Introduction
When it comes to driving users back to your website, you can never really have too many options. Push notifications are just one more way you can connect with your users and re-engage them with your brand. On the other hand, they could backfire if they aren’t implemented correctly, which has plenty of business owners questioning whether they should even implement push notifications at all. We’ll take a look at the benefits and risks of push notifications and help you decide whether they are right for your business or not.
What are Push Notifications?
Push notifications are icons or pop-ups that appear in a user’s browser, informing them of new data from an application or service. Push notifications can range from simple reminders to Facebook or Twitter posts to calendar alerts. They have several advantages that help businesses keep customers happy, but there are some disadvantages that you should also consider before implementing them on your website. To determine whether push notifications are right for your business, examine these pros and cons of web push notification services.
How Do Push Notifications Work?
Push notifications are messages that pop up on your device without any action required by you. The most common way to see them is through apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or any other app with push notification capability. If a user hasn’t logged into an app for some time (7 days by default), a push notification will be sent reminding them of new updates or information. At its most basic level, then, push notifications are simply reminders to use an app again. Often times they have a large impact on re-engagement metrics because users who might otherwise forget about an app get a push notification—or several—and are reminded of what it offers.
Are Push Notifications Effective?
Push notifications make great sense for apps that require frequent engagement. If a person is using your app on a regular basis, they will likely appreciate push notifications that inform them of important updates or help them save time.
When Can I Use Push Notifications Effectively?
They are great for re-engaging users that already have an app installed on their device. They can be used to send highly targeted messages to users who fit a specific demographic or behavior pattern. For example, if you notice a lot of your customers download your app but rarely return, you can send them to push notifications asking them if they would like to purchase anything from your store. This way, you will only engage with customers who are likely interested in what you're offering. If users have opted in to push notifications by downloading an app or installing an extension, they will get updates automatically when they open up that application again regardless of whether they’re using their phone at that moment.
The Limitations of Push Notifications
If you think push notifications are a perfect solution to your mobile engagement problems, you’re wrong. For one thing, they don’t work on smartphones that aren’t connected to cell service. Secondly, they can be annoying to some users who have opted out of receiving them. But more importantly, Push Notifications are intrusive – we often view them as an unwelcome distraction from what we’re doing at that moment.