In-App Notification System

Every important event in your marketplace triggers an in-app notification so users never miss an update, even if they do not check their email.

In-app notifications in the dashboard

How It Works#

The dashboard's Notifications menu item shows an unread count badge. When something happens -- a new order, a message, a delivery, a review -- a notification is created instantly. Users click the bell to see their alerts and navigate directly to the relevant page.

Notifications in WooCommerce My Account#

When WooCommerce handles checkout and WP Sell Services Pro is active, buyers and vendors also get a Service notifications tab in My Account (/my-account/service-notifications/). It shows the same list, filters and Mark all as read as the dashboard.

What Triggers Notifications#

Notifications are created for all major marketplace events:

  • New order placed
  • Order status changes (in progress, delivered, completed, cancelled)
  • New message received in an order conversation
  • Delivery submitted by vendor
  • Delivery accepted by buyer
  • Revision requested by buyer
  • Review received from a buyer, and a review reply to the buyer
  • Dispute opened, escalated, cancelled or resolved
  • Withdrawal requested, approved, paid or rejected
  • Service approved or sent back for changes
  • Tip received (vendor) and tip receipt (buyer)
  • Buyer request expired
  • Vendor account approved, rejected or suspended
  • Refund needs attention (every administrator, when a gateway refund fails or must be sent by hand)

These in-app notifications are always created, regardless of whether email notifications are enabled or disabled. They are independent systems.

Viewing Notifications#

From the dashboard, open Notifications in the menu. Each notification shows:

  • An icon indicating the type of event
  • A brief message describing what happened
  • A relative timestamp (e.g., "2 minutes ago")
  • A link to the relevant order, message, or page

Use the two drop-downs above the list to show only unread notifications, one type of notification, or both. The page numbers keep your filter.

Managing Notifications#

Mark as Read#

Click on any notification or use the "Mark as Read" link to clear it from your unread count.

Mark All as Read#

Click the Mark All as Read button at the top of the notification list to clear all unread notifications at once.

Automatic Cleanup#

Read notifications are deleted after 90 days by a daily background job. Unread notifications are never deleted. Dispute and completed-delivery notices are kept for a year once read. Developers can change the 90 days with the wpss_notification_retention_days filter (return 0 to keep everything).

The Unread Badge#

The Notifications menu item shows a number badge indicating how many unread notifications you have. This count updates as new events occur and decreases as you read or dismiss notifications.

Notifications vs. Email#

In-app notifications and email notifications work independently:

Feature In-App Email
Always created Yes Only if admin enables the type
Requires login to see Yes No -- delivered to inbox
Can be marked as read Yes No
Stored in dashboard Yes No -- lives in email inbox
Links directly to relevant page Yes Yes

Disabling an email notification type does not affect in-app notifications. Users will still see the alert in their dashboard.

Push Notifications to Phones [PRO]#

A member with your mobile app installed can be notified on their phone for the same events they already receive in the app. Nothing new to decide about what gets sent - push follows the notifications you already have.

Off by default, and it needs credentials before it will send anything.

Setting it up#

  1. Create a Firebase project at console.firebase.google.com and generate a service account key - a JSON file Google gives you once.
  2. Go to Sell Services > Settings > Integrations.
  3. Paste the JSON into the push notification credentials field and enable it.
  4. Save.

Firebase relays to Apple's service for iOS, so one credential covers Android, iOS and web. You do not need a separate Apple key.

What to expect#

  • A member's device registers itself when they sign in on the app. Nothing for them to configure.
  • A device that uninstalls the app or rotates its token is dropped automatically, so you are not paying for delivery attempts to phones that no longer exist.
  • The credential is stored masked. Re-saving settings without retyping it keeps the existing one rather than blanking it.

Before you rely on it#

Push has been verified as far as the request this plugin sends. What Google does with a valid-looking request has not been tested against a real handset. Send yourself a test on a real phone before telling members the feature exists.

Tips#

  • Check notifications regularly. The dashboard bell is the quickest way to stay on top of orders, messages, and reviews.
  • Use email for time-sensitive items. If you need to respond quickly (like a new order or message), make sure those email types are enabled so vendors and buyers get immediate alerts.
  • Do not ignore the unread badge. A growing badge count usually means there are actions that need your attention.