Long Code

long code

Long code is a common term for one of the numbers used on an SMS service to send text messages. Regular phone numbers are considered as long codes with 10 digits, short codes are shorter with 5 to 6 digits. This method of marketing is frequently used by various businesses on certain platforms to communicate with their clients. Long code SMS can be used to cover various marketing techniques and to maintain stable contact with customers at all times.

Continue reading this post to the end to understand what is long code SMS?

Get in touch with everyone at the same time

When you need to reach a huge amount of people or everyone in your contact list, mass texting is highly helpful. A company using an SMS service can send text messages to all of their clients at the same time. SMS marketing is beneficial for any small or large business in the market. This means that with just one click, a small business can market its product and services through text messages to an entire list of its opted-in subscribers. For example, if a clothing company wishes to send a text message to an international client, it can do so with an entire phone number.

Unique

When sending text messages to clients or making calls, it is important that they recognize the phone number of the business. Because the SMS long codes are unique and different from other competitors in the market it helps customers know which text message was sent by the company. Customers and clients can save the number in their phones making it easier for the business to remain unique in their eyes. Otherwise, competitors can make calls or send messages to clients with the same number as the business. Businesses using dedicated long code SMS can separate themselves from other competitors while also making sure that the clients are aware of the business. If a pizzeria sends texts to its customers through its texting service, the customers can save the number to use it later on. If other pizzerias do send text messages to the same customers, the number of the former will remain different so people can spot the difference.

Quick and inexpensive to use

An SMS marketing service is not only easy, but also very fast and cheap. Mass text messaging is most commonly used for marketing campaigns. When sending out messages in large number, the cost per message tends to decrease, hence making it one of the cheapest methods to market for a business. Long code SMS marketing makes it easier to send the same message to hundreds and thousands of people without having to type the same message each time. Using any SMS application which supports dedicated and shared codes allows a business to compose a message for all its clients. SMS marketing services allow a business to send marketing texts, automated responses, reminders for events, birthday messages or any kind of information to a list of clients. This also makes it easier to categorize clients in lists for sending personalized messages by a company. For example, if a clothing company needs to invite guests to its events through SMS, it will categorize clients as VIP, old and new. VIP clients will be sent a special invite as compared to old and new ones without the company having to go through a hassle to separate messages accordingly.

Customers can reply too

SMS texting services help businesses and companies in maintaining contact and marketing themselves really well. However, it also provides the facility to customers to text to the business on their unique number. With a company using a dedicated 10 digit phone number to send mass text messages, customers can save it and recognize it. The company’s number will then be treated as another contact on their phone which they can call or send a message to. Businesses using this type of service from SMS long code providers allows its customers to send text messages for feedback, complaints, and queries. Such a feature allows text messaging for a company to become a two-way communication method and builds a strong relationship between the clients and the company. A handicrafts business can reach out to customers to inform them about special items available. The customers can in turn reply, querying regarding prices and availability of products or simply to register a complaint about damaged products being delivered. Such a feature helps a business gain feedback successfully and without any trouble of reaching out to customers.

International access

50% of the traffic on websites tends to be from mobile devices, which is why companies rely so heavily on mobile marketing like SMS marketing. SMS services are available globally, it is possible for a company to reach out to international customers. Such an option is highly suitable for businesses which tend to have either international outlets or deliver their products internationally. Marketing on an international scale really boosts the growth and success of a business because of the effort. Moreover, sending text messages to international customers or calling them is also cheaper than other services. If a small carpet company delivers its products to international customers, they can easily contact their clients abroad.

Using keywords

Keywords play an important role in marketing and affecting customers. Detailed reports can be used to test the effectiveness of a keyword at any time. Keywords are essentially used to gain collect clients information and or to grab their attention through attractive words. SMS services can provide you with a certain amount of keywords for your marketing campaigns. This service is not only cheaper for keyword marketing campaigns but also convenient to use at all times. If a marketing company needs to choose effective keywords, it can promote keywords on flyers, ads, and social media using those keywords to collect customer phone numbers to use on future campaigns. Responses can be measured from the long code SMS software according to each keyword then, it can be used to decide which keywords to use permanently to market itself properly.

Who can use it?

This type of service is a common digital concept globally. Using a regular 10 digit mobile number it can reach people anywhere at normal messaging rates. Companies who wish to keep a small targeted group of customers and employees can use the SMS service as a two-way communication to gather or send necessary information at any time. People who are a part of the company, as well as its dealers, vendors, and engineers, can also use and benefit from this type of service. A courier company can send text messages to respective customers about the arrival of their packages. Another long code SMS example is that businesses can use it to send promo codes and sales alerts.

Types of codes

There are 2 types of codes:

  1. Dedicated
  2. Shared

In the former type, the number is of the company’s choice, with an unlimited amount of keywords and completes forwarding of traffic. The second type has a chosen number with a restricted amount of keywords. Traffic is forwarded based on keywords. A dedicated code tends to serve a better purpose to businesses as it comes with extra features and a choice of both number and keywords. A shared code is helpful for a small group of people who will all be allotted the same number and any text sent or received on it will be stored in a collective database. Most companies prefer dedicated code because it serves as a better option for communication with clients.

Conclusion

Long code works like any other 10 digit phone number but has amazing benefits for companies who end up using them. With multiple benefits associated with it has become a desired option for companies and businesses who wish to market themselves successfully without having to pay high costs. You can check out long code SMS pricing from service providers like Express Text. An available feature is two-way communication between the company and the client where the client has the option of responding back. Moreover, it has a speed of about text messages per second making it convenient to reach out to hundreds of customers within a short amount of time. It also allows companies to interact with international customers without high costs attached to marketing on a global scale. With other competitors also seeking to market themselves in the market, choosing a number for the company which no one else can use. This helps the company in being recognized easily by customers.  Keywords can also be used with any SMS service and a customer can customize an available keyword. Long code is a solution for text message marketing helping both small and big businesses alike. Many applications now provide long code SMS service with added features that help in boosting sales and marketing of a business.

What is a long code?

Put simply, long code means a 10-digit phone number used for sending and receiving voice calls and messages. It might sound counterintuitive to use this other name to refer to phone numbers, but the term has specific meaning for marketing and technical communications.

How do you use long codes for business?

Long codes help businesses coordinate and track mass text messages for marketing communications and other purposes, providing valuable information about customer interaction with different marketing messages.

What are the advantages of using long code?

Long code numbers can be personalized, provide 2-way communication, are very affordable, customers will receive messages consistently from the same number (instead of a randomized short code), and offer features not available for short code bulk messaging.

What are the features of long code for SMS messaging?

Long codes offer customers the ability to forward messages to other people, instant delivery of messages via SMS, customizable templates for different customers, organizing call groups, graphed reports for analytics, and sending full hyperlinks for customers to tap or click on to your site or ecommerce platform.

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