Push notifications are an important part of any effective digital marketing strategy. However, there are many different types, and it can be tricky to determine which are best for engaging users and increasing conversions.
So, we’ve created this list of the top 12 types of push notifications you can use to do just that.
Let’s get into it!
What Are Push Notifications?
Push notifications are short messages that pop up on the home screen of mobile devices, on your desktop browser, or within the notification center of an app.
Usually, a push notification displays text and other media, such as images and buttons, that users can interact with to take a desired action, like making a purchase.
They’re most commonly used for marketing purposes or broader communication with your target audience.
Both web and mobile push notifications have been around longer than you might think. In fact, they were first developed in 2008 by Matias Duarte while he was working for Design for Danger. Then, Apple released its own mobile and web push notifications in 2009.
Today, the average US smartphone user receives 46 push notifications per day.
The best way to get results from your push notification strategy is to combine it with an effective email marketing campaign. However, getting the two to work in harmony requires plenty of experience and expertise, not to mention time and effort.
So, why not hire InboxArmy instead?
Our email campaign management service provides you with an expert team who design and execute your campaign from start to finish. We’ll ensure your push notification and email marketing strategies complement each other perfectly, leading to increased user engagement and revenue.
12 Types Of Push Notifications
The two main types of push notifications are:
- Web-based notifications
- App-based notifications
Both an app and web push notification can appear on your desktop as well as your mobile device. As the name suggests, web push notifications are generated by websites. On the other hand, app push notifications are generated from within an app.
Within these two categories, there are many different types of notifications that serve different purposes. In this section, we’ll guide you through a list of 12 of the most effective types.
1. Abandoned cart push notifications
An abandoned cart push notification is an automated message sent to users who have added an item to their online shopping cart but haven’t completed the purchase.
The aim of these messages is to remind users about the item in their cart and encourage them to complete the purchase.
Often, the message will include an incentive for converting, such as a discount on the item or free shipping.
The main benefit of abandoned cart notifications is that they boost conversion rates and increase revenue by recovering sales that would’ve been lost.
2. Discount and offer push notifications
A discount or offer push notification alerts users to (you guessed it) discounts or offers on a business’s products/services.
They’re one of the most effective types of notifications, as users are generally happy to receive messages that contain incentives. In fact, 34% of users say that promotional messages are their most desired type of notification.
Like abandoned cart recovery notifications, they can increase conversion rates and enhance customer engagement with your brand.
By providing offers and discounts, you can create a sense of inclusivity among your audience that leads to improved engagement and increased customer loyalty.
3. Geolocation push notifications
A geolocation push notification message is sent to a user when they enter or exit a specific geographical area. These areas are usually defined using GPS coordinates or geofences.
The aim is to send a highly targeted and relevant message to a user when they’re in the right place to take a desired action.
For example, a user may enter the area around a coffee shop in San Diego. When this happens, a message may appear on the user’s device, promoting a 2-for-1 offer in the store.
This improves user experience by providing convenient, relevant, and valuable information. It also drives foot traffic to businesses with physical locations, increasing sales and revenue.
4. Reminder push notifications
Reminder notifications are helpful prompts used to remind customers about things like appointments, events, and tasks they need to complete. They’re particularly useful for businesses like:
- Dental practices
- Law firms
- Beauty salons
- Gyms
- Restaurants
They most commonly appear as mobile app push notifications and are an effective way to encourage users to interact with the platform more frequently.
Additionally, users who receive notifications like this are less likely to miss appointments and events, which improves customer satisfaction and reduces financial risk for your business.
Note: SMS is also a great non-email channel for these types of communications.
5. Milestone push notifications
Milestone messages are primarily in-app notifications designed to recognize user achievements, progress, and significant events.
For example, if you run a fitness app, you can send notifications to celebrate fitness milestones, like walking 10,000 steps in a day.
These act as positive reinforcement for users and encourage them to keep working toward other milestones. As a result, they become more engaged with your app and are more likely to keep returning to it.
Plus, they enhance user experience by fostering an emotional connection with the app, which can increase user retention.
6. Seasonal push notifications
A seasonal push notification sends relevant messages to users during specific seasons and holidays. The primary aim is to capitalize on seasonal trends and drive sales during peak shopping periods.
A good example of a seasonal push notification would be sending a Christmas-themed message to users in December. Typically, it would include a prompt to check out a brand’s Christmas sale or specific seasonal offers.
