Dedicated short code

What is a Dedicated Short Code?

A dedicated shortcode is a special number designed for high-throughput, two-way messaging. Short codes are used to send and receive SMS and MMS messages to and from mobile phones. Their name is derived from the fact that they are shorter (usually five to six digits) than their ten-digit long code counterparts.

SMS short codes are often used by businesses to communicate with customers. A text message sent to a short code is typically responded to with a text message containing promotional content or a service message. These codes are used to opt-in customers to receive promotional messages and other services, such as mobile payments.

Short codes are incredibly useful for businesses as they enable them to reach a large number of customers quickly and easily. Additionally, they are a cost-effective way to engage with customers on a personal level as they allow for two-way communication.

This is explored further in BSG's 6 Key Insights and Trends Shaping SMS Marketing.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of using SMS short codes are numerous and they include:

• It is an incredibly cost-effective way to engage with customers on a personal level, as it allows for two-way communication.

• It is an easy way for businesses to reach a large number of customers quickly and easily.

• Short codes are also becoming increasingly popular, as more and more businesses are realizing the potential of using them for mobile marketing campaigns, surveys, and other services.

When to use a short code

If you’re sending more than a few hundred messages a day from a long code, your messages run the risk of being marked as spam. Short codes are pre-approved by carriers to have a high throughput and are not subject to carrier filtering. This makes them perfect for sending those high-volume or time-sensitive messages. Here are some ways they’re being used by developers:

How to get a short code?

Short codes are usually leased for a set length of time i.e. 3 months, 6 months, or a year at a time. You would need to apply for a short code via your SMS service provider.