The Numbers: Push vs Email at a Glance
Across 2.4 million re-engagement messages sent through WooStore apps in Q1 2025, push notifications achieved an average open rate of 34.2% vs 19.8% for email, a click-through rate of 8.7% vs 2.1% for email, and an average revenue per message of $0.43 vs $0.11 for email. Push notifications also delivered results faster: the median time between sending and conversion was 4 minutes for push, versus 2.4 hours for email. However, email outperformed push for high-consideration purchases (average order value above $200) by 23%, suggesting channel choice should also account for product type.
When to Use Push Notifications
Abandoned cart reminders: Send 1 hour after abandonment with a product image and "Your cart is waiting" message. Back-in-stock alerts: Instant notification to wishlisted customers the moment inventory is replenished. Flash sales: 2-hour countdown notification with deep link directly to the sale category. Order status updates: Every fulfillment milestone from confirmed to delivered. Loyalty milestones: You are 50 points away from your next reward messages drive repeat purchases.
When Email Still Wins
Post-purchase sequences: A 5-email sequence (confirmation, shipping, delivery, review request, cross-sell) generates 3.4x more lifetime value than push alone. High-consideration products: Customers buying electronics, furniture, or jewelry prefer email for detailed information. Win-back campaigns: Customers who have been inactive for 60+ days are more likely to re-engage via email, where you have space to tell a story and offer a compelling discount. Newsletter content: Educational content, buying guides, and trend reports belong in email where readers have opted in for deeper engagement.
The Combined Playbook
The highest-performing WooStore merchants use both channels in coordinated sequences. Abandoned cart: Push at 1 hour, email at 24 hours, push at 48 hours with a discount. Back-in-stock: Push immediately, email 2 hours later with product recommendations. Flash sale: Email 24 hours before, push 1 hour before, push 30 minutes before close. This multi-touch approach generates 4.1x more revenue than single-channel campaigns and allows you to respect customer preferences — some users opt out of push but remain engaged via email, and vice versa.
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Which channel actually brings customers back to your store? We analyzed 2.4 million e-commerce re-engagement messages to find the real numbers behind push notifications vs email.
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