SMS-enabled phone numbers are becoming a common element of multi-channel marketing strategies and embedded communication for apps and services.
If you’ve ever had a text from your bank to confirm a payment or a marketing text message about a new store offer you’ve gotten it from an SMS-enabled phone number.
How is an SMS-enabled phone number different from a normal phone number?
Well, it’s not really. The main difference is we’re talking about Virtual Phone Numbers rather than the phone numbers provided by traditional, consumer carrier networks. What it means is that the messaging from your end is handled over the internet-based technology instead of over the cellular network, which translates into lower cost for the owner of the SMS-enabled phone number.
Additional benefits include:
- Greater customization of responses
- Faster response times through API
- Ease of use – you’re texting from a computer, not a handset after all!
By using virtual numbers, you can send and receive texts locally in places that are nowhere near your current location. So if your company is based in the US and you have customers in the UK, using an SMS-enabled UK mobile number lets you text each other as if you were on the opposite side of the Atlantic with them.
Long codes vs short codes
Long codes and short codes are different types of telephone numbers. Long codes look like your typical phone number, being anywhere from 10 digits to longer depending on your locality, while short codes are, well… shorter, typically only 5 to 6 digits.
Short codes are typically used in cases where it might be beneficial for the number to be easy to remember. A good example is the texts you get from your bank or network provider about your bills. If you take a look at the number it’s coming from it’ll probably be 5-6 digits. A short number.
Emergency services numbers are another great example of short codes in action, where it’s all about ease of remembering. 911 (or 999 or 112, depending on your location) is much easier to remember than a 10-12 digit number.
The business case for SMS-enabled numbers
There are plenty of useful ways for businesses to utilize SMS-enabled phone numbers to reach opted-in customers as part of your business comms strategy.
For the most part, they’re used to:
- Build brand awareness
- Build purchase intent
- Promote timely offers
- Build customer loyalty
- Improve customer service and decrease call center volume/costs
- Activate traditional media and make it more measurable
But in the end, they give you the option to utilize SMS without the added costs and contracts that you’d get from a traditional supplier.
Do SMS-enabled numbers support both SMS and MMS?
Yes, SMS-enabled numbers, such as short codes, toll-free numbers, and local numbers, can also send and receive MMS messages, though this capability may need to be enabled or configured depending on the number type and provider.
Check outbound and inbound MMS availability with your carrier when setting up your SMS-enabled phone numbers if you want both plain text and visual content supported.
Bandwidth’s Messaging API is enabled for SMS and MMS on any type of number.
Do I need special software to manage SMS communication?
You can use an out-of-the-box SMS platform or connect your software to an SMS API to handle messaging services like text alerts and notifications, two-factor authentication, marketing messages, and SMS surveys. Prebuilt platforms are easier to set up, while APIs give you more control and flexibility.
Once you’ve picked the option that best fits your needs, you’ll need an SMS provider to text-enable your phone number and connect your platform or software to the mobile carrier network. Your SMS solution lets you compose, send, and track messages, while the provider routes them through the carrier. Be sure you have proper consent from recipients to comply with messaging requirements, including toll-free message verification and 10DLC registration with The Campaign Registry.
Bandwidth’s SMS-enabled phone numbers
Bandwidth enables you to SMS-enable phone numbers to send text messages for your use case. We offer SMS on long codes, short codes, and toll-free numbers, enabling you to send texts on the numbers you already have and that your customers know.
Interested in adding SMS to your phone numbers with Bandwidth? Get in touch with our team to learn more and to arrange a trial. Still have more questions about how the messaging landscape is changing? Check out our State of Messaging report and get up to date.
