How Can PWAs Increase User Engagement with Push Notification?
Push notifications have become a pivotal element for businesses. It offers diverse benefits, such as increasing user engagement, improved retention, and conversion rates. With their multifaceted utility, push notifications have seamlessly integrated into progressive web apps (PWAs).
This blog delves into the realm of push notifications within PWAs, shedding light on optimal practices for their implementation. Additionally, we will navigate through potential limitations, providing insights on effective strategies to overcome these challenges.
What Makes Push Notifications Important for PWAs?
Push notifications provide valuable advantages in Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), as they boost user engagement and retention.
Unlike standard web apps, PWAs can send notifications even when the app is closed, keeping users updated on new content, promotions, or updates. These notifications also aid in re-engagement by encouraging users to return to the app, thereby elevating overall user interaction.
Furthermore, they play a pivotal role in enhancing conversion rates by promptly notifying users of new features or personalised offers, contributing to a dynamic and responsive user experience within the PWA environment.
What are the Limitations of PWA push notifications?
There are several advantages to using progressive web apps. However, there are some limitations that you may not know about. These include:
1. Limited iOS support: iOS devices may have allowed the use of progressive web apps for push notifications, but this comes with some limitations. Hence, it can be blocked at any time if it doesn't seem to comply with their standards.
2. Limited access to device features: PWA has limited access to certain device features compared to native apps. While they can access the camera, geo-location, and push notifications, the performance level may not match that of native apps.
3. Browser dependency: The utility of PWA depends on the support provided by the browser. For instance, browsers like Chrome or Edge have good support for PWA whereas older browsers still don’t fully support them.
4. Limited functionality: While PWAs can work offline to some extent by caching resources, complex applications with extensive offline functionality may face challenges. Offline support might not be as seamless or comprehensive as that of native apps designed specifically for offline usage.
5. Limited Presence in App Stores: PWAs do not have the same visibility in app stores as native applications. Users often discover native apps through app stores, but PWAs require users to find and bookmark them in the browser. This can be a limitation for businesses relying on app store visibility for user acquisition.
Best Practices to Use and Write Engaging Push Notifications for PWA
The characteristics of push notifications for PWA are like those of native apps. Nonetheless, writing engaging push notifications for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) is crucial to capturing users' attention and encouraging them to interact with your app.
Here are some tips to help you create compelling push notifications:
Keep it concise:
Limit your message to a few words or a short sentence. Users should be able to quickly grasp the message without feeling overwhelmed.
Optimise notifications for different devices
Today, the share of users for Android and iOS across the globe is approximately 70:30. Thus, you must ensure that your push notifications are optimised for different devices and screen sizes.
Further, ensure that your message is clear and readable,including on tablet and desktop displays.
Personalise messages:
Personalisation in messages makes users feel special and cared for. This makes the push notifications more interactive and engaging while increasing the chances of user retention as well.
There are multiple opportunities to personalise notifications. You can use their name or add a previous notification with the app that compels them to read your notification.
Do not overwhelm users
Generally, you should send one notification per day but not more than five pushes a week.
You must analyse the interaction rate of users with your push notifications. This may vary by industry and genre but should not overwhelm users in any circumstances.
Offer soft opt-in
There are two types of opt-ins. One is the hard opt-in, where the user is asked to grant access the moment they open the app. On the other hand, soft opt-in is when the prompt is triggered by user action.
For example, when the user clicks the notification button, you can still offer opt-in at least once, but with some delay.
A/B testing
We will suggest you try A/B testing. You can also use Notifly, which lets you see how your notifications are performing, including a/b testing.
You can try different formats, tones, and call-to-actions to see which one gets a better response from users. Analyse each element so you can identify what resonates best with your target audience.
Key Takeaway:
We hope this blog helps in understanding the importance of push notifications within Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
Prominent examples, such as Starbucks, Twitter, and Facebook, highlight how even industry giants derive advantages from PWAs. Despite certain limitations, you can enhance engagement and user retention by carefully implementing the tips provided.
Additionally, consider utilising Notifly to boost your notification performance and strengthen your communication strategy. If you're eager to learn more, don't hesitate to reach out and connect with us.
