Businesses can keep in touch with their consumers through SMS systems. Often, people read texts to confirm orders, remind them of bookings, provide special promotions, and provide updates.
Text marketing services let you message customers directly or automate it so that they get texts based on your booking calendar, marketing list, or other integrated services. Plus, your customers can reply directly to you, making it easier to respond to your customers’ texts.
So, if you are considering moving beyond the standard text messaging services on your phone, we will provide an overview of the most effective short-code texting services.
What Is Short Code Texting?
“Short code texting” involves sending and receiving messages through a 5 or 6-digit number. Many businesses use shortcodes to notify customers of promotional offers, alerts, and other important information. Shortcodes also enable companies and individuals to communicate in a two-way mode via customer service.
Why Is Short Code Texting Important for Businesses?
- Cost-Effectiveness: The shortcode texting method is convenient and cost-effective to reach all your customers simultaneously.
- Timely: Short code texting lets businesses send messages instantly to their customers so that they can respond faster to them, and customers can know the status of their orders as and when they are processed, dispatched, etc.
- Increasing Engagement: The use of short code texting allows businesses to send regular messages to their customers, like order status, new products, discount offers, etc., to keep them engaged with their brand.
- Trackable: Businesses can track customer responses with short code texting to refine their messages and target the right people. It also makes it possible to check the open rate, click rate, etc., to see who is engaging with the brand more.
- A Personalized Experience: You can create personalized experiences for your customers by sending them messages tailored to their preferences. It’s easy and quick for businesses to communicate with customers using shortcodes.
Let’s now look at the top short-code texting services.
SimpleTexting
The SimpleTexting service makes it easy for businesses to send short-code text messages.
Businesses can use dedicated short codes to create branded and memorable keywords for automation, bulk messaging, and one-time opt-ins. You can send images, GIFs, and videos with SimpleTexting’s short code and track the success of your campaigns.
Moreover, businesses use SimpleTexting’s short code messaging service to communicate with customers and market their brands to specific audiences. This platform also offers free custom integrations for premium customers.
SimpleTexting pricing – A SimpleTexting plan starts at $29 per month.
Key Features
- Analytics – SimpleTexting allows you to track your click-through rate and the total number of clicks on your links.
- Forms and images for web sign-ups – It lets you embed images on your website and build text list sign-up forms.
- Integrated solutions – If you have a plan that includes more than 7,500 messages, SimpleTexting can create a custom integration.
All in all, these functions, plus your dedicated account manager’s ability to create custom messages, make SimpleTexting the best.
SlickText
SlickText is a short code texting service that makes it easy for businesses to stay in touch with their customers. It is a low-cost text message marketing service with automated tools, customizable keywords, and an easy-to-use interface.
A dedicated telephone number or keyword enables businesses to communicate easily with their clients regarding the latest products, special promotions, and other relevant information.
SlickText pricing – Paid plan starts at $29 monthly (including 500 texts per month).
Key Features
- Automated messaging – SlickText offers automated messaging tools so businesses can send personalized messages to customers. Customers can be notified based on their behavior when they purchase or subscribe to a newsletter.
- Sign-up forms – SlickText lets customers sign up for text message campaigns with opt-in forms. In this way, businesses can quickly build their customer base and inform customers about the latest developments.
- Customization – SlickText offers customizable features allowing businesses to customize their text messages’ look and feel. This helps businesses create a unique brand identity and ensure their messages stand out.
With SlickText short-code texting campaigns, you can measure customer engagement and make more informed messaging decisions.
Twilio
Twilio’s SMS Short Code Service lets businesses talk to customers and send promotional messages. These shortcodes are easy to remember, allowing businesses to send text messages with up to 1,000 characters, including dynamic data like names and addresses.
Moreover, Twilio has an SMS API that lets you integrate with any site, application, or workflow. Also, it enables you to filter by date range, channel, carrier, country, and delivery status.
Twilio Pricing – You can start with a free trial. To upgrade, Plans range from pay-per-use to enterprise. Twilio’s services are $0.0075 per SMS or MMS message or $0.0025 per minute for voice calls.
Key Features
- Voice – Twilio’s API lets you build high-quality voice communication applications like IVRs and call routing.
- Video – The Twilio APIs enable developers to create video conferencing, streaming, and chat applications.
- Authentication – The Twilio platform offers two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
Twilio Studio lets marketers and developers make personalized customer experiences. It enables you to automate campaigns, call center workflows, autoresponders, SMS surveys, drip campaigns, and appointment reminders.
You can also make it omnichannel by integrating additional channels (like email, voice, and WhatsApp).
MessageMedia
MessageMedia lets businesses send and receive text messages using short numbers. It’s easy to send SMS text messages over the web, email, or API. MessageMedia has short-code services for everything from marketing campaigns to customer service inquiries to appointment reminders.
There are reminders, alerts, notifications, promotions, billing, and payments in MessageMedia, plus staffing tools. You can use it to send, look at replies, and forward messages. It lets you merge data fields into SMS messages for a customized campaign.
MessageMedia Pricing – Tentative plan starts at $49 monthly, including customer support, MMS, and a dedicated number.
Key Features
- Short SMS Link Tracking – Automatically shorten your text message’s URLs to just 22 characters and save on SMS credits. Track which recipients clicked a link.
- MMS and SMS – MessageMedia supports SMS and MMS messaging so businesses can communicate with customers in the best format.
- Choices for customization – MessageMedia lets businesses customize their messages to meet each customer’s needs.
MessageMedia’s SMS API lets you send messages from CRMs and business apps. Message tags let apps see which messages go with which replies. People can also send messages via inbound numbers to the response application.
Clickatell
The Clickatell short code texting service allows businesses to send and receive text messages using a unique 5-6 digit code.
