Did you know that there’s an easy way to reach an audience of potentially billions? With SMS marketing, you can engage with your customers on the channel they most want to use. Consumers spend more and more time on their mobile devices, and they love hearing from businesses by SMS. In fact, 89% of people say they want two-way conversations via messaging channels and apps rather than talking on…, What is SMS marketing?, Short Message Service (SMS) marketing is the act of sending marketing materials through text messages, . With text message marketing, a business can share a variety of marketing and sales materials with customers, including: Promotions News New product rollouts Shipping information Here are a few ways you might use SMS text marketing: If a customer has opted in, send them a text each week to remind them of your weekly specials. Include a link to your website or app so the customer can…, Types of SMS marketing, There are many different types of SMS marketing campaigns , but here’s a quick breakdown of a few important kinds of messages you might come across as you prepare your SMS marketing strategy. , Promotional text messages, Promotional SMS, messages advertise products, services, deals, coupons, or events to a subscriber base., Marketers use promotional messages to drive sales, increase brand awareness, or engage customers. They often include calls-to-action like making a purchase, visiting a website, or taking advantage of a limited-time offer. For example, a retailer might send their most engaged subscribers promotional retail messages when they launch a new product or exclusive deal. , Transactional text messages, Transactional SMS messages are operational in nature and provide a customer with information like order confirmations, shipping notifications, account updates, and payment details., They aren’t necessarily marketing-focused, but will keep customers informed about purchases, accounts, or transactions related to your business. An ecommerce site might send a transactional text message about delivery options after a purchase, or maybe a bank will send transactional SMS in times of fraud when they detect suspicious credit card activity. transactional vs promotional SMS marketing…, Benefits of SMS marketing, Marketers sending text messages love the speed and instant customer attention they provide. Last-minute sale? Send a quick text, and your subscribers know about it in moments. Announcing a new product? Plan an SMS message to go out when the rest of your campaign drops. It’s easy to think that this kind of marketing costs a lot and takes forever to make it play nice with other systems, but that…, SMS integrates into other marketing channels so well that you’ll have a hard time remembering what you did before!, And so will your customers. Here are a few reasons why SMS is a must-have for your mobile marketing program. , 1. Instant reach, If you had to guess how often people check their mobile phones each day, would you say a dozen times? Maybe 50 or 60 times? Try 140+ times per day. And when SMS is supported by every mobile device in the world (that’s 7.3 billion people!), it’s truly the ultimate way to reach your audience quickly and reliably. , 2. Supercharged KPIs, SMS marketing campaigns top the charts in terms of high-result KPIs, with text campaigns having an open rate of 98% compared to 20% for email marketing campaigns. Other types of well-performing marketing channels have click-through-rates of about 5%. According to SMS Comparison, text message marketing has an average CTR of 19% . Clearly, when it comes to captivating, connecting, and engaging…, 3. Scalable and cost-effective, SMS empowers marketers to send messages without many barriers. Unlike crowded, pay-per-click or social media ads, SMS ensures visibility and readability of your marketing messages. What's even better? With SMS, you can get your point across to two customers or to your entire SMS subscriber list – feel free to send only as many messages as you need to keep costs in check. SMS marketing has…, SMS marketing best practices , Building and maintaining a brand is all about communication. Text messages are a great way to communicate with customers on a channel that’s familiar and convenient. Before you kickstart any type of mobile marketing campaign , you’ll need to build a list of phone numbers of people who have given you permission to send them SMS messages. You should only be sending messages to people who have…, 1. Make it easy to opt in (and opt out!) , Like email marketing, SMS marketing requires clear consent. When sending both promotional and transactional messages, it’s important to give subscribers clear opt-in and opt-out instructions. In the U.S., TCPA and CAN-SPAM laws make it very clear how businesses need to request and get permission before messaging customers. Crafting an efficient SMS opt-in process that includes a clear…, 2. Offer a relevant, personalized message, Personalize the messages you send based on each customer’s unique relationship with your brand. Use that data (like demographics, purchasing habits, or previous interactions) to make texts more personal. By tailoring messages to