How to Send Push Notifications from BigCommerce

Push notifications are one of the most powerful channels for ecommerce retention and repeat sales. They put your brand directly on your customers’ lock screens, bypass crowded inboxes and rising SMS costs, and drive quick re-engagement with just one tap. 

Yet, most BigCommerce stores aren’t making use of push. For some, it’s because they don’t understand the value of push. For others, they’re unsure how to unlock push as a channel.

With your own branded app, you can send high-engagement push notifications to every customer who installs it, on both iOS and Android. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between web and native push, show you why apps win for push marketing, and give you a blueprint to unlock this channel for your BigCommerce store.

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What Are Push Notifications and Why Do They Matter?

Push notifications are short, clickable messages delivered directly to a user’s device, appearing on their lock screen or notification tray. 

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Unlike email or SMS, push notifications are instant, highly visible, and bypass the competition of crowded inboxes.

Push notifications are a direct line to your customers. For ecommerce, this is a major deal.

Push you:

• Re-engage shoppers who haven’t visited in a while
• Send real-time promotions, product launches, and back-in-stock alerts
• Reduce abandoned carts with automated reminders
• Build loyalty and drive repeat purchases through personalized offers

At a time when customer acquisition costs keep rising, push notifications help BigCommerce store owners maximize the value of existing customers. They keep your brand top-of-mind and encourage repeat engagement with just one tap.

Web Push Notifications vs Native Mobile Push Notifications

Push notifications can be delivered in two main ways: through web browsers or through native mobile apps. 

While both can help you reach customers, the performance and capabilities are very different.

Web Push Notifications

Web push notifications are sent through web browsers and can be triggered directly from your BigCommerce site.

Pros:

• Can be implemented directly on your BigCommerce store
• No app development required
• Works across desktop and mobile browsers
• Quick to set up

Cons:

• Limited effectiveness – low opt-in rate for browser notifications
• No 24/7 reach – only work when the browser is running
• Restricted customization – limited design and interactivity
• Lower engagement rates – typically 2-5% click-through rates
• Platform limitations – iOS Safari only recently enabled partial web push support and adoption remains low

Native Mobile Push Notifications

Native push notifications are sent through mobile apps and deliver a superior experience for both you and your customers.

Pros:

• Higher engagement rates – 10-25% click-through rates on average
• Always accessible – notifications work even when the app isn’t running
• Rich media support – add images, videos, and interactive buttons
• Better personalization – deep integration with customer data for targeted messaging
• Full iOS and Android support – no browser limitations

Cons:

• Requires a mobile app
• Slightly more complex initial setup

Bottom line: Web push is quick to implement but limited in reach and engagement, especially on mobile. Native push delivers far better results but has historically required expensive app development – that is, until solutions like MobiLoud made it accessible to every BigCommerce store.

(For a detailed breakdown, check out this article.)

How MobiLoud Enables Native Mobile Push From Your BigCommerce Store

Traditionally, sending native push notifications meant investing tens of thousands of dollars in custom app development. For most BigCommerce store owners, that wasn’t realistic. MobiLoud changes that.

MobiLoud turns your existing BigCommerce website into fully branded iOS and Android apps.

Your store’s design, product catalog, and checkout all work seamlessly inside the app. No rebuilding or duplicate management required.

Crucially, though, your app is not just a “website in a box”.

We layer in native features like push notifications, ensuring you can reach your customers instantly and effectively.

Why MobiLoud is the Best Way to Send BigCommerce Push Notifications

Here’s why MobiLoud is the best option for you to unlock the power of push for your store.

• Native push baked in: Push notification infrastructure (via OneSignal and Klaviyo) is already included. No separate setup or technical work required.
• Automated ecommerce flows: We configure key campaigns like abandoned cart reminders and welcome flows for you from day one.
• Zero code, no double management: Your website powers your app directly. Update your site once, and your app updates automatically.
• Optional Done-For-You service: Want us to handle ongoing push strategy and execution? Our team can manage campaigns, segments, and optimizations every month.
• No revenue share: MobiLoud offers transparent pricing and no cut of your sales, unlike some platform-based app builders.
• Strategic partnership: Our success team guides you through best practices and ongoing growth; not just technical setup.

How It Works

In less than a month, you can have your own BigCommerce mobile app live in the App Stores, and in the process, unlock the most cost-effective marketing channel for ecommerce: push notifications.

Here’s how.

1. Kickoff & Setup: We review your BigCommerce site and plan your app build.
2. App Configuration: Your app is customized for your brand and configured for push.
3. Live Testing: You preview your app on your own devices.
4. Quality Assurance: Our team ensures everything is pixel-perfect.
5. App Store Submission: We handle the publishing process with Apple and Google.
6. Final Optimization: Your app is tuned for performance and engagement.
7. Launch & Growth: You start sending high-impact push notifications and growing retention.

Ready to see what your site will look like as an app? Get a free preview now.

Results: Do Push Notifications Really Work?

Are push notifications really that effective? And are MobiLoud users having success with push?

In short: yes.

Push notifications are proven to be a cost-effective way to drive sales and reach out to your best customers. Considering the cost (zero cost to send), there's virtually no downside.

They're especially powerful for abandoned carts. Just look at the results below from some of our users, over a 30-day period.

Some of our brands generate $200K+ over just one month, through abandoned cart push notifications.

Learn more: All you need to know about Push Notifications for Ecommerce Brands

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to rebuild my BigCommerce site for the app?

No. MobiLoud uses your existing BigCommerce site as the foundation, so you don’t need to create a separate theme or manage two versions of your store. Any updates you make on your website automatically reflect in your app.

Will all my BigCommerce apps and integrations work?

Yes. If they work on your website, they will work in your app because the app is essentially your site wrapped in native functionality, with additional features like push notifications and a native tab bar.

How does MobiLoud handle App Store and Google Play publishing?

We manage the entire submission process for you, including dealing with Apple and Google requirements. You keep full ownership of your app developer accounts and your published apps.

What KPIs should I track for push notifications?

Key metrics include opt-in rate (what percentage of app users allow notifications), delivery rate, open rate (click-through), and downstream conversion actions like purchases from push-driven sessions.

Is there a limit on push notifications?

No hard limits. You can send as many notifications as you like. With our OneSignal and Klaviyo integrations, you can segment users, automate flows, and schedule campaigns without restrictions.

Can I segment messages for different customer groups?

Yes. Using OneSignal and Klaviyo, you can target by location, purchase history, customer type, and behavior, allowing for highly personalized campaigns.

What happens if I redesign my BigCommerce site?

Your app will instantly reflect any design changes. Because it’s powered by your website, you only maintain one platform. No duplicate development or redesign work.

Getting Started: Next Steps

Launching native push notifications for your BigCommerce store doesn’t need to be complex or expensive. 

With MobiLoud, you can go from a standard web store to a fully branded iOS and Android app (with push built in) within 30 days.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Book a free consultation: We’ll review your BigCommerce store, discuss your goals, and provide a live app preview.
2. Kick off your build: Our team configures your app, sets up push integrations, and handles all the technical heavy lifting.
3. Launch and grow: Your app goes live on the App Store and Google Play, ready to drive engagement and repeat sales through push notifications.

If you’re ready to unlock push as a high-performance retention and marketing channel, book a call today and get started. Your app – and your push campaigns – could be live within the month.