It enables companies to communicate easily with their customers and prospects, as it enables them to send personalized messages to them. Clickatell shortcodes allow businesses to reach many people simultaneously, such as with promotional offers and customer service.
Clickatell Pricing – Clickatell shortcodes come in packages that range from $500 to $25,000, depending on how many messages you want to send. Each package has a setup fee and a monthly fee. It also offers a free trial to improve the experience.
Key Features
- Easy to use – The Clickatell service offers an easy-to-use interface for managing SMS campaigns.
- In-depth Analysis – A comprehensive set of analytics is available through Clickatell so you can measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.
- Maintaining security – Sending messages on the Clickatell platform is secure, protecting your data from unauthorized access.
Also, this service facilitates businesses to measure the success of campaigns and track responses.
CallHub
CallHub provides cloud-based short-code texting services. You can send and receive SMS and MMS messages using shortcodes. Short code texting lets organizations reach a large audience quickly and efficiently, so they can reach customers and supporters.
CallHub’s short code texting service has keyword recognition, which lets businesses create automated replies based on keyword usage. Moreover, organizations can use analytics and reporting tools to measure the performance of their text campaigns.
CallHub’s short code texting services comply with industry regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), so organizations can send texts legally.
CallHub Pricing – You can try it out for free. For more features, CallHub offers pay-per-text and monthly shortcode texts starting at $0.005.
Key Features
- Dialer automation – CallHub’s automated dialer can place thousands of calls simultaneously so that you can reach out to many people.
- Maintaining contacts – The CallHub contact management system simplifies the process of organizing, managing, and tracking contacts.
- Recording calls – The CallHub call recording feature allows users to record and store calls for future reference.
Hence, this shortcode texting service lets organizations reach more people.
Clearstream
Clearstream lets businesses communicate with their customers via SMS, giving companies their 5 or 6-digit phone numbers to send and receive text messages.
Businesses can use Clearstream’s short codes to send their customers marketing messages, alerts, and reminders. They’re perfect for promotions, contests, and other marketing campaigns because they’re simple.
Clearstream Pricing – Clearstream comes with a 14-day free trial, after which you can opt for their Basic, Pro, and Enterprise plans. Basic plans start at $49 per month. Pro plans start at $49 per month. Enterprise plans start at $99 per month.
Key Features
- Specialized shortcodes – The Clearstream platform allows customers to send messages to large groups via dedicated shortcodes.
- SMS automation – Clearstream offers automated SMS services that allow customers to send SMS at preset intervals.
- Group Messaging – The Clearstream platform allows customers to create groups and send bulk messages.
These codes are also dedicated, so businesses have more control over their messaging and know they will be distinct from their competitors. Clearstream’s detailed analytics and reporting tools let you see how your campaigns are doing.
Reach Interactive
Reach Interactive provides businesses with SMS short codes that allow their customers to text and call them instantly. These codes have many uses, including customer service, marketing campaigns, surveys, and even lead generation.
Reach Interactive provides SMS shortcode services, including setup, configuration, keyword management, and analytics. The team helps businesses of all sizes maximize the potential of SMS short codes.
Reach Interactive Pricing – The cost of Reach Interactive’s shortcodes depends on the country and the type of code.
Key Features
- Designing the user experience – Reach Interactive makes every project user-friendly and intuitive. This means users will have an enjoyable experience using their products.
- The responsive design – The Reach Interactive team ensures their designs are responsive and work on many devices, so anyone can access them from wherever they are.
- Data analytics – Reach Interactive tracks user interactions and optimizes products with data analytics. This will help them identify where they can improve.
The services offered by these quick code providers are reliable, secure, and cost-effective for business owners.
Text Anywhere
Text Anywhere offers SMS services to businesses and organizations. You may use 5-digit numbers for text message marketing campaigns and customer feedback.
A company may create an SMS shortcode that customers can use to contact them via text message using Text Anywhere’s SMS shortcode service. Text Anywhere’s SMS shortcode service provides real-time reporting, bounce handling, and automatic responses to incoming messages.
Text Anywhere Pricing – Text Anywhere price range starts at £25 per month for 500 texts.
Key Features
- Cloud storage service – You can save and access your messages and contacts from anywhere with Text Anywhere’s secure cloud storage.
- Automation Tools – Automation tools in Text Anywhere simplify messaging processes, like auto-replies and schedules.
- Customization Options – You can customize your messages with text formatting, emojis, and links in the Text Anywhere app.
Further, the service adheres fully to all relevant regulations and guidelines, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
The SMS shortcode service from Text Anywhere allows businesses to engage with their customers and develop their brand through text messaging.
Differences Between Random Short Codes and Vanity Short Codes
| Parameter | Random Short Codes | Vanity Short Codes |
| Definition | Usually more expensive than regular shortcodes. | A vanity short code is a six-digit number or letter that makes it easier for people to remember the phone number of a business or organization. |
| Cost | A Cost-effective security solution. | It cannot be customized for a specific organization. |
| Availability | They’re usually available on websites that sell them. | Available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to restrictions. |
| Length | It can have between 4 to 8 alphanumeric characters. | Most vanity short codes are seven digits long. |
| Customization | It can be customized for an organization. | Used for special offers, campaigns, discounts, and enhancing brand recognition. |
| Usage | Used in SMS marketing campaigns. | Used for special offers, campaigns, discounts and enhancing brand recognition. |
Final Words
Short code texting is a very effective way for businesses to communicate with customers. The easiest way to communicate with large or small groups is to send messages quickly and easily.
Short code texting benefits include increased customer engagement, satisfaction, and more sales. Thus, ensure your messaging service is the right fit for your business to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Next, check out the best SMS API to send messages to your users.