your target audience, you’re not just sending messages – you're forging a genuine connection. Whether you send them a “happy birthday” message, a product recommendation…, 3. Timing is everything!, Be wary of time zones, as sending text messages at the right moment ensures you’re not reaching customers with a late-night and possibly intrusive notification. One to three messages a week are enough to keep people engaged without being spammy. If you aren’t sure if you should send an SMS message, put yourself in their shoes. Think about what would genuinely grab your attention and enhance your…, 4. Automate the essentials, A successful SMS strategy will start with marketing automation so that, your customers get the right messages at the right times, . The most successful SMS strategies almost always have these automated texts set up: Welcome campaign Cart abandonment message Browse abandonment message Win-back campaign or inventory alerts You’ll also be able to automate other campaigns based on unique criteria like purchase history, support tickets, and more. , 5. Keep it short, Text messages need to be short and sweet. With just 160 characters to get your point across, brevity is a necessity in SMS marketing – and exceeding this limit to even 161 characters will cost you the price of two text messages rather than one. Want to learn more? Check out more on SMS pricing for details. , 6. Don't forget your call-to-action, Texts are usually conversational and informal, which makes it easy to forget your CTA. To see the best returns, make sure you’ve made it clear what you want subscribers to do. Every text should drive action: Buying something Entering a giveaway Using a coupon code Adding an appointment date to their calendar , 7. Test, measure, and optimize your campaigns, There are two key elements of your campaign that you should be looking to optimize:, delivery, and, messaging, . The key to optimizing delivery is to choose the right SMS provider that can deliver outstanding performance and that’s optimized for high deliverability and low latency. They should also be able to meet your compliance and security needs , so they can make sure you can reach customers wherever they are. For message optimization, you can try A/B testing to compare different variables (like…, Powerful text marketing strategies to try (with examples!), Now that you’ve seen the benefits of text marketing and know some of the best practices to get started, let’s take a look at some of the ways top global brands have, used SMS to boost engagement while increasing profits. , , 1. Customer loyalty programs and rewards, Who doesn’t want loyal customers? If you want to show them how much you appreciate them, make texts a part of your loyalty or rewards program. You can send discounts, promos, reminders about special events, or other information. This is exactly what Nordic beauty retailer Parfym.se has done to send segmented, personalized SMS campaigns to their customers. They do this for time-sensitive…, often seeing 98% or higher open rates with SMS! , For even more impact, you can even integrate SMS messages into your app to reach out and engage the most loyal customers. There’s no reason not to make it happen! , 2. Hyper-personalized promotions, Everyone loves a deal, especially for something they were already interested in. Use SMS to send special offers based on a user’s unique history with your brand. Check out how Nissan Europe uses a personalized SMS messaging strategy to re-engage their loyal customers with relevant offers based on their maintenance needs or even based on the weather forecast. Nissan SMS marketing campaign…, conversion rate of nearly 80%, and helped the brand, quadruple customer engagement, . Now those are some fantastic results! , 3. Discounts, specials, and seasonal sales, SMS marketing messages are one of the fastest ways to tell your customers about discounts, flash sales, and other time-sensitive offers. The high open rate of SMS means that you’re likely to see high engagement with your specials, even if they’re last minute. Using this strategy across multiple channels is a great way to drive engagement. For example, Vail Resorts , the leading global mountain…, 4. Remarketing, Remarketing is one of the most important, and one of the most difficult parts of digital marketing. Remarketing ads and cart abandonment emails are still crucial, but nothing is as immediate as SMS remarketing messages. Some examples of effective remarketing texts include: , Abandoned cart reminders, : Include a special discount code to help the customer decide. , Purchase follow-ups, : Send order and shipping status updates and find out if a customer is happy with what they bought. , Review requests, : Ask your customer for a review to help others find the right products from your company. Want a real-life example? Delivery services like Budbee use SMS to send order updates and delivery options, keeping their customers exceptionally happy and informed. “SMS has been a vital part of our service since day one, it’s considered more personal than email or a push notification. By implementing…, 5. Customer surveys and reviews, Getting good feedback