Top Tips for Better Push Notifications

< Blog
Updated on: August 23rd, 2022Frank Falco7 min read
Mobile notifications visual

There are many reasons why users uninstall an app after limited use and one of the top reasons is due to annoying and irritating push notifications. Who among us hasn’t scrolled through the settings of an app looking for ways to stop an irksome message from popping up periodically? As a mobile app design company, and app connoisseur we feel that pain and try and avoid causing it which is why we are sharing our Top Tips for better Push Notifications.

After all, the ‘No pain – no gain’ motto is fine for the gym but not for our apps! Push notifications keep us engaged and informed but need to avoid annoyance for true success.

Tips for Better Push Notifications

  • Find a Balance – This is the most important tip we have to offer; find the right balance between too few notifications and too many. It is best to start with the bare minimum of notifications so that you aren’t overwhelming someone from the start. For those who feel that they need to use a lot of messages, try and curb that enthusiasm and put yourself in the users’ shoes. Do you want to be overwhelmed right out of the gate with a new app, platform, or website when you might not have decided if it provides enough value to keep? It is perfectly acceptable to have more notifications available; however they don’t have to automatically be enabled from the start. Allowing users to customize push notifications is a must in a successful design. The best way to check if you have not enough or too many notifications is to include it in your testing parameters so you can get direct feedback prior to launch.
  • Only when Relevant – This concept goes hand in hand with balance. Push notifications should only be sent out when they are relevant based on user actions or needs. For example, is a 12 a.m. push notification from a game really necessary when that is a low activity point for the majority of users? Ideally notifications should create a micro interaction that provides important communication from people, task reminders, or information that is needed at that time. For example, a notification delivered on Friday about an upcoming weekend sale for items you viewed on a store’s app would be relevant and timely. That same notification two weeks before or after the sale would not.
  • KISS Method – Keep is short and simple should be your mantra for push notifications. You are trying to inform the user as quickly and concisely as possible. That message can include a link for additional information, which is a great way to trigger action for people who want to know or do more, rather than sending a bloated initial message. Messages shouldn’t get cut off due to size constraints and links are helpful in that regard. You should also include some form of branding like a logo with each notification.
  • Focus on the Message – The message itself should be an example of great copy. You can use questions or statements, include personality and even add emojis to help your message come across as personable as possible. Most importantly, that message needs to make sense to the user! Again, this is where testing can play a part, even as you are creating new notifications. Grab a handful of people and run various options by them to ensure it is not just a random snippet of information that you get the gist of but others will be confused by. Analytics are a great way to get feedback on previous messages such as ones that get high responses versus those that don’t so you can incorporate what works and remove what doesn’t in future messages.
  • Push Once – There is an old saying that goes, “Measure twice and cut once.” You do that to ensure you get it right the first time. Use that same concept when sending out your notifications. Do your homework and craft a great message, then send it out once. If you send the same message multiple times hoping for a better response all you are doing is reducing your own credibility. For one, it might look like a mistake on your part. Additionally it can get annoying quickly. Many people are willing to simply uninstall an app rather than receive annoying messages repeatedly.
  • Follow Social Media – Social media platforms are constantly working on their push notifications. You can learn a lot by following all of the major players as well such as new ideas for how to deliver messages along with tracking complaints from users about what annoys them. Twitter is a great example of a platform that regularly adjusts their push notifications. This is one of the situations where you don’t need to reinvent the wheel because bigger brands are doing it already allowing you to pick and choose the best results.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that everyone who uses notifications should take the time and review our top tips for better push notifications. Most users are very adept at downloading and installing new apps along with quickly uninstalling them. For many, the choice to uninstall can take less time dealing with a brand that doesn’t bother to send messages at the right time, in the right place, or that ultimately are useful.

Be sure to check back every week for great new Lounge Lizard blog articles.

Published on: March 19th, 2018

Related articles

How can i increase brand loyalty visual
6 min read

How can I Increase Brand Loyalty?

August 23rd, 2022

Brand loyalty seems to be a fleeting concept these days. Customers are willing to jump from one brand to another for a better price, better incentives, [...]

Should you use personalization in your web design visual
8 min read

Should you use Personalization in your Web Design?

August 23rd, 2022

Personalization in website design has been labeled both a game changer and more trouble than it’s worth. That is a pretty wide spectrum to cover for [...]

Are your meta descriptions doing their job visual
7 min read

Are your Meta Descriptions doing their job?

January 9th, 2023

Are your Meta Descriptions doing their job for your website? They should be since meta descriptions are a factor in SEO that you shouldn’t ignore. As [...]

A quick guide to mobile app marketing visual
8 min read

A Quick Guide to Mobile App Marketing

August 23rd, 2022

Creating a successful mobile app marketing plan is not the easiest task to undertake, however it can and should be done if you want expect to [...]

How to use the liking principle for more conversions visual
7 min read

How to use the Liking Principle for more Conversions

August 23rd, 2022

Gaining more conversions is something that every business owner with an online presence should be focused on. In that regard, today we wanted to discuss how [...]

What do you need to know about google voice search optimization visual
6 min read

What do you need to know about Google Voice Search Optimization?

August 23rd, 2022

The foundation is being created for a surge in voice search over the next two years; is your business going to be ready? Current forecasts have [...]

Top Tips for Better Push Notifications
Share On:
Newsletter Sign Up

"*" indicates required fields

0 of 60 max characters
0 of 60 max characters

Request a Proposal

Fill Out Our Form & We’ll be in Touch Shortly

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Type of Project**

New York City
112 West 34th Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10120
Long Island
991 Main St.
Suite 200
Holbrook, NY 11741
Washington D.C.
1101 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 450
Washington, DC 20036
Nashville
424 Church St
Suite 2000
Nashville, TN 37219
Los Angeles
1100 Glendon Avenue
17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Miami
1221 Brickell Ave
Suite 900
Miami, FL 33131
Charleston
170 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Richmond
919 E. Main Street
Suite 1000
Richmond, VA 23219