Push notifications

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What you’ll learn

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to create compelling push notification templates that grab attention, drive engagement, and seamlessly integrate with your automated marketing workflows.

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SDK Integration Requirements

Required setup: Your app needs FCM configuration for both iOS and Android platforms. This includes:

• Firebase project configuration with proper certificates
• Platform-specific setup (APNs for iOS, FCM for Android)
• Permission handling for notification access
• Token management for device targeting

Testing requirements: Push notifications must be tested on physical devices with preview builds - they won’t work with Expo development servers or emulators.

Helpful resources:

• FCM Setup Tutorial - Simplified configuration walkthrough
• React Native Firebase Documentation - Official implementation guide
• Expo Firebase Setup - Required configuration for Expo projects

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Step 1: Access the push templates section

Navigate to Marketing Automation > Push templates in your dashboard. This is where you’ll create and manage all your reusable push notification designs.

Click the New push template button to start creating your first push notification template.

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Step 2: Set up your template foundation

Start by establishing the organizational details that will help you manage your templates effectively:

Choose a descriptive name: Use specific names like “Flash Sale Alert” or “Order Shipped Notification” instead of generic ones. This makes templates easy to find when building journeys.

Add a helpful description: Write a brief note about when you’ll use this template. For example: “Sent when customers abandon their cart for 2+ hours” or “Welcome notification for new app users.”

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Step 3: Craft your notification content

Now create the actual notification that customers will see on their devices:

Write a compelling title: This is your headline - make it count. Keep it under 50 characters for optimal display across devices. Examples:

• “Your order is on its way!”
• “50% off ends tonight!”

Create engaging body text: This is your main message. Keep it concise but informative, ideally under 120 characters. Focus on value and urgency:

• “Track your package and see estimated delivery time”
• “Don’t miss out - shop your favorites before midnight”

Add visual impact with images: Upload an image that enhances your message. Use high-quality visuals that:

• Support your notification’s purpose
• Maintain brand consistency
• Display well at small sizes
• Follow platform guidelines (JPEG, PNG, or GIF formats)

Configure sound settings: Toggle sound on or off based on your notification’s urgency:

• Sound ON: For time-sensitive alerts, order updates, or important announcements
• Sound OFF: For promotional content or non-urgent updates to avoid being intrusive

Set up deep linking: Add a URL that opens a specific screen in your app when users tap the notification:

• Product pages for promotional notifications
• Order tracking for shipping updates
• Specific app sections for engagement notifications

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Step 4: Optimize for different platforms

Use the real-time preview to see how your notification appears on both iOS and Android devices:

iOS preview: Check that your title and text display properly within iOS notification constraints.

Android preview: Verify that your content works well with Android’s notification style and length limits.

Make adjustments: Refine your content based on how it appears in both previews to ensure optimal display across all devices.

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Step 5: Test and deploy your template

Before using your template in campaigns, it’s important to test and understand its reach:

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Send test push notifications

Test your template to ensure it works correctly across different devices:

Use the test function: Click the Send test button in your template actions to send a preview to your test audience.

Test audience requirements: Your test group must have customers with registered device tokens. If your test audience is empty or has no device tokens, you’ll need to add customers with mobile app installations first.

Physical device testing: Push notifications must be tested on actual devices with preview builds - they won’t work with development servers or emulators.

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Schedule push notifications

Once your template is ready, you can schedule it for delivery:

Schedule for later: Use the Schedule button to set up automated delivery at specific times.

Choose your audience: Select which customer segment will receive your push notification campaign.

Set timing: Pick the optimal time for your audience based on their activity patterns and time zones.

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What you’ve accomplished