Long Code Vs Short Code: Which is Better?
The choice of an inbound number is one of the key choices that a firm must make when organising a text or SMS marketing campaign. An SMS application uses inbound numbers to receive SMSs from leads and customers that are sent to either SMS long or SMS short codes. This makes it simple for them to exchange feedback, pose inquiries, and utilise these figures in a number of other contexts. The foundation of any texting or SMS marketing plan is made up of these virtual inbound numbers, including long codes and short codes, which serve as the company's Sender ID (the from address in a text message).
Differences between SMS Long Code and Short Code sms
Difference 1: Anatomical modifications
Long codes, as their names imply, are longer than short codes and can be used to send and receive messages, faxes, and phone calls. 10 digit SMS long codes, as (212) 221-2929, are associated with an area code. They are frequently used to text consumers about the status of their orders, giving the impression that the update is coming straight from the delivery boy. In contrast, SMS short codes are 5–6 digits long (look like "69488" used by Pizza Hut) and may only be used to send and receive SMSs; they cannot be used for calls or faxes.
Difference 2: SMS transmitting and receiving speed
The maximum amount of SMS long codes that can be delivered per second is a significant drawback. Long codes, which are limited to one message per second, are typically used for interpersonal communication. In contrast, SMS short codes are often used for high volume messaging, such as voting on TV shows, and can deliver 40 messages per second.
Difference 3: The ratio of inbound to outbound text
For SMS long codes, the ratio of incoming to outgoing text traffic must be better than 1:3, per carrier requirements. For short codes, there is no such restriction in place. Keep in mind that carriers screen out duplicate messages sent from both long and short codes.
Any communication with the identical recipient, sender ID, and message content is considered a duplicate. There is a strong likelihood that the carrier will block the long code if the identical text content (such as a marketing message) is sent from it to many receivers. Nonetheless, prepared text messages that have been approved by all the major carriers can be delivered to numerous recipients using short codes, regardless of the number of recipients or the frequency of transmissions.
Variations in use cases
For communication pertaining to customer service, courier services, banks, airlines, and other service sectors typically utilise a lengthy code. A few use cases are as follows:
- In order to let a customer know that their shipment is ready for delivery, a courier service may employ a complicated code.
- Every month, a bank could text customers with their account balance.
- An airline can respond via SMS-magic to a passenger's request for a specific seat.
The majority of the time, businesses utilise SMS short codes for security and marketing, or organisations use them for urgent information distribution. Uses for short codes include:
- To send advertisements, coupons, sales alerts, and other promotional materials. In fact, in order to send marketing SMS if you are headquartered in the US, you must have a short code.
- Due to the likelihood of a message sent via an SMS short code being delivered more quickly, two-factor authentication is recommended.
- Because to the dependability of short codes, alerts such as hurricane warnings or aeroplane delays are frequently received.
Which code ought you to employ?
Long codes are the best option for a corporation looking for a low-security, inexpensive, and simple means to send and receive messages that are primarily for support or conversational use rather than bulk communications. Short codes, on the other hand, are the way to go if you want to send SMSs primarily for marketing campaigns and are prepared to invest in a moderately pricey but reliable, long-term SMS plan.
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