Web Push in Brief
Web push notifications are short, clickable messages that appear on a visitor's screen through their browser, even when they're not on your website. Visitors opt in through a browser prompt, and you can then send them alerts about new posts, offers or events.
AWeber includes web push notifications on all its plans. Alerts go out from your AWeber account, and the official WordPress plugin supports adding the opt-in to WordPress sites.
Web push is a handy way to reach readers who won't subscribe by email. We'd use it sparingly for genuinely timely updates and keep email as your main channel.
How Web Push Works
The process has three parts. First, a visitor on your site sees a browser prompt asking whether to allow notifications. If they click allow, they're subscribed to your push alerts.
Second, you write a short message in AWeber, usually a title, a line of text and a link. Third, you send it, and it appears as a notification for subscribers whose browser is open.
The alert links back to whatever you choose: a new article, a product page or a landing page. That's what makes it useful for driving return visits.
Web Push vs Email
| Factor | Web push | |
|---|---|---|
| How people join | Click allow on a browser prompt | Enter an email address |
| Message length | A short title and line | As long as you need |
| Where it appears | On screen, via the browser | In the inbox |
| Best for | Timely alerts and return visits | Relationships, stories, selling |
| Ownership | Tied to the visitor's browser | Your list, portable between tools |
The key difference is depth. Email lets you tell a story, teach and sell. Push is a tap on the shoulder. Use push to bring people back; use email to build the relationship.
What to Send
Push works best for genuinely timely messages. Good uses include:
- New articles or videos for regular readers.
- Live events starting soon, such as a webinar or livestream.
- Limited-time offers with a real deadline.
- Back-in-stock or launch alerts for products people asked about.
Avoid sending every minor update. Frequent alerts are the fastest way to get people to block notifications.
How to Set It Up
- Enable web push in your AWeber account.
- Add the opt-in to your site. WordPress users can use AWeber's plugin; other sites use the code AWeber provides.
- Time the prompt thoughtfully. Many visitors decline instant prompts, so consider asking after they've engaged with your content.
- Write a short alert with a clear title and link.
- Send a test and check how it appears.
Timing the Opt-In Prompt
The browser prompt is the make-or-break moment. Many visitors reflexively click "block" when a prompt appears the instant a page loads, before they know who you are.
You'll usually get a better response by asking after someone has shown interest, such as after reading for a while, visiting a second page or finishing an article. Some sites show a small on-page message first explaining what the alerts are for, then trigger the browser prompt only if the visitor agrees.
Be clear about frequency and content: "Get an alert when we publish a new recipe, about twice a week." That honesty lowers unsubscribes later.
Privacy and Consent
Push subscribers have given permission in their browser, and they can withdraw it from their browser settings at any time. Respect that by sending only what you promised when they opted in.
Mention push notifications in your privacy policy alongside email, and avoid using alerts for anything that would surprise a subscriber. Trust earned through restraint makes your important alerts more effective.
Measuring Push Performance
The key measures are how many visitors opt in, how many alerts are clicked and how many subscribers later block notifications. A rising block rate is a signal to send less often or make alerts more relevant.
Compare clicks from push with clicks from your email newsletter for the same piece of content. If push brings in a meaningful extra share of readers, it's earning its place. If not, keep it for big announcements only.
Best Practices
- Keep it rare. One or two alerts a week is plenty for most sites.
- Make the title specific. "New: 7 freezer meals for busy weeks" beats "New post."
- Link to the exact page, not your homepage.
- Invite push subscribers to join your email list, too. Email is the more durable relationship.
Who Should Use It
Web push suits content sites, bloggers and publishers with regular new content, and online shops announcing launches or restocks. It's less useful for service businesses that rarely have timely news.
If you're a blogger, pair push with automatic RSS emails so both channels announce new posts. See AWeber RSS to email and email marketing for bloggers.
AWeber includes web push on all plans, alongside forms, landing pages and email automation.
AWeber Web Push FAQs
Is web push included in AWeber's plans?
Yes. AWeber says web push notifications are included in all plans.
Do subscribers need to give an email address for web push?
No. Visitors opt in through a browser prompt.
Can I use AWeber web push on WordPress?
Yes. AWeber's WordPress plugin supports web push notifications.
Will web push replace my email newsletter?
No. Push is best for short, timely alerts. Email remains better for building relationships and selling.