Engine Digital Creates The Ultimate Online Shopping Experience For Consumers Through Social Media Integration
Progressive Vancouver creative digital agency, Engine Digital, announces the successful launch of an online "social shopping" experience for consumers on behalf of client Coastal Contacts Inc., and Canadian brand Clearly Contacts. The project, dubbed "Virtual Mirror", pioneers integration of social media into the online shopping experience and serves to capture the attention and approval of the increasingly savvy web-based consumer.
Virtual Mirror, a tool created by Engine Digital as a part of the online shopping process, allows Coastal Contacts customers to upload digital photos of themselves and virtually ‘try on' eyeglasses in a variety of styles or colours. Virtual Mirror also features leading-edge social media integration which lets consumers share images of themselves, with prospective eyeglasses on, with friends through Facebook, Twitter, blogs and email. Votes and feedback are requested on shared photos to crowd source an informed decision. This trusted feedback helps to validate the purchase while dispelling any hesitation a prospective customer might have about their choice in eyewear.
"Our vision with the Virtual Mirror project was to provide Coastal Contacts with the ability to mobilize customers using technology and create incentive to purchase online through a brand experience that was verified and shared," comments Stephen Beck, Partner and Creative Director at Engine Digital.
"The Virtual Mirror places the power of purchase into the hands of the customer, which produces a trust not easily won today. Consumers are changing and increasingly commanding this power."
"Our experience since launching our direct to consumer eyeglasses business a year ago is that customers often want affirmation of their product choice to make a final decision," stated Braden Hoeppner, Coastal's Director of Web Sales. "The Virtual Mirror tool created for us by Engine Digital will both reinforce individual product decisions and create a wave of awareness among the users of the social networking community."
The Virtual Mirror social media integration includes Facebook, blogs, branded email and Twitter. Additionally, customers were given increased incentives through contesting and a strategic online advertising campaign. Social media integration features include:
Facebook - Virtual Mirror users have the ability to install a Virtual Mirror Facebook Application whereby their list of friends on Facebook can help select the best frames through voting and commenting features.
Blog Integration – Bloggers using Virtual Mirror are provided with a snippet of code that facilitates quick and easy posting of a widget to their personal blog so that they can share their shopping experience with readers.
Email – Virtual Mirror users can send a branded email to their contact list requesting feedback on frames or a direct link into the preloaded Virtual Mirror itself, complete with all of their photos.
Twitter – Twitter fans using Virtual Mirror are encouraged to tweet about their shopping experience and request feedback from followers. Tweets include a ‘Tiny URL' back to a preloaded Virtual Mirror page displaying their photo options.
"We have simplified the selection and purchase process of eyewear online through Virtual Mirror. More importantly, however, we have created a way to encourage customers to take action, spread the word and given them true incentive to become an advocate of Coastal Contacts." comments Beck.
"For Coastal Contacts this means increased brand awareness, traffic to their online store, and increased sales. For Engine Digital, it illustrates our position on the potential to engage consumers online. We understand the direction and power of digital and this project truly exemplifies that."
About Engine Digital
Engine Digital is a Creative Digital Agency. Since 2002, their innovative thinking and strategic approach has helped top clients across North America elevate their brand equity. Fusing proven and emerging technologies with clever and effective creative, Engine Digital leads the industry in enabling companies to inspire and connect with customers.
Based in Vancouver, BC, Engine Digital is lead by a team of passionate, award winning digital Engineers. The agency regularly receives accolades and recognition both locally and nationally for their work with clients and standards within the industry.
About Coastal Contacts
Coastal Contacts is one of the world's fastest growing online vision care suppliers. Providing contact lenses, eyeglasses and other complimentary vision care products to consumers worldwide, Coastal Contacts is proud to provide an affordable, convenient option for high quality vision care products. With its world class operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Coastal Contacts offers a unique blend of private label and branded products to over 150 countries across the globe. Already #1 in many of its markets, Coastal is rapidly advancing toward its goal of becoming the "World's Vision Store."
SOURCE: Engine Digital