Even if you have never gotten a text from a brand before, have you ever wondered how their name appears on a text once you have signed up for their SMS service?
Users are instantly assigned a virtual number from which the text message originates when sending bulk SMS online. By acquiring a dedicated number, short code, or Sender ID via a reliable and secure gateway, users can also customize numbers.
To enable receivers to quickly identify the sender, some companies prefer to use a branded Sender ID rather than the ten-digit Virtual Number linked to an account. Typically, security and marketing communications that don’t need a response use sender IDs. For example, SMS marketing campaigns or SMS OTP (One-Time Passwords) for 2FA / 2SV (Two-Factor Authentication / Two-Step Verification).
For several features, like two-way SMS, dedicated numbers are necessary. Only the account holder uses these private numbers, which allow them to receive and respond to texts. It is possible to utilize both short and long codes as a dedicated number from which SMS messages can be sent to recipients.
Long code: what is it?
Response numbers, virtual numbers, or inbound numbers are other names for long code that vary by area. Long codes, which resemble regular mobile phone numbers, are used by users or businesses to send text messages online.
Ten digits are typically the length of the phone number used to send regular text messages. For instance, Australian mobile numbers start with the number “04” and include 10 digits. Online SMS software uses this long code to deliver texts within Australia.
Advantages of lengthy codes:
Cost-effective: normal SMS rates are applied to users.
Dedicated Number: You have the choice to give your brand its own private phone number.
International access: The number can be accessible from a wide range of places worldwide if the relevant country code is entered with the long code.
Two-way SMS: recipients can reply and have two-way discussions using the lengthy code.
More options: based on availability and price, a series of memorable numbers inside the lengthy code may be selected.
Contact database: triggers, keywords, and an opt-out feature make it simple to collect customer information.
Content: the chance to deliver pertinent and focused communications, such alerts and reminders.
Things to Think About
Not memorable: Recipients are less likely to recall a lengthier number.
Spam: If a long code number sends a lot of messages, it is more likely to be reported as spam. This could be as a result of it being interpreted as spam or an unknown number.
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A Dedicated Number: What Is It?
Having a dedicated number, which is a private number linked to a single account and capable of sending and receiving SMS and MMS, is similar to having your own unique code that clients and employees may use to contact you. This could be a Sender ID associated with a particular account, a long code, or a short code.
When responding to SMS answers via 2-way SMS and email to SMS, having a dedicated number makes it easier to market and promote your brand and is recognizable to the intended recipients, whether they be clients, customers, or staff.
Two-way text messages
A distinct dedicated number is a necessary component that supports two-way texting. Direct communication with clients and staff, and vice versa, is essential for developing and establishing business partnerships.
From email to SMS
Sending bulk SMS online with a dedicated number is simple and effective. You can use email to SMS by putting your message into your preferred email portal and sending it to specific contacts. It operates by using an email address, such as 0400000000@email.smsglobal.com, to access the mobile number of the chosen contacts.
Everything at one place
A strong SMS platform allows you to manage text messages, contacts, and reports to make sure you keep improving your SMS marketing campaigns by giving you a single number that only your account can access.
How to make your texts stand out
ID of the sender
Businesses can send messages using a Custom Word instead of a phone number. Businesses can send SMS using their brand name as the Sender ID, although this is limited to ten characters.
For instance, recipients can receive messages from Australia Post, and the contact immediately displays as “AusPost” with a short code.
Vanity Number
Having a contact number that is easy to remember is essential for effective and speedy text messaging, regardless of whether it is a long code or a short code. A vanity number is a number that, when entered into a numeric keypad, spells out a word or name.
For instance, the number for a taxi firm is 132227, which also spells out 13CABS, making it simple to remember whenever you need to use a taxi service.
However, where are SMS codes available?
Short code and long code availability and regulations vary by country. Specifically, the short code does not permit international SMS and is limited to the nation from which you are transmitting.
The cost and reach of long codes and short codes are often different; long numbers are toll-free and can be used worldwide. Short codes, on the other hand, are only available nationally and come with fewer possibilities, thus customers must pay more for them.
within the United States.
Strict rules govern how businesses communicate with end consumers through SMS, particularly with regard to opt-in and opt-out options, the format of text messages used for marketing, and the kind of numbers that are utilized for P2P and A2P. Both long code and short code are accessible in the United States, however short code is more widely used and preferred.
P2P (person to person) communication, such as chat and customer support apps, is the domain of long code. This can result in a fine of US$1500 per text if it is not followed, and it is intended to reduce spam to receivers. If it’s not a vanity number or dedicated number, it’s often toll-free and associated with an area code.
Short codes, on the other hand, are used for application-to-person (A2P) communication and are five to six digits long. It is not associated with an area code and has a premium based on the type of number (e.g., bespoke Sender ID or vanity number). High volume text messaging, such as alerts and notifications, 2SV via OTP, promotional texts, and SMS marketing, is primarily handled via short codes.
In Australia
The differences between long code and shortcode are not as sharply defined as they are in the United States, despite the fact that SMS regulations and limits are still common in Australia. For instance, companies have a variety of uses for both long and short code. They can use both long code for P2P and short code for A2P.
In Australia, shortcodes can be anywhere from six to eight digits long and are used nationwide, while long codes are ten digits long and begin with the number “04” and are not limited to area codes.
Unless the user chooses a vanity or dedicated number, or pays for a short code, long numbers are typically automatically given to an account.