Push notifications enable brands to send brief messages to users even when the app isn't open. Compared to SMS, push notifications:
These differences make push notifications a better option for businesses to engage customers and build their brand. Push notifications allow companies to deliver timely, customized, and visually appealing messages promoting offers, products, and events to stay top of mind with customers. When used strategically, push notifications can strengthen brand recognition, boost app engagement, and increase customer loyalty.
When creating push notifications for your store, focus on concise, attention-grabbing content. Keep messages under 10 words for optimal engagement. Use action-oriented language and create a sense of urgency to encourage immediate response. For example, "Flash Sale: 50% off lattes for the next hour!" resonates more effectively than a generic "Coffee discount available." Add a few more specific examples of effective push notification messages that are relevant and engaging for restaurant or cafe customers.
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"Happy Hour: 2-for-1 Cappuccinos till 5 PM!"
"Weekend Special: Free Pastry with Any Coffee!"
"Morning Perk: $1 Off Your First Coffee Today!"
"Welcome Back, [Name]! Enjoy 10% Off Your Favorite Latte."
"It's Cold Outside! Warm Up with a Hot Chocolate on Us."
"We Miss You! Here's a 15% Discount for Your Next Visit."
"App Exclusive: 20% Off All Orders This Weekend!"
"VIP Perk: Early Access to Our New Summer Drinks."
"Secret Menu Alert: Try Our New Vanilla Cold Brew!"
Starbucks effectively uses push notifications to keep customers engaged and coming back. They often send personalized offers based on past purchases and time-limited promotions. Examples include:
"Free Drink! Earn a Free Coffee with Your Next Purchase."
"Last Chance! Double Stars on All Orders Today."
Dunkin' Donuts leverages push notifications for their rewards program, promoting new menu items, and special deals. Examples include:
"New Item Alert: Try Our Iced Matcha Latte Today!"
"Double Points Day! Earn More with Every Purchase."
McDonald's uses push notifications to drive traffic during slow periods and promote limited-time offers. Examples include:
"Lunch Special: $2 Big Mac from 12-2 PM!"
"New McFlurry Flavor! Try the Oreo Blast Today."
The optimal timing and frequency of push notifications depend on your business type and customer preferences. For restaurants and coffee shops, the best time to send notifications is typically between 10 am and 1 pm, when customers are planning their meals or seeking a caffeine boost. Avoid disrupting users by considering time zones and daily routines. Limit notifications to 2-3 per week to prevent fatigue and maintain engagement. Add a few examples of specific days and times that tend to work well for push notifications in the restaurant/cafe industry based on meal times and customer routines.
Ensure your notifications provide value to the recipient. Leverage customer data to personalize messages based on past orders, preferences, or location. For instance, notify a regular customer about their favorite dish being back on the menu or alert nearby users about a limited-time offer. Relevance increases open rates and encourages action. Add a few more examples of how to personalize push notifications for different customer segments based on order history, location, and other preferences.
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Using order history data allows you to send tailored notifications that resonate with individual customers. For example, if a customer frequently orders a particular type of coffee, you can notify them when that item is on special or suggest similar products they might enjoy. This approach makes the notification feel more personal and relevant, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
Sending notifications at the right time can improve their effectiveness. Analyze customer behavior to identify peak engagement times and schedule notifications accordingly. Additionally, use behavior triggers such as abandoned carts or previous visit times to send timely and contextually relevant messages. For example, sending a reminder about an abandoned order with a small discount can encourage customers to complete their purchase.
Understanding and utilizing customer preferences and interests can make your push notifications more compelling. By your audience based on their stated preferences or inferred interests, you can deliver highly relevant content. For instance, if a group of your customers prefers vegan options, sending notifications about new vegan menu items or special offers on plant-based beverages can increase engagement. Additionally, providing an option for customers to customize their notification preferences allows them to receive the most pertinent information, fostering a positive user experience and increasing the likelihood of action.
