Push notifications vs. SMS notifications: Key differences

29 Apr.,2024

 

Push notifications vs. SMS notifications: Key differences

Call me Captain Obvious, but it’s clear that business owners want to get their customers’ attention. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Message Notification Service for Improving Marketing Effectiveness.

The hitch here is that there’s a lot of static to cut through first. Currently, the average US smartphone user receives nearly 50 notifications per day. So, how can you stand out? 

Digital marketers need to be aware of all the tools they have at their disposal to reach their audiences. Two of the most effective tools out there are SMS notifications and push notifications.

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Pus notifications vs. SMS notifications

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Let’s go over what they are, when to use them, and how to choose between the two.

What are SMS notifications?

SMS notifications are notifications that are sent when you receive a text message. Basically, if you’ve ever seen your phone light up with a preview of a text message you just got, that’s an SMS notification.

SMS stands for “Short Message Service.” SMS notifications are sent the same way as any other text message. Usually, they’re limited to 160 characters. 

With our expanded messaging feature, however, you can send SMS notifications that are up to 306 characters long. While SMS can be used as a marketing tool, SMS notifications can be used for time-sensitive and safety purposes also.

This is what an SMS notification looks like.

Why use SMS notifications?

Many businesses and organizations choose to use SMS notifications because they work on every device. There’s no app to download or software to install. Nearly all cell phones can receive SMS. 

Consider the following: your friend needs to inform you about something quickly. Would you rather them send you a quick text, call you, or email you? If you’re like most consumers, you answered text.

When to use SMS notifications

SMS notifications can be used to send emergency text alerts, inform users about new features, and send out advertising messages—among other things. Here are just a few of the most common use cases:

  • Spread the word about upcoming events
  • Send internal messages to employees
  • Increase profits with sales and cart abandonment texts
  • Inform patients about upcoming appointments
  • Fundraise or find volunteers for nonprofit organizations
  • Let customers know about reservation confirmations

What are push notifications?

Sometimes mistaken for SMS notifications, push notifications are pop-ups that appear on a mobile device. These messages may appear while customers are on their phones, or on the lock screen if the device isn’t in use. 

The biggest difference is that push notifications come from an app or website, not as a result of a text being sent. 

The maximum character count of a push notification varies from device to device, but the usual length is between 100 and 200 characters.

Here are a few different push notifications on a phone’s lock screen display.

Why use push notifications?

The main benefit of push notifications is that users don’t need to be in a particular app or on a site in order to see them. App or website publishers can send them at any time. Plus, many people opt into push notifications when they download an app. 

Data from Moengage tells us that push Notifications carry an impressive delivery rate of 90%. Not to mention that 40% of users engage with push notifications less than an hour after they pop up.

When to use push notifications

Push notifications can be used for many things: to ask users to take an action, let them know about new updates, and send them promotions. The most compelling reason to use push notifications is to make sure users don’t forget about your brand.

You can also simply encourage customers to return to your site or app to see new content or product drops or restock on products.

When used correctly, push notifications can help retention rates. In fact, Notify Visitors reports that push notifications generate a 39% retention rate.

3 key differences between push notifications and SMS notifications

A push notification is a notification itself that can come from any app and most websites and will appear on your phone’s lock screen. It is quite literally ‘pushing’ you to open your phone and read the notification.

SMS notifications, meanwhile, are specific to your native messaging app. An SMS notification appears on your lock screen, usually with an opening snippet of the text message you’ve received. 

Push notifications and SMS notifications can be used for similar purposes. However, the platforms used to send them are vastly different. 

When deciding between the two, here are three points to consider:

1. SMS notifications don’t require apps or websites

If your business offers a mobile app or hosts a website, you may want to send out push notifications. If you don’t, SMS notifications are perfect for you. 

To add push notifications to a web app, you must have a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. SMS notifications, on the other hand, can be sent without any coding experience. You can send your first message in just minutes.

2. Push notifications require just one tap 

When sending a text, the idea is to have customers read and respond to the message.

Push notifications take some of the effort off your customers’ plates by encouraging them to just tap the notification to head to your app or landing page.

3. Customers can reply to SMS notifications

Push notifications are convenient for one-way communication. If you need to provide customer service or want your users to be able to reply with questions or requests, you should probably use SMS notifications. 

Our platform allows for two-way conversations. And, all incoming SMS messages are free!

4. Push notifications are cost-effective

While you’ll need an SMS marketing service to set up SMS notifications, push notifications simply require some coding to get started. 

That represents a little more work on your part, but for brands on a budget, this could be a plus.p

The company is the world’s best Itniotech - Verification SMS supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

5. SMS notifications can be triggered by other software

Effective notifications need to be sent to the right people at the right time. With our Zapier integration, you can trigger messages to be sent when events occur in other pieces of software that you use. For example, you can send SMS notifications via SimpleTexting to new Constant Contact contacts. Or send SMS notifications via SimpleTexting to new Shopify customers.

