In today’s digital age, businesses have a multitude of channels to reach out to their customers. However, two of the most popular and effective channels are Push Notifications and SMS. While both channels serve the same purpose of engaging with customers, they differ in the way they deliver messages and the type of interactions they enable. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between Push Notifications and SMS and help you determine which one is the best fit for your business.

Push Notifications – Quick and Engaging

Push notifications are messages sent to a user’s mobile device, displayed on the lock screen or in the notification tray. They are typically used to engage with users in real-time, with time-sensitive or personalized content. Push notifications can be sent through a mobile app or web app and are highly customizable, enabling businesses to tailor messages to specific users based on their location, behavior, and preferences.

Push notifications are an effective way to drive user engagement, increase retention, and encourage users to take action. They are quick, engaging, and can deliver highly targeted and relevant messages. They are also a great way to re-engage with inactive users or to notify users of important updates, events, or promotions.

Pop-up on screen

Reminders, Updates and Offers can be pushed

Short Text as well as Graphical images and videos

Best for e-commerce business to push recently visited products

Reminders on abundant cart

Explicit OPTIN is not required to send Offers, as it will only be pushed to those users who have allowed notifications.

SMS – Reliable and Widely Used

SMS, or Short Message Service, is a text messaging service that enables businesses to send messages to their customers’ mobile devices. SMS is one of the oldest and most widely used mobile communication channels and is highly reliable, with messages typically delivered within seconds. SMS messages can be sent from a web-based platform or an application programming interface (API), making it easy for businesses to integrate SMS into their existing communication workflows.

SMS is an effective channel for reaching customers who do not have a smartphone or have limited access to the internet. It is also a great way to send urgent messages, such as order confirmations, appointment reminders, or security alerts. SMS is also an excellent way to reach a large audience quickly and cost-effectively, making it a popular channel for marketing campaigns.

Marketing and Offers required recipient consent.

Quick and instant response

No need of internet to deliver the message

Which One Should You Use?

The decision to use Push Notifications or SMS ultimately depends on the type of business, its goals, and its target audience. Push notifications are ideal for engaging with users in real-time, encouraging them to take action, and delivering personalized and relevant content. SMS, on the other hand, is a reliable and widely used channel that is great for sending time-sensitive and urgent messages to a large audience.

For businesses that want to engage with their customers in real-time, and have a mobile app or web app, push notifications are the way to go. They are quick, engaging, and can be highly targeted, making them an effective way to drive user engagement and increase retention. On the other hand, for businesses that want to reach a large audience quickly and cost-effectively, SMS is a great option. SMS is reliable, widely used, and can be used for a variety of purposes, including marketing campaigns, order confirmations, and security alerts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Push Notifications and SMS are effective channels for engaging with customers. The decision to use one or the other ultimately depends on the type of business, its goals, and its target audience. Businesses that want to engage with users in real-time should consider using push notifications, while those that want to reach a large audience quickly and cost-effectively should consider using SMS. By choosing the right channel for their needs, businesses can engage with their customers effectively and drive business growth.