6 Things You Should Know About RCS Business Messaging

1. RCS is SMS 2.0

The easiest way of explaining RCS is by considering that it is the successor of SMS. Whereas with SMS, only plain text is possible, with character limits, in RCS all that is possible and much more: images, videos, carousels, maps, quick-reply buttons, and even payment options.

Consider having your boarding pass to a flight, or the order of foods being served to you on your phone participating in the native messaging platform of the phone with codes and live information being relayed. That is RCS at work. This is good news, as businesses will no longer be bound by sterile text; rather, they could leverage the ability to create intimate customer experiences in the inbox.

2. Verified Sender- Antifraud Awareness

One of the obstacles any business has against SMS is the problem of fraud and spam. Customers usually get bogus promotional texts which make them feel doubtful of genuine brands. Verified sender IDs in RCS alleviates that problem.

When one company sends a message through RCS it appears with a branded profile that includes logo, brand name, and even colors, which is clearly differentiated with suspicious numbers. Such verification establishes a safe environment in which customers can feel free to communicate with messages. It is a game changer in terms of Indian business especially in which SMS spam is a huge problem.

3. It Works Without Extra Apps

In contrast to WhatsApp or Telegram, RCS does not require switching to the customer downloading a new application. It functions smoothly on the native messaging app of the phone so long as the phone and network support it.

This implies that a company can target the giant user base without having the limitation of downloading. In a nation like India with a strong use of mobiles and a concrete sense of app fatigue, this availability works really well with RCS.

4. The Engagement Rates Are Increased

Marketing channels can only be measured by the extent to which they are engaged and RCS scores highly on that. Most customers respond better to rich media and click-able buttons than to plain text.

As an example, rather than sending a text message saying, “Go to our website and see what we are offering,” the business can send an interactive carousel that includes product images, prices, and a “Buy Now” button as part of the same message. The easier the journey, the better will be the conversion chances. Other words, RCS does not only transmit messages but stimulates action.

5. Suitable to various Industries

The versatility of RCS Business Messaging is one of the most exciting factors. It does not apply to retail and e-commerce only but almost every industry can gain:

• Retail & E-commerce: Publish product catalogues, offers and allows immediate checkout.
• Travel & Hospitality: Share boarding passes, hotel registrations, itinerary or plans, etc.
• Banking & Finance: Notify fraud, account holders, send one-time-passcodes.
• Healthcare: Health tips, digital prescription, and appointment reminders.
• Food & Delivery Services: Deliver menus, confirmation and real time tracking information.

Such adaptability means that RCS can provide customer-focused businesses in all industries with a chance to intercede and streamline their operations.

6. The Future is Personalized Conversations

The first and most vital thing to understand about RCS Business Messaging is that it is not about the transmission of messages: it is about developing a dialogue. Brands will be able to personalize the experiences depending on the customer actions because of the AI integrations and analytics.

Picture this: a fashion brand messaging you not only about their new line, but about hand-picked recommendations based off your previous purchases. Or a bank recommending financial services based on purchasing patterns- all with the help of an engaging RCS messaging.

The intensity of this personalization does not only change communication into a two-channel process, but also provides companies with an advantage in creating loyalty over time.

Why Businesses Should Act Now

The spread of RCS is gradually increasing in the world, not excepting India. As telecom operators are deploying support and the smartphone market shifts towards RCS-compatible devices, the shift couldn’t become more opportune.

The brands that begin to test RCS now stand to have an obvious advantage in the near future. They not only will present more interesting experiences but also will promote themselves as innovative customer-friendly organizations.

Enablers such as RCS Brand rise are already enabling companies to unleash the power of this channel- providing the resources and expertise to deploy RCS and transform customer engagement at scale in our digital future.

Final Thoughts

The RCS Business Messaging with its rich media experience is much more than an upgrade to SMS, but, rather, it is the future of brand-to-customer communication. It is shifting the way business is connected with audiences, due to its rich functionality, trust generating verification, convenience of use and personalization opportunities.

SMS was focused on (c)creating an experience of its own. In the current competitive environment, it is experiences which really lead to customer loyalty.

The true question is not whether RCS will take over SMS- but when companies will embrace the technology in order to remain relevant. The future of customer engagement is already here, all it remains to do now is to welcome it.