RCS Message (Rich Communication Services) is an upgraded version of SMS. It’s an IP-based messaging application which enhances the features of traditional SMS to an advanced level.
In 2024 SMS will still be a strong communication channel which allows it to connect with the maximum number of people around the world. Almost 65% of the world’s population sends and receives SMS and every business can directly access 2/3rd of the world’s population.
After a very big user database there are still SMS messages used in every mobile phone but it has some limitations and no major upgradation in years and apps like WhatsApp, Telegram replacing SMS services globally.
Know Everything About RCS Messages
RCS Messages: RCS is not a new messaging technology, in 2006, GSMA, (GSM association) took an effective step on SMS and started developing Rich Communication Suites.
In 2015 Google acquired the Jibe Mobile which runs a global cloud-based infrastructure to support all the RCS messages worldwide quickly and scale easily.
Currently, Google supports RCS only on android based phone throw Android’s inbuilt messaging application where any android user can send the high-resolution multimedia files like, images, videos, share location, meeting invites, voice messages, read receipts, can see when someone is typing and provide more similar features like WhatsApp and Apple iMessage.
RCS in 2024:
As per Google, RCS is available from 88 operators in 59 countries with approximately 390 million users per month. Some developed countries like the USA, Mexico, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil and India are using RCS features.
Currently, 3 billion Android devices are active worldwide along with Google Pixel units & other companies like Samsung have also provided RCS-compatible message apps in their mobiles that can be switched to the default who prefer to experience it.
RCS Messages: Till now Google RCS only supports to Android-based mobile phones but in 2024 Apple is finally to adding support for iPhones also, which means iPhone users will be able to use RCS to communicate with
Android users in a more advanced way like iMessage and it will increase RCS users’ numbers from 1.2 billion to 3.8 billion by 2026. Like other Digital Marketing channels, businesses take RCS as another marketing channel for higher engagement and response rates.
Use case: For an airline with the help of RCS they can share the e-ticket directly to a traveler messaging application with high-quality content including a business logo, images, or QR code for more details. With the help of Chat-Bot travelers can connect with customer care for auto-generated FAQs, select or change the seat, meals, latest updates on boarding pass, flight status, reschedule the flight, etc.
Turn on RCS chats in Google Messages:
With Rich Communication Services, we have a more dynamic and secured conversation with each other than SMS or MMS.
Turn on RCS Chat for the first time:
RCS Messages: We can send the RCS message over the wifi or mobile data when it turns on in the mobile phone. In case if your mobile device and carrier are not set up automatically for RCS Chat then you have to provide the mobile number to google (Jibe Mobile) to verify.
- On your device, open Google Messages
- At the top right, tap your profile picture or icon > Message settings.
- Tap RCS Chats.
- Turn RCS Chat on/off.
Benefits of RCS Communication Channel
1. Rich Media Content: RCS allows users to send the rich media content like images, videos, carousels & GIF files up to 105mb to customers. Like SMS there is no 160-character limitation. Eg: Ecommerce websites can send the RCS to customer’s mobile numbers with product images with buy features and customers can select the product by their preference and buy directly from RCS message, without landing the website or mobile app.
2. Verified Business: Like WhatsApp API, RCS messaging also requires the business to go through a verification process to avoid the SPAM or fake messages. In RCS customers can see that business is verified and messages are received from a legitimate message.
Like WhatsApp API customers can see the brand information, website link, logo, sender details with verified checkmark. Use Case: Policybazaar can use verified RCS messages for its customers to update about the renewal insurance policy and other details.
3. Higher conversation: Like SMS, RCS has the similar open rates with the key features like verified sender, rich media contact makes it more inactive and engaging with the customer. It builds the trust and confidence in customers to interact with the brand and it increases the ROI.
It can be also used for taking the feedback from the customer after the services or purchased the product. Use Case: after purchasing from the eCommerce RCS message, chatbot can start a feedback survey from the customer & customer can give feedback on user experiences, product interactions, processing time etc.
4. Targeted Audience: Like email marketing, RCS messages can be sent to the targeted audience by creating a hyper personalised communication with location, images and other multimedia elements. Use Case: Any travel agency can send holiday RCS to its customers, A hotel can send the hotel staying offers or vouchers to its customers, banks can send the personal loan offers or credit card offers etc.
5. Critical Verification: RCS is offering better user experience and extra layer of security than SMS. By the feature of large file, documents, image and location sharing some critical works like KYC, payment related tasks can be performed by the RCS. Use Case: eCommerce can be performing the payment from the RCS messages, A bank or any other investment banker can per from the customer KYC throw RCS.
6. Marketing Campaign: An omnichannel campaign can be done on RCS in the form of html, image, video, text, with Call to Action button and take the messages to the next level. RCS campaign has 5X higher click than a SMS and 99% increase in conversion rate.
7. Fallback: RCS is not reaching every device, a part of the total population is still using the feature mobile phone which are able to receive the SMS, in that case, the RCS delivers to these devices as a normal SMS rather than failed RCS.
8. Measurable Result: Like other omnichannel businesses can track the performance of the RCS, like when it is sent to the customer, delivery status, seen status, and customer interaction with the send RCS.
Customer Benefits:
- It’s an advanced version of SMS and a built-in messenger app on all Android phones.
- It’s easy to use for all age groups, similar to SMS.
- Free of charge to receive the message and require a Data connection or WIFI to more features of the RCS.
- Users can share multiple things on RCS i.e. images, locations, zoom meeting links, read receipts, delivered notifications, group chats, and typing indicators.
RCS Messages: In this modern communication Age, RCS is one of the best channels as it follows the verification process which builds the user trust in the Brand, RCS has better features than SMS which means a boost in engagement as the end user gets a feeling of WhatsApp as its interactive and has a clear CTA, Personalization is the key and brand can send personalized recommendations using RCS to their potential users.
To explore RCS more, let’s connect and have a product walkthrough.
Kindly Visit to www.enrcloud.com or drop a message at hello@enrcloud.com. We are looking forward to guiding you.
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Amit Bhateja is the co-founder of enrcloud and helping brands and Unicorns from the last 15+ years and overachieve their Engagement and Retention goals. He is passionate about solving customer problems with modern technology, new age solutions, and consultancy approach. Besides Building ENR, He enjoys reading books, spending time with his family and Teammates, traveling, meeting new people, learning new things, and love to close the business deals.
