In a world where customers can buy anything with a few taps, experience often beats even the best product. That’s especially true when it comes to the virtual try on experience — a feature that’s no longer just a novelty, but a conversion-driving essential for modern e-commerce.
Virtual try on tools let users “test” products — like glasses, lipstick, or hats — directly on their face using their device camera or a photo. It’s one of the most powerful ways to reduce friction in online shopping. But here’s what many brands get wrong: no matter how accurate or innovative the technology is, it won’t work if the design around it is poor.
This is where UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) come in. Done right, they make the try-on tool feel like a natural extension of your store. Done wrong, they lead to confusion, frustration, and lost sales.
Let’s explore why UI/UX is such a critical part of virtual try on success — and what you can do to get it right.
The Invisible Problem: When Design Gets in the Way
It might sound obvious, but if customers can’t find your virtual try on tool, they won’t use it. In fact, a 2024 internal study by Auglio showed that try-on tools placed prominently near the product image received over 60% more engagement than those buried in tabs or product descriptions.
It’s not just about visibility. Users also expect an intuitive flow. If they have to click three times, wait for it to load, grant permissions, and then figure out how to position their face — they’re gone. According to Baymard Institute’s usability benchmarks, 69% of users abandon tasks on e-commerce websites due to poor UX.
That means design isn’t just decoration — it’s a revenue driver. Read also how Virtual Try On on your collection page boosts results.
Why UI/UX Drives Conversions, Not Just Comfort
When a virtual try on tool works well, users don’t just test one product — they try on multiple, compare options, and get emotionally invested. Good design encourages that kind of engagement.
At Auglio, we’ve seen clients increase conversion rates by 30–45% simply by optimizing the try-on button’s placement, the flow of the onboarding, and mobile responsiveness. Brands that pair great visuals with a seamless try-on journey often experience lower return rates too — up to 20–25% fewer returns compared to stores without a VTO tool or with clunky interfaces.
Why? Because customers know what to expect. They’ve seen the product on themselves. They’re more confident it’ll look good in real life.
Trust Is Designed — Not Assumed
Virtual try on isn’t just a tech tool — it’s an experience that affects how users feel about your brand. A cluttered or outdated interface can instantly reduce trust, no matter how advanced the underlying technology is.
A clean, professional UI, on the other hand, suggests that you’ve invested in your brand and care about your customer’s journey. It says, “We’ve thought this through.” That subconscious trust translates into longer session times and higher AOV (Average Order Value).
In an industry case study, a DTC eyewear brand using Auglio’s clean, branded try-on experience saw users spend 27% more time on product pages and were twice as likely to add items to their cart after interacting with the try-on.
Mobile UX: Where Most Try-On Magic Happens
More than 70% of virtual try on sessions happen on mobile devices, yet many brands still optimize the experience for desktop first. That’s a missed opportunity.
On mobile, speed and clarity are everything. Try-on tools need to load fast, respond to gestures, and work smoothly with front-facing cameras. Pop-ups, redirects, or clunky pinch-and-zoom functions break the flow — and that breaks the sale.
A tip: design your try-on flow as if you were building it for someone using one hand and walking down the street. That’s how people shop today. Your VTO feature should open with one tap, work without extra logins, and return the user to the product page without disruption.
Realism Is a Design Choice, Too
Customers will only trust what they see if the try-on looks believable. That’s where UI design supports the illusion. It’s not enough to just overlay a product — the digital rendering needs to match the user’s lighting, skin tone, and facial contours.
Great UX design includes visual feedback — like “hold still” prompts, facial recognition guides, or subtle animations that signal when the product has “snapped into place.” These touches make the experience feel polished and professional.
Data shows that when users rate a try-on experience as “realistic” or “fun to use,” they’re up to 3x more likely to complete a purchase compared to neutral or frustrating experiences.
2D vs. 3D Product Assets: Why the Format Matters
When it comes to virtual try-on, the type of product visualization can make or break the user experience. While 2D assets are quicker to prepare and work well for simple overlays (like lipstick or make up), 3D assets bring products to life with realistic movement, depth, and interaction. For items like eyewear frames, 3D assets allow users to rotate and examine the product from all angles — making the try-on experience feel more tangible and trustworthy. Brands that invest in 3D digitization not only improve user engagement but also increase the perceived value of their products. Ultimately, pairing great UX design with high-quality 3D assets results in a virtual try-on that converts.
Behind the Scenes: What You Can Do to Improve UI/UX
If you’re already offering a virtual try on feature — or considering one — there are a few quick wins that can make a big difference:
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Run a 5-second test: Ask someone unfamiliar with your store to land on a product page and find the try-on button. If they don’t see it instantly, move it.
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Speed test on mobile: Open your site on a mobile network, not Wi-Fi. Time how long it takes to launch and complete a try-on. If it’s over 3 seconds, you’re losing users.
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Use session recordings: Tools like Hotjar or FullStory can show how real customers interact with your virtual try on. Watch for drop-offs, confusion, or hesitation.
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Keep it branded: Customize the try-on UI to match your store’s colors, fonts, and tone. It should feel like part of your brand, not a third-party widget.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The virtual try on space is growing fast. In beauty and fashion alone, VTO adoption has doubled in the past two years — and shoppers are beginning to expect it. But as more brands jump in, quality becomes the differentiator.
With better cameras, AR accuracy, and AI-based personalization, the technology is catching up. Now, design is the battlefield.
If your store’s try-on experience is confusing, inconsistent, or slow, it won’t matter how powerful the backend is. Customers will bounce before they even give it a shot.
Great Design = Great Results
Virtual try on is more than just a feature — it’s a customer journey. And like any journey, the experience matters just as much as the destination.
Smart UI/UX design helps customers feel confident, connected, and in control. It turns curious browsers into excited buyers. And it helps brands build loyalty in a market where experience is everything.
If you’re ready to elevate your virtual try on experience with thoughtful, high-converting design, Auglio is here to help.
Tags: Virtual Try On Technology trends
