Dedicated Short Code Solutions

What Are Dedicated Short Codes

At Ez Texting we believe that launching a mobile marketing campaign should be easy.

We've created this straightforward white paper to explain the in's and out's of dedicated short codes.

Read Our Dedicated Short Code Guide (PDF)

Getting Started With Your Own
Dedicated Short Code:

At Ez Texting, we are more than just a vendor - we are an experienced partner who will walk you through the process of obtaining your own short code every step of the way, from start to finish. To begin, a dedicated specialist will speak with you. Our specialists will answer all of your questions, and, if you are interested, offer you mobile marketing advice and insights.

A dedicated short code is a powerful marketing tool, but it is also a major financial commitment. We want to make sure that a dedicated short code is right for your business or organization. Our goal is to make mobile marketing as easy as possible, so we have broken this process down to six simple steps.

  1. Pick A Partner – Unless you have the expertise to go it alone you will rely on a firm like Ez Texting, often in this context called a Mobile Application Service Provider (MASP). You are going to have an ongoing relationship with this firm. At first they will assist you with your application. Once you are approved they will also provide you with the appropriate software to connect to their aggregator, who will deliver your messages to the cellular networks. The cellular networks then deliver your message to their subscribers. By working with a partner like Ez Texting you do not need to worry about all of these intermediary parties.
  2. Decide Whether You Want A Vanity Short Code – If you want a vanity short code you will want to make sure that no one has already leased that short code. You can do this yourself, at www.usshortcodes.com, or your MASP can check for you. Remember, a vanity short code costs $1000 dollars per month, whereas a random code only costs $500 dollars per month.
  3. Lease Your Short Code – Leasing a short code with Neustar, Inc. is a relatively short and simple process. You can do this yourself, though most businesses and organizations prefer to have their MASP submit this information. As soon as Neustar approves your lease application (typically two business days) you must pay for the first three months of your lease.
  4. Complete Your Service Approval Form – This is the most important step to obtain your own short code. Your Service Approval Form (SAF), also called a Program Brief, is submitted to each of the wireless carriers. They all reserve the right to deny your application. Because of this it is important to work with an experienced MASP like Ez Texting who will make sure that all aspects of your SAF are compliant with the carriers’ regulations.

    Your Service Approval Form includes a detailed description of your plans for implementing your short code. Prior to submitting this form, your website must be active and include links for customer support and terms & conditions.

    Carriers typically take three to four weeks to review and approve your program. If any of the carriers do not approve your SAF they will provide comments and information that you will rely upon to revise your application. In the case that an program is denied it is typically because it did not conform to Mobile Marketing Association guidelines.
  5. Provisioning & Testing – After accepting your program, each carrier will provision the short code on their network for testing. At this point your application should be ready to test, with all test keywords and compliant message flows in place. Ez Texting will submit requests to each carrier when you are ready to test on their network. Testing typically take up to two weeks to complete, though some carriers take as long as six weeks to finish testing.
  6. Carrier Approval & Launch – Following a successful campaign test, each carrier will approve and certify your short code on their network and you may take your campaign live. This is typically within a few days of successful testing, but can take up to two weeks.
           

This process can be overwhelming, and that is why firms like Ez Texting are here to help.  We have guided many companies through the do’s and don’ts that make for a successful, compliant application; our efforts ensure that approval and provisioning time is kept to a minimum. And because you must continue to pay for your short code lease while you wait for certification, our expertise will save you time and money.

Ready To Turbo-charge Your Mobile Marketing Campaign With Your Own Dedicated Short Code?

Give Us A Call Today And Ask To Speak To A Dedicated Short Code Specialist

(Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm)
Tel: (212) 255-4663