Short Codes | AdvaTEXT

Common Short Codes

What are they?

Common Short Codes are simply special telephone numbers that are shorter than standard telephone numbers. Some Common Short codes in the US and other countries are as short as 3 numbers. These are reserved for the Service Providers, emergency services, and some other special services as they see fit. The Common Short Codes that the general public has access to here in the United states are either 5 or 6 digits long. If you have seen American Idol, then you are familiar with Common Short Codes even though you may not have realized it. When applying you have the option of getting a selected common short code or a random common short code.

How do you get one?

The process to lease a Common Short Code from the CSCA (Common Short Code Association) can be a 3 to 6 month process. The cost for a Common Short Code is $1,000 per month plus the cost of text messages and software. The good news is that AdvaTEXT has already done all of the hardwork for you. You can get all of the benefits of your own Common Short Code by simply leasing a Keyword from AdvaTEXT for as little as $59.99 per month.

How do they work?

Common Short Codes are often associated with automated services. An automated program will receive a text message from the sender and then automatically send out a pre-designated response based on the content of the incoming text message. The automated system may also be able to send out regularly timed messages to any recipient that has opted in to the program. For example: An ad would inform potential end users about both the prefix and the short code number. The end user would then send a text to that Common Short Code including the appropriate keyword

The Ad: Text Football to 55555 to receive current scores and highlights.

The Opt-in: Your Customers text football to 55555

The Response: Your Customer receives a text with today’s scores and highlights from the game going on right now.

Dedicated Short Codes
Dedicated short codes are Common Short Codes, whether selected or random that are leased and used by one entity. The application process to obtain a dedicated short code of your own can take 6 months or more. Leasing of a Random Common Short Code from the CSCA costs $500 per month. Leasing of a Selected (often referred to as vanity codes) Common Short Code from the CSCA costs $1000 per month. Additional costs include text message fees from Service Providers, gateway access fees from Aggregators, and campaign management fees from Application Providers.

Shared Short Codes
A Shared Common Short Code is fairly self explanatory. One short code is used by numerous content providers. Each content provider leases individual keywords from the owner of the Common Short Code and builds their own marketing campaigns based on that keyword. Utilizing a Shared Common Short Code from AdvaTEXT dramatically cuts down on the cost and hassle of leasing a Dedicated Common Short Code with virtually the same functionality and benefits.

Getting Started

Step one

Reserve your keyword

The Keyword should represent your business or your promotion. For example, a Florist might want to reserve flowers, roses, the name of their business or even Mother's Day.

Step two

Type your promotion

Type your advertisement text into our dashboard on your computer. Promote your event, happy hour, sale, or ask for referrals. These events can be timed to reach your customers at the exact moment they would be ready to act upon your ad.

Step three

Press Send and Reap Rewards

9:07 AM Your message is sent to 457 of your existing client base
9:08 AM 97% of them open and read the message
9:14 AM Your first customer of the day calls or walks in the door, while 120 others start making plans to stop by or call.