Continuously refine your push notification strategy through A/B testing. Experiment with different message formats, timing, and content to identify what resonates best with your audience. Analyze key metrics such as open rates, conversion rates, and customer feedback to optimize your approach. Remember, what works for one segment may not work for another, so tailor your strategy accordingly. Add details on a few specific metrics restaurants/cafes can track to evaluate push notification effectiveness and how they can adjust their strategy based on test results.
Divide your audience into specific segments based on factors like purchase history, location, or dietary preferences. This allows you to send highly targeted notifications that are more likely to convert. For example, send vegetarian specials to customers who have previously ordered plant-based meals, or promote your loyalty program to frequent visitors who haven't yet joined. Consider segmenting by time of day as well. Customers who visit during breakfast hours may want to hear about morning deals, while those who come for after-work drinks prefer happy hour specials.
Square POS offers robust tools for customer segmentation, enabling you to create specific customer groups based on detailed criteria. For instance, you can export all customers who made an order at a particular location and create a dedicated customer group. This allows you to send localized push notifications, such as exclusive offers or events happening at that location. Additionally, you can segment customers based on their purchase frequency, spending habits, or preferred products, ensuring that your messages are highly relevant and personalized. By leveraging these capabilities, you can enhance customer engagement and drive higher conversion rates through targeted push notifications.
One of the most effective strategies for push notifications is to create a sense of urgency or exclusivity. Limited-time offers, flash sales or exclusive in-app deals can drive immediate action. Consider messages like "Only 10 spots left for our Chef's Table event tonight!" or "Early bird special: Be one of the first 50 to order and get a free dessert!" These tactics leverage FOMO (fear of missing out) to encourage quick responses from your customers.
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Limited-time offers create a sense of urgency by giving customers a short window to take advantage of a deal. This strategy can prompt quick decisions and immediate purchases. For example, a notification that reads "Flash Sale: 30% off all drinks for the next 2 hours!" can entice customers to act swiftly. These offers work particularly well during off-peak hours to boost traffic and sales.
Offering exclusive deals through your app can make customers feel special and valued. These deals can be time-sensitive or limited in quantity to enhance their exclusivity. For instance, sending a notification like "Exclusive Offer: Members get 20% off on all menu items today only!" can encourage app downloads and increase customer loyalty. Exclusivity can also be extended to new product launches, allowing app users to try new items before anyone else.
Creating promotions that reward early action or have limited availability can significantly boost engagement. Early bird specials, like "First 100 customers get a free pastry with any coffee purchase!" motivate customers to act quickly to avoid missing out. Similarly, highlighting limited availability, such as "Only 5 VIP spots left for our weekend brunch!" can spur immediate interest and reservations. These tactics effectively leverage the fear of missing out (FOMO) to drive prompt responses and increase sales.
Customer reviews are crucial for any business, as they provide valuable insights and feedback that can help improve your offering. You can leverage mobile push notifications to proactively manage customer reviews. For example, you can target new customers who have not yet left a review. By integrating with an app like Per Diem that allows personalized responses to reviews, you can thank the customer for their feedback and address any issues they have raised in a targeted manner. This personalized approach can help improve the customer experience and build trust and loyalty over time.
Take a closer look:
“Enjoyed your visit? Share your thoughts with a quick review!”
“Help us improve! Leave a review about your recent experience.”
“Your feedback means a lot! Drop us a review if you can.”
“Loved your meal? Let us know with a quick review!”
“Tell us how we did! Leave a review and help us out.”
“Sorry to hear that! We’re fixing this and appreciate your feedback.”
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience. We’re addressing this issue.”
“Thank you for letting us know. We’ll work to improve.”
“Apologies for the trouble. We’re on it and appreciate your patience.”
“We regret your experience. Contact us so we can make it right.”
“Thanks for the awesome review! Glad you enjoyed your visit!”
“We appreciate your kind words! See you again soon!”
“Thanks for the great feedback! We’re happy you had a good time.”
“So glad you enjoyed your meal! Thanks for the positive review!”
“Your review made our day! Thanks for the great feedback!”
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