about your business is vital for growth and continuous improvement. While review sites let you see what people think of your business, they may not get to the heart of what you want to learn. Because they’re self-directed, you may not find out about a customer’s favorite features or how they learned about your company. , Customer surveys can do just that., You get to ask the questions that are most important to you: Ask about your latest marketing efforts, their purchases, or the support they received – your call! When you have your survey ready to go, an SMS message gets it to people fast. And remember: Send personalized surveys so you don’t blast your customers with questions that may not apply to them. Then you’ll be able to make decisions…, 6. Sending secure information, Text messaging helps get important messages to your customers right away, without them having to deal with unnecessary paperwork or delays. For example, you can use SMS as a verification tool to help customers get back into their accounts. You can also use it to send PINs, security alerts, and even appointment reminders. Here’s how that works in practice: Banks like Triodos Bank Spain use SMS to…, 7. Use SMS marketing as part of your omnichannel strategy, SMS is just one channel that should be a part of your omnichannel marketing strategy. While SMS shines with its quick delivery and broad reach, it’s essential for you to blend it with other channels. Channels that allow for rich media, like Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) or Rich Communication Services (RCS) provide you an opportunity to deliver visually engaging content to those who can…, Embrace a holistic approach to your marketing efforts, integrating different channels that help create diverse, impactful messages that resonate with your audience at every touchpoint., This integration will help you maximize engagement and drive the most results for your business. , Get started with SMS marketing today, Now that you know how powerful SMS marketing can be, isn’t it time to make texting a part of your strategy? Text marketing helps improve customer satisfaction and can lead to a great ROI if you have the right platform – one that’s designed to help you succeed. For an in-depth look at what you need to consider to choose the right one, check out our guide on everything you’ve ever wanted to know…
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We are thrilled to announce that Sinch has been recognized by customers on Gartner Peer Insights as an “Established” vendor. The recognition appears in the March 2024 Gartner Peer Insights 'Voice of the Customer': Communications Platform as a Service report. Of those in the Established category, Sinch had the highest rating in the “Deployment Experience” (4.6/5) and “Support Experience” (4.6/5)…
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By Robert Gerstmann, Chief Evangelist and co-founder at Sinch Gone are the days when business messaging was one-sided and focused only on notifications, one-time passwords or basic marketing. Today, consumers are coming to expect nothing less than immediate, interactive, two-way communication with businesses . This shift affects not only those businesses themselves, but also mobile operators,…, I see a need to nurture the next phase of business messaging to achieve the next messaging S-curve., While SMS has had a fantastic run over the past 20 years, we see its growth tapering off. As SMS growth reaches a plateau, conversational channels like WhatsApp and Rich Conversational Services (RCS) are on the rise, offering great promise for the future. I believe these two channels will be dominating the next generation of messaging, outside some specific Asian markets where other OTTs dominate…, But how can the industry make the next era of business messaging even more effective for customer engagement? , In this article, I’ll cover how businesses can adapt to the changing world of messaging, and why collaboration across the industry, from brands, to mobile operators and OTTs, from cloud platforms and Application Service Providers (ASPs), to CPaaS providers, is crucial to making this happen., How brands are currently using messaging, Brands face and will continue to face very different challenges, influenced by their specific use cases, geographic focus, and target demographics. Let’s dive into the primary four use cases where brands leverage messaging and CPaaS solutions: , Marketing, : Brands use messaging to promote products or services. , Utility messages, : Providing practical information like reminders, delivery notifications, or appointment confirmations fall under this category. , Authentication, : Sending passcodes that serve a critical security function, like ensuring the legitimacy of online transactions or account access. Two-factor authentication (TFA) is a common example. , Customer care, : Involves sending two-way messages, typically user-initiated messages to a brand. This is less common in SMS as care is mainly handled via calls to contact centers or webchat, but there’s considerable growth potential as messaging becomes more conversational. Currently, global SMS traffic