Basic SMS API Knowledge

More companies than ever before are leveraging the power of SMS to boost their texting campaigns and better connect with customers. But before you sign up with an SMS API, it’s important to learn how to use this tool so that it works effectively for your company.

There are several basic components to an SMS API. These include keywords, short codes and long codes, 10DLC, and toll-free numbers. Learning how SMS APIs work, such as the function of an SMS gateway, and what capabilities SMS APIs include, such as MMS messaging, is also important.

Learning about SMS APIs equips you with the knowledge you need to decide whether or not an SMS provider is the best fit for your company.

SMS API Rundown

SMS messaging is one of the most effective ways to connect with customers, no matter what industry you’re in or what type of audience you serve. It’s more efficient and convenient than other methods, such as email or voicemail campaigns, in addition to being the preferred communication medium of most customers.

But if you’re interested in utilizing this medium to boost your business, there are a few key pieces of information you’ll need to know first.

What Is An SMS Keyword?

SMS keywords are specific words or phrases that users can text to your company’s short code or long code which trigger an automatic response. Keywords can be used for a variety of reasons, but are most often used for marketing or campaign subscription purposes.

For example, a user can text JOIN to your short or long code in order to become a subscriber and receive your texts. Alternatively, they could text a keyword to join a contest, pledge support, learn more, or one of a million other reasons.

Below are best practices and tips for using SMS keywords.

Keep It Simple

The best SMS keywords and simple SMS keywords. When keywords are simple, users are more likely to remember them and less likely to accidentally misspell them. Additionally, simple keywords are less likely to be autocorrected.

For example, keywords like MORE or CONTEST are simple and easy for users to type, which makes them ideal.

Make It Unique

While still keeping them simple, try to make your SMS keywords unique so that users won’t have trouble remembering them. Keywords that are less common are more likely to stand out.

It can be tricky to walk the line between making your keywords unique and making them too complicated. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Avoid Special Characters

SMS keywords shouldn’t have special characters in them. Characters change depending on the type of phone a user has (smartphone or cell phone) and what operating system or keyboards they use. Characters can also change according to language. Because of these reasons, it’s best to exclude special characters from your keywords.

One Word Is The Best Option

For the best results, limit your SMS keywords to one word. Just like ensuring your keywords are simple, this makes them easier to remember and easier to spell. Each letter or word you add is a new opportunity for users to misspell or the phone to autocorrect.

Try A/B Split Testing

SMS keywords A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a randomized experiment where users receive one of two (or more) possible versions of a keyword. Whichever version of the keyword yields the best results is the one companies move forward with.

What Is An SMS Short Code?

SMS short codes are unique 5 – 6 digit phone numbers from which you can send and receive SMS and MMS messages. They can handle both high- and low-volume texting, but are ideally suited for mass texting and application-to-person (A2P) texting . This makes them perfect for companies looking to stand out and quickly connect with large numbers of customers.

SMS short codes have a wide variety of uses, from marketing and promotions to reminders and alerts to authentication and password resets and more. They’re used across nearly every industry, from retail to debt collection and many others.

There are two different types of short codes: dedicated short codes and shared short codes. Dedicated short codes are further broken down into two categories: vanity and random codes. We’ll go more into detail about each of these below.

The Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) leases short codes for three, six, or twelve-month terms to companies who have completed the short code provisioning process. This process can take anywhere from 4 – 8 weeks depending on the carrier review.

If your company is interested in a short code, you’ll need to connect with a short code provider. The best API companies will also offer SMS short code services and work on your behalf with the carriers to expediate your application and the provisioning process so that you can begin using your short code as soon as possible.

Shared SMS Short Code

Also known as common short codes, shared short codes are codes used by multiple companies to send messages. Each company has separate subscriber lists, but uses the same short code.

The main benefit of shared short codes is that they’re much more affordable than vanity short codes. Shared short codes only cost roughly $500 – $1,000 per month, whereas vanity codes generally cost approximately $1,500 per month.

However, the main drawback is that there has been consistently high detections of spam with shared SMS short codes. As a result, many short code services and API companies have stopped offering them. If you’re interested in using a shared short code, check with the SMS API provider you’re interested in prior to signing up.

Dedicated SMS Short Code

Dedicated SMS short codes are numbers that are used exclusively by one company to send SMS messages. They can be used to curate and emphasize brand identity, but are useful in general for mass texting.

They have lower spam rates than shared short codes, which make them the more reputable option as compared to shared SMS short codes. You also get unlimited mobile keywords to boost your SMS text campaigns.

However, they are more expensive. Depending on whether you choose a random or vanity code, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 – $1,500 per month.

