February 27, 2026 - 6 min read

Summarize with :

Choosing the right channel in 2026 based on your objective

Alexia Moustier

Introduction

The professional mobile messaging market is moving toward increasingly personalized communication. SMS, RCS, and email—each channel has its own role to play.
SMS is a very effective channel for short messages, but without media. RCS, the successor to SMS, allows for more interactive, enriched, and reliable messages, although its use is still limited. Email remains a good channel thanks to its low cost and customization capabilities, but it suffers from inbox saturation and spam.

With all the communication channels available today, it can be difficult for companies to know which one to choose.

2025 Retrospective

Compared to RCS for Business and email, SMS still the most widely used channel in 2025.
In France, the number of messages sent increased by 6%. According to AF2M, 14.2 billion SMS messages SMS sent. What makes SMS so successful SMS just its promotional potential. It is widely used for appointment reminders, shipping notifications, and special offers related to loyalty programs.

Since 2023, the main shipping sectors have remained unchanged:

The dominant sector is retail, yet according to AF2M, SMS (60%) dominate SMS (40%) in terms of volume.

SMS, RCS, email: which channel to choose in 2026?

Canal	Open rate	Deliverability rate	KING
SMS	98% (smsmode )	98% (smsmode )	Every €1 invested generates €9
RCS	80% (af2m)	85% (af2m)	Every €1 invested generates €10
Mail	20% (Statista)	84% (The Global Statistics)	Every €1 invested generates €45

Between 2024 and 2025, SMS will have the highest open rate. RCS and SMS the highest deliverability rates. In the coming years, RCS is expected to be compatible with virtually all smartphones and to surpass SMS open rates. Email certainly has a higher ROI, but its low open rate means that it cannot be the only acquisition channel.

Why SMS the channel with the highest open rate?

Each channel has its advantages, but also its disadvantages.

Email: has a fairly low open rate, mainly due to spam: many emails end up in our spam folders without us realizing it. Another reason is marketing pressure, which is often much stronger with email (to compensate for its low open rate).

SMS has a high open rate because, unlike email, it has only recently become possible to mark it as spam (on some operating systems since 2025) and this is very rare, so all users can receive their SMS. However, people are becoming increasingly wary of receiving SMS messages SMS to SMS fraud (phishing). It remains the most widely used channel, however, thanks in particular to the work done to secure messages (checking personalized senders and links sent).

Despite being more reliable than SMS verified and complete brand profile), RCS has a lower open rate than SMS. RCS messages do not end up in spam folders, but not all recipients can receive them. This incompatibility with certain smartphones is still a slight obstacle in 2026, but coverage is increasing week by week. Between 2024 and 2025, there was a 10% increase in RCS-compatible smartphones. By 2025, more than 80% of smartphones were RCS-compatible. This figure is expected to increase further in 2026.

GOING FURTHER

The SMS checklist

Master all the important KPIs before sending your campaign

SMS RCS at smsmode in figures

Between 2024 and 2025, the number of SMS at smsmode ^© remained stable. However, the distribution by channel underwent significant change:

Type	2024	2025
Transactional	53%	68%
Marketing	40%	24%
OTP	7%	7%

Between 2024 and 2025, SMS messages remained unchanged. SMS messages declined, while SMS messages increased.

Unlike SMS, RCS has seen strong growth. In the last quarter of 2025, the number of RCS messages sent tripled.

Set up your campaigns with smsmode^©

smsmode ^© offers several solutions for integrating SMS RCS into your marketing strategy:

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Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup? Our experts will assist you from message creation to analyzing your campaign's performance.

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smsmode^© it is:

Conclusion

In 2026, the most effective channel is expected to be RCS. RCS compatibility is expected to continue to increase, enabling many smartphones to receive it. With its reliable, personalized, and enriched messages, RCS has set itself apart from SMS. SMS still SMS remain an effective channel.

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January 23, 2026 - 6 min read

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ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini

RCS KPIs

Alexia Moustier

Introduction

KPIs are the figures that guide every marketing or sales action. These
key performance indicators are therefore just as important for RCS as they are for any other communication channel. To understand the effectiveness of your RCS campaigns and maximize their ROI, it is important to determine the right KPIs, as these indicators will
will allow you to measure the success of your strategy, identify your strengths and weaknesses weaknesses, especially for an emerging type of message such as RCS. We have prepared a list of KPIs that matter for RCS, the averages you can , business insights, and elements to highlight to improve your KPIs and, ultimately, your revenue. ultimately, your revenue.

The importance of KPIs

RCS is a highly effective marketing tool for businesses. Its profitability is due to its rich content (video, image, carousel, and action button). RCS has an average open rate of 30% and a click-through rate of 10%. rich content (video, image, carousel, and action button). RCS has an open rate of 80% and a click-through rate 5 to 10 times higher than that of SMS AF2M).
Identifying the right indicators to track allows you to evaluate a campaign's performance and optimize future campaigns based on customer feedback. This allows you to determine whether a
campaign is profitable.

Measure the impact of your RCS campaigns with KPIs

RCS opening rate

Measuring the open rate: recipients who opened your RCS message.

Open rate (%) = (Number of RCS opened / Number of RCS delivered) x 100

It allows you to see if your message is relevant, if it has sparked the interest and curiosity of yourrecipient e
.
The open rate for an RCS is 80% on average (France)
— according to official figuresfrom AF2M and France Num ¹
.In reality, it is difficult to observe with precision, because even if the " read " status exists, a user who has disabled the " read receipts "option will remain in " delivered " statuseven if they have actually read and/or clicked.

How to analyze it

A high open rate in RCS primarily indicates good deliverability and high visibility of the message/trust in the sender.

However, this KPI doesnotmeasurecontent interest oruser intent. AnRCS message
may be opened automatically without interaction.

👉 The open rate should therefore be analyzed as a prerequisite, not as a
final performance indicator. It takes on its full meaning when cross-referenced with the click-through rate or conversion rate.

message visibility/trust in the sender

Click-through rate (CTR)

Measure the click-through rate (CTR): number of customers who interacted with the
clickable elements in your message (action buttons, carousels, etc.).

Click-through rate (%) = (Number of clicks / Number of opened RCS) x 100

On average, the CTR (click-through rate) is 3 to 7 times higher than SMS (France Num ²).
As with all marketing channels, the click-through rate for RCS can vary greatly from one sector to another.

Here are some RCS click-through rates observed among smsmode customers© :

Food retail: CTR on reads: 7.23% (message type: product carousel) : product carousel)

Retail mode: CTR delivered: 10.4% / CTR on reads: 20.7% (message type : simple message
+ collection carousel)

Retail Furniture (high price): CTR delivered: 0.81% (message type : Rich Card CTA
)

How to analyze it

The click-through rate is one of the most revealing indicators of the RCS's ability to engage. It indicates whether your offers are high-quality, whether your CTA is well-chosen, but also whether your audience has trusts you or your URL.

However, it must be analyzed based on:

👉 A high CTR is relevant for commercial web or interactive campaigns, but less critical for transactional, informational, or drive-to-store messages.

RCS churn rate

Assess the churn rate : number of RCS that triggered a
unsubscription compared to the number of RCS delivered.

Unsubscription rate (%) = (Number of unsubscriptions / Number of RCS delivered) x 100

The average churn rate (“STOP”) following receipt of an RCS is ~0,4%³

In this regard, the statistics are very similar to those for SMS.

How to analyze it

The churn rate is an indicator ofof marketing pressure than .

If your unsubscribe rate is high, it means that your communication is unsuitable for your audience, or that the frequency of your messages is too high.

A low rate generally reflects:

Conversely, an increase in the churn rate should raise concerns about:

👉 This KPI must be monitored over time, not on an isolated campaign.

Conversion rates

Conversion rate: the number of customers who performed the desired action (made an appointment, purchase, registration, response, etc.).

Conversion rate (%) = (Number of conversions / Number of RCS delivered) x 100

It shows whether your marketing strategy has generated revenue.
The RCS has an average conversion rate of 10% per campaign (AF2M infographic
RCS Q2 2023⁴)

How to analyze it

The conversion rate is the KPI most dependent on the business context. It can represent a purchase, appointment booking, registration, or any other measurable action.

It should never be analyzed without taking into account:

👉 In CRM, a high conversion rate is often linked to reduction in friction than pure persuasion.

RCS delivery rate

Evaluate the delivery rate : number of RCS received, compared to the number of RCS sent.

Delivery rate (%) = (Number of RCS delivered / Number of RCS sent) x 100

Unlike SMS, we talk more about " reach " (coverage/compatibility) than delivery rate delivery rates with RCS.
RCS channel coverage is over 80% in France (Dec 2025), with a stable increase month after month.

From smsmode© has observed among its customers, coverage varies between 68% and 82% depending on the customer base. We are also seeing a fairly clear increase month on month.

How to analyze it

The delivery rate measures technical capacity to reach RCS-compatible terminals
RCS terminals. It demonstrates the quality of your contact database, the routing capacity of your
RCS platform, and network availability.

👉 This KPI is primarily a coverage indicator, essential for adjusting the
(RCS + SMS fallback).

ROI of the RCS

Evaluate the R.O.I : Money invested in a campaign and money earned as a result of it

ROI = (revenue – costs) / costs x 100

Since RCS is relatively new, there is little data on its ROI. Statistics on the return on investment for this message are most often based on a comparison with the ROI of SMS.

The Netto brand, for example, saw a 91.48% increase in store visits after an
RCS campaign compared to an SMS and a 54% reduction in cost per visit.

On the^smsmode© side, our client emma store enjoyed a return on investment of €10 earned for every €1 invested, representing an ROI of 900%.

How to analyze it

ROI lets you know whether an action is profitable. It is a summary indicator that is
influenced by many parameters such as the place of the RCS in your strategy, the quality of your mailing list, message, offer, and even your user experience.