is dominated by the first three use cases above. However, as time goes on, brands will increasingly adopt a…, The messaging market is transforming, The messaging market will undergo a significant transformation as the use cases above continue to move to channels other than SMS. For example, some authentication use cases will move off the SIM card all together to FIDO and identity provider (IDP) authentication. Moreover, a portion of authentication services are migrating towards voice-based solutions , whereas yet another portion will be…, enriching customer experiences, through rich-media infused conversations with brands. Finally, businesses will start using messaging for customer care as conversational channels allow for cost savings through automation leveraging bots while providing better customer experience at the same time. In parallel with these changes on use case level, brands will need to continue to navigate the other factors I mentioned above –…, 1. Changing industry dynamics due to the rising cost of SMS, As SMS costs rise in some emerging markets for international traffic, multinational businesses are actively transitioning their traffic from SMS to other channels. The vast majority of this traffic is related to authentication use cases. This trend is compounded by high levels of Artificial Inflation of Traffic (AIT) fraud in many of these markets making the cost for businesses even higher. OTT…, 2. Every market has different paths for business messaging adoption, Every market has its own challenges and opportunities that businesses need to consider, from Brazil’s near ubiquitous WhatsApp penetration making it a preferred channel for businesses to Germany where the data privacy concerns of big businesses are hampering WhatsApp usage. In the U.S., affordable pricing has already driven conversational use cases on SMS, and combined with the widespread…, 3. Every customer is different – and they expect to be treated that way, Customers have different communication preferences, and they expect brands to recognize and adapt to them individually. For multinational businesses, this becomes more difficult when demographics vary so much between regions. For example, the median age in Japan is 32 years higher than the median age in Nigeria. That’s huge – we know that what works in Japan won't work in Nigeria, and vice…, To succeed in business messaging, brands need to know their customers well., As an industry, we need to help them navigate this effectively., Building the foundation, What can we do as an industry for successful business messaging adoption? We all have parts to play here, from operators and OTTs, from CPaaS providers, to Cloud Platforms, ASPs and brands. Let’s look at some of the key factors we need to build this foundation. Watch the video to learn how Sinch is preparing for a new era of rich business messaging that empowers businesses to deliver more value. , What mobile networks, Google, Meta, and other OTTs need to do, Mobile network operators, Google, Meta and other OTTs, i.e. the network providers, play a crucial role in the future of business messaging adoption. First, they’ll need to ensure adequate coverage. This is the single most important factor for adoption, and one of the key reasons why SMS has been so successful, with 5.1 billion people using with a single channel., This will mean ensuring that a critical mass of people adopt a certain channel., WhatsApp already has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide and are doubling down especially in America to grow its user base. For RCS achieving critical mass will be made easier with Apple’s support. Although not explicitly stated by Apple, I believe Apple will start supporting RCS business messaging through a staggered geo roll-out starting with the release of iOS18 in September 2024.…, How easy is it for an enterprise to leverage messaging over a specific channel?, This will be part of an enterprise’s business case, so it needs to be as smooth as possible. Implementing features like national Sender ID verification and possibly onboarding coordination would help RCS close some of the gap to WhatsApp, as RCS is more fragmented in nature as split between multiple mobile operators per market. Additionally, engagement analytics in the form of read receipts are…, building trust in messaging platforms is fundamental., While challenges exist regarding privacy with platforms like Meta, and encryption questions about RCS, both channels offer improvements in security over SMS especially when it comes to combatting smishing . By focusing on these aspects, the network providers can lay the groundwork for the continued growth of and success of mobile messaging. But they’re not the only ones with work to do in the…, What CPaaS providers, ASPs, and cloud platforms need to do, To ensure business messaging adoption, CPaaS providers will need to focus on two key elements: providing a versatile conversational messaging enabling software layer and fostering a vibrant software ecosystem via their ASP, and cloud platform partners. Let’s start with the enablement software piece. Enterprises need a tech stack that manages conversations