More complex and robust than the text message, push represents the modern wave of communication that puts more power in the business owner’s hands. Like texts, push notifications deliver straight to users’ phones when they’ve installed an app. Unlike texts, they have a wide range of customization options that can increase user engagement. So as a business owner, you’re probably asking yourself a few questions:
- What are the main benefits?
- How do they work?
- What best practices should I follow?
We’ve got you.
Why do people use push notifications?
The power of the push depends on your perspective. To users, the push notification represents instant access to information with little to no energy on their part. Want to know today’s specials? Got a new product for sale? Looking for the latest deals? Push notifications deliver key info without costing users time or money.
For businesses, push notifications offer a wealth of benefits:
- Share deals and promotions instantly
- Improve customer communication without impacting your schedule
- Automate internal processes
- Up visibility just by establishing a mobile presence
How do I send them?
CNY Apps provides an interface with unique login for crafting and sending push notifications. A well developed interface provides a slew of marketing benefits, including user segmentation and engagement stats.
One of the best ways to use push notifications is for event reminders. Let your customers know about special events and happy hours on the go; keep in mind that timing is everything. A happy hour message should be sent out in the afternoon, you need to be known before you’re needed. School apps use push notifications to remind parents and students of school events or alert them of emergencies. I’ve even seen a popular bakery send one out when their new batch of cronuts was ready. Scheduled push notes make this even easier by allowing you to set up future push notes to go out at a designated date and time.
You have the ability to time your messages but you can also designate a specific area! Our geofenced push notifications give businesses another way to actively interact with their clients without leaving their desktop or even their phone. This is a great way to gently remind clients to come visit when they’re nearby.
How do my customers opt in?
iOS and Android handle push notification opt-ins differently. iOS users are prompted to enable push notifications when they launch an app for the first time, while Android users are opted in automatically. There are benefits to both approaches. any case, the most important factor to consider is the value of the message you’re sending.
What makes a push notification valuable?
Regardless of how users opt in, it’s key that they’re rewarded with messages that are worth their time. A push notification is an extremely beneficial tool—a direct line to your customers’ primary communication tool. As the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” If you get too “pushy,” you may get booted from the list. On the other hand, if you’re underutilizing push notifications, both you and your customers are losing out on value.
So what is “value”? Your push notifications should encourage user action that benefits them and informs you. While they redeem offers or learn something new, you reap the ROI rewards and analyze engagement data to iterate on your marketing strategy. It removes the guesswork, giving you direct insight into what’s working and what’s falling short so you can continue to modify and monetize.
How do push notifications appear?
Both operating systems have banner notifications that pop up at the top of the screen when the device is in use, as well as a notification center that users can access by swiping downward. iOS users enjoy a bit more control—they can customize individual app notifications, from sounds and vibrations to notification type (banner, alert, badge app icon). Some users enable sound alerts while others keep it silent, opting for vibrations or nothing at all. Overall, it makes for a highly personalized experience.
What are location services?
Both Android and iOS prompt users to enable location services. When a user opts in, the device periodically sends location info to the app. This is a fantastic feature for both businesses and users because it facilitates targeted, relevant messaging. Taco Bell has mastered marketing via location services with its “Happier Hour” campaign. The app sends deals and coupons to users when they’re nearby a location. Similarly, Groupon notifies you when you’re close to a business you’ve purchased a coupon from, increasing redemption rates.
Location services ultimately help you give your customers the special treatment they want, popping up on their screens at the moment they’re most likely to engage. It’s a simple way to say, “Hey, I know you’re in the area, and we have a great deal for you.”
How can I effectively use push notifications?
Determining how often and what to push takes some thought. First and foremost, make sure you’re considering the value a message holds to the end user. Don’t overdo it and spam the heck out of their devices, but don’t underdo it and waste your money on an app that’s not meeting its full potential. If you know your customers personally, you already have enough insight to avoid the most common mistakes. Bottom line, analyze the trends, and then use them to your advantage.
Use it or lose it! Like any great feature, you can’t let a feature like this go to waste. Push notes are only as good as you make them but they are a fantastic tool used by every app developer in the industry.
If you ever have any questions about push notes or different ways to use them, reach out to us! We’re always happy to help out.