It depends directly on:

In RCS, ROI must be analyzed by use case (marketing, customer relations, service) rather
than as an overall average.

👉 A high ROI does not necessarily mean high volume, but often
better quality of interaction.

Case study: Results of the RCS Panda Tea campaign

The socially conscious brand of wellness teas and infusions, Panda Tea, has enjoyed great success with its first RCS campaign in collaboration with smsmode©.

The results are as follows:

Open rate: 92.78%
Click-through rate: 7.23%
Unsubscribe rate: 1.2%
Conversion rate: 16.26%

During this first RCS campaign, the company found that its performance was three times higher than that of the SMS campaigns it usually SMS . The brand concluded that this type of communication was well suited to their sector and improved the quality of services offered.

LEARN MORE ABOUT

The RCS campaign by Panda Tea

Triple your conversion rate with RCS campaigns

How to optimize your RCS campaigns

An RCS campaign is not just about "sending an enhanced message." RCS allows you to take action on several performance levers — engagement, conversion, user experience — provided that the strategy is structured correctly.

1. Customize messages according to the context of use

Customization in RCS can include:

👉 Relevant personalization improves both the click-through rate and the conversion rate, while limiting unsubscribes.

2. Leverage interactive formats specific to RCS

The main advantage of RCS lies in its rich content:

Testing different formats allows you to identify those that generate the most engagement according to the campaign objective.

👉 A good practice is to limit the number of CTAs to avoid dispersion and
facilitate decision-making.

3. Test and compare message variants

As with any digital channel, optimization requires experimentation:

👉 RCS is particularly well suited to A/B or simple testing, as it allows for precise measurement exactly clicks, interactions, and conversionsand quickly adjust subsequent campaigns
.

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Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup? Our experts will assist you from message creation to analyzing your campaign's performance.

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4. Choose the right timing for sending

The time of sending has a direct impact on performance:

👉 An RCS message sent at the right time can significantly increase engagement, even with simple content.

5. Monitor compatibility and plan for a fallback

Not all devices are RCS-compatible.

An optimized campaign must include:

👉 This guarantees maximum coverage and avoids performance loss due to
undelivered messages.

6. Analyze KPIs and make continuous adjustments

Use all the data/indicators we have seen in this article to refine
messages, rather than judging a campaign on a single mailing.

7. Rely on expert support

Implementing an effective CSR strategy involves:

👉 Call on a specialized player such as smsmode^© allows you to benefit fromtechnical, strategic,and operational support from
technical, strategic, and operational
support, enabling you tofully exploitthe potential of RCS.

Set up RCS messaging with smsmode©:

GOING FURTHER

Automate your mailings to save time and avoid errors

Sources:

1: https://af2m.org/infographie-rcs-t4-2024/

2:https://www.francenum.gouv.fr/guides-et-conseils/developpement-commercial/outils-de-developpement-des-ventes/le-rcs-successeur-du

3: https://www.actionco.fr/thematique/

4: https://af2m.org/infographie-rcs-t2-2023/

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December 2, 2025 - 10 min read

Discover examples of RCS messages

Romain Didelot

Introduction

The RCS (Rich Communication Services) transforms mobile messaging into a rich, interactive, and branded channel. Unlike SMS , it allows you to send visuals, carousels, clickable buttons, secure payment links, or integrated forms directly to your customers' Messages app. But new channels mean new ways of formulating your message, new templates, and above all, new best practices to stand out from the competition in the eyes of your customers.

Below are examples of real RCS messages, tailored to each industry and tested to boost your conversions.

Reminder: What is an RCS message?

RCS is the natural successor to SMS. It retains the simplicity of text messaging, but adds advanced features:

The customer can view your offer, click/select a product, and pay without ever leaving their email.

The different types of RCS messages

Before looking at some concrete examples, here is an overview of the main RCS message formats that companies can send. RCS is not limited to simple rich messaging: it adapts to every stage of the customer journey—information, interaction, transaction.

RCS "Basic" message (enriched text)

This is the closest version to SMS, but with two significant advantages.

Example:

Transix

Your package 8947GF5C is currently being delivered 🚚
Delivery expected between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Track my package: [URL]

Interactive marketing message: Rich Card or Carousel

This format allows you to add multiple CTA buttons and immersive visuals accompanied by descriptions. You can send a single card or a carousel of several cards. It is perfectly calibrated for promotional campaigns, shopping cart reminders, and personalized offers.

Example:

Grace & Leather

It's Black Friday at Grace & Leather! ✨ Leather, grace, and up to 40% off our most iconic designs.

🖤 Elegance waits for no one.
👉 Discover the collection:

RCS "Session" message (two-way conversation)

This type of message opens an interactive session between your brand and the customer (up to 24 hours of exchanges in a billed session).

Examples of RCS messages for marketing

The RCS opens up new possibilities for your marketing campaigns. Capture attention, engage in conversation, and trigger action, directly from the customer's messaging app.

Abandoned cart recovery

Surely one of the most effective uses of RCS. No more reminders containing a dry link leading to an intermediate page. Action buttons on product visuals, one-click conversion, and drastically reduced churn.

Example 1 – Direct follow-up with incentive

Lauren

Hurry up, Gabrielle! ✨

Your favorite item is a big hit and will soon be out of stock! Don't wait any longer to confirm your shopping cart 🛒

✅ Simple, effective, conversion-oriented.

Example 2 – Multi-product carousel

Claush

Still not sure? 👀
We've picked out a few pieces that you might like!

Example 3 – Rich Card highlighting customer benefits

Nüma Design

Lisa, don't forget your basket! 🖤

Pay for your order in three installments at no extra cost. Free shipping and returns! ⭐

Promotional campaign / commercial offer

RCS transforms your promotional campaigns into interactive showcases.
Showcase your products and direct customers to their preferred channel, whether online or in-store, or keep them in the messaging app until they convert via an RCS session.

Example 1 – Seasonal offer

Claush

🔥 30% off the fall collection until Sunday! Get a sneak peek at our new arrivals 🍂

✅ Perfect combination of visual inspiration and quick action
.

Example 2 – Targeted loyalty offer

VYNE

Thank you for your loyalty to VYNE 💙

Your VIP code: CLUB15 -15% off your next order, valid for 3 days.

✅ Strengthens relationships and encourages repeat purchases.

Example 3 – Flash sale/exclusivity

Sonara

Exclusive private sale!

🚨 24-hour private sale: Enjoy 40% off everything on the site! Offer reserved for members.

✅ Perfect combination of visual inspiration and quick action
.

Example 4 – Flash sale in a short conversation (RCS workflow)

Drive-to-Store (retail & franchise)

Thanks to its location management (via Google Maps or Plan), RCS connects your digital campaigns to your physical points of sale. Ideal for local brands, franchises, or in-store events.

Example 1 – Local offer

Emma Store

🔥 30% off mattresses and package deals at your Emma Store in Plan de Campagne.

✅ The "View route" button opens Google Maps directly.

Example 2 – Drive to store conversation, 3-step workflow

✅ Combines physical experience and digitalization.

Product launch / new product / collection

RCS embeds a display ad in your customers' messaging. High-resolution visuals promote the discovery of your new products, and CTA buttons allow users to interact and take action.

Example 1 – Visual emphasis

Aureon

Discover our latest addition ✨

Orion X smartphone: powerful, stylish, intuitive.

✅ Uses the visual richness of RCS to showcase the product.

Example 2 – Product storytelling

Glow Beauty

Inspired by nature 🌿

Discover our new eco-friendly range
.

✅ Combines image, ethics, and conversion.

Example 3 – Conversation from communication to conversion

✅ Embedded video increases clicks by 60%.

Event campaign (trade show, opening, webinar, etc.)

With RCS, your contacts can register for your event, add the date to their calendar, or find the address with a single click. All of this can be done directly from the message that informed them. Whether it's a trade show, webinar, or store opening, RCS makes inviting and registering easy.

Example 1 – Invitation to a trade show

Nexora

Come see us at the Tech 2025 trade show in Lyon 🎉

November 5–7 – Booth B14.

✅ Simplifies participation and increases attendance rates.

Example 2 – Product webinar

Nexora

Join our free webinar:
How to boost your sales with the RCS 💬

Thursday, November 6 at 11 a.m.

✅ Ideal for B2B campaigns.

Example 3 – New opening

Green House

🎈 Your Maison Verte store is opening in Aix-en-Provence! Come and discover our opening offers this weekend.

✅ Geolocated drive-to-store with facade visuals.

Contest / community engagement

Finally, a channel that showcases your fun and interactive activities! By incorporating quizzes, quick responses, and photo sharing, you can engage your community in a direct and authentic way.

Example 1 – Simple random draw

Glow Beauty

🎁 Enter our prize draw!

10 wellness gift sets to be won.

Example 2 – Interactive quiz

Travia

What is your travel profile? ✈️ Answer 3 questions for a chance to win a weekend getaway!

What kind of vacation do you prefer?

Rather:

Your style:

Thank you for playing! 🎉
Click to discover your reward 👇

✅ Fun engagement = 3x higher click-through rate compared to SMS.

Example 3 – UGC / customer participation

PrintPix

Show us your best vacation photo ☀️
Send it directly here for a chance to win a gift card.

✅ Creates two-way interaction and authentic content.

Reactivation/loyalty campaign

SMS often used for customer reactivation, both for its reach and its personal aspect. RCS offers the same advantages and also helps to revive the relationship and encourage a new purchase through its personalized and visual aspect.

Example 1– Customer birthday

Wood & Art

🎉 Happy birthday, Julia!

15% off your order today only 🥳

Example 2 – Inactive customer

PrintPix

Hello Romain! It's been a while since we've seen you 😔
Log back into your account and enjoy a 20% welcome discount.

