Step 1: Get started and Send Basic RCS
You can already begin today by sending Basic RCS messages - just like a standard SMS (max 160 characters) - but with two key differences:
- Verified sender - The recipient sees that the message is from your company, clearly marked with a verified icon. This helps prevent confusion with phising or scam messages. Read more about verified senders here.
- Branded Message - Your company's logotype, colours and name are visually presented in the messaging, reinforcing the brand experience.
Basic RCS requires minimal technical effort, yet it instantly improves brand visibility and customer trust. Use it instead of regular SMS for confirmations, reminders, or promotions – and start measuring results right away. Basic RCS automatically falls back to SMS if the recipient’s phone or carrier doesn’t support RCS.
Here's how to get started today:
1. Contact an RCS provider (such as LEKAB)
2. Register your company and set up a verified RBM agent - LEKAB can support you through the process!
3. Start sending Basic RCS text messages to a selected audience.
Step 2: Evaluate - are you ready to take the next step?
Once you’ve started and seen the value of Basic RCS, it’s time to assess your internal readiness. Should you scale up? Move from simple texts to richer, interactive customer experiences?
Then your key departments – IT, Marketing, and Customer Support – need to reflect on maturity, resources, and purpose.
CTO – is your tech infrastructure ready for RCS?
Sending RCS messages requires more than a new API. It involves new data flows, verification processes, and third-party dependencies. Is your IT organisation prepared?
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Do we have an RCS Partner we can scale with and run a POC alongside?
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Can our systems integrate with RCS APIs?
Do we need to adapt CRM, support systems or communication platforms for two-way messaging or campaign handling?
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Are we ready for Google's verification and GDPR-compliant data handling in real-time messaging?
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Who technically owns the channel internally? IT, CX, Marketing or a hybrid function?
CMO – Campings, Content and Customer Journey
RCS is a new, high-impact campaign channel – more visual and engaging than SMS, but it also demands new thinking around content, timing, and performance.
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Which parts of the customer journey can RCS improve - campaign, onboarding, loyalty, retention?
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Do we have the creative tools and resources to design rich RCS content?
- How do we measure results? Can we compare RCS to email, SMS or social? Do we track clicks, conversions and engagement?
RCS lets each campaign feel like a conversation. It opens up new formats but requires a marketing team that is ready to experiment, measure, and iterate.
Customer Support - are you ready for two-way messaging?
Opening up RCS doesn’t just mean sending information – it means customers can reply. That unlocks new value, but also creates new operational demands.
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How do we want to use RCS in support?
Start with proactive messages: appointment reminders, delivery updates, feedback requests.
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What happens if a customer replies? Are our systems ready to receive and route inbound messages?
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Should we rely on automation, staff or both? Can a chatbot handle common questions 24/7, or do we need live agents - and if so, do we have the staffing and workflows?
RCS enables fast, personal and effective customer service - but you need to design for dialogue, no just outbound delivery.
Step 3: Build an internal roadmap and clear ownership
If RCS proves valuable for your organisation, don’t let it become a side project. Develop an internal roadmap:
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Define your objectives: customer value, automation, conversion?
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Prioritise use cases to scale: start small, scale smart.
- Establish ownership: IT, Marketing or Support - who leads the channel?
Start now - scale when you're ready
Basic RCS is a low-barrier entry point to a new, richer communication landscape. It gives you a smarter, safer, and better-looking alternative to SMS – without having to rebuild your infrastructure.
Once you see the value, take the next step. Reflect on business goals, internal capabilities, and long-term ownership. RCS is here to stay – and you set the pace.
Get started with LEKAB - your Smart Messaging Partner
LEKAB specialises in secure and smart enterprise messaging via SMS, RCS and other channels. As a verified Google partner with deep integration knowledge, we help you get started with Basic RCS quickly – and grow as your needs evolve. Whether you work in marketing, customer dialogue or technical delivery, we’re your trusted partner from first step to scale.
