Why Timing Matters in Push Notification Success
Push notifications are one of the most powerful ways to engage customers - but timing is everything. Send too early, and you’ll be ignored. Send too late, and you’ll miss the moment.
Finding the best time to send push notifications can drastically improve open rates, CTR, and retention - especially for cannabis dispensaries where timing often aligns with customer intent (like weekend shopping or daily deals).
Let’s explore the latest benchmarks, customer habits, and strategies for sending push notifications at just the right time.
When Are Push Notifications Most Effective?
Based on 2025 engagement data from mobile marketing platforms and wallet loyalty providers:
Weekday Peak Windows
Tuesday–Thursday see the highest engagement
Avoid Monday (low attention) and Friday afternoons (drop-off)
Time of Day
Morning peak: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
→ Best for daily deal alerts or loyalty point summariesAfternoon peak: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
→ Great for product launches or restocksEvening window: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
→ Effective for limited-time offers or loyalty countdowns
Studies show push open rates can be 2–3x higher during these windows compared to off-hours.
Behavioral Timing: Align With Your Customer’s Routine
Cannabis shoppers often fall into behavior patterns you can tap into:
Lunchtime (11 AM–1 PM): Perfect for highlighting in-store deals
Post-work (5–7 PM): Great for pickup reminders or flash offers
Late night (after 9 PM): Avoid unless it's relevant (e.g., edibles or CBD sleep promos)
Bonus: Know Your State’s Regulations
If you’re in a highly regulated market, make sure your messages don’t push during restricted marketing hours.
Best Days to Send Push Notifications
Day | Performance | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
Monday | 📉 Low | Avoid unless launching something new |
Tuesday | ✅ High | Reward reminders, new drops |
Wednesday | ✅ High | Mid-week promo or top-tier alerts |
Thursday | ✅ High | Last-call deals, reward countdowns |
Friday | ⚠️ Moderate | Send by noon for weekend traffic |
Saturday | 📈 High (after 11 AM) | Great for in-store traffic boosts |
Sunday | ⚠️ Mixed | Okay for re-engagement or loyalty tease |
Sticky Cards Tip: Automate & Personalize
If you’re using wallet-based loyalty (like Sticky Cards), you can:
Schedule push notifications to hit peak windows
Personalize by visit behavior or loyalty tier
Trigger messages based on actions, like check-ins or purchases
Example: “🔥 You’re just 10 points from your next reward. Swing by today!”
Tools to Find YOUR Best Time
Every dispensary’s audience is unique. Use tools like:
Push engagement analytics from your loyalty platform
A/B testing send times for each message type
Segmenting by behavior, such as visit day or spending frequency
Final Thoughts: Send Smart, Not Just Often
The best time to send push notifications depends on more than just industry averages - it’s about knowing your audience, testing, and refining.
But starting with peak engagement hours (10 AM–12 PM, 1–3 PM, and 6–8 PM) and sending mid-week will give your loyalty notifications the best chance to drive results.