Example 3 – Loyalty program

Green House

Your loyalty points balance:
,340 points! Exchange them for a gift 🎁

✅ Strengthens customer relationships and long-term value.

Cross-sell & upsell

With RCS, you can extend the post-purchase relationship by offering complementary products or services. Carousels and interactive buttons simplify sales follow-up effortlessly for both you and the customer.

Example 1 – Product recommendation

Glow Beauty

Thank you for your purchase! It will arrive soon. In the meantime, take a look at these items! We think you might like them too 🤗

Example 2 –Upsell service

Examples of RCS messages for notification

RCS is not limited to marketing campaigns. It is also an excellent channel for your transactional and operational communications: reminders, follow-ups, confirmations, authentications... anything that simplifies the customer's life and reduces incoming calls.

Appointment confirmation & reminders (Healthcare, Customer Service, HR, Banking)

With clear, interactive messages, RCS improves appointment management.
Customers can confirm, reschedule, or locate their appointment location without leaving their app.

Example 1 – Medical reminder

Medicall

Hello Julie, your appointment with Dr. Martin is confirmed:
📅 Tuesday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m.
📍 12 rue des Lilas, Marseille

✅ The entire patient journey in one click.

Example 2 – Inactive customer

NovaBank

Your HR interview will take place tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Example 1 – Medical reminder

AutoZen

Your service is scheduled for November 2 at 10 a.m. at AutoZen.
Please confirm your attendance 👇

✅ Reduction in no-shows and incoming calls.

Delivery tracking / logistics

RCS offers a smooth and reassuring tracking experience, enhanced by its features. Recipients manage their own delivery or rescheduling from the native messaging app.

Objective: to inform the customer and limit service calls.

Example 1 – ETA tracking

Transix

Your package FD-9234 will arrive today between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 🚚

Example 2 – Successful delivery

Transix

Your package 629427 has been delivered to Ms. Dupont (Pickup point).
Thank you for your trust 💙

Example 3 – Incident/rescheduling

Transix

Your delivery on October 31 could not be completed.
Reschedule a delivery below 👇

✅ Drastic reduction in the rate of "failed deliveries."

Check-in / customer reception (hotel, travel, event)

Preparing for a guest's arrival becomes simple, intuitive, and personalized with RCS. Check-in time, practical information, and service upsells are all handled in a user-friendly and seamless interface.

Example 1 – Pre-registration

Travia

Welcome aboard ✈️
Your flight AZ473 departs tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. – Gate B42.

Example 2 – Hotel reception

Hotel des Lilas

Hello Sophie, your stay at the Hotel Azur begins tomorrow 🌴

🕑 Check-in: 3 p.m.
📍 8 Avenue du Port, Nice

Example 3 – Event

Nexora

Your ticket to Tech Expo 2025 is ready 🎟

✅ Premium customer experience even before arrival.

Recruitment & HR

The RCS streamlines communication between HR and candidates. Job offers, invitations, confirmations, and onboarding: everything can be managed using rich messages, with no lost emails, no channel changes, and no missed interviews.

Example 1 – Interview confirmation

Aureon

Hello Thomas 👋 Your Support Technician interview is scheduled for Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (Teams video call).

Example 2 – Onboarding

NovaTech

Welcome to NovaTech 🎉
Here are your access details and arrival documents.

Example 3 – Follow-up on application

Vatirol

Thank you for applying for the Project Manager position. Would you like to complete your profile?

✅ Increased responsiveness and improved employer image.

Insurance claim

The RCS allows policyholders to easily send photos and supporting documents directly in the conversation. This saves considerable time for both the company and the customer.

Example 1 – Interview confirmation

Aureon

Hello,

To finalize your claim file #A2932, please send:

📸 Photo of the damage

🧾 Plumber's bill

Example 2 – File tracking

NovaTech

File SIN-28451
🟢 Appointed expert
📅 Appointment scheduled for the morning of November 2

Examples of RCS messages for security

The RCS secures sensitive interactions through a trusted environment verified by Google and operators. OTP codes, payments, and validations are transmitted through an official and identifiable channel.

Payment & OTP / 2FA

Example 1 – Strong authentication

NovaBank

SMS verification SMS
NovaBank. Your code is
14702.

Verify your account

Please enter your 5-digit code.

Example 2 – Payment via link

Claush

Your order #98271 is ready for shipment.

Amount due: $42.90

Example 3 – Friendly collection

Vatirol

There is €32.90 left to pay for your order.

✅ RCS = trusted channel, reduction in payment abandonment.

Why RCS performs better than SMS

Brands are noticing:

How to send your first RCS message with smsmode^©

Two possible approaches:

Via the RCS API

In turnkey agency mode

Let our experts handle:

💡 Registration of your RCS agent is free until January 1, 2026.

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Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

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December 01, 2025 - 4 min read

Setting up an SMS failover for RCS campaigns

Alexia Moustier

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

The RCS Business is a marketing tool with a 90% open rate for multimedia messages 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.

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.

ON THE SAME SUBJECT

The different types of RCS

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:

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

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Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup? Our experts will assist you from message creation to analyzing your campaign's performance.

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By API : RCS campaign programming by the customer

GOING FURTHER

Find out how to use the "validity" field to set your failover parameters

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!

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November 17, 2025 - 3 min read

Increase customer engagement with interactive messages

Alexia Moustier

Introduction

RCS is the successor to SMS. It offers richer, more interactive, and verified multimedia content for consumers, leading to 5 to 10 times higher engagement than SMS AF2M). It seems natural that interactive messages increase customer engagement. But why and how? These are the questions we will attempt to answer.

What is RCS, the new interactive messaging service?

RCS is a direct evolution of SMS and MMS.

It offers the opportunity to recreate links with consumers. The first campaigns routed by smsmode^© have all shown positive results Increase conversion rates and improve the customer experience (payment, appointment booking, customer support).

As a worthy successor to SMS, RCS can be used in an almost unlimited number of use cases and fields Retail, healthcare, e-commerce, real estate, human resources, hotels, travel, insurance, logistics, delivery tracking and integrated payment.

The difference between SMS and RCS: which channel to choose?

Criteria	RCS	SMS
Appliances concerned	Available on Android and IOS 18 and above.	Available on all mobile devices.
Transmission mode	Requires a data connection (wifi, 4G, 5G).	Transmitted via a mobile operator's infrastructure (no Wi-Fi connection required).
Multimedia capacity, character limit	Rich cards, interactive buttons, location sharing, video, audio, GIF. Up to 3,072 characters in a message.	No multimedia content. Maximum 160 characters in a message. Clickable url.
Recipient display	Presence of logo, brand name and sender information.	Custom transmitter.
Results	90% of multimedia messages opened. 10 times higher engagement rate.	Over 90% of messages opened. Click-through rate from 6% to 29%. No data on readership.

The limitations of SMS well known: a maximum of 160 characters and no support for multimedia content. Customers are more wary when receiving SMS the increasing number of fraud cases, which are difficult to regulate.

In this sense, RCS offers all the solutions to the problems of SMS. Interactive and personalized functionalities, the presence of the logo and brand name reassure customers of the message's authenticity, and interactive buttons encourage consumers to react to these messages.

Recap: Why choose the RCS?

Need help launching your first RCS message?

We're with you every step of the way: format selection, message creation, API integration, RCS agent registration.

Trust smsmode^© for your RCS messages

Now's the time to get started!

AGENCY SERVICE

Launch your RCS campaign with our experts

Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup? Our experts will assist you from message creation to analyzing your campaign's performance.

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October 14, 2025 - 7 min read

Boost your sales with a SMS campaign for Black Friday

Romain Didelot

Introduction

A veritable institution in the United States, Black Friday has also become a must-attend event in Europe. In 2025, it will take place on Friday, November 28. This time of promotions is a huge sales opportunity for all retailers, as the last Friday in November is the opportunity to start Christmas shopping for many customers. But with all these offers and promotions, stores and e-commerce sites have to pull out all the stops to attract customers.

Why Black Friday is a marketing event like no other

The days leading up to Black Friday are a time of intense communication. Emailing, commercials, social networks; your customer is going to be bombarded. How can you make your communication stand out from the crowd?

By touching them where they're looking: their phone. Find out how to boost your sales with SMS (or RCS), and enjoy +25examples of ready-to-use messages for your Black Friday mobile campaigns (Heading 4 👇).

The Black Friday campaign is unmissable (in figures)

Black Friday" on Friday, November 28, 2025 in France is the ephemeral commercial event par excellence:

3rd most important marketing event of the year (55% of brands consider it increasingly so)
No. 1 marketing event by volume of SMS sent (survey conducted in 2024 on 10,212 customers*)
Black Friday accounts for 30% of annual retail revenue
It is ideally located, away from all other sales periods.
The approach of the festive season is yet another reason to buy.
Promotions are exceptional (-50% or even -70% in some cases).
Buyers only have 24 hours to take advantage of it.

With so much sales potential concentrated in a single day, you can't afford tomiss a trick!

It's the blitz of the year, and there's no catching up. This is as true for consumers as it is for marketers. The key is to deploy communication quickly, with a clear message, and to send it at the right time to trigger the intention to buy.

In short, Black Friday is typically the time when SMS marketing campaigns can have an impressive effect on your sales.

STUDY

* SMS marketing trends and key performances under the microscope

Find out more about our major study based on 745 million mailings SMS.

Mobile marketing, a definite asset for Black Friday

Are you sure your offers are the best? Choose the mobile marketing channel that can ensure your prospects read them.

Today, every consumer is equipped with a cell phone, and consults it throughout the day. We spend an average of 4 hours 48 minutes on our phones. Sending an SMS or RCS campaign for Black Friday has the potential to reach everyone.

