once you have set up your Google Merchant Center account, you’ll need to upload your product feed. It’s crucial to provide accurate and detailed product data to ensure a seamless virtual try-on experience for your customers.

After uploading your product feed, it will go through an approval process. This ensures that your product data meets Google’s guidelines and requirements. Once your product feed is approved, you can enable the Virtual Try-On feature within the Google Merchant Center interface.

When implementing VTO, it’s important to provide high-quality product images that accurately represent your products. Clear and detailed images allow customers to see the finer details and textures of the products, helping them make informed purchasing decisions.

Regularly updating your product feed is also essential. This ensures that your inventory is up-to-date and reflects any changes or additions. By keeping your product feed current, you can provide your customers with the latest options and ensure a seamless experience.

How do I add Virtual Try-On to my store?

If you have an online store on a supported platform like Shopify, adding Google’s VTO to your store is relatively straightforward. First, you’ll need to install the Google Shopping app from the Shopify App Store. This app will help you sync your product data with Google Merchant Center.

Once the app is installed, you can connect your Shopify store to the Google Merchant Center and activate the Virtual Try-On feature for your eligible products. This integration allows your customers to have a more immersive shopping experience, increasing their confidence in their purchase decisions.

It’s important to note that the availability of Virtual Try-On may vary depending on your location and the specific platform you are using. Different countries have different regulations and support for this innovative feature. Make sure to consult the official documentation or reach out to Google support for detailed instructions tailored to your setup.

If you think shoppers should be able to relate to models when they’re buying clothes, sign up to our free trial and see for yourself how AI-generated models upgrade your product photos and make them more appealing to your customers.

About us

Botika harnesses the power of AI generated models to transform existing apparel photos, and enhance online business performance. Find out more

Stay informed!