and rich media effectively. This…, will have to collaborate with cloud platforms and ASPs to ensure smooth integration processes, , either by developing native integrations to cloud platforms or by providing simple connectors that enable businesses and ASPs to use messaging channels with their existing software infrastructure., Navigating the future of business messaging, Business messaging is changing rapidly, driven by evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements. The businesses that ultimately are successful in leveraging the next generation of business messaging to provide their customers with superior experiences will be the winners in their respective markets. The shift from SMS to conversational channels like WhatsApp and RCS is happening…, We need APIs, purpose-built software, and solid support from mobile operators, Meta, Google, and other OTTs to really unlock conversational messaging and see meaningful growth for the benefit of everyone., Embracing innovation, addressing costs, prioritizing user-friendliness, and building trust are keys to laying a strong foundation for continued growth and success in the next generation messaging era. There is a whole ecosystem in place to support relationships between business senders and consumers, each supporting different facets of communication and technical interfaces. By collaborating…
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As smartphones become more and more essential, mobile commerce (m-commerce) is booming, expected to reach $558.29 billion in US retail sales in 2024. And when over 60% of US adults see mobile capabilities as necessary for convenience in online shopping, it's clear that retailers must focus on improving their mobile commerce experiences to stay competitive. This means adapting their strategies and…, reduced cart abandonment, higher conversion rates, and boosted sales., Watch the video to understand a few of the benefits RCS has for retail brands and customers. But how can you make the most of RCS? From crafting engaging content that resonates with shoppers to exploring an innovative new messaging channel, the possibilities for RCS in retail are nearly endless. In this article, we’ll take you through a few ways to use RCS to make your customers feel extra…, 1. Personalized promotions and offers, RCS is inherently personal and dynamic when brands use it to have real-time conversations with customers., With RCS, you can curate a rich, personalized shopping experience for every customer right within their phone’s native messaging app., Using your customers' past purchases, browsing history, and preferences, you can tailor your RCS messages to offer them highly relevant product recommendations, significantly increasing their likelihood of making a purchase. Don’t just take our word for it – take the example of ATOL , a chain of opticians in France. They used conversational RCS to guide their customers through purchasing new…, 5x higher click rate than Rich SMS, , and a, 99% increase in conversions to make an in-store appointment, compared to Rich SMS. This level of personalization not only enhances the customer experience, but also demonstrates to ATOL’s customers that they, truly understand and value each customer’s preferences and needs., 2. Dynamic product catalogs, Imagine you’re sitting on the train or relaxing at home, browsing through your mobile messages. Suddenly, a burst of color grabs your attention – it’s an RCS message from your favorite, trusted brand and includes a showcase of their latest products in a dynamic catalog. As you swipe through the carousel of new arrivals, you click through different color options and discover complementary products…, 3x higher than that of Rich SMS and 10% more website redirections than Rich SMS, . Whether your customers are on their daily commute, sitting on the couch, or somewhere in between, RCS helps bring your brand right to their fingertips., 3. Exclusive offers and discounts, Retailers can use RCS to encourage repeat business through enticing offers and discounts. With personalized promotions tailored to match customers’ preferences or past purchases, your RCS messages can include early access to sales or VIP discounts. This can help your brand, encourage customer appreciation and repeat purchases., Case in point: Commercial supermarket Intermarché used RCS to make their Christmas offers front-and-center in their subscribers’ mobile inboxes. Supermarket retailer Intermarché increased click rates and customer interest thanks to RCS’ capabilities of adding images, GIFS, videos, and text longer than 160 characters. The results were astounding, resulting in a, doubled click rate on the RCS campaign vs. industry average, , and a, 2.2x click rate vs. SMS, . Now that’s what you can call maximized engagement!, 4. Abandoned cart recovery, Let’s imagine another common scenario: you’re browsing your favorite brand's website and adding items to your cart. But before you can hit “checkout,” a distraction pulls you away. Suddenly, your phone buzzes with a notification from the store, reminding you about the items waiting in your cart. Luckily, there's a direct link provided