SMS

The main advantage of SMS for an operation like Black Friday is its open rate: 97%.

What 's more, 95% of messages are read within 4 minutes Next receipt. So you can be sure that your offers will be seen and your messages read.

The enriched SMS

You can also make your content stand out by exploiting the potential of rich SMS . This is a classic SMS in which a link to a mobile landing page is inserted. This approach allows you to extend your message towards richer (and traceable 😉 ) content.

TO FIND OUT MORE

The power of a mobile web page for your Black Friday campaigns

The RCS

RCS for Business, this " SMS 2.0", increases the potential of your promotions tenfold with media, CTAs, carousels and a complete customer journey within the native messaging of smartphones. The proportion of French people equipped with a smartphone continues to grow. It is 98% among 18-24 year-olds and 95% among 25-39 year-olds (Statista). Offering multimedia content on cell phones will also enable you to stand out from the competition in a day when your customers will be receiving a large number of solicitations.

See for yourself with 2 special use cases for Black Friday:

RCS Black Friday: Drive to store

RCS Black Friday: Drive to web

AVAILABLE VIA API OR IN AGENCY MODE

Test the RCS for Black Friday

Discover a new way to reach your customers

Well-received promotions

72% of French people believe that Black Friday allows them to make good deals.

This craze has prompted many brands to adopt the "Black Friday weekend", with a promotional period running from Friday to Monday. Monday is also starting to get a name: Cyber Monday, the official extension of Black Friday, reserved for e-commerce.

Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday, all these new promotional periods are opportunities to to increase your conversion rate. It's up to you to maximize your chances with a good promotional campaign.

3 tips for a successful campaign SMS

Choose the right time

The timing of your mailing has a major influence on the attention your customer will pay to your message. This may vary according to your sector, but in principle, it can be interesting to play on the mood of the moment: before lunch for food products, early afternoon for textiles, morning for high-tech products...

N.B.: Messages must be sent within thetime limitsapplicable to SMS (from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., every day except public holidays).

Personalise your message

Personalize your Sender ID (message sender) to be identifiable, and use the direct mail option to personalize each of your messages with the information present in your contacts' files (surname, first name, email...). With SMS you're already in your customers' pockets, so personalization will help you get their attention even more.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

Take advantage of the drive-to-web potential of SMS

64% of consumers plan to shop online for Black Friday. The drive to web (taking advantage of an acquisition channel to drive contacts to your website) is therefore a formidable technique for this event. RCS and SMS are excellent ways of attracting customers to your e-commerce site via a landing page.

By timing your mailings, you can offer a seamless experience, from the moment you receive an offer to the moment you make a purchase.

Benefit from "link shortener and a landing page editor with smsmode^© 😉

The story of Black Friday

In the United States, Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. This Friday is also traditionally a holiday for many employees. For this reason, retailers decided to introduce a day of special offers to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season. This day of sales quickly caught on, and the deep discounts quickly attracted hordes of customers.

Why this name? Legend has it that this day is called "Black Friday" because of the ancient accounting practice of recording profits in black ink and losses in red ink.

25 examples of SMS to send to your customers for Black Friday

Boost your sales now with our turnkey Black Friday/Week message examples:

[SenderID]

Take advantage of exceptional discounts this Black Friday!

30% discount on all in-store items.

Valid for 1 day only. Don't miss it! monsite.fr

STOP 3123

168 characters

[SenderID]

Black Friday is here!

Buy 2 items, the 3^e is free!

Exclusive offer for our loyal customers.

See you today! On > monsite.fr

STOP 3123

156 characters

[SenderID]

Tech Black Friday!

Save 20% on all smartphones and accessories.

Valid until midnight. After the hour, it's no longer the hour!

STOP 3123

151 characters

[SenderID]

🧥 Get ready for winter with our Black Friday sale!

Coats, sweaters and scarves from €19.99.

Limited offer, hurry up!

STOP 3123

150 characters

[SenderID]

🍔 Black Friday at the resto!

50% off our special Black Friday menu.

Treat yourself, at half price. Let's eat!

STOP 3123

123 characters

[SenderID]

Time to fill the hood!

Get ready for Christmas with Black Friday:

Toys, games and cuddly toys on sale.

Buy 2, get the 3rd free.

STOP 3123

152 characters

[SenderID]

Black Friday beauty!

30% off all make-up and skincare products.

Pamper yourself at a low price, today! ->monsite.fr

STOP 3123

157 characters

[SenderID]

Books on sale for Black Friday!

Buy 3 books, get the 4th free.

Find your next read now!

STOP 3123

141 characters

[SenderID]

🏋️‍♀️ Black Friday fitness!

Free Cross Git membership with the purchase of an annual gym membership.

Get in shape for the holidays!

STOP 3123

153 characters

[SenderID]

It's Black Week for music!

Save 40% on all instruments and accessories.

An offer music lovers won't want to miss!

STOP 3123

154 characters

NEED MORE EXAMPLES?

All our examples of promotional messages, sales, private sales,...

Download our dedicated E-book to have your unpublished models at hand

How can SMS help your marketing campaign stand out on Black Friday?

The answer can be summed up in five key words:

Speed: An instantaneous means of communication with a very short open time (between 1 and 4 minutes), SMS is a channel that will enable you to reach your target instantly.
Simplicity: Once you've imported your contacts onto our platform and written your message, your campaign is ready to go.
Deliverability: SMS lets you send your promotional offers without them getting lost in the mail stream or spam filter.
Creativity: The only limit is the one you set yourself. You could, for example, organize a competition at SMS to enhance your brand image and generate in-store traffic.
Promotions are exceptional (-50% or even -70% in some cases).
Profitability: The ROI of SMS is impressive. Earn 50 euros for every euro invested.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

October 13, 2025 - 7 min read

Summarize with :

ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini

Abandoned shopping baskets: what to do about it - 7 practical examples

Alexia Moustier

Introduction

70% of prospects abandon their shopping cart without finalizing their purchase (source: wpbeginner- 2024).
There are many reasons for these unconfirmed orders: high or hidden delivery charges, mandatory online account creation, lack of reassurance about the products or the online store, and many more. There are effective solutions to the problem of lost money due to abandonment.

Follow-up: the No. 1 trump card in the fight against abandoned shopping baskets

While the user experience is an important factor in improving cart abandonment (a user path focused on the action, a CTA positioned in the right place, etc.), there 's no substitute for relaunching abandoned carts to increase sales: an e-mail or SMS relaunching an abandoned cart encourages customers to finalize a purchase, and can represent up to 30% in additional sales.

In practice, a cart abandonment messageSMS or email) is sent to a prospect when they have added a product to their shopping cart, but do not validate their order within X minutes and/or leave the checkout page. The purpose of the message is to remind the prospect of the existence of the shopping cart and its components, to encourage them to finally take action.

SMS, RCS or e-mail: which message is most effective in preventing abandoned shopping baskets?

E-mails :

Emails have obvious advantages when it comes to shopping cart relaunching: an attractive subject line, a preview of the shopping cart and a link to it, space and media to encourage purchase. But they also have a few drawbacks, notably a high proportion of spam and an open rate that tops out at 20% for this type of email. Email is therefore effective (when it's read 😉 ), but still requires a fallback solution.

SMS :

SMS is is more effective than e-mail: the open rate of an SMS is 98%, compared with 20% for e-mail.
One of the great advantages of SMS is that, unlike e-mail, it is spam-free. Customers often have negative opinions about SMS, and these negative opinions are linked to SMS fraud which is increasing by the day. Nevertheless, SMS remains an excellent marketing tool.

RCS :

A new channel is becoming better known by the day: the RCS.

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a message format that certifies the identity of the sender while preserving the confidentiality of the content.

The RCS allows you to verify your brand before sending any message, via a certified platform such as smsmode.^©. RCS can integrate the following elements: optimized text (160 characters, emojis accepted), enriched multimedia messages (images, HD videos, carousels, action buttons...), clickable links (previewed and secured), visual brand display (logo, name, object). This new method of communication is therefore more reassuring for consumers and companies alike.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the different types of RCS

Top 7 marketing strategies for relaunching abandoned shopping baskets (with concrete models)

1 - Promote the product

Example RCS :

2 - Play on emotion

Example SMS (ready-to-wear) :

[SenderID]

Hello [customer first name]

Your shopping basket at [company] is waiting for you - it's not too late to buy your favorite products!

To complete your order: [basket link].

159 characters

Example RCS (ready-to-wear) :

3 - Add calls to action

Example SMS (electronic)

[SenderID]

Hey

Finalize your [company] order in just one click!

Validating a basket has never been easier.

It's this way: [back to basket]

114 characters

Example RCS (electronic)

4 - Encourage purchases

Example SMS (furniture)

[SenderID]

[Customer]

Your [company] shopping cart is waiting for you!

Free return and payment in 3 instalments available.

Confirm my order [URL]

Back to website [URL]

131 characters

Example RCS (furniture)

5 - Promote after-sales service

Example SMS (in-house product)

[SenderID]

[Customer], are you all right?

You have not validated your shopping cart at [company],

Do you have a problem? If so, please contact our customer service!

Customer service [URL]

Go to my cart [URL]

176 characters

RCS example (in-house product)

6 - Offer a discount

Example SMS (leather goods)

[SenderID]

An OFFER especially for you [customer],

-20% off your basket [company].

Take this opportunity to validate your basket

Confirm my order [link]

123 characters

RCS example

7 - Rely on FOMO

Examples SMS (ready-to-wear)

[SenderID]

Hello [customer]

[Company] has put your shopping cart aside for 1 hour.

By this time your basket will be empty, so don't miss out on your favorite items.

I'm cracking [link]

145 characters

Example RCS (ready-to-wear)

GOING FURTHER

All RCS features

How to implement SMS and RCS marketing strategies with smsmode ?

