Create a Google RCS message template
For this guide, we're going to create an RCS rich card message template, for use by a travel company for a marketing campaign.
What types of RCS message types can I create?
You can create any of the following messate templates for RCS:
- Basic text: 160 character limit. Used for OTP, transactional, typically replaces SMS communication.
- Rich card: Structured card with images and buttons combined. You can add a list of 'suggested replies' under the card.
- Rich message: Text, image, or file messages, with optional action buttons.
- Carousel: An scrollable carousel of rich cards, containing images and a list of suggested reply buttons.
For this guide, we'll create a rich message template.
What you'll need
Step 1: Create a new message template
- From the Marketing section of your workspace, go to Content > Message templates > Create new message template.
- Select Google RCS as the platform.
- Select RCS Rich Card as the message type.
- Enter a name for your project, such as 'adventure'.
- Click Start from scratch.
- Click Get started now.
Step 2: Add text, content, and interactive buttons
- Click the Media button.
- Upload an image.
- Upload a thumbnail.
- Click Save as draft.
- Click ← next to the word 'Media' to return to the previous screen.
- Enter a title, such as 'Start your next adventure'.
- Enter a description, such as 'We have great deals on vacations and travel experiences. Reply to find out more.'
- Click Add + to add a new suggestion, and select Quick reply from the dropdown.
- In the Text field, enter some button text like 'Find out more'.
- In the Payload field, enter 'more'.
- Click ← to return to the previous screen.
- Click Add + to add another new suggestion, and select Open URL from the dropdown.
- In the Text field, enter some button text like 'Website'.
- Enter the URL of your website, and an optional fallback URL.
- In the Payload field, enter 'website'.
- Click ← to return to the previous screen.
- Click Preview to see how it will look to the end user, then click Publish to set it live.