Mobile push notifications are messages sent by a mobile app that can be viewed from the device’s lock screen when the app is not currently in use. It allows for relevant and timely information to be delivered to customers when they are not actively engaging with the app. A good push notification campaign can help boost in-app sales and retain app users. Let’s look at some proven ways to use mobile push notifications to drive app sales.
1. Prompt users to enable mobile push notifications
When users first download your app, provide a clear explanation of the benefits of enabling push notifications. Tell them about the kind of valuable information and updates they will receive. For example, “Stay informed about exclusive offers!” or “Get timely alerts on the latest promotions.”
Display the push notification opt-in prompt at the right times, such as when the user signs up for your app, opens the app for the first time, or makes a purchase. Also consider setting expectations about the frequency of notifications. For example, “Receive daily recipes and kitchen tips,” or “We will send you occasional tips about new products.”
2. Decide the type of sales-boosting push notifications to send out
Mobile push notifications serve various purposes, from highlighting new in-app features to teasing a new product or promotion. When the goal is to drive app sales, you can run different types of pushes, as stated below:
- Retention pushes are a re-engagement tool for users that have abandoned their shopping carts or who’re at a risk of churn. They’re also used to re-engage customers with special promotions.
- Promotional push notifications notify users of flash sales or live events. They’re used to update users on new products or offers.
- Price drop pushes inform customers of a discount on a product. They can create a fear of missing out (FOMO) among customers who have wish-listed products.
- Abandoned purchase pushes remind customers to complete their purchase and help you recover sales that would have been lost otherwise.
For the mobile push notifications to motivate the desired actions, such as driving traffic to the app and increasing conversions, the communications should be relevant and timely to users. Segmenting your users allows you to craft personalized messages to each sub-group, and tracking in-app user behaviors helps deliver a personalized shopping experience, as explained further.
3. Segment your audience
User segmentation is the precursor to creating personalized offers and messages to your app users. Users’ location information is necessary for geotargeting promotions, their demographics help craft messages that deliver value to them, and their behaviors must be known to notify them to complete actions, such as a transaction.
Collecting data on users is easier than ever. The AI-powered no-code solution provides multiple features for segmentation and segments users based on unlimited attributes. Its AI and machine language brain performs predictive segmentation and generates personalized mobile push notifications.
You can run different push notification campaigns aimed at growing sales. You can apply and reuse your personalization rules across other channels, including SMS, email, messengers, web, desktop, app inbox, and within the app.
4. Decide the right timing and frequency
Delivering push notifications for time-sensitive events like a limited-period sale in a timely manner is obviously paramount. It is equally paramount to plan sensible timing for push notifications. No one wants to be reminded of their abandoned shopping cart at midnight.
Broadly, mobile push notifications can be immediate, data-based, or time-based.
Immediate pushes are immediately sent out to targeted users regardless of their geographical location. It is used for time-sensitive events like a flash sale or live shopping event on social media.
Data-based push notifications are based on the data you have on usage habits and sent out automatically for each individual user or user groups.
Time-based push notifications are sent out at the same time across time zones. An example is Starbucks’ happy hour location-based push that encourages users in various countries to visit their nearest Starbucks outlet during the designated “Happy Hour”.
5. Use media-rich push notifications
Media push notifications include images to grab attention and encourage engagement. For example, a clothing retailer may use alerts with a product image to entice users back to an abandoned cart or transaction. Images are also powerful in attracting users to price alerts, sales, discounts, or new products.
There are many creative ways to use rich push notifications. You can personalize them with the user’s name, location, or a relevant activity. While image-based mobile pushes are alluring, you can also think about attaching media like video, audio, or an animated GIF, which allows you to communicate with customers in an inviting way using timely media-rich pushes.
6. Double down on personalization
Effective personalization is at the heart of conversions. Personalizing your mobile push notifications can boost open rates and spur engagement. Segmentation and user data are crucial to tailor pushes based on user preferences, purchase history, and past interactions. For example, if a user has shown interest in a particular value meal on your menu or the floral mattresses in your collection, target them with relevant notifications about related products.
7. Include a loyalty program in your mobile app
Consumers want good loyalty programs and being creatures of habit, are likely to continue being loyal to a brand for the benefits their patronage brings. Including a loyalty program in your mobile app is yet another way to stay consistently engaged with your audience via mobile push notifications, thereby boosting customer retention and lifetime value.
The user data collected in-app allows customers to engage with your loyalty program without putting in a lot of time and effort. With the customer retention solutions, you can easily deliver a personalized customer experience through your loyalty program. For example, when you know which of your customers are frequently purchasing from you or spending more money, you can reward them suitably.
Wrapping up
A full-featured notification service helps send personalized messages even if customers are not actively using your app. It makes light work of granular targeting, personalized messaging, and ongoing promotions. Take full advantage of automated push notification campaigns to skyrocket sales!