What is RCS? #
RCS is Rich Communication Services is the next generation of text messaging, designed to replace the limitations of SMS with a richer, more engaging experience.
RCS Benefits #
RCS is designed to enhance messaging by adding additional interactive features & branding opportunities. it helps build more engaging customer journeys & strenthen customer relationships through rich, brnaded two-way comversations.
Branded Messages #
Stand out with your recognizable brand logo, delivering messages straight into your customers inboxes.
Types of RCS #
Stand out with your recognizable brand logo, delivering messages straight into your customers inboxes.
Text message with button #
Send a text message with a response button to collect customers’ responses.
Rich Media Delivery #
Boost your brand communication by delivering rich messages that engage and build trust. Add your logo, brand name, videos, and images to your messaging and boost conversions.
Product cards & carousels #
Attract customers by showcasing your product catalogue, engage in conversations, and convert simple queries into purchases.
Introduction #
This article serves as a comprehensive guide for ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for clients, reducing any potential delays or issues. By specifying necessary pre-requisites, it enhances the efficiency of the registration process and allows for a more organized experience for new clients. Following these guidelines will help facilitate a hassle-free setup.
Process Flow #
Service Requirement Document #
To help internal stakeholders to capture the service requirements as per the client’s business needs in the discovery and BRD form
| SL No. | Description |
|---|---|
|
1 |
About Business |
|
1.1 |
Business Name |
|
1.2 |
Business Type |
|
1.3 |
Business Problem Statement |
|
1.4 |
Requirement Description |
|
1.5 |
Priority (High/Medium/Low) |
|
1.6 |
Potential Revenue / Volume |
|
2 |
Functional Requirements |
|
2.1 |
Functionality Description |
|
2.2 |
Use Cases |
|
3 |
Technical Requirements |
|
3.1 |
Integrations |
RCS Agent Registration Form #
This section covers the onboarding registration details which are required to start the agent registration. The form below has sample inputs to assist you in completing the details.
| FIELD | SAMPLE RESPONSE |
|---|---|
|
Bot Type |
Domestic / International
The bot will be classified as a domestic or international after the bot is submitted for verification |
|
Bot Message Type |
(OTP / Transactional / Promotional) Provide what all agents do you need for your brand. Agents Message Type |
|
Bot Name |
This is the Brand Name the users will see in the Google Messages app in the header, when user receives an RCS message from the brand |
|
Brand Name |
This will be the organization’s registered name which is associated with the RCS agent for registration |
|
Bot Logo Image |
Dimensions – 224px x 224px, Format – JPG, JPEG or PNG, Max Size – 90 kb Note: Logos get cropped to circles by the RCS app so make sure you have white borders around the logo. |
|
Banner Image |
Dimensions – 1440 px x 448 px, Format – JPG, JPEG or PNG, Max Size – 360kb) Note: Your banner will be overlaid on the Image (bottom center) so be careful with your design. |
|
Short Description |
This description is a must and not more than 100 characters strictly |
|
Primary Phone Number |
Enter the Mobile or Fixed Line number- preferably support number (e.g., +91…) that will be visible in the information section of the registered RCS agent. This number is visible with your business Info that any user sees on their phone. Note: A maximum of three numbers can be associated with the bot. |
|
Label for Primary Phone Number |
This is the label for your number which you have provided for your brand where your user can connect. E.g., Support Contact Number, customer Support, Helpline, etc. |
|
Primary Email ID |
Provide your brand support email id here. Note – A maximum of three email addresses can be added. (String, max 128 characters). |
|
Brand Contact Person First & Last Name |
Provide the full name of the person who is responsible for verification of the agent. |
|
Brand Contact Person Designation |
Provide the designation of the responsible brand person |
|
Brand Person Email id |
Official Email ID – Brand domain email is a must. It cannot be a Gmail or Yahoo or Hotmail email address |
|
Brand Person Mobile no. |
Provide the person phone number of the brand person. |
Requirement for initiating the RCS registration process #
There are three essential components that must be completed before proceeding further. these are mandatory for successful agent registration.
Company Website #
- Ensure your company website is live and functional.
- Make sure your website includes the following 3 pages
- Privacy Policy Page
- Terms & Conditions Page
- Contact Us Page
- Do not proceed if your website lacks any of the above requirements
Contact Us Page #
- Make sure that your company’s contact us page has a functional from that asks for customer information such as name, email etc.
- A checkbox under the form where users must provide consent before submitting their details. something like following:
“By submitting the above information, you agree to the Privacy Policy.” - Hyperlink must be created on the term PRIVACY POLICY page on form. We have added the same on the above line.
- DO NOT forget to add the consent checkbox with the appropriate statement
- Ensure that the privacy policy link is clickable and leads to the correct page.
Privacy Policy Page #
- Ensure your Privacy Policy page includes a statement that informs users about how their personal data will be used. The following statement must be added to your Privacy Policy page:
“To Communicate with You: We may use your information to respond to your inquiries, provide customer service support, send you important information about the services, and marketing communications (with your consent) via different channels, including but not limited to SMS, Email, RCS, WhatsApp, and Voice.” - If your brand already has a similar statement, ensure that multiple
communications channels are specifically mentioned as SMS. Email, RCS, WhatsApp, Voice etc. - Do not overook the importance of including this consent clause.
- Avoid using vague statements that do not clearly mention how customer data will be used.
Terms & Conditions Page #
- Review the content on this page to ensure that the communication channels (SMS, Email, WhatsApp, etc.) are explicitly mentioned.
- If consent-related information is already provided here, verify that RCS & SMS is included.
- Avoid inconsistent or unclear language regarding data use and communication channels.
Customer KYC & E-verification #
Customer KYC #
- Business GST Details
- Business PAN Card
The above are mandatory for agent registration process.
E-Verification email #
After VI RBM approval for the agent registration there will be an e-verification email generated and sent over the Brand’s person email id which is given in the onboarding document.
This e-verification is very crucial and requires to provide the reply over this email to complete the registration process by the responsible brand person email.
Email Response #
“I, “Brand Contact Person” as “Person Designation” at “Brand Name”, grant Changia Solutions LLP the right to operate an RCS Business Messaging agent using the information specified in this email.”
Service Terms & Conditions #
Charging On Submission for an RCS Message
RCS message service is on a submission basis for RCS enabled devices only, we always deduct credits on the no. of messages submitted by the client on RCS enabled devices. – After subscriber numbers upload, the credits for RCS disabled numbers will be given back to the client in the form of credits to the account.
Timeline & Stepwise process for Onboarding #
Approximate Timeline – 10 – 15 days
