Is Web Push Different from Mobile (In-app) Push Notifications?
Both, web push and mobile push notifications are a source of communication and a strong marketing tool. Using these, you can connect users with a targeted audience and increase their engagement to drive conversions on your website or mobile application. Moreover, for news marketing, these are the best ways to reach users in the first place. However, they are not completely similar. Each of the push notifications has a distinct feature and purpose.
So, let’s discuss them in this blog. Also, learn about their opt-in process, web push prompts, and applications.
What differentiates web push notifications from mobile push notifications?
You may find the two types of push notifications quite similar; however, they are not. Web push notifications are the small messages that appear on the web browser, whereas mobile push notifications appear on the mobile.
The primary difference between these push notifications is that the former can appear on both laptops and mobile devices, while the latter only appears on mobile devices or smartphones. Since the web browser is a function on every smartphone, you can send web push notifications to users on all devices and platforms including iOS.
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Opt-in process for web push notifications
Once you give them permission, a certificate is stored on the web server. This certificate helps in identifying and confirming if the user’s device accepts the notifications or not. Next, when the notification is ready to be sent, a request is sent via the web push protocol. After sending the notification, the push server holds it until the user is active or the notification expires.
You can set the notification expiration date to specify how long to hold it in case it is not delivered. However, as soon as the notification is received by the user’s device, the service worker is informed. Finally, the notification is delivered.
What are the different types of web push prompts?
The prompt for web push notifications may vary on different websites. This is the option you get through your web push service provider. For example, if you use the Notifly API service for web push notifications, you get multiple options to customise your notification.
Some of the popular web push prompts are as follows:
1. Bell prompt: It is a common prompt that you must have noticed on various websites. In this prompt, a small widget is in the bottom corner of your site. It's a dialogue box prompt that contains the website’s name or logo, a message explaining the purpose of the notifications, and buttons to accept or reject them.
2. Banner prompt: This type of prompt appears on a horizontal bar either at the top or bottom of the website. Like a bell prompt, this may also have the website’s name or logo, a message explaining the purpose of the notifications, and buttons to accept or deny them.
3. Slide-in prompt: This type of notification appears as a small bar or bar sliding from the edge of the browser window. This also has all the other prompt notifications mentioned above. What differentiates this prompt is that it lets users quickly interact with the prompt and continue browsing.
4. Slide-down prompt: This is a customisable prompt that slides into view from the top or bottom of the window. With images, buttons, and text, you can even customise the time it takes to pop up. This gives you the freedom to use the prompt and enhance the user experience on the website.
5. Custom link: It is a type of customisable web push prompt. In this prompt, you can either use a clickable link or button to prompt users for push notification permission. The link or button can be placed anywhere on your page, as suited to your website's design and branding.
It's important to understand that these prompts can vary in appearance and behaviour due to browser updates and operating system differences.
Which should I choose: web push or mobile push notifications?
This question troubles you when you have both the website and its mobile app version. In that case, you can use both web and mobile push notifications. But what if the users use both devices and receive the same notification?
Though you can create different push strategies for web and mobile push notifications, your users will be bombarded with the same brand. This might have the reverse effect.
In a nutshell, to make things easier, consider two key factors: where your traffic comes from and what your ultimate goal is. If your website is the primary source of traffic, then focus on crafting a web push notification strategy that revolves around it. On the flip side, if you want to put the spotlight on your mobile application, tailor your strategy accordingly. Also, think about which aspect you want to shine the most—whether it's attracting more users to your website or boosting the popularity of your mobile app. By keeping these factors in mind, you'll be on the right track!
