A push notification is a message that pops up on a desktop or mobile device. Content and App publishers can send them at any time. The best part is subscribers don't have to be in the app, on your website to receive the notifications.

The notification message will pop up even if a mobile device is locked, the subscriber is in a different app or even on another website or browser tab on desktop. This is why push notifications are the best way to alert a subscriber of urgent updates or special offers: they pop up no matter what the subscriber is doing.
Here are a few benefits your business can earn from Push Notifications:

1. Connect with audiences who are not active on your website
2. Re-engage customers with different needs & preferences
3. Minimize cart abandonment and Inform audiences in a timely manner
4. Increase engagement & brand loyalty
5. Achieve higher open & conversion rates

An important advantage of push notifications in mobile computing is that the technology doesn't require specific applications on a mobile device to be open in order for a message to be received. This allows a smartphone to receive and display social media or text message alerts even when the device's screen is locked and the social media application that is pushing the notification is closed.

Push notifications and text messaging appear to be similar, some may lump the two technology wonders together and treat them the same way. Both technology solutions can arrive on a user’s mobile device, they both have to fit within tight character limits, and both have average open rates that are over 90%. Push Notifications have the added benefit of reaching desktop users which pushes Push Notification above text messaging.

So, why are we argue that push notifications are better than text messaging? And once again, what are push notifications?

One factor to consider is cost. Many mobile users do not have unlimited texting plans and will wind up getting charged for each text message you send. This will lead these subscribers to look at your message negatively and trigger irritation. Or worse, they may opt-out of future messages altogether.

The expense of text messaging is not just isolated to the consumer or subscribers. The cost to send out a massive amount of text messages is relevant for many businesses, especially small ones, depending upon what service and platform are used to blast out messages. Push notifications, in contrast, are unlimited and range from free to inexpensive solutions.

The opt-in / opt-out dynamic of push notifications is simple and gives the subscriber more control. Subscribers have total control over which apps and websites send them notifications. Text messages often come unsolicited. In fact, due to the sale of phone number lists between companies, some users may receive spammy texts from time to time and view SMS as a lower-quality messaging channel. Also, SMS has regulations that must be followed in the United States. This is often a big turn off for many small businesses.

Push notifications also increase engagement with content and improve user retention rates. Therefore, push notification can help drive activity on the topic of your message. Push Notifications enable you to send custom messages to your customers, and site visitors that entice them to come back to your website or into your business. As an example, you can send a push notification message in seconds offering people 10% off their dinner within the next hour if things are slow during certain business hours. The return on investment here is awesome for a small business.

You’d rather be invited into someone’s house than forced, right? Now apply that to push notifications. Frame the title and message; for example: “We’re providing $40 off upcoming classes! Click to learn more,” instead of “CLICK HERE to get $40 off upcoming classes” Remember, it’s a message from you to the consumer and you have a limited amount of characters to work with, so make the most of them. Push notifications can serve as a great customer retention tool, but they need to be read! So what would make you click if you were on the receiving end?

I think we can agree that the early hours of the morning or late hours at night should be push-free. Poorly planned push notifications can drive people away just as quickly as they arrived, it’s important to consider the lifestyle and habits of your average subscriber. Marketing studies have revealed the best time to send push notifications is between noon and 5pm on weekdays. Mondays are best avoided, as the average subscriber tends to be busiest at the start of a work week, and Tuesday through Friday are best. Now, this applies to the average subscriber. If your target audience is more likely to be available during the weekends or odd hours, you’ll need to factor that in. The main takeaway here is to send your push notifications when subscribers have enough downtime to read them but don’t disrupt their quiet or personal hours.

Something important or interesting about your business drove subscribers to opt-in to receive notifications. Remember this point. With push notifications, you’re already leagues above email marketing. According to research, push notifications see 50% higher open rates than emails. These subscribers have invited you into their sacred mobile and desktop space, respect and appreciate your position.

In closing, push notification systems are the most advanced systems available, and it can be a major asset for boosting interaction with your subscribers and increasing revenue.

When a subscriber gets a push notification, it’s a message from a business company they know and want to hear from. Realistically from a business standpoint, the cost couldn’t be lower. Considering their effectiveness and ability to address a number of goals at once, we find push notifications to be just as good as, if not better than, text messaging.