9 Ways RCS Can Skyrocket Your Ecommerce Sales

86% of consumers who made a purchase through SMS went back to buy again.
That is a strong signal. It shows that messaging works when it feels timely, personal, and useful. 

But traditional SMS often falls short. It is limited to plain text, which means there are no visuals, interactive elements, or ways to guide customers through a dynamic shopping experience. 

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is here to change that. It builds on SMS by adding branded carousels, images, videos, and reply buttons inside the default messaging app. 

Consumers don’t have to download anything or leave the conversation anymore. They can explore products, track orders, and complete purchases from one screen. 

The adoption of RCS across industries, especially e-commerce, is skyrocketing. In fact, in 2023, brands sent 25,000 times more RCS messages than the year before. Now, big brands are adopting RCS, quickly becoming the new standard for mobile messaging. 

For e-commerce teams, this opens up a clear path to improving engagement, recovering lost sales, and creating faster purchase journeys, all through the messaging experience consumers already trust. 

In this blog, we will explore 9 impactful ways to use RCS to grow your e-commerce business and how Gupshup’s RCS API can help businesses achieve this easily. 

TL;DR

RCS can significantly increase your eCommerce sales by turning ordinary messages into interactive experiences. 

With features like rich media, product carousels, real-time tracking, and personalized offers, RCS business messaging improves customer engagement, reduces drop-offs, and boosts conversions. It works inside the default messaging app, so no extra apps are needed. 

From abandoned cart recovery to loyalty rewards, these 9 RCS tactics help brands create smarter, faster, and more impactful customer interactions.

What Makes RCS a Game-Changer for E-commerce?

→ A product carousel in a message thread. 

→ A clickable button that says “Buy Now.” 

→ A video demo will be sent right to your inbox. 

These are the main features of RCS business messaging that make it a go-to for businesses.

RCS is upgrading marketing strategies for businesses. It moves past the limits of SMS by supporting rich media, quick replies, and verified sender profiles, all inside the default messaging app on phones. That means customers don’t have to download anything new or jump between tabs to interact with your brand.

This matters more now than ever. Mobile shopping is climbing fast, with mobile commerce projected to hit $2.4 trillion by 2030. 

As shoppers scroll and buy from their phones, brands need a messaging format that doesn’t interrupt the experience. RCS e-commerce fits right into this shift, allowing purchases, tracking, and conversations without breaking flow.

Here’s what sets RCS apart from standard SMS:

1. Rich media: Images, videos, GIFs, carousels – RCS supports all of it. This makes marketing messages more engaging and visually helpful.
2. Interactivity: Built-in buttons and quick replies let customers take action instantly. Add to cart, track orders, or get support without leaving the chat.
3. Branding: Every message includes your business name, logo, and verification badge. That kind of trust-building isn’t possible with just SMS.
4. Read receipts & typing indicators: Know when a message is delivered, read, or responded to. These signals help fine-tune timing and improve support workflows.
5. AI-powered suggestions: Based on customer behavior and intent, you can guide them with smart replies and relevant offers within the message.

And while SMS still plays a role, it doesn’t offer the same depth. It caps messages at 160 characters, blocks images unless upgraded to MMS, and lacks real-time interactivity. RCS business messaging API, on the other hand, plugs straight into your CRM and marketing tools, enabling smoother automation, analytics, and targeting.

As RCS continues to gain traction with adoption growing across carriers, platforms, and now Android and iOS phones alike, it’s quickly becoming essential for brands focused on mobile-first e-commerce growth.

Now, let’s break down the 9 ways RCS can move the revenue needle for your online store.

9 Ways RCS Can Boost E-commerce Sales

Not every message has the potential to turn into a sale opportunity. But one right message, at the right time and with the right context, can make a huge difference. Here are some ways in which RCS e-commerce strategies can help you deliver that one message at the right time – 

1. Personalized promotions that convert

RCS helps businesses send personalized offers that resonate with individual preferences after analyzing customer behaviors, such as browsing history and previous purchases. Businesses can include product images, limited-time discounts, and call-to-action buttons in the same message, and it will turn a generic offer into a direct response opportunity.

2. Shoppable product catalogs inside the inbox

RCS turns messaging apps into miniature storefronts. Product carousels with photos, specs, and pricing can be swiped and tapped with no browser needed and no separate app. This works especially well during seasonal drops, product launches, or curated collections.

3. Real-time order tracking & delivery updates

RCS keeps your customers updated at every step without making them dig through emails or switch tabs. You can send order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery windows, plus offer rescheduling options inside the same thread. This keeps support tickets down and customer satisfaction high.

4. Recover abandoned carts in style

Instead of a basic reminder, RCS lets you send a complete visual of the customer’s abandoned cart along with a discount or urgency cue.

5. Upsell & cross-sell with AI-powered recommendations

Upsells don’t have to feel pushy. With RCS, they can be helpful. After a customer buys something, the RCS business messaging API can suggest useful add-ons based on what they’ve purchased before. Combine visuals, bundled discounts, and a deadline and you’ve got a powerful nudge.

6. Drive urgency with exclusive launches & deals

Product launches deserve more than a line of text. RCS helps you send launch-day hype through videos, gifs, countdowns, and early access invites, directly to your top customers.

7. Build loyalty with reward program updates

Keeping loyalty program members updated is easier with RCS. You can show them their current points, upcoming rewards, or exclusive perks, all in a single, branded message. This helps customers stay engaged and gives them more reasons to come back.

8. Enhance customer support experiences

RCS simplifies support. The real advantage? Support happens inside the same thread where purchases, updates, and offers are. Add in videos, images, or product guides, and it’s a full-service help center without opening a browser.

9. Engage customers with events & limited-time invitations

Hosting a product demo, live shopping event, or webinar? RCS helps you send personalized invites, add RSVP buttons, and even push reminders as the event gets closer.

Bonus: you can get insight into who’s interested and can use that for future targeting.

Why RCS Outshines SMS and Email

​Rich Communication Services (RCS) is redefining how businesses engage with customers, offering a more dynamic and interactive experience compared to traditional SMS and email. RCS stands out as a superior communication channel than other methods.

Here’s an overview highlighting the key differences between RCS, SMS, and email:

A notable statistic underscores this advantage: Some retailers have experienced a 100% increase in click-through rates with RCS compared to SMS and a 200% increase compared to email.

Final Thoughts: Making RCS Work for You

For brands that prioritize speed, personalization, and mobile-first experiences, RCS business messaging offers a serious edge. It combines the clarity of SMS with the interactivity of modern apps, all delivered right into the customer’s inbox. From dynamic promotions to real-time support, every message becomes a chance to build trust and drive action. And with tools like Gupshup’s RCS business messaging API, getting started is simple, with rich templates, analytics, and seamless CRM integration included.

Want to see how RCS can elevate your customer experience? Start your first campaign with Gupshup today.

FAQ’s

1. How does e-commerce increase sales?

E-commerce boosts sales by offering personalized shopping experiences, optimizing mobile interfaces, and implementing targeted marketing strategies.

2. What are the benefits of RCS?

Rich Communication Services (RCS) enhance customer engagement through interactive multimedia messaging, leading to higher conversion rates and improved customer experiences.

3. What is RCS in sales?

In sales, RCS refers to using enriched messaging features to deliver personalized promotions, interactive catalogs, and real-time updates, effectively driving customer engagement and increasing revenue.