How to boost website traffic Using Web Push Notifications: A Step-by-Step Guide

Generating a steady flow of traffic to your website is essential for growing your audience. One effective way to do this is by using web push notifications. This method has been shown to drive higher click-through rates than email marketing, making it an invaluable tool for online businesses. In this guide, we’ll explore what web push notifications are, how they work, and how you can use them to engage and retain website visitors.

What are Web Push Notifications?

Web push notifications are alerts that can be sent to users’ browsers after they’ve opted in to receive updates. When someone visits your website, a small popup invites them to allow notifications. Once they opt in, they’ll receive notifications directly in their browser whenever you post new content or run promotions.

Benefits of Web Push Notifications:

• Higher Engagement Rates: Some industries, like business and finance, see an open rate as high as 5.46%, which is significantly higher than most email marketing open rates.
• Increased Return Traffic: Users are reminded of your website each time a new notification goes out, which helps bring them back to your content.

Who Benefits Most from Web Push Notifications?

While push notifications work for many niches, they tend to perform best in the following industries:

• Entertainment and Events
• Deals and Coupons
• Games and Retail
• Business and finance 
• And lots more

These industries see high engagement because they often have time-sensitive content that users don’t want to miss out on.

Best Times to Send Web Push Notifications

Timing can impact the success of your notifications. According to data, Tuesdays yield the highest engagement rates at 88.4%. Scheduling your notifications strategically can lead to better results and more engagement.

Setting Up Web Push Notifications on Your Website

Now that you know the benefits, let’s walk through the steps to set up web push notifications on your website using OneSignal. That is the tool I will be talking about in this article,  but there are other plugin that can be used to achieve this, if you want me to make a full video about that on our official YouTube channel,  comment VIDEO TUTORIAL on the comment section and I will drop the video.

Step 1: Create an Account on OneSignal

1. Visit OneSignal and create a free account.
2. Log in to the OneSignal dashboard.

Step 2: Configure Your Web Push App

1. In the OneSignal dashboard, go to “Add New App” and give your app a name.
2. Choose Web as the platform and click Next.
3. Enter your website name and URL. Make sure the “Auto Resubscribe” option is enabled.
4. Customize your notification prompt message to make it enticing and give users a reason to subscribe.

Step 3: Set Up the Notification Prompt

• In the “Prompt” section, edit the text to make it more inviting. Consider setting a delay so that visitors engage with your content first before seeing the prompt.
• A 5-second delay often works well, as it ensures users are already somewhat interested in your site.

Step 4: Customize the Welcome Message

When users subscribe, they’ll receive a welcome message. Use this to make a positive first impression.

1. Create a compelling title and message.
2. Add a link to relevant content to keep subscribers engaged.

Step 5: Obtain API Keys and IDs

1. Go to Settings in OneSignal and find your App ID and API Key.
2. Take note of these, as you’ll need them in the next steps.

Step 6: Install the OneSignal Plugin on WordPress

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New and search for “OneSignal.”
2. Click Install Now and Activate.
3. Once activated, go to OneSignal Push in your WordPress dashboard.
4. Paste in the App ID and API Key that you noted earlier.

Step 7: Configure Settings for Optimal Engagement

Review OneSignal’s settings to customize your notification schedule:

• Automatic Notification: Choose whether or not to send notifications automatically. If you post frequently, consider turning this off to avoid bombarding users.
• Post-Specific Notifications: For each post, you’ll see a OneSignal Push Notifications option on the right. Enable it for content you want to push out.

Leveraging Web Push Notifications to Grow Your Audience

Now that your web push notifications are set up, you can drive traffic on demand. Each new post, promotion, or important update can be sent directly to your audience, bringing them back to your site whenever you want.

Want to learn more about driving free traffic to your website? Check out more tips on our YouTube channel, where I share practical strategies for building an online audience and maximizing engagement and revenue.