This makes users more likely to convert and helps your business target users who are actively looking for purchasing opportunities.
If you’re proactive with your seasonal messages, it can also give you a competitive advantage over other brands that aren’t as timely.
7. Reactivation push notifications
Reactivation push notifications are designed to win back desktop and mobile users who have disengaged from your brand.
These notifications are sent to users based on their previous interactions with your site or app. For instance, a user may have browsed your men’s deodorant product page without making a purchase and then not engaged with your site for several weeks.
So, you could then send them a reactivation notification with incentives to make a purchase. Or, you could include recommendations for products similar to the ones they’ve previously shown interest in.
Reactivation messages can be highly effective as they allow you to target users who are already interested in your products or services. This means they’re more likely to convert than new users who have never interacted with your site or app.
8. Feedback request push notifications
A feedback request push notification prompts a user for information about your products, services, or the customer experience you provide. Usually, these include:
- Reviews
- Ratings
- Suggestions
- Surveys
They’re a quick and convenient way to collect valuable insights from your customers so that you can improve your offerings or customer service.
Plus, they show users that you care about their input and are determined to deliver the best experience possible. This can lead to increased credibility and trust among your audience.
9. Feature update push notifications
Feature update notifications inform users about changes to your app or your products/services. They usually include information about:
- New features
- Updates
- Improvements
They’re particularly useful for reengaging inactive users by enticing them back to your site or app with the promise of new features.
On top of this, they can boost user confidence and trust by demonstrating that your app, site, or products/services are actively maintained and improved.
This highlights the value of your offerings by showing users they’ll continue to gain new benefits even after the initial conversion.
10. New subscriber push notifications
New subscriber notifications welcome users who have recently opted in to receive your messages. The aim is to set the tone for future interactions and provide users with immediate value.
Ultimately, you want to make users feel like they made the right choice by opting in, and encourage them to continue engaging with your brand.
Some benefits of new subscriber notifications include:
- Improved user retention
- Opportunities for early conversions
- Making a good first impression
- Increasing engagement by encouraging users to explore the app or browse your products/services
11. Breaking news push notifications
For news sites, breaking news push messages are a powerful tool that enables brands to deliver timely information to their audience.
They alert users in real time to significant, time-sensitive, and developing news stories. This bypasses the need for users to regularly check the news site and, by including links within the messages, it drives traffic to the relevant pages.
If you run a news site, you can gain a competitive advantage over other sites by being the first one to break stories to your users. This builds brand loyalty and keeps you at the forefront of users’ minds.
12. Onboarding push notifications
When a user signs up for a new app, it can be tricky to learn how to use it without any help. This can lead to frustration and, if they don’t receive any guidance, they can often stop using the app.
That’s why onboarding push messages are so useful.
They’re designed to guide new users through the first stages of using your app. The instructions you provide help them to understand its features and highlight its value proposition.
When you do this, it greatly enhances user experience and increases retention rates.
Also Read: Push Notification best Practices, Push Notification Benefits, best time to send push notifications & Examples of Push Notifications
Final Thoughts
From abandoned cart reminders to geolocated prompts, there are many types of push notifications that can be highly beneficial to businesses in every niche. They’re an excellent way of enhancing user engagement with your brand, winning back inactive users, and boosting conversions.
Yet, to maximize their impact, they need to be integrated with an email marketing strategy.
Hire InboxArmy to do the hard work for you. Our email strategy and audit services, along with our reliable push notification services, will uncover opportunities to boost revenue growth through a combined email and push notification campaign
Contact us today to find out how we can create a bespoke strategy that guarantees success for your business.
FAQs
What platforms support push notifications?
Push notifications are supported on:
- Desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
- Mobile devices (Android and iOS)
- Web apps (Instagram, Reddit, Slack, etc.)
However, compatibility can vary depending on the specific device or platform being used.
How do users opt-in to receive push notifications?
Generally, users opt-in to push notifications in several ways depending on the platform, such as:
- Mobile apps: Users receive a prompt asking them to opt-in to notifications when they first install an app.
- Web browsers: Users are prompted to opt-in when they visit a site that supports push notifications. They can choose to allow notifications or to block them.
What is the ideal push notification frequency?
When it comes to push notifications, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to frequency. It depends on factors like:
- Your industry
- User behavior and preferences
- Your business goals
To determine the optimal frequency for your notifications, use analytics and user feedback to monitor your audience’s responses and adjust as necessary.
