You’re trying to develop an SMS marketing campaign for your product or service, but your customers are not engaging well with your efforts.🤔
You realized that what if you could reduce your customer journey, which means reducing the steps to make customers engage with your business conveniently?
Well, SMS short codes offer an exact powerful advantage that streamlines your customer engagement through utilizing keywords to your audience where they can send it in memorable number digits from their mobile phones.📲
In this blog, we’ll talk about SMS short codes, their types, uses, and a list of common texting short codes. We’ll also look into the differences between short codes and other texting codes, as well as how to acquire an SMS short code and the best practices to optimize them.📝
🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- SMS short codes are 5-6 digit numbers used by a business for marketing, alerting, and engaging with its customers.
- Various types of SMS short codes include vanity, shared, random, and dedicated short code.
- Unlike long codes (10-digit phone numbers) and 10DLC that have been designed for person-to-person traffic, short codes have been specifically designed to handle large volumes as they come at higher rates.
- Best practices to optimize SMS short code are channel-wide promotion of the short code, creating engaging and personalized messages, optimizing timing and frequency, providing customers with options to opt-out easily, and more.
What is an SMS Short Code?
An SMS Short Code, also known as a short code, is a 5 to 6-digit number that businesses use to promote their SMS marketing campaigns.
These short code numbers are easily memorable for the consumers associated with the brand, making them a great way to promote exclusive offers, participate in SMS competitions, or even provide alert services.
Also, it cuts out the need to dial a 10-digit Phone Number with an upper hand to create more engagement.
What is SMS Short Code Used for?
SMS Short codes are used to send and receive Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) and Short Message Service (SMS) text messages on mobile devices. It can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Marketing campaigns: Companies can use short codes to enhance the marketing campaign approach, where customers can join in to get discounts, promotions, and newsletters. For instance, a convenience store leads customers to send DISCOUNT on 504984 to receive discount coupons.
- Voting and Polling: SMS code numbers are utilized by TV shows or events for viewer participation. Audiences can support an individual or an idea in their favor by sending a keyword to a specified short code. For instance, a reality TV encourages its audience to to type their favorite contestant’s [NAME] to 105001 for voting.
- Alerts and Notifications: Companies can use short codes to send notifications, updates, reminders, and important alerts. For instance, an e-commerce platform may send you an important alert to purchase in a limited exclusive offer.
- Subscription services: Customers can sign in to receive regular updates about weather, news, and more through a short code. For instance, a news company can provide you with a subscription service where users can send NEWS to 70071 to receive major headlines daily.
- Two-factor authentication: SMS short codes are commonly used for security requirements that allow businesses to send verification codes to mobile devices. For instance, an app sends you a code from a short code to help you log in to your account on another device.
Short Codes Vs Other Texting Numbers: What is the Difference?
There are various texting numbers other than short codes that exist out there. Usually, other texting numbers are toll-free long codes and A2P 10DLC. Its key differences are:
| Short code | Toll free | 10DLC |
| 5-6 digit numbers are used to send and receive MMS/SMS to a large number of audiences. | 10-digit numbers can send SMS as well as receive faxes and voice calls. | Long codes that help to two-way application to the person texting using a 10-digit local number for business campaigns. |
| They can be quite expensive ranging from $500-$1000 per month | Free of cost | They are relatively cheaper starting from $10 per month |
| 500+ messages per second speed | 50 messages per second speed | 10 messages per second speed |
Types of SMS Short Codes
There are numerous types of SMS Short codes used by companies for marketing approaches. They are:
1. Vanity short codes
Vanity short codes use custom numbers. Businesses can choose this code to make up their easy to remember specific words related to the brand. It’s quite expensive as you’re customizing your specified word that makes up a short code.
For instance, Rent SMS customizes KRISP, which is 10110 in short code. This 5-digit number is what makes up KRISP on mobile phone keypads.
2. Shared short codes
Shared short codes are 5-6 digit numbers that let multiple businesses use the same number with specified keywords for identification.
For instance, two brands have specific keywords like FOOD and OFFER, and they can be linked to the same 90190 short code.
But lately, this type is phasing out in the market as an issue prevailed where a subscriber cancels to receive shared short code messages for one company and, at the same time, they end up unsubscribing from all the businesses that use the same shared short code.
3. Random short codes
This type of SMS short code is randomly picked by the system and assigned to the companies. It’s quite cheaper compared to vanity short codes.
They’re not customizable for branding purposes, but they still work as a charm for high-volume text messages looking for a more cost-effective solution for their proposed marketing campaigns.
4. Dedicated short codes
This type of short code is only connected to a specific brand or organization. It’s similar to a phone number but uses a 5-6 digit number rather than an area code, station number, or prefixes.
Dedicated short codes can either be vanity or random SMS code numbers ideal for high volume messaging. And no other companies can use the same short code for businesses to push their marketing campaigns.
List of Common Texting Short Codes
There are companies commonly using short codes for their purpose. And you can even find at least one of the messages sent through a short code in your phone. There are common texting short codes used more frequently.
