What are push notifications?

And exactly how you can optimise them to supercharge your business.

Neetu Mogha

Tech Lead at Builder.ai
· 4 minute read
push notifications

Who is Builder.ai?

We are on a mission to unlock everyone’s potential with the power of software! Our combined approach of AI, automation and talented humans means that your background, tech knowledge or budget will never hold you back.

Learn more about us

And how they can optimise your business.

Push notifications are an impressive marketing tool that can boost conversion rates. When used incorrectly, they will do more harm than good. That’s why you need to use them wisely.

And we’re here to explain not just what they are, but how to optimise their effect.

So what are they?

Push notifications on mobile app screens

In short, they’re little text messages from an app. They pop up on a user's phone screen with a short message and that’s it.

However, whereas text messages allow the user to open the message and read it, push notifications will direct the user to open up the relative app on their phone.

It’s simple to explain but in practice, things get more complicated. Learning how to map a customer’s journey, involves learning how to use push notifications.

When designing push notifications, you have to be mindful of 3 criteria:

  • Length
  • Frequency
  • Relevancy

Short and sweet

Push notifications have to be concise. Users don’t want to read an essay about what you are saying and you also have a character limit to consider. In fact, the shorter the better.

Push notifications with a word count of 10 or less actually have the highest click rate around averaging at 8.8%. Once you go over, push notification click rates drop dramatically, so you need to get your message across and provide a little mystery to intrigue users.

Don’t be annoying

You probably have one or two of these apps on your phone. Constantly nagging about the same offers or harping on about something repetitively. You may have even forgotten about those apps because you turned those notifications OFF.

Push notifications rely on users’ discretion. If you go too far, your app will be muted and left with zero communication going directly to your user and no reminders about what they’re missing from your business. Push notifications represent a big boost to your business but can be your downfall. This double-edged sword means you cannot afford to abuse this option.

Stay relevant

Baymax from Big Hero 6 saying ‘you have fallen!’ may be a subtle joke at a push notification but it actually hits pretty close to the mark in some ways.

Of course, we’re not looking for a narration of what customers are doing. We’re talking about being personal.

Let’s say it’s a lovely Saturday afternoon. A user’s geographical location reports that they are nearby your business, enjoying a stroll in the park. Wouldn’t that be the perfect time for a reminder? A subtle nod that their favourite restaurant is nearby? That the chance for refreshing iced coffee is close at hand?

Staying personal is vital to push notifications. It gives a semblance of connection and care. It also gives you a chance to build your brand loyalty around how you’re treating your customers.

Apps

Mobile app screen with signup buttons

With app sales rising 46% year after year, push notifications are what your business needs to maintain your edge. If you haven’t implemented your own app as part of your brand development strategy, you may be wondering ‘how easy is it to make an app?’

Well, actually it’s a...

Piece of cake

You can also send push notifications recommending cake, but what we’re saying is that it’s easier than ever before. With our Studio Store options available, we not only provide you with your own personalised app but we also build in everything you need to succeed with push notifications.

Along with maintaining your app for you, you won’t find any extra charges when you ask ‘how much to make an app?’

How do we guarantee no extra charges? Well, by taking no commission of course.

Once we create your app for you (no development skills needed on your end) you keep the profits coming your way. No percentages, no cuts, just you, your business, and your hard-earned money. Obviously, you’ll still have to pay credit card fees but not a single penny extra goes to us.

Our pre-packaged apps include built-in features that cover a variety of marketing tools, push notifications can change your business for the better.

With push notifications staying:

  • Concise
  • Frequent enough
  • Relevant to customers

You can optimise your conversion rate and turn those potential customers into loyal ones.

Check out our Studio Store and find the right fit for your business. From restaurants to retail, we have an app that’s right for you. Within a few weeks, your business can be online and ready to go.

You’ve got customers waiting for you. So don’t let them down, get in touch and get your own app today!

Join the Builder.ai community

Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends

By proceeding you agree to Builder.ai's privacy policy and terms and conditions

Neetu Mogha

Tech Lead at Builder.ai

Neetu Mogha is a Tech Lead at Builder.ai where she applies 10+ years of management experience to guide the software development team. Neetu has a BTech in Computer Science from Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University.

Your apps made to order

Trusted by the world's leading brands

BBC logoMakro logoVirgin Unite logoNBC logoFujitsu logo
Your apps made to order

Related articles

How to create an app from scratch: The exhaustive 11-step guide

How to create an app from scratch: The exhaustive 11-step guide

Creating your own app is cheap, but it doesn’t come easy…

Priyanka Kochhar

· 7 minute read
21 Ecommerce Trends that SHRINK Business Potential

21 Ecommerce Trends that SHRINK Business Potential

Avoid a customer-first approach to ecommerce at your peril…

Ananth Ramanathan

· 19 minute read
 Financing your dream app in a snap

Financing your dream app in a snap

If there is one thing all entrepreneurial ventures have in common,

Team Builder

· 4 minute read

Related case studies

BBC Click Live

How we helped the BBC run a world-class event experience

BBC Click producers needed an app that enabled their live audience to interact with polls and questions, which Builder.ai delivered in double-quick time.

Pepsi

Pepsi Case Study - Builder.ai®

We created a B2B ecommerce app for Pepsi at a fraction of the cost. Automating the order process and enabling their resellers to order online. Read the full case study here.

Moodit

How we helped Moodit’s users “crowdsource” positivity

With our help, Dr Hassan Yasin created a mental health app designed to help children and adolescents express their worries and improve their social connectedness.

Got questions?

Head to our FAQ page for in-depth answers

Read FAQs