I'm developing a web application with an in-app chat feature that allows users to communicate as they buy and sell items. Since chat functionality is critical for user engagement, I'm trying to figure out how to implement notifications for users who aren't currently using the app and receive messages.
I'm using React (with React Native Web and Expo) on the frontend and Express with MongoDB on the backend, leveraging Socket.IO for real-time communication.
Here are a couple of options I've considered:
- SMS and email notifications are nice, but they can get pricey, especially at around $20-30/month for the lowest tiers. Plus, they might not provide the best user experience.
- Developing a mobile app could be an alternative, but that brings its own challenges like publishing to iOS and Android stores and managing their associated fees.
What other options might I have? How do other developers manage chat notifications without incurring high costs? I'm looking for affordable solutions that would accommodate a user base of about 500 to 1000 users, only a fraction of whom would be paying subscribers.
3 Answers
You might want to consider using the Push API for notifications. It's supported by desktop browsers as well as iOS and Android, so you wouldn’t need to build a native app. Check out the MDN documentation on it for guidance!
If your user base is still small, many email services offer generous free tiers. I use AWS SES, and it works well, though I'm currently on a paid tier for my app. It could be a good way to manage notifications without breaking the bank.
Using a service like ntfy.sh could be beneficial. They have a mobile app and you can also self-host. You might need to create a simple guide for your users to subscribe to notifications, though my concern is that not all users might be tech-savvy enough for this.
That's a great idea, but I fear my users won't find it easy to set up. Still, it's a clever option!