- 246246: This is one of the common SMS short codes used for weathering alerts and notifications about certain emergencies.
- 877-877: This number is used for mobile devices to stop unwanted and spam text messages.
- 12345: This number is used for emergency alerts and notifications from the government.
- 45678: This number is used when anyone can text to donate to the Make A Wish Foundation.
- 211-211: This number is used during crisis and emergency counseling.
How To Get an SMS Short Code for Your Business Texting?
There are a few steps to get an SMS code that’s suitable for your business texting.
1. Determine your needs
First, think about what your business needs to run effective SMS marketing. This includes the volume of messages you plan to send, the type of content, such as promotions or alerts, and the type of short code, either vanity or random.
2. Find a short code provider
You should then search for a likable SMS service provider that can feature applications and lease short code. Some companies offer such services to get short codes, like SlickText, Mailchimp, EZ Texting, and others.
3. Lease a short code
You can’t technically own a short code. It’s like a phone number while you take one for yourself until you need it but after you don’t, it goes to someone else. You need to lease your number from the short code registry, either a randomly generated short code or a vanity short code.
4. Set up messaging campaigns
After you get a short code, integrate it into your SMS marketing strategy. Create a strong keyword that customers can text to join in. And get the tone straight to the point and put the designated word and the shortcode while promoting it to potential customers.
Optimizing SMS Short Code Marketing: Best Practices
There are various ways you can optimize your SMS short code marketing campaign. Some of the best practices to do that are:
- Promote Your Short Code: Actively promote your short code in every available channel, including your website, social media, and email campaigns. As you put the short code and associated keywords, be clear and concise in your tone.
- Craft Engaging Messages: Write clearly and concisely to include your brand name and add a really good Call to Action (CTA). This will help your audience get your information real quickly, which is important in SMS communication.
- Optimize Message Timing and Frequency: Be careful not to flood them with messages; this can get frustrating and eventually turn them off from continuing to receive them. Use your data to know exactly when to send and how often, according to audience behavior trends.
- Use Keywords Effectively: Use memorable keywords customers can text to your short code to perform actions like signing up for a newsletter or entering a contest. It makes it easy for people to join, and this really creates a great user experience.
- Personalize Content: Personalize messages for every recipient based on their preferences. Personalization will increase customer engagement and conversion rates, leaving customers feeling valued and understood.
- Incorporate Two-Way Communication: Two-way messaging via short codes lets the customer inquire or give feedback regarding a service. This makes the relationship with the customer interactive.
- Monitor and Analyze Performance: You should regularly track the performance of your SMS campaign using analytical tools. Watch metrics that affect fine-tuning the strategy and further improving future campaigns, such as open rates, click-through rates, and opt-out rates.
- Test Different Approaches: You can test different message formats, the time and days of the week of sending, and promotional offers so you can choose the best mix for your audience. In fact, the A/B testing approach would help you decide what is best for you.
- Provide Easy Opt-Out Options: You should always provide an easy and clear way to opt out of a message. This will build a reputation for openness and prevent your perception from being slashed in the eyes of your audience.
Conclusion
SMS short codes have a lot of upside potential for businesses. They have various types of short codes with desired price points that can be leased for your business. They’re easy to remember and can be customized per the marketing campaign created to sell your products and services.
If you’re considering using SMS code numbers, then make sure to know how to choose one. After getting it, learning how to use it for the marketing approach is essential, with the best practices to make it effective.
FAQ
How Much Does a Short Code Cost?
Short codes typically cost a dedicated one about $500-$1000 per month. Random short codes are normally quite cheap, while vanity or custom short codes are expensive.
Who owns the SMS short code?
SMS short codes are owned by registries such as the US Short Code Registry. Any company can’t own a short code but has to lease it for the time specified.
How can I find out who owns a shortcode?
You can find out who owns a short code by visiting usshortcodes.com. Also, some other SMS service provider resources can help you identify the ownership of a shortcode.
What is the difference between SMS short code and SMS long code?
The differences between SMS short codes and SMS long codes are:
| Feature | SMS short code | SMS long code |
| Length | 5-6 digits | 10 digits |
| Cost | Price is higher | Price is comparatively lower |
| Usage | Designed for one-way traffic and high volume messages | Designed for two-way traffic and includes voice calls |
How long are SMS short codes?
SMS short codes are typically 5-6 digits long. This makes it really easier for customers to remember the code and act upon it.
What is the limit of SMS short code?
The limit of SMS short codes is that they can handle a high volume of text messages while sending around 100 messages per second. However, it also solely depends upon the type of SMS service provider and the chosen short code.
What is the law for SMS short code?
The law for SMS short codes is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and guidelines from the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). These laws should be strictly followed by businesses before creating any SMS marketing campaigns.
How to stop short code SMS?
To stop short code SMS, you can add a keyword like STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE for the customer to send out. This should help them exit from the subscriber’s list while complying with the legal requirements for opt-out methods.