that you can click, return to your cart, and complete your…, This is the kind of seamless experience that retailer marketers can create with RCS., Ready for an example? Take the case of Cdiscount , a major French e-commerce platform. They used RCS to send customers holiday offers and deals that included images, CTAs, videos, and guided responses in their messages. Cdiscount's personalized RCS messages helped grab and keep their customers’ attention on their offers. Thanks to their RCS campaign ,, Cdiscount saw a 9% increase in average basket size, as compared to previous campaigns., 5. Loyalty programs, A robust retail strategy isn’t complete without a loyalty program to keep customers coming back for more. For many retailers, loyalty programs are crucial components of a strategy that drive repeat purchases and create long-lasting relationships with customers., Retailers can take loyalty programs to the next level with personalized RCS messages., These messages can keep customers informed about the rewards they’ve earned, updates on their loyalty points balance, and so much more. RCS also offers users the added convenience of redeeming rewards directly in their native messaging app. Here’s some inspiration to help you create a stellar RCS loyalty program: Citadium , a fashion retailer, wanted to improve revenue during the busy Black…, 22% increase in conversions and 85% engagement rate!, Particularly effective for Black Friday marketing initiatives , RCS can help retailers connect and interact with customers., Strategic advantages that make RCS perfect for retail campaigns, RCS offers a competitive edge a gainst SMS , especially when it comes to customer personalization and impacting business goals. Here's why. , Enhance market reach, Retail marketers can use RCS to connect with a broader audience and ensure wider coverage for campaigns. One of the key strengths of RCS is its interoperability between mobile networks, making it incredibly convenient for users. As we mentioned before, RCS will soon become more widely accessible with Apple slated to support it sometime in 2024. The potential for widespread adoption is enormous,…, Practice conversational commerce, A few pieces of research speak volumes about the effectiveness of RCS in driving engagement and conversational commerce : Messages with photos generate a higher CTR , with images resulting in a 52% higher click-through rate. Button CTAs can increase conversions by over 32%. Quick-reply options can help streamline the decision-making process for consumers and guide them towards specific…, Plus, RCS provides useful read data, letting your business see how many people read your messages., This, coupled with RCS’ inherent two-way communication features, can help create a sense of trust and encourage action, such as making a purchase. , Build trust and loyalty with verified senders, For retail marketers, the verified profile feature in RCS is invaluable. Each message includes the brand’s official, verified rich sender profile, providing all customers with visual assurance of authenticity. A verified profile visually assures users, minimizing messages being mislabeled as spam. Subscribers are assured that messages sent from a brand are legitimate, from promotional offers to…, Elevate your omnichannel strategy, RCS offers a great opportunity for retail marketers to use mobile marketing with existing marketing channels like social media, e-mail, and in-store promotions for a more holistic omnichannel experience. Just keep in mind – consistent messaging is key! No matter where your customers interact with your brand, having a cohesive identity and message across all channels will ensure a memorable…, Get started with your RCS retail strategy, RCS can help retailers craft compelling narratives that resonate with customers during peak holiday periods and year-round with personalized product recommendations tailored to individual preferences, interactive experiences, and so much more. Intrigued? We don’t blame you. Dive into the world of RCS with our comprehensive guide , designed to help you seamlessly integrate RCS into your retail…
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Have you ever wondered why Apple’s messages are blue and Android’s are green on iPhone? Or have you ever wondered why Android users often use WhatsApp instead of text messaging? These distinctions have historically had to do with limitations in messaging protocols, and compatibility issues with different operating systems. Enter Rich Communication Services (RCS), which brought features like GIFs…, It would adopt RCS messaging for iOS sometime in 2024., This announcement not only signifies a shift towards enhanced person-to-person (P2P) messaging but holds the promise of new opportunities for brands to enhance their customer communications with richer conversational messaging – or at least, that’s what we’re hoping for! Let’s unravel this news a bit and look at what could unfold in the future. , The news: Apple announces they will embrace RCS, In November 2023, Apple announced that they’ll adopt the RCS messaging standard sometime in 2024. The news broke in 9to5Mac , which reported that