For the RCS, contact our team to initiate the creation of your agent or simply start the registration and activation process via our dedicated form.

You can then send your reminder messages from this new channel.

For SMS, smsmode^© offers several solutions for integrating basket relaunching with :

When should SMS and RCS strategies be implemented?

According to "rejoiner", the ideal is to send the SMS or RCS reminder about 30 minutes to 1 hour after the shopping cart has been abandoned. If the message is sent too long after the shopping cart has been abandoned, this gives customers time to find other solutions, such as ordering from another site.

The benefits of smsmode^©

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

September 24, 2025 - 7 min read

RCS: concrete use cases for companies

Romain Didelot

Introduction

RCS RCS messaging is transforming the way businesses communicate with their customers. More than just a SMS , it allows for richer, more interactive, and engaging messages: HD images, product carousels, action buttons, calendar management, integrated payments, and verified brand profiles.

In this article, discover 8 concrete RCS use cases, illustrated by industry videos (retail, healthcare, HR, real estate, hotels, logistics, payment, e-commerce).

RCS, more than an SMS 2.0

Unlike traditional classic proSMS which is limited to 160 characters and has no interactivity (apart from embedded links), RCS offers a complete experience:

👉 In short: where SMS simply informs, RCS makes you act and converse.

Overview of RCS use cases by sector

Retail & e-commerce

Retail chains and e-commerce sites are already using RCS for Business to promote various special offers using interactive carousels. RCS is almost like sending an enhanced newsletter—if a newsletter could be interactive and delivered directly to a phone’s native messaging app 😏.

Profit :

Stimulating purchase with "Order" or "Discover" buttons can multiply the click-through rate by 5 to 10 compared with SMS or email.

Health & medical appointments

The healthcare sector benefits from RCS for its ability to reduce no-show :

Profit :

You can expect a 50-60% reduction in missed appointments thanks to interactive reminders. That's more than SMS, which already offers a 40-50% reduction.

Real estate

Real estate is a field that market players rarely address, yet it is ideal for RCS, with numerous use cases that can be transposed to this channel:

Profit :

Improve lead qualification and accelerate the sales cycle.

Human Resources

What used to take several calls and email exchanges can now be done in one conversation with the RCS :

Profit :

Being able to communicate vacancies and apply via RCS saves time for recruiters and improves the experience for candidates.

Hotels & travel

In tourism and hospitality, RCS can enrich the customer experience and drive upsell in a way that no other channel has been able to do before (with the exception of WhatsAppto a certain extent). RCS enables "pre-stay" management that was previously only possible with the investment of one person for several minutes/hours. Today, a message workflow can do the job:

GOING FURTHER

All the RCS functionalities

Logistics & delivery tracking

Logistics, e-commerce and parcel delivery companies are taking advantage of RCS to manage their entire logistics tracking process in a single conversation:

Profit :

Drastic reduction in failed deliveries and improved customer experience.

Insurance & claims management

There are a number of ways in which the insurance industry can take advantage of the RCS to streamline customer relations:

Profit :

Reduced processing times, greater transparency for policyholders and fewer incoming calls thanks to automation.

Integrated payment & OTP

RCS goes beyond information, integrating into users' native messaging systems all the actions that mark out a customer journey. In particular, the final action = payment. It also plays a key role in securing exchanges, in an era when the slightest flaw is exploited. The verified brand profile enables us to act transparently to :

Profit :

Simplicity for the customer + better conversion + enhanced security.

Why integrate RCS into your strategy?

RCS is not a gadget: it meets major business challenges.

👉 RCS fits perfectly into a modern marketing and customer relations strategy.

What about you?

RCS has already been deployed by major brands in the retail, healthcare, transport and hospitality sectors. The benefits are clear: increased engagement, enhanced security, improved customer experience.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

August 27, 2025 - 6 min read

French Days: SMS and RCS campaigns to maximize your sales

Romain Didelot

TL;DR

(summary)

French Days is a major opportunity for all companies looking to boost their sales. Thanks to SMS and RCS, you can captureconsumers' attention immediately and turn your marketing offers into actual purchases.

With smsmode© APIs and plugins, your French Days campaigns become automated, personalized and measurable.

Introduction

French Days has become a real rendez-vous for French online marketing.

This year, it will take place from September 24 to 30, 2025. Like every year, this shopping extravaganza is sure to attract millions of consumers in search of bargains andpromotional offers. For businesses, it's a unique opportunity to generate fast sales and grabcustomers' attention with hard-hitting campaigns.

And there's nothing more effective than an SMS or RCS: these short, direct messages ensure immediate impact and unfiltered marketing communication.

Why are SMS and RCS essential for French Days?

👉 Clearly, SMS and RCS are the perfect channels for turning a commercial event like French Days into a profitable marketing action.

Step-by-step methodology for a successful campaign

1. Plan and segment

Prepare your SMS campaigns upstream: set your objectives, segment your databases, check your opt-ins. An effective marketing campaign is always based on precise targeting: loyal customers, new buyers, inactive prospects.

2. Build attractive offers

French Days are the perfectopportunity to showcase your products with special offers: exclusive promotions, event packs, flash sales... Customers expect deep discounts and clear benefits.

3. Write an effective message

A good SMS marketing message is 160 characters long:

The RCS allows you to send an enriched message, without the character limit, with a product image, order button and countdown timer to reinforce the urgency.

Further information

The RCS allows you to send an enriched message, without the character limit, with a product image, order button and countdown timer to reinforce the urgency.

4. Choose the right timing

The right moment makes all the difference:

5. Automate and measure

Thanks to SMS and RCS API from smsmode^© and our plugins (HubSpot, Salesforce, Adobe, WordPress, Spotify...), you can automate your scenarios:

Then measure your results: click-through rates, conversions, sales generated per campaign.

The sales simulator for your campaigns :

Enter the number of contacts, select your rate, your business sector and find out how much sales you can expect from your SMS campaign.

10 practical tips to boost your French Days

1. Personalize your messages

Customers respond better to personalized marketing communications. Add a first name, purchase history or product interest to capture their attention.

2. Focus on urgency

French Days are short: emphasize the rarity of your offers, for example "Valid for 48 hours only" or "Limited stock". This encouragesimmediate action.

3. Segment your mailings

Don't communicate the same promotion to all your customers. Tailor your marketing messages to different profiles (loyal, new buyers, inactive).

4. Integrate your campaigns with your other marketing activities

Combine your SMS, MMS or RCS messages with emails, social networks and push notifications. A multi-channel campaign maximizes the impact of your communication.

5. Optimize your links and landing pages

If you opt for a rich SMS message, it should lead to a clear, optimized page. Promotional products should appear immediately, with no detours.

GOING FURTHER

Rich SMS documentation via smsmode^©

6. Test your shipments

Before launching your French Days campaign, test different times, senders and message wordings. This will help you find the most effective combination.

7. Revive abandoned baskets

An e-commerce marketing classic: the abandoned cartSMS reminder encourages customers to complete theirpurchase, and can generate up to 30% in additional sales.

8. Combine SMS and RCS

Send an SMS to consumers who don't have a compatible smartphone, and an enriched RCS (buttons, carousels) to others. This maximizes your opportunities.

9. Analyze and optimize

After your French Days, measure the results: click-through rates, conversions, sales generated per campaign. Adjust your next marketing actions for the following year.

10. Build loyalty after the event

Extend the customer relationship: thank your customers, offer a promotional code for their next purchase, for the Black Friday or the winter sales and turn a one-off event into lasting loyalty.

The smsmode advantage^© : API & Plugins to automate your campaigns

Where many platforms stop at sending promotional messages, smsmode^© goes one step further with :

👉 The result: smarter, faster campaigns tailored to your customers.

Optimize with data

The secret of good marketing communications lies not just in sending a message, but in analyzing the results:

Identify the most responsive consumer segments.
Compare your channels via revenue per message (RPM).
Anticipate your next sales and promotions campaigns.

With smsmode^©you have advanced dashboards to control your sales in real time.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

August 26, 2025 - 3 min read

Can my mobile receive RCS messages?

Elsa Paparone

Introduction

Touted for several years as the successor to SMS, the RCS (Rich Communication Services) is now a reality in 2025. Deployed progressively by operators and adopted by Google and then Apple with iOS 18, it is now compatible with the majority of recent Android and iPhone smartphones.

According to the GSMA, more than 1.5 billion active users worldwide are already using RCS, including several tens of millions in France.
But one question often comes up: can my mobile receive RCS?

In the infographic below, we explain how to check and activate RCS messaging on your Android or iPhone phone.

RCS, enriched messaging integrated into your cell phone

RCS is designed as a direct evolution of SMS and MMSnatively integrated into messaging applications. In concrete terms, it lets you exchange :

📸 High-resolution photos and videos
👥 Enriched group conversations
✅ Reading acknowledgements and input indicators
🔗 Interactive buttons, carousels, clickable links
📍 F ile sharing, maps, geolocation, QR codes and payments

In other words, your native messaging app (Google Messages on Android or Messages on iOS) now comes close to the experiences offered by WhatsApp, Messenger or iMessage, but without any additional installation.

GOING FURTHER

All RCS features

How do I know if my mobile is receiving RCS?

In 2020, only certain Android models could activate RCS via Google Messages, and support was highly operator-dependent. The situation has changed:

On Android :

Open the Google Messages app → Settings → RCS Chats → Enable.
Most recent Android smartphones (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc.) now feature this option.

On iPhone :

Since iOS 18, Apple has added RCS compatibility to the Messages app.
Simply go to Settings → Apps → Messages → RCS Messaging and enable the option.

Prerequisites:

So, by 2025, the majority of Android and iOS users can send and receive RCS without installing a third-party app.

