How many times have you heard about push notifications but don’t know exactly what they are? Today it is considered a faithful ally to digital marketing strategies to win over customers. But what uses can it have? What are its advantages? Keep reading because we will tell you everything in this article. We will also share some important tips for using them the right way.
Table of Contents
What are push notifications?
These are notifications that are sent from a mobile application to our browser from the Push Notification Service. In short, we could say that they are messages that users receive spontaneously on their devices from the mobile applications they have installed. They usually appear in the form of pop-ups with the aim of keeping the user informed, for example, of new updates.
On the other hand, messages received by our browser or notifications such as “you have a new email in your inbox” are also considered. Unlike push messages that are plain texts, these have different forms of personalization, which can achieve greater interaction and engagement.
These must be used consistently, since sometimes they are intrusive for the user, even making navigation difficult. So, if companies manage to make use of these by highlighting their potential, it can become a clear advantage over their competitors.
Uses and advantages
As we have just seen, push notifications refer to communication, to the instant notifications that we receive on our devices. Therefore, below we are going to see what uses they can be given as well as the great advantages they offer through these.
- Increase in sales: Why not show our users those products they have been interested in? This makes them feel important to us, which can have a positive impact on our sales.
- Reminders: We usually do a wide variety of things in our daily lives and some of them may be forgotten and escape us. Therefore, if, for example, we have a big event that we are going to attend, it never hurts to remind us of it, right?
- Increased traffic: We may keep our users informed about new content that may be of interest to them.
- Build customer loyalty: After all, when we inform our users about new updates, promotions, etc., we are strengthening our relationship.
- Generates conversion: We can make our potential customers become loyal customers through a conversion funnel using these notifications.
- Brand memory: When a user is using their device and we send them a notification, we are enhancing the memory and notoriety of our brand.
- Segment: Segmentation is necessary to make campaigns effective. Through push notifications we can create segmented messages, so the attention and interest we will achieve will be even greater.
Tips for using push notifications
Finally, we would like to give you a series of tips so that you can get the most out of them.
- What is your goal: Do we know what we intend to achieve through a notification? Yes, our goal. For example. is to notify of the opening of a new dental clinic, the most logical thing will be to notify those who are in a nearby diameter.
- Don’t be pushy: In general, people tend to hate intrusiveness. Therefore, the most advisable thing would be to leave aside the robot language to which we are so accustomed. On the other hand, highlighting the benefits that are offered to us is a good option.
- Schedule your notifications: There are studies where you can see what the best times of day are to send push notifications, so you should take a look. It is true that not everything is the same for all brands since each one has its buyer persona, so we will have to study it in depth and adapt to it.
- Position your brand: Their opening rate is high so we must make good use of them as a brand.
How Push Notifications Work?
Push notifications start with a server. This server sends messages to the push notification service, like Firebase Cloud Messaging or Apple Push Notification Service. These services manage the delivery of notifications to users.
When a user installs an app, they can choose to allow notifications. If they do, their device gets a unique token. This token lets the push notification service know where to send messages.
The app developer creates a message and sends it to the push notification service. The service then uses the device token to deliver the message to the user’s device. The message pops up on the screen, alerting the user to new information or updates.
Push notifications can include text, images, and links. They aim to engage users and keep them informed. Simple messages like “You have a new message” or “Check out our latest update” are common examples.
Practical Example of Push Notification
Imagine you have a shopping app on your phone. You often browse for clothes and accessories. One day, you get a push notification that says, “Flash Sale! 50% off on all items for the next 2 hours.”
This message pops up on your screen, even if you are not using the app. It grabs your attention because it offers a great deal. You click on the notification and are taken directly to the sale section of the app. You start shopping right away.
Another example is a fitness app. You use it to track your workouts. One morning, you get a push notification: “Don’t forget your workout today! Keep up the good work!” This message motivates you to stick to your fitness routine. It’s a simple reminder, but it helps you stay on track.
A third example is a news app. You have it set to notify you about breaking news. When something important happens, like an election result or a major event, you get a notification instantly. “Breaking News: Election Results Are In!” You tap on the notification to read more details.
These examples show how push notifications work in real life. They deliver timely and relevant information to users. This keeps them engaged and informed.
Conclusion
Push notifications are a powerful tool in digital marketing. They help increase sales, remind users about events, and boost website traffic. These notifications also build customer loyalty and enhance brand memory. Using push notifications wisely is important. Avoid being too intrusive. Schedule notifications at the best times for your audience. Make sure each notification has a clear goal. Overall, push notifications are an effective way to engage users and keep them connected to your brand.