Setting up an SMS failover for RCS campaigns
Alexia Moustier
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Introduction
RCS is too powerful to do without. Rich communication, very high engagement, a conversational reach that multiplies its power tenfold... In reality, it has only one flaw: it's not yet compatible with all phones.
There's a solution to this deliverability problem : RCS Failover to SMS. RCS Failover SMS is a feature that automatically switches to SMS if an RCS message is not received.
Why combine RCS and SMS
The SMS needs no introduction. It's a reliable, universal channel with a 98% open rate. Its major advantages are that it doesn't spam (unlike e-mail), doesn't require an Internet connection and is compatible with all devices. SMS is therefore an excellent marketing tool in terms of open rate and deliverability.but suffers from a lack of interactivity and functionality.
RCS, the future of SMS
RCS is a marketing tool with 90% of multimedia messages opened and an engagement rate 10 times higher than that of SMS.
RCS can incorporate the following elements: optimized text, enriched multimedia messages (images, HD videos, carousels, action buttons...), clickable links (previewed and secured), visual brand display (logo, name, object). This method of communication is therefore more reassuring for consumers and companies alike.Â
Despite these many positive points, RCS is not compatible with all devices. It is compatible only with Android and from IOS 18 onwards on Apple, which reduces the rate of deliverability.
This is where RCS Failover SMS comes in.
How Failover to SMS works
When you send RCS messages, they are not always delivered. The reasons why these messages are not delivered can be as follows:
- The end user may not have an active Internet connection,
- There may be network problems or even
- The end user's device may not support RCS
In all these cases (where the recipient does not receive an RCS), the failover is there to combine the RCS and the SMS by adding a validity period to the RCS message.
Example:
You are a brand sending an RCS message containing a promotional offer.
Your recipient is not connected to the data network, or his phone does not yet support RCS: the message remains valid for a certain period of time, after which the system automatically switches to a backup SMS
How RCS Failover SMS works at smsmode©.
There are 2 ways to send RCS from our platform and therefore 2 ways
to set up SMS Failover.
Agency mode : RCS campaign programming by an smsmode© expert
- The smsmode© expert adds a validity period to your RCS message, of 1h for example (48h by default).
- After one hour, all numbers with undelivered status are recovered.
- A replacement SMS is sent to these numbers
By API : RCS campaign programming by the customer
- The customer adds a validity period to the API request
- Receive a notification (via a url/webhook callback) when the validity period is reached
- Automatic recovery of all RCS error numbers (error status: UNDELIVERED detail: EXPIRED) via the customer's system
- Replacement SMS message sent to all these numbers in error RCS
Conclusion
Let's face it, RCS's only potential shortcoming has been completely eradicated with the integration of SMS failover.
So now's the time to get started!
Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.