With the evolution of mobile app development over the years, developers have been constantly looking for new ways to engage with the targeted users. Push notifications are known to be one of the most powerful tools available to app developers in current times. It not only helps in alerting the users to the latest updates but also helps the companies identify the preferences of the targeted consumers.
Push notifications in iOS apps have become a powerful tool for engaging users by providing real-time information to enhance their experience. It is important that before you hire iOS app developers for the development of either a news app, messaging app, or any other type of iOS app, It is important to understand the significance of implementing a push notification feature.
In this blog, we will further explore the role of push notifications in iOS apps while also highlighting its benefits and how it enhance user engagement.
What are iOS Push Notifications?
Push notifications in iOS apps refer to short, concise messages that appear on a user’s Apple device (iPhone, iPad, web browser, or desktop operating on the iPhone operating system), to alert them of a reminder, promotion, or call to action. Push notification is an excellent tool for a multi-channel communication strategy as it allows for a more robust way to engage with the consumers and build on the experience journey. The main iOS push notification categories are:
iOS Mobile Push Notifications
Mobile push notifications (also known as mobile push messages, In-App, or app push notifications) are produced after a customer downloads the app into their iPhone, Mac, or iPad and opt-in to receive notifications.
iOS Wearable Push Notifications
iOS wearable push notifications are generated when a wearable device such as an Apple watch is synced with the notifications on a user’s iOS mobile device.
iOS Web Push Notifications
Web push notifications- also known as browser push messages, are generated through scripts called service workers that allow the messages to pop up on a user’s open browser, even if they are not on your website or using your web app.
How Push Notifications Enhance iOS App Engagement?
Integrating the push notifications feature in iOS app development helps developers reach a wider audience by providing them with regular news and updates.
Strengthen User Retention
There is no point in having an app if no one utilizes it. Push notifications, if strategically implemented, can help strengthen the customer retention rate by convincing them to download the app and interact with it continuously even after the download.
Building Brand Loyalty
User experience can be enhanced with the identification of engaging content such as by sharing recent company news or app updates, new sales and offers, personalized messages, or birthday reminders. These alerts not only grab the user’s attention but also the push notifications can positively impact how the consumer views your brand.
Real-Time Alerts
With real-time alerts, you have the flexibility and freedom to automate the push messages based on the user activity. iOS messages allow companies to provide their users with instant information with an immediate response. Push messages also go directly to the users’ devices during their most active wireframes.
Boost Engagement
The power behind the push notifications is that the users don’t have to be operating within the app for the companies to interact and engage with the consumers. iOS push messages offer users an easy way to receive different forms of information that have a clear call to action. Promotional deals, events, discounts as well as other relevant news about the company can boost user engagement.
Increased Conversions
Conversion refers to a consumer going from a non-customer to a customer. Once the company has an interested consumer on the line, it will need to slowly reel them in. Well-crafted personalized iOS push notifications have proven to increase conversion rates by four times in comparison to other similar marketing tools.
How Does iOS Push Notification Work?
Push notifications are either generated by the app locally or remotely from the server. The app-generated notifications are often triggered by specific events such as time or location, crafting content tied to the events. On the other remote notifications, are generated by the backend servers when certain events are triggered. The working of iOS push notifications is explained in the points below:
- In the first stage, the app communicates with APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) to get the device token with the configurations.
- Once the app requests the token, APNS will provide the device token to the app.
- The app needs to send it to its server or they can use any other third-party providers who are providing the push services.
- If the system is using its own architecture, it just needs to get the device token from the database and send the request to Apple with push details and the device token, then APNS will deliver the push to a specific user(s).
- If the system is using third-party providers, then the system needs to store some information based on the third-party provider.
- Then when they want to send the push, they send the push message details and user-specific identification.
- Then the third-party provider will communicate with APNS to send the notification to a specific user.
Final Thoughts
Push notifications have become a game-changer when it comes to boosting iOS mobile app engagement. By sending personalized, timely, and relevant messages, app developers can keep users engaged, improve retention, and ultimately drive conversion. However, this tool must be used responsibly, further ensuring users’ preferences and privacy.
It is important to understand that the key to effective push notifications lies in understanding the audience and delivering value. To enhance iOS app engagement, developers are required to keep experimenting, analyzing, and adapting the approach to see what works for the mobile app as well as for the users.
Read More: Optimizing iOS App Performance: Tips for Speed and Efficiency
