At 8 a.m., Sarah opens Instagram, coffee in hand. Two hours later, she has ten screenshots saved and a plan for redesigning her living room. We often talk about footfall as if it starts at the front door. But in today’s retail reality, it starts much earlier, usually with an online scroll. Like Sarah, more than 80% of shoppers begin their buying journey on a mobile or tablet. They browse styles, get inspired on social media, and save screenshots of spaces that feel just right. Their footfall starts the moment they feel inspired. So, how do you make sure you get their attention at the right time? To capture their attention when it matters most, you need interactive content that encourages them to engage and commit to a purchase.
Step 0: Audit your digital inspiration points
Before diving into new tools, assess where you’re currently losing potential customers:
- Can customers easily zoom and rotate products on mobile?
- Do your room scenes load in under 3 seconds on mobile networks?
- Can shoppers save or share inspirational content?
- Do you track which products generate the most screenshots or saves?
- Can customers visualize products in different colors or configurations?
If the answer to more than two of these is “no,” then you’re likely losing customers at the inspiration stage, and it’s time for a change.
Step 1: Create content that invites interaction
Inspiration often starts with a realization that “this could work in my space.” To capture that kind of interest, static images aren’t enough. Mobile-first consumers expect to zoom, swipe, rotate, and explore furniture from every angle.
Whether it’s a 3D planner, a product configurator, or an embedded room visualizer, interactive tools give shoppers something to do, not just something to look at. And the more engaged they are, the more invested they become. It’s no surprise that shoppers who interact with a planner tend to stay on-site longer and are more likely to progress toward a purchase.
Here are ways you can layer interactivity in your visuals:
- 360° product views
- Fabric and finish selectors
- Lifestyle context switchers showing the same piece in different room styles
Step 2: Be a part of their inspiration journey
Retailers used to build marketing campaigns around promotions. Today, the smart move is to build around inspiration. That means thinking like your customer before they become one. What themes are trending? What rooms are people planning? What visual content is most likely to trigger “I want that”?
Product curations, design guides, and room planners are all effective ways to meet shoppers during that early discovery phase. However, the real power lies in tying those experiences together and using data from past behavior to fuel more relevant recommendations.
3D planners, for example, are a natural fit for this phase. They let customers explore freely, without commitment. In the process, they start to reveal preferences: layouts they like, finishes they choose, products they return to. That early intent helps you position the right options before the customer verbalizes what they want.
When you create digital experiences that resonate at the beginning of the journey, you gain relevance before the customer knows what they want.
Step 3: Turn digital interest into retail action
Increased traffic is great. But you really want that traffic to lead somewhere, whether that’s an online sale, an in-store visit, or a well-timed follow-up.
Here’s where platforms like HomeByMe’s Furniture and Decor Planner come into play.
When customers interact with a planner online, those insights don’t vanish when they close the browser. A connected Retail Operations system lets your team track saved projects, issue quotes, and even view product availability, all tied to that initial moment of inspiration.
Imagine this: a customer builds a bedroom design on their tablet, saves it, and drops off. A week later, they visit your store. Your sales associate can pull up their original plan, see which items were selected, and offer immediate, relevant support.
The key to retail success is creating interactive content and digital experiences that draw shoppers in early and keep them engaged until the sale. Start with inspiration. Use tools that let shoppers imagine, configure, and create. And make sure the data behind those experiences is something your sales team can act on, online and in-store.
Visit HomeByMe to learn how we help retailers like you deliver engaging, mobile-first experiences that turn traffic into sales.