Apple would launch RCS via a software update sometime that year. “Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better…, , RCS would be introduced to iPhone. Then, in March 2024, 9to5Google reported that Google announced on the Android website that, RCS would come to iPhones in fall 2024, . " The Android website has added a new landing page for Google Messages that talks about the first-party messaging experience, while also noting that RCS on the iPhone is coming in fall 2024. A section describing the benefits of RCS — high-res photo/videos, typing indicators, and a better group chat experience — talks about how it’s “Coming soon on iOS.”" -9to5Google, March 28, 2024 Though…, it’s uncertain whether Apple will adopt RCS business messaging., We’re monitoring for any additional details or updates as they come., What this means for you: Better interoperability for cross-platform messages, Though it’s still early days and we don’t know yet how Apple would implement RCS and how it would work, Apple adopting RCS may translate into a major upgrade in messaging experiences for users. This change could give senders a similar (or better) experience than when iPhone users text each other, or when an Android user messages another Android user., This experience will mean major upgrades for cross-platform messaging, bridging the gap between iPhone and Android interactions., Currently on iPhones, Apple users text each other over iMessage. However, when they text Android users, they need to rely on SMS, which offers fewer features. The same happens when Android users want to reach Apple device-holders. Apple supporting RCS means that iPhone users who text those with Android devices could have more feature-rich conversations that include capabilities like: Group chats…, What this means for your customers: A new era of conversational messaging that includes RCS in iOS, Primarily, this announcement sparks a wave of optimism., RCS Universal Profile support suggests the potential for business-backed features of RCS,, which has the potential to transform person-to-person and business communications on both Android and iPhone so that businesses can engage with a significantly broader audience. Despite its basic features, SMS has long been favored because of its reach on every phone. Other messaging channels with more advanced features like WhatsApp and KakaoTalk lack this same widespread availability. Following…, Get ready for RCS to take off, We’re already seeing RCS usage grow exponentially in markets like the US, Brazil, Mexico, India, and the UK. And while there are details of this announcement that need clarification – from backend platform integration, through to onboarding and compliance – there's no denying that it brings the potential for further growth. At Sinch, we’re committed to keeping you posted as we learn more., However it plays out, though, Apple’s support for RCS means you can expect more robust, feature-rich communication possibilities., The good news? You can rest assured that our platform is ready for this change. Watch the video to hear from Robert Gerstmann, co-founder and Chief Evangelist, on how Sinch is preparing for Apple's announcement that they'll support RCS in 2024. Here are some resources for you to learn more about RCS and conversational messaging: 5 ways retailers can use RCS 6 innovative holiday campaign ideas…
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“Merry Christmas.” More than 30 years ago, that was the content of the very first short messaging service (SMS) message. Almost immediately after, the new and ingenious invention was implemented into mobile phones by manufacturers around the world. End users loved its quick and effective performance, and it was easy to use. Fast forward to today and much has changed in the world of mobile…, SMS: The standard - for now, SMS is the most established and widest-used form of texting. It’s considered the default messaging type worldwide. Because it’s so common, you can use SMS to reach almost any user without them being connected to a WiFi or data network to receive a message. It also serves as a fallback option when messages over other channels don’t get delivered. SMS can be conversational , but not with the…, RCS: What it is and why it’s the future, The RCS messaging protocol is an advanced service that upgrades the messaging experience for Android users, creating a better experience and functioning more like an OTT app like iMessage or WhatsApp than SMS. However, the difference with RCS is that, users can use it right within their phone’s native messaging app., This means that users can access the more modern features of RCS – like real-time, branded messages, high-resolution video, read receipts, group chats, typing indicators, end-to-end encryption, and more – without having to download a new third-party app. These features make rich communications so powerful, potentially explaining why RCS users are more engaged than SMS users. In fact, those who…, Key features and characteristics of RCS, RCS gives brands the opportunity to send high-quality, multimedia content to guide users through their conversations. These feature-rich messages