Notifications & Engagement
Keep communities informed throughout every stage of the consultation process. From launch announcements to results publication, ConsultOnline’s resident notification system delivers the right message to the right people at the right time - through email updates, web push notifications and intelligent subscriber management with postcode-based targeting.
Email Notifications
Send branded planning consultation emails at launch, before response deadlines and when results are published. Customisable templates support consistent communication, while your team remains responsible for checking any statutory notification requirements. Track available delivery and engagement metrics to inform future campaigns.
Push Notifications
Web push notifications can alert opted-in residents on supported browsers and devices without a separate app download. Delivery and visibility depend on the browser, operating system, device and notification settings. They can be used for deadline reminders and time-sensitive consultation updates alongside other communication channels.
Subscriber Management
Build and manage consultation subscriber lists with postcode-based targeting, preference controls and one-click unsubscribe. These tools support GDPR- and PECR-compliant workflows; your organisation remains responsible for consent, lawful basis, targeting decisions and message content.
The Engagement Problem
Why proactive engagement transforms consultation outcomes
Participation varies widely between consultations. People may miss the opportunity to respond if they do not see the initial notice or reminder. A notification system gives teams additional ways to keep the consultation visible.
ConsultOnline can send alerts at selected points, such as launch, an approaching deadline or a material update. The effect on participation depends on the audience, targeting, timing, message and wider engagement approach.
Clear follow-up communication can help residents understand what happened after they responded and how feedback was considered. Notifications should complement other appropriate online, postal and in-person channels.
How It Works
Subscribe, publish, notify
Residents Subscribe
Community members sign up using a registration form and can choose available notification preferences. Postcode and category rules help your team target alerts, while the selected areas and campaign content still require review.
You Publish an Update
Write your consultation update using built-in branded email templates or compose a custom message. Choose whether to send via planning consultation email, web push notification or both channels simultaneously. Target by postcode area, subscriber segment or broadcast to your entire list. Schedule for immediate delivery or set a future send time.
They Get Notified
Send updates by email or, where supported and enabled, as web push notifications. The analytics dashboard can show provider-reported delivery, open and click events. These metrics are affected by privacy settings and technical limitations and do not establish exactly who read a message or whether it caused a response.
Full Lifecycle Communication
Engagement tools for every stage of consultation
From the earliest pre-consultation awareness through to follow-up communications after decisions are made, ConsultOnline provides consultation notification tools for every phase.
Pre-Consultation Awareness
Build anticipation before a consultation officially opens. Send early-stage notifications to let residents know a consultation is being planned for their area, giving them time to prepare and gather their thoughts.
Launch Announcements
Send a configured launch notification to selected eligible subscribers with links, key dates and a proposal summary. Delivery timing and visibility depend on channel, provider, browser, device, permissions and recipient settings.
Deadline Reminders
Configure reminder notifications for selected eligible subscribers at intervals such as 7 days, 3 days and 24 hours before closing. Delivery is not guaranteed and reminders may prompt participation but do not establish who intended to respond.
Consultation Updates
When proposals change, authorised teams can send an update to selected eligible subscribers. Delivery may be delayed or fail, so important changes should also be published through other appropriate channels.
Results Publication
Close the feedback loop by notifying residents when consultation results are published. Share summaries of responses received, decisions made and how community feedback influenced the outcome. This transparency builds lasting trust.
Communication Analytics
Detailed analytics for every notification sent. Track delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates and subscriber growth over time. Understand which consultation topics generate the most engagement and optimise your public consultation communication strategy with data-driven insights.
Ready to boost your consultation response rates?
See how ConsultOnline’s consultation notification tools can transform community engagement for your next planning consultation. Book a demo to see the platform in action.
Capabilities
Complete engagement toolkit
Manage branded email templates, notification analytics and subscriber preferences in one place, with controls that support GDPR- and PECR-compliant workflows.
Precision Targeting
Targeted, relevant engagement
Postcode-based targeting helps teams focus consultation notifications on selected geographic areas. Your team defines the relevant area and remains responsible for checking that targeting against the consultation strategy and any legal requirements.
Subscribers can choose available categories and frequency preferences. These controls help reduce irrelevant messages, but delivery and engagement still depend on the resident’s details and channel settings.
ConsultOnline provides consent records, preference controls and one-click unsubscribe tools that support GDPR- and PECR-compliant workflows. Your organisation remains responsible for its lawful basis, privacy information, retention, targeting and handling of data-subject requests.
Notification Channels
Reach residents wherever they are
Multiple consultation notification channels working together to maximise reach and engagement across your entire community.
Email Notifications
Professional, branded planning consultation emails delivered directly to subscribers’ inboxes. Supports rich HTML formatting, embedded images and direct links to consultation pages. Perfect for detailed updates, launch announcements and results publication.
Web Push Alerts
Opt-in push notifications can be delivered through supported browsers and devices. They provide an additional channel for deadline reminders and consultation updates; delivery and visibility depend on browser support and the resident’s notification settings.
In-App Notifications
Contextual notifications displayed within the consultation platform when residents log in or browse active consultations. A notification centre shows unread updates, upcoming deadlines and new consultations in their area, keeping engagement high for returning visitors.
Subscriber Management
Use the subscriber dashboard to view counts by area, monitor list growth, manage preferences, handle unsubscribe requests and export permitted data. Consent records and controls support GDPR- and PECR-compliant operation.
Postcode-Based Targeting
Target notifications by postcode area, district or sector. Geographic filters help focus campaigns on the areas selected by your team; they do not establish who is legally affected, and engagement results vary by consultation.
Communication Analytics
Detailed analytics for every notification sent. Track delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates and subscriber growth over time. Understand which consultation topics generate the most engagement and optimise your public consultation communication strategy with data-driven insights.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Ready to engage your community?
Keep residents informed and involved throughout the consultation process with ConsultOnline’s consultation notification tools. Higher engagement means better participation data, more representative outcomes and stronger trust between your organisation and the communities you serve.
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