Business communication is rapidly changing, and in its competitive landscape, Kolkata companies are looking for better methods of communicating with customers. Text messaging has been a valuable communication tool for decades, but given the evolution towards digital-first communication today, it feels obsolete. Customers expect richer conversations which are interactive, transactional, and personalized - just like (Rich Communication Services).

For businesses in Kolkata, regardless of whether they are in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or e-commerce, RCS messaging provides the opportunity to communicate with an audience in smarter and more engaging ways. That being said, how do you do it? This step-by-step guide will make implementing RCS messaging in Kolkata simple.

Step 1: Know what RCS messaging is

Before we get into the details, let's all have the same understanding of what RCS messaging is, at a basic level. RCS is the next generation of SMS, allowing businesses to send:

• High-quality images, GIFs, and video
• Carousels
• Product suggestion and reply buttons
• Verified business logos and colours
• Real-time delivery and read receipts

Essentially, RCS allows businesses to introduce all of the familiarity of SMS while having the functionality of mobile apps as part of the conversation without needing customers to download an app.

Step 2: Choose the Right RCS Provider

Your RCS provider is the backbone of a successful RCS strategy. Ensure you partner with a trusted name like RCS Brand Rise to guarantee seamless integration, brand-verified profiles, and reliable message delivery across networks. A good provider will also support you with campaign design, analytics, personalization, and more.

Step 3: Set Up Your Verified Business Profile

In Kolkata, where brand trust is everything, having a verified RCS profile is essential. Your RCS profile is your digital identity, which you will want to include:

• Your business name
• Official logo and colours
• Verified sender ID
• Short description of your brand

Doing this ensures customers recognise your messages as real and not spam, immediately.

Step 4: Plan Your Campaign Goals

Before sending messages, define your objectives. Do you want to:

• Drive sales with promotions?
• Boost footfall to your store or restaurant?
• Improve customer service?
• Send reminders or updates?

Clear goals help you design campaigns that deliver results.

Step 5: Create Rich, Interactive Campaigns

This is where RCS shines. Move beyond plain text and use features like:

• Carousels to display multiple products in one message.
• Quick reply buttons for instant customer responses.
• Call-to-action buttons like Shop Now, Pay Online, or Track Order.

Localized language support (Bengali, Hindi, or English) for better engagement with Kolkata’s diverse customer base.

Step 6: Personalize Your Messaging

Personalization increases customer engagement dramatically. With RCS, you can:

• Send birthday discounts with personalized names.
• Offer location-based promotions.
• Recommend products based on previous purchases.

Step 7: Test Before Launching

Before rolling out large campaigns, test your RCS messages with smaller customer groups. Check how they interact with buttons, media, and offers. This helps you refine your design and avoid costly mistakes.

Step 8: Track Performance with Analytics

RCS gives you insights like delivery status, open rates, and clicks. Use these analytics to understand what’s working and adjust your campaigns accordingly. For example, if customers respond more to Bengali-language offers, you can tailor future campaigns to prioritize that.

Step 9: Scale Your Campaigns

Once you’ve tested and optimized, scale your RCS messaging campaigns across your entire customer base. Use automation to schedule promotions, reminders, and updates at the right time for maximum impact.

Use Cases in Kolkata

Here are a few examples of how businesses in Kolkata can use RCS:

Retail & Fashion: Launching new festive collections with “buy now” buttons.

Healthcare: Appointment confirmation and lab reports, where they can "quick reply".

Hospitality: Menus, booking confirmation, and seasonal offers.

Education: deadlines for admissions into courses, fee reminders, and exam dates.

Finance: EMI reminders, payment links, and fraud alerts.

Final Thoughts

Implementing RCS messaging in Kolkata is not rocket science. You should now know how to implement RCS by taking into consideration the above steps - understanding RCS, finding a supplier, setting up your verified profile, planning your campaigns, personalising your communications, testing, measuring/analysing the benefits, and fundamentally altering your business communications.

RCS is not just messaging; it is about creating trust, evoking engagement, and supercharging growth in the ever-evolving and competitive evolution of a marketplace like Kolkata. You don't have to go it alone; let RCS Brand Rise help you implement RCS messaging for your business and give it the boost that it so desperately requires.