are received either via WiFi or an operator's cellular data connection (4G, 5G), unlike SMS which is carried by signaling. RCS business messages function to boost customer engagement, with features such as: Rich cards Suggested replies Suggested…, Compare RCS vs SMS, As a subscriber, receiving an RCS message vs SMS message can be quite different. For one, SMS messages are sent over the cellular network, while RCS content requires data connectivity, so they’d have to have a device with mobile data capabilities or an internet connection. Some other key differences come down to reach, media capabilities, and branding opportunities. Take a look at this chart for…, RCS , SMS , Usability No app to download; found in the native messaging app on an Android user’s mobile device. No app to download; found in the native messaging app on a user’s mobile device. Reach One billion active Android users. 100% of mobile phone users on the planet (approx. 7.3 billion people ). Text capabilities Send up to 250,000 characters in a single message. Send up to 160 characters…, What can SMS vs RCS offer your business?, Depending on your customers’ needs and preferences, both RCS and SMS might suit your business. Many businesses combine RCS and SMS as part of their broader messaging strategy to cover all their bases. While SMS is a reliable option for basic text messages up to 160 characters, RCS chat offers enhanced features and the ability to send longer messages to your audience with Android devices. That…, RCS use case - Cdiscount, RCS is a more complete and enticing experience than SMS, which is why RCS users are more likely to be engaged and convert than traditional SMS users. In this way, RCS isn’t replacing SMS, but instead complements it as part of a complete messaging solution . Retailer Cdiscount needed a way to revitalize its marketing strategy and avoid a situation where revenue flatlined or dropped. They used SMS…, 9% increase in cart size, and a, 4% increase in revenue overall, – numbers that indicate how RCS can drive customers to be more engaged and eventually convert. How RCS helped Cdiscount improve their conversion rate RCS's engaging features significantly improved Cdiscount’s conversion rate, resulting in measurable increases in revenue! , SMS use case - AAA, The American Automobile Association ( AAA ) used the reliability and widespread use of SMS to significantly increase its customer support function. AAA found that users were texting its helpline, which wasn’t enabled for text communication – so messages were simply lost and went unanswered. By implementing a two-way SMS solution - which 89% of people prefer to talking on the phone - AAA was able…, 8% conversion, from SMS out of AAA’s 62 million users and, saved AAA, $30,000, in soft costs. Customers choose SMS texting because it’s affordable and scalable, and it converts with as much as a 98% open rate and 19% click through rate. How SMS helps AAA engage customers and save money. AAA implemented two-way SMS communication to drive meaningful customer experiences. , Which media and devices support RCS and SMS?, RCS is a collaboration between Google and mobile operators, and although today it’s only supported on Android devices, support is growing all the time. In fact, in November 2023, Apple announced that it would be rolling out RCS support on iOS sometime in 2024 – though some of the details are still unclear, it holds the promise of an improved messaging experience for users with both Android and…, Find a solution no matter your messaging strategy, No matter your goals, there’s a messaging solution that will help your business achieve conversational commerce success. If your needs are more conversational, RCS has expanded capabilities that liven up marketing communications for an enhanced experience. If you primarily need to send notifications like fraud or delivery updates, then an easy-to-integrate SMS API may meet your needs. Or, if you'…
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Messaging regulations can vary from one country to the next - as do carrier requirements to get messages delivered. We’ve pulled together some sources to help you navigate the messaging, marketing, and privacy rules in the United States., , Messaging, CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices CTIA Short Code Monitoring Handbook CTIA Political Text Campaign Messaging, , Marketing & Privacy, 47 U.S.C. § 227 (Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991) TCPA Omnibus Declaratory Ruling and Order 16 C.F.R. Part 310 (Telemarketing Sales Rule, Do-Not-Call Rule) 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200 (Restrictions on Telemarketing, Telephone Solicitation, and Facsimile Advertising), , Need some help getting started?, Understanding the ins and outs of messaging compliance is crucial for businesses engaging with end-users via text message. Compliance requirements might appear complex or even confusing unless you’ve got someone to point you in the right direction. To help you out, we’ve summarized everything you need to know about industry guidelines, regulations, best practices, and examples into one guide that…
Type: Legal page