Push notifications have become an essential part of digital marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes. They are a powerful tool for engaging users, driving conversions, and enhancing user experience. However, with the average smartphone user receiving over 60 push notifications every day, it's crucial for businesses to create notifications that stand out and grab the user's attention. In this article, we discuss innovative ways to make push notifications interactive, such as incorporating swipe gestures, quizzes, polls, or mini-games to increase user engagement.
The Power of Interactive Push Notifications
Interactive push notifications are notifications that allow users to interact with the notification directly, beyond just clicks and taps. They offer a more engaging and immersive experience for users, and can significantly increase user engagement and conversions. According to a study by Accengage, interactive push notifications have a 28% higher open rate and a 10% higher conversion rate than traditional push notifications.
Innovative Ways to Make Push Notifications Interactive
Swipe Gestures
Swipe gestures are a simple and effective way to make push notifications interactive. Swipe gestures allow users to interact with the notification directly, by swiping left or right on the notification. This can be used to create a variety of interactive experiences, such as swiping left to dismiss the notification, or swiping right to reveal more information or take action.
Quizzes
Quizzes are a fun and engaging way to make push notifications interactive. Quizzes can be used to test users' knowledge, gather feedback, or provide personalized recommendations. For example, a fashion retailer could send a push notification with a quiz asking users to guess the price of a product, or a fitness app could send a push notification with a quiz asking users to guess the number of calories burned during a workout.
Polls
Polls are a simple and effective way to make push notifications interactive. Polls can be used to gather feedback, gather opinions, or provide personalized recommendations. For example, a news app could send a push notification with a poll asking users to vote on their favorite news story of the day, or a travel app could send a push notification with a poll asking users to vote on their favorite travel destination.
Mini-Games
Mini-games are a fun and engaging way to make push notifications interactive. Mini-games can be used to entertain users, provide a break from the daily routine, or provide a reward for engagement. For example, a gaming app could send a push notification with a mini-game that rewards users with virtual coins or points for engagement, or a food delivery app could send a push notification with a mini-game that rewards users with a discount code for engagement.
Rich Media
Rich media is a powerful tool for making push notifications interactive. Rich media can be used to create a variety of interactive experiences, such as videos, images, or audio. For example, a music streaming app could send a push notification with a video of a new music release, or a news app could send a push notification with an audio recording of a breaking news story.
Best Practices for Creating Interactive Push Notifications
Keep it Simple and Intuitive
Interactive push notifications should be simple and intuitive to use. This means that the user should be able to interact with the notification easily, without having to think too much about it. By keeping it simple and intuitive, businesses can create notifications that are more likely to be engaged with by users.
Use Visuals and Multimedia
Interactive push notifications should use visuals and multimedia to create a more engaging and immersive experience for users. This can be achieved by using images, videos, or audio that are relevant, engaging, and consistent with the brand's tone. By using visuals and multimedia, businesses can create notifications that are more likely to be noticed, read, and acted upon by users.
Use Action-Oriented Language
Interactive push notifications should use action-oriented language that encourages users to take action. This can be achieved by using verbs that are direct, specific, and relevant to the desired action. For example, notifications like "Play the mini-game and win a discount code" or "Take the quiz and get personalized recommendations" are more likely to drive engagement than generic notifications like "Check this out" or "New update available".
Test and Optimize
Interactive push notifications should be tested and optimized for maximum engagement. This can be achieved by using A/B testing, where different versions of a notification are sent to different segments of users, and the results are analyzed to determine which version is more effective. By testing and optimizing, businesses can maximize the engagement and impact of their interactive push notifications.
Timing is Everything
Interactive push notifications should be sent at the right time, based on the user's time zone, preferences, and behavior. This can be achieved by using data analytics and machine learning algorithms to predict the best time to send a notification. By sending notifications at the right time, businesses can increase the likelihood of engagement and avoid annoying or interrupting the user.
Conclusion
Interactive push notifications are a powerful tool for businesses to engage with their users and drive conversions. By incorporating swipe gestures, quizzes, polls, or mini-games, businesses can create notifications that are more likely to be noticed, read, and acted upon by users. By keeping it simple and intuitive, using visuals and multimedia, using action-oriented language, testing and optimizing, and timing it right, businesses can maximize the engagement and impact of their interactive push notifications. With the right strategies and best practices, businesses can create interactive push notifications that are beyond clicks and taps, and that provide a more engaging and immersive experience for users.