From 2020, smsmode^© participated in the RCS for Business pilot phase in France in collaboration with operators and Google. Since then, we have deployed a Complete RCS API which enables companies to send enriched messages (Basic, Rich and Session) to their customers.

🚀 Interactive marketing campaigns with carousels and CTA buttons
🔔 Enhanced transactional notifications (order confirmation, delivery tracking, appointment reminders)
🔐 Secure communications (OTP, link payments, certified document sharing)

With widespread iOS and Android support, RCS is finally becoming a universal channel and a modern alternative to SMS for businesses and consumers alike.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

August 12, 2025 - 5 min read

Summarize with :

ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini

Protect your customers against fraud and strengthen their trust

Romain Didelot

Introduction

SMS fraud (smishing and identity theft) is on the increase, undermining the relationship between brands and their customers. To counter this, Google and telecom operators have introduced RCS Basic, a message format that certifies the identity of the sender while preserving the confidentiality of the content.

With RCS Basic, your customers can immediately recognize your messages as legitimate, and clearly distinguish them from any fraudulent attempts.

Putting an end to identity theft

With RCS Basic, your brand is officially verified before any message is sent. Company name, logo, description, official number and other information appear directly in the Messages application on Android.
Result: your customers know that your messages really do come from you. The credibility of your communications is strengthened and the risk of fraud drastically reduced.

Rigorous verification

The verification process is simple but strict:

This procedure ensures that recipients only receive genuine messages, protected against any usurpation.

More than an SMS : an enriched, secure message

Unlike traditional SMS , RCS Basic can integrate :

And all this without compromising confidentiality: only the recipient sees the content, which remains protected beyond verification.

GOING FURTHER

Introducing the RCS channel

Communicate with your contacts and offer an unrivalled customer care and marketing experience, thanks to engaging multimedia content and a certified company profile.

How do I set up RCS Basic?

Nothing could be simpler:

RCS Basic is supported by the Messages application from Google and Apple (from iOS 18), pre-installed on most smartphones.

GOING FURTHER

Discover all the features of RCS

Find out about the different types of content messages and buttons integrated into the thread, which are offered by the RCS.

As a certified and ISO 27001 & ISO 27701 certified, smsmode^© guarantees the security and conformity of your shipments across all channels. We can also provide you with customized support to integrate RCS Basic into your communication strategy.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

August 08, 2025 - 5 min read

Set up your mobile communications with RCS

Elsa Paparone

Introduction

SMS is evolving. And with it, a new generation of enriched messages is born: RCS (Rich Communication Services). This protocol, standardized by the GSMA, is gradually establishing itself as the successor to traditional SMS , with immense marketing and conversational potential.

With all operators and manufacturers (including Apple since iOS 18) gradually integrating this technology, RCS is now a concrete, high-performance solution for brands wishing to modernize their mobile communications.

What is RCS?

Developed by the GSMA and pushed by Google, RCS or Rich Communication Servicesis based on the 4G/5G network rather than GSM. It enables :

Since 2024, iPhone users have also been able to benefit from this technology, accelerating its mass adoption.

Why integrate RCS into your company's communication?

The RCS Business Messaging (RBM) offers brands a conversational channel that is richer, more interactive, and more engaging than SMS, MMS or even WhatsApp Business.

Key benefits :

*GSMA studies and feedback from pilot campaigns (2023-2024)

Use of the RCS

RCS adapts to all objectives:

RCS features

As you can see, the aim of RCS is to bring the great features of instant messaging (WhatsApp, Messenger...) to our native messaging service. It combines the best of instant messaging... with the universal reach of SMS.

GOING FURTHER

Discover all the features of RCS

Find out about the different types of content messages and buttons integrated into the thread, which are offered by the RCS.

How to integrate RCS into your communication?

1. Framing the project

Our teams can help you define the right use case (conversion, brand awareness, retention...).

2. API access or turnkey support

3. Launch of the first pilot campaigns

Performance monitoring, fine-tuning, strategic consulting.

Why choose smsmode for your RCS project?

STUDY CASE

Our main objective is to drive traffic to our website, and RCS is a perfect channel for this, allowing us to use images, buttons and carousels, which SMS doesn't allow.

Alexandre Ali, co-founder of Panda Tea

RCS: simple evolution or real revolution?

Halfway between SMS and instant messaging apps, RCS represents a breakthrough: the era of conversational, enriched, intelligent and measurable mobile messaging.

While SMS remains a must-have, RCS is becoming a formidable weapon for capturing attention, improving conversion and enriching the customer experience.

So, whether you're already a customer or just discovering our service through this new product : smsmode^© offers you a follow-up service. This means that if you're already working on a channel, such as SMS or email, our teams will be there to advise you on how to harmonize your communication.

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Would you like to test RCS as part of your mobile strategy?

Our teams are here to support you. 📞 Contact our sales team to activate your first RCS shipments or access our API.

July 03, 2025 - 5 min read

Summarize with :

ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini

What kind of RCS messages for your company?

Romain Didelot

Introduction

With the gradual arrival of the RCS on iPhone (iOS 18 then iOS 18.1 for RCS Business), brands finally have a native, enriched and secure channel for interacting with their customers. RCS, the successor to SMS, transforms mobile messaging into an interactive, engaging and 100% integrated experience... without the need for a third-party app.

But where to start? Which format should I use?
There are three RCS Business message formats, each adapted to specific use cases.

1. RCS basic

2. Single Rich Message

3. RCS Chat

1. RCS Basic

Content: text up to 160 characters + link preview
SMS fallback possible : if terminal not compatible

Advantages :

Good to know:

It's the perfect format for testing RCS with minimum effort, before moving on to richer messages.

Typical use cases :

2. Single Rich Message

Contenu : image, texte long (<1000 caractères), carrousels, CTA (boutons cliquables)
Objectif : créer un message visuel, interactif et orienté conversion

Advantages :

Ideal for one-off marketing campaigns and seasonal promotions.
Panda Tea was able to double its conversion rate during a Christmas campaign.

Use cases :

Panda Tea triples its Christmas conversion rate with an RCS Single campaign

3. Chat messages (RCS Chat)

Content: two-way conversation integrated into the messaging app, with all the enriched elements of RCS (video, PDF, links, carousels, forms).

Two modes:

Advantages

To be coupled with AI or a CRM for ultra-relevant exchanges

Use cases :

GO FURTHER

Find all the different types of content and buttons offered by RCS, integrated into your customers' native messaging system

How do I choose the right RCS format?

Objective	RCS Basic	Single Rich	RCS Chat
Simple notification	✔️
Encourage action		✔️	✔️
Integrate a chatbot or advisor			✔️
Conversion or full tunnel		✔️	✔️

Things to consider when choosing your RCS message type :

Cost :

RCS Basic and Single Rich Message are significantly more expensive than SMS. RCS Chat, on the other hand, costs on average twice as much as a Single Rich Message. And it's worth noting that a reply to your message triggers a session (RCS Chat).

A basic RCS is not intended to trigger a conversation, so you can be sure of its price.

A Rich Message can become an RCS Chat if the recipient responds with text (free text or quick reply), whereas a click on a button is not considered a response.

RCS Chat is billed by the session (24 hours sliding scale) and is therefore often more profitable for long exchanges/conversational commerce.

Depending on your use case and the way you formulate your message, you can ensure that you are (and remain) in a specific type of message.

Type	Classic subscription	Medium subscription	Premium subscription
RCS MT Basic	0,035 €	0,034 €	0,033 €
RCS MT Single	0,050 €	0,048 €	0,046 €
RCS Chat	0,095 €	0,091 €	0,088 €
Set-up / agent	1 free, beyond that €60/agent/month	1 free, beyond that €30/agent/month	1 free, beyond that €10/agent/month

Technology :

The Basic format can be sent by API, in a very similar way to SMS APIs. API SMS. So there's no need for heavy development or drastic changes to your sending process.

AGENCY SERVICE

Launch your RCS campaign with our experts

Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup? Our experts will assist you from message creation to analyzing your campaign's performance.

Discover agency mode →

Target audience :

Are your customers looking for quick information, a special offer or a complete conversational experience? Each use case has its own dedicated message type.

Sensitive content :

Certain sectors (politics, health, alcohol...) may be subject to restrictions (just like SMS). Paradoxically, these are also the sectors where a verified profile can be most beneficial.

Launch your RCS campaign with our experts

Want to try RCS but don't want to deal with the technical setup?
Our experts will assist you from message creation to campaign performance analysis.

Where to start?

Starting with RCS Basic is often the best entry point: simple, fast, effective. Then let your KPIs and customer feedback guide you as you move towards more engaging formats.

Whatever your strategy, RCS lets you reinvent your mobile communications with :

Now's the time to get started!

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May 29, 2025 - 5 min read

The new mobile messaging channels: the infographic

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Mobile messaging is constantly evolving. Many new channels have appeared recently: RCSTTS, WhatsApp Business, VMS, push notifications... This multiplication of ways to reach customers is obviously an opportunity, but each channel has its own characteristics and advantages. So it's a good idea to be familiar with these channels to exploit their full potential.

Computer graphics

smsmode^©️ wanted to find out more about marketing professionals' vision and knowledge of these new channels. Our platform therefore surveyed its customers during the period from July 9 to September 7, 2021.

The new mobile messaging channels

Among all the newcomers, the channel that stands out is WhatsApp Business (known by 73% of those surveyed). Its popularity is obviously helped by the fact that it is the "Customer Care" version of WhatsApp, the world's most popular instant messaging application, with 2 billion monthly users.

Behind the "star" of our survey the gap widens, with TTS at 34% and push notifications (31%) closing the podium.

While the relative anonymity of VMS (voice messaging system) comes as no great surprise (27% of those questioned said they were familiar with it), the fact that RCS was only known by 12% of participants is more surprising, given that this protocol is designated as the successor to SMS, with already 16 million compatible mobiles in France and 30 million by 2023.

