We cannot think of a day without our mobile phones. When talking about mobile phones, most of us cannot use phones without entering at least a single mobile app. Right from ordering food to booking flight tickets, mobile apps have simplified our daily lives to a great extent. If you are engaged in mobile app development, you should know the power of Push Notifications. These timely and brief messages can considerably impact conversions, retention and user engagement.
Push Notifications – The Basics
Push notifications are short alerts sent to mobile app users right from the installation phase. They appear on the notification panel or lock screen and offer real-time information or updates. As against SMS or emails, push notifications are instant. They do not need the app to be open, enabling a direct line of communication between mobile apps and their users.
Boosting User Engagement
One of the biggest challenges that app developers face is keeping users engaged after the initial download. Studies show that more than 70% of users abandon a mobile app within the initial 90 days of downloading. However, push notifications can prevent this from happening by motivating users to return to the app. For instance, a fitness app can send reminders to complete everyday workouts. Similarly, a shopping app can alert users to limited-time discounts. These gentle nudges create habitual usage and make users connected to the mobile app.
Personalisation is Important
Generic messages rarely capture attention. But modern push notifications depend on personalisation to a great extent. By evaluating user behaviour, app usage patterns and preferences, brands can customise notifications to deliver the most appropriate content. For instance, a food delivery app can send meal suggestions based on past orders or can notify a user when a favourite restaurant has a special offer. This relevance can increase the chance of engagement and interaction.
Driving Conversions and Sales
Push notifications are powerful in driving conversions. Whether it is prompting users to complete a purchase or taking advantage of a discount, timely alerts can motivate immediate action. Studies show that mobile apps that use push notifications see up to 88% more engagement compared to those that do not use them. Particularly, in e-commerce apps, push notifications are effective tools in bringing down cart abandonment. The reason is that they remind users of pending purchases by offering last-minute incentives.
Best Practices For Successful Push Notifications
As a mobile app developer, you should follow certain things to ensure that you benefit from the potential of push notifications:
- Timing is important when sending notifications
- Push notifications should be sent at a controlled frequency without bombarding the users
- The notification should have a clear Call to Action
- Before sending push notifications, it is better to get user consent.
Conclusion
In short, when used strategically, push notifications can considerably transform user engagement. They can boost conversions. The reason is that they serve as powerful, personalised and direct communication channels between mobile apps and their users. So, buckle up for the best conversions for your mobile apps with push notifications.
