Getting Started with RCS: As Simple as 1, 2, 3
When it comes to RCS, we’ve covered its features, benefits, and Apple’s game changing decision to support the technology. We’re even developing a white paper about RCS and the future of business messaging. But what we haven’t explored are the practical steps to set it up. The good news? Getting started with RCS is as simple as 1, 2, 3. So, what exactly do you need to do? Read on to find out.
1. Setting up your RCS business profile
First things first – and that’s setting up your ‘front of house’.
Think of it like creating a website or setting up a social media profile, but simpler. To use RCS, you need an organisational profile that lives within the RCS ecosystem. Carriers and platforms reference this profile every time you send a message, ensuring your communications are authenticated and trusted.
This is where you add essentials: your organisation’s name, logo, phone numbers, links, and a short description. These details are used to authenticate your messages, confirming that they are genuinely from you and ensuring that your brand is represented consistently across all devices.
2. Understanding RCS verification and registration
One of RCS’s biggest strengths is its verified status and built‑in security. And while “security” might sound like a hurdle, the truth is that the process is pretty straightforward.
To begin, you’ll need to set up your business profile for RCS messaging. Once your provider submits this profile to Google and the carriers, a nominated individual from your organisation will be contacted via email to approve the profile. This step ensures carriers can authenticate your traffic and confirm that messages are genuinely coming from you.
From there, your RCS provider or carrier will review and finalise the registration. Once approved, you’ll earn the verified sender badge. This badge allows RCS‑enabled devices to display your communications as fully branded and interactive, giving supporters confidence that every message they receive is authentic.
3. RCS’s Technical Setup and Campaign Planning
With your profile and verification complete, the next stage is connecting and creating - and the good news is that Cymba can support your organisation every step of the way.
Most of the time, we start by using a web portal to create and send RCS content. This provides a simple way to get campaigns live quickly. As your needs grow, you may choose to integrate your CRM or marketing automation tool with the RCS API. This unlocks advanced capabilities like sending messages directly from existing systems, automating campaigns, and personalising at scale.
Then comes the most exciting part: planning your campaigns. Whether you’re using RCS to deliver promotions, provide customer support, or send alerts and updates, planning ahead helps you make the most of RCS’s interactive features and ensures your communications are engaging, on brand, and effective.
What you can expect
Yes, there’s a little bit of admin required to get set up. However, once you’ve got that verified sender badge and you’re planning your first RCS campaign, you won’t look back.
With increased security features comes increased trust, and that translates into higher open rates. Add in RCS’s interactive features, from videos to quick‑reply buttons, and you’ll see engagement climb even further. Best of all, you won’t be relying on hunches; RCS delivers advanced analytics, so you’ll know exactly how your messages are performing and where they’re driving results.
If you want to speak with an RCS business messaging expert, then contact the Cymba team, who’ll be able to walk you through RCS messaging. step-by-step.
