7 Push Notification Strategies to Boost Repeat Visits
Discover the best push notification strategies for customer loyalty. Learn how to increase repeat visits with personalized messages and smart timing.
Do your customers forget to come back? Push notifications for loyalty programs can change that. The right message at the right time turns occasional visitors into regulars.
In this article, you’ll learn 7 proven push notification strategies. You’ll see how to use them to increase visits and strengthen customer loyalty.
Why Push Notifications Are Key for Customer Loyalty
Push notifications reach your customers’ phones directly. They don’t need to open an email or search for your business. The message appears on their screen instantly.
Main advantages:
- 90% open rate (vs 20% for email)
- Instant delivery without spam filters
- Zero cost per message sent
- Personalization based on customer behavior
A loyalty program with push notifications keeps your brand top of mind. Customers remember to visit when it matters most.
Strategy 1: Personalized Welcome Notifications
The first message defines the relationship. A well-crafted welcome notification builds trust immediately.
What to include:
- Greeting with the customer’s name
- Summary of program benefits
- First reward or welcome points
- Clear next step instruction
Example message:
“Hi Maria! Welcome to our program. You already have 50 bonus points. Your next coffee is closer 🎉”
Push notifications for loyalty work best when they’re personal. Avoid generic messages that feel like spam.
Ideal Sending Time
Send the welcome within the first 5 minutes. The customer still has your business in mind. The positive response will be higher.
Strategy 2: Expiring Points Reminders
Many customers accumulate points and forget them. A timely reminder brings them back.
Why it works:
- Creates urgency without being aggressive
- Reminds them of accumulated value
- Motivates immediate action
Effective structure:
- Mention current points
- Indicate expiration date
- Suggest how to use them
- Add an extra incentive
Example:
“You have 120 points expiring Friday. Redeem them for a free dessert before they’re gone!”
This push notification strategy generates visits that wouldn’t happen otherwise. The customer already has accumulated value. They just need a nudge.
Strategy 3: Location-Based Offers
Push notifications with geolocation are powerful. They arrive when customers are near your business.
When to activate them:
- Customer within 500 meters
- High-conversion time slots
- Days with lower traffic
Advantage: The customer is already in the area. The decision to visit is easier.
Example use case:
Suppose you have a coffee shop. A regular customer passes nearby at 3 PM. They receive: “Your favorite coffee awaits! Double points today until 5 PM.”
The typical result is a 25-35% increase in visits during off-peak hours.
Recommended Configuration
- Radius: 300-500 meters
- Frequency: Maximum 1 per day per customer
- Schedule: Only during operating hours
Location-based push notifications for loyalty require user permission. Make sure to explain the benefit when requesting it.
Strategy 4: Customer Milestone Celebrations
Recognizing achievements strengthens emotional connection. Customers value being remembered.
Milestones you can celebrate:
- Registration anniversary
- Number of visits (10, 25, 50…)
- Total accumulated points
- Customer’s birthday
Anniversary message example:
“One year together! Thank you for your loyalty. Enjoy double points all this week.”
For example, a gym could see:
- Before: 40% annual renewals
- After: 58% renewals with milestone messages
- Result: 45% more member retention
Celebration push notifications don’t ask for anything. They only give. That generates natural reciprocity.
Strategy 5: Limited-Time Flash Promotions
Urgency drives action. A short promotion generates immediate response.
Characteristics of a good flash promotion:
- Duration of 2-4 hours
- Clear, attractive benefit
- Exclusive to program members
- Easy to understand in 5 seconds
Message structure:
- Benefit in the first words
- Visible time limit
- Direct call to action
Example:
”⚡ Today only 3-6 PM: Triple points on all purchases. Don’t miss it!”
Push notifications for loyalty with urgency work best on slow days. Use them strategically, not daily.
Recommended Frequency
Send flash promotions 1-2 times per week maximum. Too many reduce impact and may annoy customers.
Strategy 6: Reactivation Notifications
Inactive customers aren’t lost. A smart message can bring them back.
When to send:
- 14 days without visit: Soft reminder
- 30 days without visit: Special offer
- 60 days without visit: Last chance
Example for 30 days:
“We miss you! It’s been 30 days. Come back this week and get 20% extra points.”
Impact data:
Suppose a business has 1,000 monthly active customers:
| Situation | Recovered Customers | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| No notifications | 5% | $500/month |
| With reactivation | 18% | $1,800/month |
| Difference | +13% | +$1,300/month |
Reactivation push notifications have very high ROI. Each recovered customer already knows your business.
Strategy 7: Benefit Update Messages
Keep customers informed about program improvements. This reinforces the value of participating.
What to communicate:
- New rewards available
- Positive program changes
- Upcoming exclusive events
- New products or services
Example:
“New! You can now redeem points for free shipping. Check the new options on your card.”
Informative push notifications for loyalty maintain interest. Customers feel the program evolves.
Best Practices for Updates
- Announce only positive changes
- Explain the direct benefit to the customer
- Include a call to action when applicable
- Send during high-read times (10 AM or 7 PM)
How to Measure Push Notification Success
Sending messages isn’t enough. You need to measure results to improve.
Key metrics:
- Open rate: Percentage who see the message
- Click rate: Percentage who interact
- Conversion: Visits generated per message
- Value per notification: Average revenue per send
Industry benchmarks:
- Open rate: 15-25% is good, +30% is excellent
- Conversion rate: 5-10% is average
- Return per campaign: 5x-10x implementation cost
Well-measured push notifications for loyalty improve constantly. Test different times, messages, and offers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best strategies fail if you make these mistakes.
Don’t do this:
- ✗ Send more than 3 notifications per week
- ✗ Use the same message for everyone
- ✗ Send at 3 AM or inconvenient times
- ✗ Very long messages (100 characters max)
- ✗ Promotions without clear deadlines
Do this instead:
- ✓ Segment by customer behavior
- ✓ Personalize with name and relevant data
- ✓ Test different sending times
- ✓ Always include a clear benefit
- ✓ Respect frequency preferences
Conclusion: Push Notifications That Build Loyalty
Push notifications for loyalty are a powerful tool. Used correctly, they significantly increase repeat visits.
Remember the 7 strategies:
- Personalized welcomes
- Expiring points reminders
- Location-based offers
- Milestone celebrations
- Flash promotions
- Inactive customer reactivation
- Benefit updates
Start with 2-3 strategies. Measure results. Expand what works. Your loyalty program will be more effective with each message sent.
Ready to Implement Smart Push Notifications?
Ganafy lets you send push notifications directly to your customers’ digital cards. Compatible with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. No additional apps to download.
Free trial available at app.ganafy.com
Questions about push notifications for loyalty? Contact us at info@ganafy.com
This article is also available in English:
7 Estrategias de Notificaciones Push para Aumentar Visitas Recurrentes