After you find the right shortcode service, there are two different types of dedicated short codes your company can choose from: vanity codes and random codes. We’ll go into more detail below about each of them, their benefits, and how to tell if they’re the right choice for your company.

SMS Vanity Code

Vanity codes are SMS short codes that are customizable according to company specifications. Companies can choose which 5 – 6 digits they want in their short code and in what order, provided that vanity code isn’t already being leased.

For example, if you have a company called 123 A/C & Heating, you could lease the short code 123-123. Vanity short codes are generally more memorable than random codes because the numbers have meaning, such as being related to the company or spelling out a certain word.

Because of this, they’re useful for brand marketing and increasing brand recognition.

SMS Random Code

Also known as non-vanity short codes, SMS random codes are short codes that are blindly (i.e., randomly) assigned to a company by phone carriers after the company has completed the short code provisioning process.

With these types of short codes, companies have no control over the number they are assigned. Though these numbers are not as useful for branding, they are much more affordable than vanity codes.

What Is 10DLC?

10 Digit Long Code (10DLC) is the new standard for A2P text messaging using traditional long codes. 10DLC is a more reliable messaging channel with varying levels of throughout, approved by the major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Traditionally, long code texts sent at one message per second (MPS). With 10DLC, there will be improved throughput no matter which throughput level your company is assigned.

You can apply for a 10DLC through the Campaign Registry (TCR). TCR is directed by a third-party company and works directly with the mobile carriers. Not all mobile carriers have chosen to use TCR to administer registration on behalf of their brand, but many major carriers are transitioning toward this.

SMS API companies and long code providers can register 10DLC on behalf of a company, but companies that support many brands are encouraged to directly register with TCR. Applications are typically approved within 24 hours.

Companies are not required to register with TCR. However, messages from unregistered companies will be subject to more rigorous filtering, higher carrier fees, and traffic suspension, effective October 1, 2021.

What Is An SMS Long Code?

SMS long codes are traditional 10-digit phone numbers that can send and receive SMS messages. Also known as commercial long codes, these types of numbers are ideally suited for low-volume messaging and person-to-person communication (P2P). Long codes can also send and receive text messages internationally.

They are preferred by small businesses because they are more affordable (as low as $1.00 per month) and create a more personalized marketing experience. When you use a long code, users receive texts from numbers that look just like the ones they use.

SMS API providers can typically process applications for long codes within a few hours, which means that you can apply for a long code and send messages from it on the same day. This is yet another benefit of using an SMS long code.

What Is A Toll Free Number?

Toll-free numbers are long codes that appear as phone numbers from a large business. They’re primarily used for application-to-person (A2P) messaging, but are prohibited from containing any promotional or marketing content.

Not all SMS API companies or long code providers offer these types of long codes. If you’re interested in using toll-free numbers as part of your communication strategy, check with a provider to see if they offer these numbers prior to signing up.

What Is An SMS Gateway?

When SMS APIs send messages, they’re directed through aggregators and then network carriers. And in order for network carriers to connect to each other, they use Short Message Service Centers (SMSCs). In turn, SMSCs connect to each other through SMS gateways.

That’s a long stream of connections, but each one is essential to the process. SMS gateways are especially crucial because they translate the different “languages” (i.e., communication protocols) that SMSCs use. Without SMS gateways, SMSCs wouldn’t be able to “talk” to each other and send messages.

It’s possible for companies to integrate an SMS gateway into their communication and marketing plan independently of an SMS API. However, it’s more efficient to invest in an SMS API that dually serves as an SMS gateway— that is, an API that also has all the functions of a gateway.

Before investing in an SMS API, check to see if it has gateway capabilities.

What Is MMS?

Whereas SMS messaging only allows for plain text and links, Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS) allows for pictures, videos, .gifs, and other media content. It’s an expansion of the core SMS messaging protocol and allows companies to more creatively connect with customers.

However, there are limitations to MMS that users should be aware of:

• Not all phones are equipped to receive MMS like they are to receive SMS, which potentially limits the amount of subscribers you can include in text campaigns
• Users need a data connection to communicate using MMS, which poses another limitation in terms of geographic location and subscribers
• MMS messages cam take longer to send depending on the content amount and size, which could potentially impact time-sensitive communication

Despite these limitations, MMS providers offer more options in terms of content for text campaigns. If your company is looking for a way to give your SMS messages an extra edge, then MMS may be the way to go.

Most SMS APIs come equipped with a variety of features, including MMS capabilities. If you’re interested in sending multimedia content, make sure the API provider you’re interested in also serves as an MMS provider.