# Web push, newsletter or WhatsApp channel?

> Web push notifications, email newsletters and WhatsApp channels compared for news sites: reach, speed, cost, audience ownership and bringing readers back.

Search and social traffic fluctuate; the channels that bring readers back are yours. Which is fastest for breaking news, which gets read more, and where do you own the audience? Compare the three.

## Web push vs newsletter vs WhatsApp channel

| Topic | Web push | Newsletter | WhatsApp channel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subscribing | One-click permission, no email needed | Email address and confirmation | Following the channel in WhatsApp |
| Speed | Instant | Scheduled (daily, weekly) | Instant |
| Best for | Breaking news and interest-based stories | Daily digest, long reads | Top headlines |
| Personalization | By category, city, topic | Lists and segments | None; same message for all |
| Who owns the audience | You | You (email list) | The platform |
| Traffic to your site | Straight to the article on click | Via link clicks | Via link clicks |
| Cost | Grows with subscribers on external services | Service fee grows with sends | Free |
| Measurement | Deliveries and clicks | Opens and clicks | Limited |
| Devices | Desktop and Android; iPhone for sites added to the home screen | All devices | Devices with WhatsApp |

*Note: On iPhone and iPad, web push works on iOS 16.4 and later for readers who add the site to their home screen.*

## Web push vs newsletter vs WhatsApp channel

A web push notification is sent after a reader allows notifications in the browser with one click. It needs no email or phone number; breaking news reaches the screen even when the site is closed, and a tap goes straight to the article.

A newsletter sends the day's or week's top stories by email. It is not instant, but it builds a regular relationship with loyal readers and the list is fully yours. Promotional emails must follow local commercial messaging and consent rules.

A WhatsApp channel is a free, one-way broadcast channel. It is easy to set up, but the audience belongs to the platform; you cannot personalize, measurement is limited and platform rule changes can affect your reach.

**Our advice: use them together**

- Web push for breaking news
- Newsletter for the daily digest
- WhatsApp channel for broad announcements
- Always link back to your own site

## Web push built in, no external service

### Monthly notification bill

- **Problem:** External push services charge more as subscribers grow, and subscriber data sits on their servers.
- **On Ulakom:** Web push is included in Ulakom; no external service, and the subscribers are yours.

### Same alert for everyone

- **Problem:** Sending every story to every subscriber makes people turn notifications off.
- **On Ulakom:** Notifications are personalized by interests, followed topics and city.

### Late alerts

- **Problem:** Preparing alerts in a separate dashboard costs valuable minutes in breaking news.
- **On Ulakom:** Send an alert to relevant readers in one click while publishing the story.

### Unmeasured impact

- **Problem:** Without knowing which alerts work, strategy is guesswork.
- **On Ulakom:** See how many people each notification reached and how often it was clicked.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do web push notifications annoy readers?

Not when they are few and relevant. Letting readers pick interests and notifying only on important developments keeps people subscribed.

### Can I send web push to iPhone users?

Yes. On iOS 16.4 and later, readers who add the site to their home screen from Safari can receive web push. Android and desktop browsers need no extra step.

### Isn't a WhatsApp channel enough?

It is a good complement for broad reach, but you do not own the audience and there is no personalization or detailed measurement. Using it with web push and a newsletter is the healthiest approach.

### Do I need an external service for web push?

On most platforms, yes. On Ulakom web push is built in; permission prompts, personalized sends and reports work without an extra service.

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Source page: https://ulakom.com/en/compare/web-push-vs-newsletter