Last week Waracle did some research on the size of the iPhone market in Scotland as well as an overview on the benefits to business of having an iPhone app. This week we get a bit more specific, exploring the benefits of some popular iPhone app features. The first installment, and one of Waracle’s most requested features, is Push Notifications.

The Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) is a mobile service that was created by Apple in 2009. Push notifications are like text messages, they allow notifications to be sent to iPhones, iPads and iTouches. Push Notification enabled iPhone apps will have a corresponding web control panel whereby a message will be entered and sent. Crucially, push notifications are free and instant. See below for a visual example of what push notifications look like:

So, what we have with Push Notifications is a free and instant messaging service. But how are Push Notifications currently being used by businesses?

Real time updates – whether your’e a publisher breaking the latest news update, or a travel provider making commuters aware of a delay, real time updates provide an invaluable means of communicating information with your customers. In any business things change from day to day, with Push Notifications the customer can be kept informed of these changes and will ultimately appreciate the heads up!

Promotions – many businesses, specifically bars, clubs and restaurants use Push Notifications to promote special offers. Say for example a restaurant has excess stock it wishes to sell, they can create an offer and send it out as a Push Notification. The same principle can be applied to virtually any business.

Links – links can be embedded into the Push Notification service so when an app user views your Push Notification they are directed via safari to a URL. Businesses often employ this strategy to generate more hits on their website.

As seasoned iPhone app developers, Waracle have significant experience in not only integrating Push Notifications into apps but helping businesses get the most out of them.

Waracle develop for iPhone, iPad, Mac OS X, Android, BlackBerry and Nokia. If you would like to find out how apps can benefit your business get in touch with Waracle on 01382 529528 or d.romilly@waracle.com