Try our SMS notification service for free

It’s easy to add SMS notifications to your brand. Our platform was designed from the ground up to be as simple to use as possible. 

Sign up for a free 14-day trial to see how texts can benefit your business. With our SMS API, you can plug your website or app directly into our platform.

Alfredo Salkeld wrote this piece on 12/27/18. Lily Norton contributed.

The Significance of Effective Push Notifications for Your ...

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, companies strive to set themselves apart and establish direct connections with their target audience. Push notifications are a pivotal tool in achieving this goal. These messages, which appear as alerts on a user's device, are a must-have feature for businesses operating in the online sphere. They offer instant communication, even when users are not actively engaged with an app or website. When a push notification appears, it prompts users to revisit your service and take specific actions, such as checking out an offer, receiving important updates, or being alerted about events.

The Power of Push Notifications

The impact of push notifications on user engagement and retention is evident. Studies have shown that they can increase 90-day app retention by a significant 190% for businesses not already utilizing them. Moreover, it's been discovered that around 15% of iOS users and 30% of Android users do not receive any notifications within the first 90 days of downloading an app. As a result, only 5% of these users continue to use the app after this period.

Push notifications are a valuable tool for keeping users engaged and eager to use your services, but they need to be wielded judiciously. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of push notifications and offer guidelines for their effective use to boost revenue and enhance customer retention.

Why Push Notifications are Crucial for Advertisers

Push notifications are a potent marketing instrument. Recent data reveals that approximately 60% of mobile users opt to receive push notifications on their devices, with 57% finding them useful. Personalization of push notifications can yield even more promising results, with customers responding positively to notifications based on their preferences, location, real-world actions, in-app behavior, or addressing them by name.

Let's delve into the benefits that push notifications offer your business:

  • Increased Engagement: Push notifications are powerful tools for re-engaging users. They keep customers informed about special offers, upcoming events, and breaking news. The concise and personalized nature of push notifications prompts users to revisit your app or website with a simple tap on the notification.

  • Greater Customer Retention: The dynamic nature of the digital landscape means users have many options at their disposal. Businesses that carefully analyze their audience and send well-thought-out push messages have increased retention rates, enhancing brand loyalty and ROI.
  • Higher Conversion Rates: Push notifications have a significant impact on conversion rates, especially in industries like e-commerce, sports betting, and FinTech. Time-limited special offers can create a sense of urgency, and push notifications enable real-time communication to take advantage of these offers.
  • Audience Segmentation: Segmenting your audience based on factors like location, operating system, and browser allows you to tailor messages and send different versions of notifications to specific target groups. This personalization enhances user satisfaction and increases traffic.

  • Enhanced Customer Care: Push messages are less intrusive than SMS or emails and boast a higher open rate. Valuable, personalized content can positively influence the customer journey, guiding users to relevant sections or providing assistance when needed.
  • Efficient Upselling and Cross-Selling: Push notifications are effective for suggesting upsells and cross-sells. They encourage users to explore more products or services, leading to increased profits.

Best Practices for Push Notifications

To make the most of push notifications, adhere to these best practices:

  1. Personalization: Tailor notifications based on user attributes, behavior, and preferences. Make users feel that each notification is crafted for them.
  2. Timing: Send notifications at the right time, considering user behavior, location, and preferences. Optimize the timing for maximum engagement.
  3. Content: Customize notification content to match user interests and past interactions with your app or website.

Push Notifications in Various Industries

Push notifications can be effectively used across a range of industries. Here's how they benefit specific sectors:

iGaming: Online casinos, sportsbooks, and lotteries employ push notifications to inform users about deals, upcoming events, and transactional updates. This keeps users engaged and encourages bets and transactions.

FinTech: In the financial industry, push notifications are used to inform users about account updates, security alerts, and transactional updates. They also help in providing customer support and investment tips.

Healthcare: Healthcare apps and services use push notifications to engage users and connect with popular fitness trackers. These notifications help users stay motivated and informed about their health and fitness.

Conclusion

Push notifications are a powerful tool for enhancing user engagement, retention, and conversion rates across various industries. When employed effectively, they can boost your business's revenue and create a direct, personal connection with your customers. With a multitude of push notification systems available, integrating them into your app or website is simpler than ever. Start delivering personalized push messages to your clients and watch your business thrive with this dynamic marketing strategy.

At Aayan India, we specialize in designing, developing, and delivering IoT, web, and mobile applications that enable businesses to thrive in the digital age. Our expertise can help you harness the power of push notifications and other cutting-edge technologies to achieve your business objectives.

For more Itniotech - Notification SMSinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.