Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Opening this thread for discussion of Push Notifications (via mobile app) versus SMS text marketing.

Will push be a threat to SMS text marketing ?

What are the advantages of SMS vs Text ?

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

SMS is Text

Push requires a person to do two things.
1. Download the app
2. Allow push

This means it is limited vs. Text/SMS since it will be harder to build the "list". Also explaining why they should turn on Push will be more complicated.

If all you want to do is send offers then Text/SMS is the way to go.

But if you have a mobile app you should make use of Push notifications.

Certain businesses will make more sense to have a mobile app and these are usually larger companies. For the vast majority of small/medium sized businesses having an app will not make sense. For them you want to promote a mobile site along with text/sms & email marketing for their lists.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

SMS IMO is a better experience then push notifications when building a mobile marketing campaign.

Open rates and engagement with SMS when used properly can be a very effective weapon to use for your clients to help drive them more sales.

Push notifications can be easily turned off plus consumers do not generally download local businesses apps.

SMS along with a mobile website is a much more effective combination then a native app and push notifications.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Sms messaging is better than push messages.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Thanks for the feedback.

How about the factor of geo-targeting, for example sending messages only to visitors in or near a beach town for upcoming events ?

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Given the nature of push messages, I don't see them being a threat to SMS.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

How about Push vs SMS vs Email as most people with smart phones have email accounts on their phones

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

TrumiaTim,

Can you be more specific on "the nature" of push difference.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Push messages seem to be way over rated. First, you don't get a push message unless you open the app, after downloading it in the first place. SMS comes just like the other dozens of texts people get every day. Its much more direct and people are more used to SMS messages than a push message when opening an app. To me, they seem like popups when opening a webpage. Annoying. That's just my opinion.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

I see nobody mentioned this yet. A Push notification can't be forwarded like a SMS increasing your message distribution and increasing ROI on your mobile marketing campaigns.

Besides many more people have access to SMS than native smartphone apps, especially internationally. Which as mobile starts to get even hotter will only intensify across the world. You may find yourself running more INT'L campaigns than you do US domestic campaigns. The only thing to overcome is the language barrier, and certain country specific terms and regulations. But the opportunity is very bright. Lots of untapped potential.

However a large majority of the world speaks english as a second language.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

As apps become more and more popular and people have more and more apps installed on their phones, push notifications become increasingly more annoying and people are more likely to disable them.

SMS is going to be much more effective.

Re: Push vs SMS Messaging
 

Yes, lots of people seem to have turned off push notifications as they are irritating.