Bringing AR to Ecommerce: A Developer’s Guide to Virtual Try-On Technology

It’s 2025, and let’s be real — static product photos don’t cut it anymore. Shoppers want more. They want to see how lipstick looks on their face before buying it. They want to try on sunglasses without leaving the couch. They want to know if that jacket actually fits their vibe.

This is exactly when AR-powered virtual try-ons — one of the most exciting intersections of frontend development, computer vision, and real-time rendering — come in. Brands are already using AR and seeing real results: better engagement, fewer returns, and higher conversion rates.

If you’re a developer curious about how to bring this tech into your ecommerce project, this guide is for you.

We’ll cover:

• What virtual try-on actually involves

• The core technologies behind it

• How to architect a working solution

• Challenges you may face

• Tips to get started

• And more

So, What Exactly Is Virtual Try-On?

At its core, virtual try-on is about helping users see themselves with a product — before clicking “Buy Now.” It’s part UX, part performance art, and part technical mastery.

There are a few common types:

• Face-based try-on: Great for beauty (lipstick, foundation), eyewear, and jewelry.

• Body-based try-on: Clothing and shoes. This one's trickier — includes full-body tracking and size estimation.

• Environment-based try-on: Want to see if that couch fits in your living room? That’s this category.

There are also 2 ways to deliver augmented reality experiences:

• WebAR: Runs in the browser. No apps to install. Great reach, slightly limited fidelity.

• Native AR: Embedded in a mobile app. Offers tighter integration and better performance, but has that install friction.

More brands are leaning toward WebAR these days, especially for ecommerce — it's faster to deploy and lowers the barrier for users. But both approaches have their place.

The Tech Stack: What Powers Virtual Try-On?

Bringing AR into a browser or app isn’t trivial. There are a few moving parts you’ll need to understand:

1. Computer Vision

This is what allows AR to “see” a face, body, or environment. Facial landmark detection, mesh tracking, and segmentation help place virtual items in the right spot and keep them there—even when someone moves.

2. WebAR Frameworks

Frameworks like Three.js, 8thWall, or Banuba SDK help you run AR experiences in the browser. They handle rendering, camera access, and more.

3. Real-Time Rendering

This part’s key. Nobody wants to try on lipstick that lags or glasses that slide around their screen. Optimizing for mobile and browser performance is non-negotiable.

4. AI/ML

Machine learning can take AR to the next level. It’s used for things like face shape detection, shade matching, and personalized product recommendations. That’s what makes the experience truly impressive.

Behind the Scenes: The Architecture of a Try-On System

Now, let’s talk architecture—without the jargon overload.

1. Frontend

This is the fun stuff: opening the camera, placing AR overlays, letting users try on products, and maybe snapping a pic. Your UI/UX has to be smooth and intuitive, especially when it comes to getting camera permissions and helping users interact naturally.

2. Backend

This is where your 3D assets (lipstick shades, sunglasses, earrings, etc.) live. You’ll also want to manage user preferences or personalization settings here.

3. Integration with Ecommerce

If you’re working with Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom ecommerce stack, your AR system needs to sync with product data, inventory, and checkout. That means clean APIs or plugin development—and ideally, something plug-and-play for merchants.

4. Don’t Forget Privacy

Camera access is a big deal. Make sure your app handles permissions clearly and complies with privacy standards (like GDPR). Transparency builds trust.

Challenges You’ll Probably Run Into (And How to Deal With Them)

Building AR sounds exciting—and it is—but there are a few bumps you’ll want to plan for.

1. Cross-Browser Compatibility

WebAR performance varies between Chrome, Safari, and mobile browsers. Some don’t support camera access well, or have weird quirks. You’ll need polyfills, fallbacks, and lots of testing.

2. Mobile Performance

A $1,200 phone will handle AR beautifully. A $100 phone from three years ago... not so much. Optimize assets, compress textures, and consider fallback experiences for lower-end devices.

3. UX Details That Matter

Camera not loading? Face not detected? Lighting too low? Your users need friendly, clear prompts — or they’ll bounce. Invest in user onboarding here.

4. Real-Time Rendering Glitches

Sometimes the browser just doesn’t want to cooperate. Handle async loads gracefully, show loading states, and don’t let slow 3D models tank the whole experience.

A Real-World Example: TINT by Banuba

Let’s look at something you can actually try out.

TINT by Banuba is a Shopify-based AR beauty try-on solution. It lets customers test products like lipstick, blush, or foundation directly in their browser — no app required.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Runs smoothly on mobile browsers

• Uses advanced face tracking with high accuracy

• Integrated with Shopify so merchants can map AR assets to real SKUs

• Quick setup, minimal code

For developers, TINT makes it totally possible to plug AR into an existing ecommerce flow — without rebuilding the whole world.

Developer Tips: If You’re Thinking of Building This

Want to build your own AR try-on app or feature? Here are a few practical tips:

• Start small. Pick one use case—like lipstick or glasses—and get that right first.

• Use proven tools. Don’t reinvent the wheel. SDKs like Banuba save time and give you battle-tested functionality.

• Make UX a priority. AR is flashy, but if users can’t figure it out, it’s a waste. Make it dead simple for users to access and understand the AR experience.

• Test like crazy. Emulators aren’t enough—real-world testing is critical.

What’s Next for AR in Ecommerce?

We’re just scratching the surface. The next wave of AR is already brewing — and it’s wild.

• Generative AI + AR: Imagine AI-generated makeup looks that adapt in real time to your face.

• Personalized Avatars: Try on clothes using a 3D version of yourself.

• Multi-Product Try-Ons: Try on full outfits, mix and match, and even get style suggestions.

• Social Sharing: “Look what I tried!” moments that spread brand reach organically.

• Open Source & SDK Boom: More tools are emerging that make it easier for indie devs and startups to get in the game.

The barrier to entry is dropping — thanks to better SDKs, open-source tools, and community knowledge. It’s a great time to experiment.

Wrapping Up

We’re in the middle of a major shift in how people shop — and developers are the ones building the bridge between physical and digital. Whether you’re starting with a basic try-on or building something more ambitious, the time to jump in is now. And with tools like the Shopify-based AR beauty try-on solution, you don’t have to do it all yourself.

The future of shopping is immersive. Why not help shape it?