Because of the ever-growing usage of smartphones, the mobile app has heightened the demands of businesses and institutions. According to recent research, people spend more time using their mobile phones than they spend using their desktops or laptops. The reason is simple: mobility. This is also why mobile apps have become so prevalent and will no doubt continue to grow in popularity.
People are spending more time in their apps than ever before. A Nielsen study shows that nearly 28 apps are used by individuals every month and about 37 hours are spent using them. These already high numbers will continue to rise because of the constantly changing digital world and the constant availability of newer and better apps.
Marketers have seen this unique opportunity to connect with consumers by creating more interesting and life-changing apps to catch their attention. However, given the sheer number of available apps, the question now becomes, how can you stand out from the crowd? Providing value and commitment in bringing the best service to customers is a good place to start.
But how can you do this through your apps? The answer is simple and inexpensive: use push notifications.
So many app developers and marketers have overlooked the benefits of offering push notifications. This is a very inexpensive way to connect with customers directly without having to spend money on advertising. This is especially useful to keep customers connected, rather than annoyed by being bombarded with alerts, emails, etc. Your first objective after all is to add importance to consumer’s lives.
Push notifications have numerous benefits:
The basic purpose of push notification is the ability to provide up-to-date relevant information to users. Also, it is easy to deliver messages such as event broadcasting, breaking news and emergency updates. An application like those that MyCivic Apps offers, is essential to any government service, as they can quickly disseminate emergency news within their city or district directly to citizens whom are most likely to need to act on that information. This is what experts call “contextual engagement,” wherein it gives mobile users a more enhanced and significant experience than they could ever have had with a traditional desktop interaction.
Notifications are delivered in real-time without delay. Users have a sense of urgency to open the app because they immediately notice the information come through on their mobile device. Another important factor to consider is that even if the app is closed, push messages will still come through to users.
An invaluable feature of push notification is geo-location. MyCivic apps use geo-location to be able to send push notifications to users within a specified area. The client can instantly send out push notifications to users in a given radius to inform them of information that is pertinent because of said location. Push notifications are also useful when a user reports an issue using the app. After sending the report, users will receive messages informing them on the status of their report.
Lastly, and arguably the most important factor in using push notifications is its ability to spark recognition and encourage engagement, therefore increasing civic involvement. The experience for users becomes personalized which helps keep subscribers engaged with the app.
Push notification is already the new way to interact with mobile app users. However, always keep in mind that people are still in control of what information they want to receive on their phones. Making your push messages appropriate and significant will surely deepen your connection with your users. Therefore, providing value is still the key to a successful app and your users will remember you because you made an impact in their lives.