Little-known channels, but seen in a very positive light

The novelty of these new channels in no way diminishes the willingness of professionals to integrate them into their marketing strategy. Nearly half of those questioned believe that the new channels enable better customer retention. Just as many believe that these new channels should reach the level of SMS within 2 years, and that it is now essential to develop an omnichannel strategy.

Similarly, although the RCS is little known among professionals, it is nonetheless highly appreciated by those who know about it or have received it, offering a genuine alternative to the MMS for sending media. 90% of those who have received this type of message are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the experience.

In essence, while the new mobile messaging channels have moderate awareness overall, they are highly valued by those who know about them.

It is certain that their arrival in the middle of a pandemic did not help to make them known, but the need for interactivity in customer relations and the democratisation of chatbots should allow these new channels, RCS and WhatsApp Business in particular, to become essential in the years to come.

Discovering new channels

Want to know all about the new mobile messaging channels?

Download our dedicated white paper.

Want to find out more about RCS and discover this revolutionary channel?

Access our PDF presentation.

Do you want a masterful Customer Care tool?

Want to reach a different audience with voice SMS ?

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April 02, 2025 - 7 min read

Summarize with :

ChatGPT Perplexity Gemini

RCS available to all with IOS 18.4

Romain Didelot

Introduction

The wait is finally over: Apple has activated RCS support with iOS 18, marking a major step forward in the standardization of messaging between iPhone and Android. In France, Orange and Sosh subscribers now benefit from this new messaging system, enabling richer, more interactive exchanges between users, regardless of their device. This development, originally announced by Apple for 2023, came to fruition with the release of iOS 18.4, offering all iPhone users a more modern alternative to traditional SMS .

But what does this really mean for mobile marketing? The RCS campaigns campaigns finally accessible to all smartphones? smsmode© sheds light on this revolution and its impact on brands.

What's in it for users?

Until now, hesitation on the part of Apple and certain operators to adopt RCS has been a real handicap to brand promotion. Without the Apple brand, campaigns were reduced to a small fraction of the available mobile base. But now, many millions of iPhone users can join Android users and take part in the experience.

iOS 18.4: RCS available for Orange and Sosh subscribers

With the release of iOS 18.4, Orange and Sosh customers in France can now enjoy the benefits of RCS on their iPhone. This update marks a major step forward in the standardization of messaging between different mobile operators and OSs (SFR had already taken the plunge with IOS 18 and Bouygues with IOS 18.2, editor's note).

How do I activate RCS on iPhone?

To activate RCS on an iPhone, subscribers to French operators (SFR, Free Mobile, Bouygues Telecom, and now Orange and Sosh) are just a click away. All you need to do is :

COMPARATIVE

RCS, WhatsApp, SMS or Time2Chat. What's the difference?

Among other things, the iPhone's adoption of RCS will enable support for encryption, high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, keystroke indicators and more. In short, Apple will enable users to share a similar messaging experience between the two systems, with the exception of RCS message bubbles, which will remain green, as SMS messages currently are on iPhone.
You can now test for yourself what a conversation initiated between an Android device and an iPhone with RCS looks like. Although some questions remain, such as the transcription of reactions between different phone models, the RCS experience on iPhone is now a reality.

Apple's choice

Apple has finally adopted RCS with iOS 18, a milestone eagerly awaited by mobile messaging players. This development strengthens interoperability between systems and broadens the scope of RCS, which is gaining in maturity as a communications platform. After years of waiting, iPhone users can now enjoy enriched messaging, with the exception of the color bubbles, which will remain green to differentiate RCS conversations from iMessages.

Among other things, the iPhone's adoption of RCS enables support for encryption, high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, keystroke indicators and more. In short, Apple is enabling users to share a similar messaging experience between the two systems, with the exception of RCS message bubbles, which will remain green, as SMS messages currently are on the iPhone. Of course, there are still a number of questions to be answered, such as the transcription of reactions from one phone model to another.

What this means for professional messaging

This full adoption brings with it a major development for the application-to-person (A2P) market: the merger, or at least compatibility, of RBM (RCS Business Messaging: the A2P channel of RCS) with AMB (Apple Messages for Business: the A2P channel of iMessage).

Like SMS and its professional version, the A2P and P2P versions of RCS and iMessage are different technologies. Separately, MBR and AMB don't have the reach of SMS or even other over-the-top (OTT) messaging channels like WhatsApp. Together, however, they have the potential to reach virtually all smartphone users.

The potential in the A2P world is enormous. The GSMA estimates that there will be 6.3 billion mobile subscribers by 2030, representing billions of business opportunities for brands. Companies could create compelling experiences with a single click, all without consumers switching apps.

Reminder: What is the RCS?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging protocol that aims to replace SMS and MMS with a richer, more interactive experience. RCS lets you send and receive text messages, images, videos, files, emojis, stickers, voice messages, video calls, group messages and much more. RCS works over the mobile network or wifi, and offers users features such as acknowledgements, input indicators, or end-to-end encryption.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the RCS channel

Features, benefits, uses and pricing.

Reminder: What is RBM?

RBM (RCS Business Messaging) is RCS at the service of brands and companies. It enables companies to communicate with their customers in a more personalized, engaging and effective way.

With RBM, you can create more creative, more interactive and more measurable campaigns. Your RBM campaigns allow you to integrate interactive elements into RCS messages, such as buttons, carousels, polls, forms and more. In this way, you can facilitate action, stimulate reaction, and foster loyalty.

The other major advantage of RBM is the possibility of adding a chatbot to your sessions. With it, you equip yourself with a powerful "conversational commerce" tool. A more innovative and useful service for your customers, enabling you to offer a new marketing experience with colossal conversion potential.

RBM is a new solution for mobile marketers, and an opportunity for them to personalize their messages according to the profile, behavior and preferences of their recipients. This means they can adapt the content, tone and timing of their messages to increase open rates, click-through rates and conversion rate.

Discover all the features of RCS

Find out about the different types of content messages and buttons integrated into the discussion thread, which are offered by the RBM: the RCS at the service of companies.

How to prepare your universal RBM strategy?

Companies need to adapt their marketing strategy to the RCS, taking into account the protocol's specific features and opportunities.

So define your objectives, target, message, budget, timetable, etc. And above all, test and optimize your campaigns using the data and feedback provided by RCS.

For an RCS campaign, the first thing to do is segment your contact lists according to their compatibility with the protocol. You'll need to know which users have a smartphone. This will enable you to send RCS messages to them, and SMS messages to other users.

RCS enables you to offer a more personalized, richer and more interactive messaging experience. You'll have two powerful levers to activate:

Conversion

By making it possible to offer more attractive, more relevant and more tailored offers to customers, RCS enables companies to increase conversion. Make it easy to take action, by integrating buttons, links, QR codes and more.

Measurement

Thanks to the precise, detailed data on deliverability, opens, clicks and conversions provided by the RCS protocol, you can better measure the effectiveness of your campaigns with RCS. Optimize your strategies, budgets and ROI with this valuable data.

Conclusion

RCS is a technology that has the potential to transform mobile marketing, offering a richer, more universal and more secure messaging experience. It's also a constantly evolving technology, which could integrate new features in the future, such as augmented reality or mobile payment, which would be yet another step towards a new world for mobile marketing.

Our webinar: "RCS, the ideal lever for customer relations".

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COMPARATIVE
Time2Chat vs SMS, RCS, WhatsApp. Which one to choose?

- PDF AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH -

Discover our comprehensive comparison of Time2Chat, SMS, RCS and WhatsApp features. Compare the strengths of each mobile channel at a glance to find the one that's perfect for your needs.

Download the comparison

Need more info?

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smsmode^© has developed over the years a complete range of products, offers, tools and mail pluginsto meet a wide range of customer needs for mobile messaging operations:

smsmode^© needs the contact information you provide to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Visit our Privacy Policy to find out more. You may also, for legitimate reasons, object to the processing of your personal data. To exercise this right, please send an e-mail to dpo(at)smsmode.com.

Available information

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September 22, 2024 - 5 min read

Conversational commerce: engage in conversation

Elsa Paparone

Introduction

Conversational commerce is transforming and improving the way brands interact with their customers, building longer-lasting exchange relationships.

This new conversational approach to customer relations allows you to start a conversation with your users, wherever they may be, by sending messages directly to their cell phones via a variety of channels (RCS, SMS, WhatsApp).

A variety of tools (online platforms, chatbots, product carousels, etc.) are available to professionals, enabling them to offer content that is richer and more dynamic than ever. This evolution not only adds a new dimension to the customer experience, but also reshuffles the cards in your sales strategy.

Today we take you on a journey of discovery into conversational commerce.

What is conversational commerce?

Conversational commerce is characterized by the use by companies of new communication technologies such as chatbots integrated into messaging applications, two-way SMS two-way and other voice assistants.

It enables professionals to ensure personalized interactions with their customers, but above all to lead the exchange with your customers and accompany them throughout the sales funnel during a session/conversation.

These conversations can easily be automated, ensuring efficiency and speed for the company. What's more, the use of these different customer relations channels, sometimes in concert, leads to an overall improvement in the customer experience and the ability for operational staff to analyze the data collected. The integration of a multi-channel sales strategy rapidly accelerates the sales process.

In short, the principle of conversational commerce is to enable your customers to carry out all their purchasing actions in a single channel, without having to leave it to land on your website or an online payment platform. It is therefore important to identify in advance which conversational messaging is preferred by your targets to ensure the purchase of your products.

What are the different mobile channels used for conversational commerce?

COMPARATIVE

WhatsApp, SMS, RCS and Time2Chat. Which conversational channel to choose?

