Text messaging is the most convenient channel for reaching out to your employees or customers in your business. There are multiple ways to send messages and many platforms to choose from.
Today’s messaging setting can be complicated and confusing, especially when you are sending thousands or millions of messages for your business. If you are looking to launch, build, or optimize your text messaging communication, it is vital to strategically pick what type of number to use before sending text messages for your brand.
You have three ways of messaging to choose for your business to communicate via SMS:
- Shortcode
- 10DLC
- Toll-Free
When evaluating these messaging options for your business, it is important to remember the amount of speed, deliverability, message reliability, and credibility you need. Each one comes with a different cost and has a unique approval and provisioning process.
Here are some things to consider in choosing which messaging type suits you and the options you have for your messaging number:
| Features | Short code | 10DLC | Toll-Free |
| Number Format Example | 88333 | 201 - 123-4567 | 800 - 1234567 |
| Messaging Type | A2P | A2P or P2P | A2P |
| Voice Enabled | No | Yes | Yes |
| MMS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two-way messaging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vetting required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Approval Time | Minimum 4-6 weeks involving carriers | 24 hour-7 days | 4-6 weeks |
|
Volume Limits |
Unlimited MPS (message per second) |
60 MPS max depending on the Brand Trust score and message class |
Unlimited MPS (message per second) |
| Cost | $$$ | $ | $$ |
| Delivery Reports |
Network and Handsets (delivered to the carrier and member's mobile device ) |
Handsets (delivered to member's mobile device) |
Network and Handsets (delivered to the carrier and member's mobile device ) |
| Daily messages limit |
No limit |
2,000 tp 200,000 depends on your Trust score |
No limit |
To help you further in deciding what's the best messaging number for your business, we have listed the advantages and disadvantages regarding them.
What is a Short code?
- Text message number is only 5-digits. An example of a short code is 00555 or 78900. The numbers were the first A2P messaging option that can easily be recognized by your customers.
- Great for businesses with sizable opt-in lists or campaigns that are planning bigger-scale engagement.
- Short codes provide you with the highest throughput and deliverability. It's best suited to urgent, high-volume notifications, like one-time passwords, fraud alerts, and emergency broadcasts.
Things to consider:
- Short codes applications are reviewed and approved by each carrier. Approval of the numbers is longer, and usually takes 4-6 weeks.
- Higher cost compared to the others.
- Can only send or receive text messages, you can’t use them for phone calls or faxes.
- Shared short codes, shared across multiple brands, have created challenges of getting an increase in unwanted spam being reported.
You can click here to learn more about Short codes.
What is a Toll-Free?
- Toll-free numbers are text-enabled 8XX numbers that allow text messaging over: 800, 833, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844.
- It's more transactional based like 10DLC, perfect for mid to high-volume business.
- You have the option to enable voice, SMS, and MMS on the same Toll-free number.
- You need to undergo a Text number verification process similar to 10DLC to avoid message traffic.
- Carriers require you to submit an opt-in form sample if you are collecting signups with webforms.
- Fast approval time for your business number application.
Things to consider:
- Long messages are not supported. Sending over 160 characters, the message will arrive as two separate messages on the customer's handset, which may run up against compliance regulations regarding message send frequency.
You can click here to learn more about Toll-Free.
What is a 10 DLC?
- short for “10-digit long code”, is a 10-digit number that features a local area code of your choice.
- This is good for smaller-scale business
- More cost-effective
- You also have the option to enable voice, SMS, and MMS.
- You are also required to submit a Text number verification process this will help with message interruptions.
Things to consider:
- Not registering your A2P traffic will result in higher surcharges, lower throughput, increased filtering, and lower deliverability.
- Carriers will determine your campaign’s send speeds.
- 10DLCs only return network delivery reports for messages sent, so you have limited insights into your deliverability. Some regional carriers do not provide network receipts.
You can click here to learn more about A2P 10DLC.