SMS - Via a dedicated number (Time2Chat)

In recent years, corporate communication via SMS has exploded. Nowadays, customers don't just want to be kept informed by SMS, they also want to talk to companies via these popular messages. New legislation forcing companies to use 09 numbers has led to the emergence of a new feature called Time2Chat.

Visit Time2Chatalso known as SMS conversational, is a mobile solution specially designed for exchanges between brands and their customers. This product combines SMS and voice. Benefiting from the native presence of SMS, available on all phones even without an Internet connection, it combines a number of advantages for a variety of uses (appointment confirmation, parcel delivery...). Communicate with your users via a messaging system that's well-known and popular with the general public. Time2Chat offers a toll-free number linked to your business. So your customers can respond directly to the number (09) assigned to you. It's also possible to plugging a chatbot (like the one proposed by smsmode^© and dydu, powered by artificial intelligence 😉)

RCS - Chat sessions within the native messaging application

RCS (Rich Communication Service), also known as SMS .0, is a messaging protocol promoted by Google that allows you to share messages with rich media content (images, videos, GIFs, carousels, maps, buttons, etc.) with your customers. Just like its predecessor, no additional app is needed to receive these messages; they are delivered directly to smartphones’ native messaging apps (both Android and Apple). Its business use (known as RBM for Rich Business Messaging) allows you to engage in conversations with your customers from a Google-verified brand profile—a certification that is recognizable and trusted by your users.

WhatsApp Business - WhatsApp for Professionals

With 100 billion messages a day, WhatsApp is a channel that is very popular with users. WhatsApp Business is the version dedicated to the business world. This channel enables you to reach your customers on their mobiles, via the most popular instant messaging application of the moment. Once your profile has been validated by Meta (Facebook), you're ready for enriched conversations! Please note that WhatsApp Business is designed more for customer service or "pull marketing" (initiated by the online user). It's customary to include a chatbot to answer your users' recurring questions.

A few figures on conversational commerce

Recent studies show that conversational commerce has been well received by users, becoming part of their daily routine. For example, they prefer to be informed of the most important updates to their favorite service by SMS, which they are much more likely to open than a conventional e-mail. Engagement rates and sales seem to be rising steadily. This proposal for an exchange channel and an "upgraded" customer experience at your fingertips is seductive. Its use seems to be taking root in customer habits.

75% of consumers have responded to a SMS message from a company in the past year (Source: SimpleTexting, 2023).
Services using conversational commerce have seen a 30% increase in sales conversions. (Source: Business Insider, 2023)
45% of brands have integrated conversational commerce solutions into their marketing strategy by 2023. (Source: Forrester, 2023)
80% of companies will use chatbots for customer service by 2025. (Source: Gartner, 2023)
SMS messages have an average open rate of 98%, compared with around 20% for e-mails. (Source: Mobile Marketing Watch, 2023)
SMS campaigns generate an average engagement rate of 45%, compared with 20% for e-mail marketing (Source: SMS Global, 2023).
90% of consumers prefer to receive notifications via SMS rather than e-mail for important updates. (Source: Twilio, 2023)

STUDY

SMS marketing trends and key performances under the microscope

Find out more about our major study based on 745 million mailings SMS.

Conclusion

Technological advances in conversational commerce will benefit companies that know how best to integrate them into their sales strategy. Chatbots, SMS conversational, are all tools that will enable brands to offer a more fluid, personalized and responsive customer experience and purchasing process. Recent figures show that these new instant messaging tools are becoming increasingly popular.

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Triple your conversion rate with ultra-targeted RCS campaigns

El potencial de interacción es la principal ventaja de RCS — Rich Communication Service —, el sucesor de los SMS. Fue esta promesa la que atrajo a Panda Tea, una marca comprometida de tés e infusiones para el bienestar, y la convenció para lanzar su primera campaña RCS en colaboración con smsmode^©.

18 495

RCS SENT

10%

RCS COMPATIBLE CONTACTS

16,26%

CLICK TO BUY

ABOUT

Panda Tea is a brand of wellness teas and infusions that develops premium organic blends. Launched in 2017, by 3 brothers, Panda Tea has a community of 300,000 tea lovers. 30 million cups of tea have already been served.

SECTOR OF ACTIVITY

E-commerce

COMPANY SIZE

10 employees

CREATION DATE

2017

LOCATION

France

CHANNELS - RCS

INTEGRATION - Google Dialogflow bot

USE CASES - marketing campaign

Download the Panda Tea success story

You may also, for legitimate reasons, object to the processing of your personal data. If you wish to exercise these rights, please send an e-mail to dpo(at)smsmode.com.

use RCS as a new drive for advertising campaigns

A drive-to-web campaign

As a strong supporter of mobile marketing, Panda Tea regularly runs advertising campaigns during the year highlights such as sales, Black Friday, Christmas, etc.

Panda Tea wanted to launch an RCS campaign in partnership with smsmode^©. The goal was to explore the possibilities of RCS and to bring a new dynamic tto the brand’s communication.
The campaign is focused on highlighting the end-of-year products (teas, boxes, infusions, etc.), with buttons and a carousel (image and description of products following the link).

Our main objective is to generate traffic to our website and the RCS is a promising and appropriate channel that allowed us to use images, buttons and carousels in our campaign, which SMS does not allow.

Alexandre Ali, co-founder of Panda Tea

RESULTS OF THE PANDA TEA RCS CAMPAIGN

92,78%

READING RATE

7,23%

CLICK-THROUGH RATE

16,26%

CONVERSION RATE

1,2%

UNSUBSCRIBE RATE

benefits from the RCS marketing power

The remarkable performance of the new channel

The campaign was sent to RCS-enabled mobile phone numbers from the contact base used for the SMS advertising campaigns. More than 18.000 Panda Tea customers benefited from a dynamic, simple and direct interaction through this new enhanced mobile experience.

The statistics and link tracking features have made it possible to monitor and analyse the results of the RCS in real time. And the results are remarkable!
92.78% of the RCS were read, 75% of which were read within an hour of being sent, rivalling the already exceptional performance of SMS.

And the other performances are not to be outdone: with a click-through rate of 7.23%, a conversion rate of 16.26% — 3 times higher than the SMS campaigns usually carried out by the brand— and an unsubscription rate of 1.2%, the RCS proves its effectiveness.

The results of this campaign corroborated our forecasts: this new mobile messaging channel is clearly positioned as a “drive to Web” tool for e-commerce which, moreover, has a direct impact on sales.

Fabien Andraud, head of sales smsmode^©

imagining new uses for e-commerce

RCS, a marketing channel of the future

Panda Tea is one of the first French brands to implement communication via RCS.
The first lessons for the use of this brand new technology in the e-commerce sector are emerging:

The RCS is proving to be suitable for our business sector e-commerce. This first campaign showed a direct impact on drive-to-web. We now want to launch an RCS campaign based on a conversational scenario: it would be a perfect medium to introduce a new product or a new product range.

Alexandre Ali, co-founder of Panda Tea

Choosing the right channel in 2026 based on your objective

Introduction

2025 Retrospective

SMS, RCS, email: which channel to choose in 2026?

Why SMS the channel with the highest open rate?

SMS RCS at smsmode in figures

Set up your campaigns with smsmode©

smsmode© it is:

Conclusion

RCS KPIs

Introduction

The importance of KPIs

Measure the impact of your RCS campaigns with KPIs

RCS opening rate

Click-through rate (CTR)

RCS churn rate

Conversion rates

RCS delivery rate

ROI of the RCS

Case study: Results of the RCS Panda Tea campaign

How to optimize your RCS campaigns

1. Customize messages according to the context of use

2. Leverage interactive formats specific to RCS

3. Test and compare message variants

4. Choose the right timing for sending

5. Monitor compatibility and plan for a fallback

6. Analyze KPIs and make continuous adjustments

7. Rely on expert support

Set up RCS messaging with smsmode©:

Sources:

Discover examples of RCS messages

Introduction

Reminder: What is an RCS message?

The different types of RCS messages

RCS "Basic" message (enriched text)

Interactive marketing message: Rich Card or Carousel

RCS "Session" message (two-way conversation)

Examples of RCS messages for marketing

Abandoned cart recovery

Promotional campaign / commercial offer

Drive-to-Store (retail & franchise)

Product launch / new product / collection

Event campaign (trade show, opening, webinar, etc.)

Contest / community engagement

Reactivation/loyalty campaign

Cross-sell & upsell

Examples of RCS messages for notification

Appointment confirmation & reminders (Healthcare, Customer Service, HR, Banking)

Delivery tracking / logistics

Check-in / customer reception (hotel, travel, event)

Recruitment & HR

Insurance claim

Examples of RCS messages for security

Payment & OTP / 2FA

Why RCS performs better than SMS

How to send your first RCS message with smsmode©

Via the RCS API

In turnkey agency mode

Setting up an SMS failover for RCS campaigns

Introduction

Why combine RCS and SMS

RCS, the future of SMS

How Failover to SMS works

How RCS Failover SMS works at smsmode©.

Conclusion

Increase customer engagement with interactive messages

Introduction

What is RCS, the new interactive messaging service?

The difference between SMS and RCS: which channel to choose?

Recap: Why choose the RCS?

Trust smsmode© for your RCS messages

Boost your sales with a SMS campaign for Black Friday

Introduction

Why Black Friday is a marketing event like no other

The Black Friday campaign is unmissable (in figures)

Mobile marketing, a definite asset for Black Friday

SMS

The enriched SMS

The RCS

RCS Black Friday: Drive to store

Set up your campaigns with smsmode^©

smsmode^© it is:

How to send your first RCS message with smsmode^©

Trust smsmode^© for your RCS messages

The benefits of smsmode^©

The smsmode advantage^© : API & Plugins to automate your campaigns