Shortcodes vs Long Numbers for Business Messaging
TL;DR:
- Shortcodes are 5-6 digit numbers perfect for mass messaging campaigns
- Long numbers look like regular phone numbers and handle two-way conversations
- Your choice depends on whether you need broadcast messaging or customer dialogue
- Consider your budget, message volume, and regional availability when deciding
When you're setting up business messaging, you'll need to choose between shortcodes and long numbers. Both have their place, but knowing which one fits your needs will save you time and money.
What Are Shortcodes?
Shortcodes are those memorable 5-6 digit numbers you've probably texted before. Think voting for reality TV shows or entering competitions. They're built for one thing: getting your message out to lots of people quickly.
Here's what makes shortcodes tick:
- Easy to remember (usually)
- Handle massive message volumes without breaking a sweat
- Great for alerts, promotions, and announcements
- Generally more expensive than long numbers
- Take longer to set up and get approved
You'll see shortcodes used for emergency alerts, marketing blasts, and any situation where you need to reach thousands of people fast.
What Are Long Numbers?
Long numbers are the everyday heroes of business messaging. They look exactly like regular mobile numbers, which makes customers comfortable replying to them.
Long numbers work best when you need:
- Two-way conversations with customers
- Personal touch in your messaging
- Quick setup (much faster than shortcodes)
- Lower costs for smaller message volumes
- Customer service interactions
The downside? They can't handle the same message volumes as shortcodes, and mobile networks sometimes throttle them if you send too many messages too quickly.
Making the Right Choice
Your messaging goals should drive this decision. Ask yourself what you're actually trying to achieve.
Go with shortcodes if you're:
- Running large marketing campaigns
- Sending alerts to thousands of subscribers
- Building a recognisable brand presence
- Working with high message volumes regularly
Choose long numbers when you:
- Need customers to reply and have conversations
- Want quick setup without lengthy approval processes
- Have smaller subscriber lists
- Prioritise personal customer relationships
Budget matters too. Shortcodes typically cost more upfront and have ongoing fees, while long numbers are cheaper to start with but can get expensive if you're sending huge volumes.
Regional Considerations
Different countries handle shortcodes and long numbers differently. Some regions make shortcodes hard to get or expensive to maintain. Others have specific rules about what you can send from each number type.
Before committing to either option, check what's actually available in your target markets. What works in the UK might not fly in Australia or the US.
Getting Started
Most businesses start with long numbers because they're simpler and cheaper. You can test your messaging strategy, build your subscriber list, and see what kind of response rates you get.
If you outgrow a long number's capacity or need that branded shortcode presence, you can always upgrade later. Just remember that switching number types means updating all your marketing materials and retraining customers on your new number.
FAQs
What's the main difference between shortcodes and long numbers?
Shortcodes are 5-6 digits designed for high-volume, one-way messaging. Long numbers look like regular phone numbers and handle two-way conversations better.
Which costs more to run?
Shortcodes typically have higher setup costs and monthly fees. Long numbers are cheaper to start but costs can add up with high message volumes.
Can I switch from one to the other later?
Yes, but you'll need to update your marketing materials and let customers know about the new number. Plan for some disruption during the transition.
Jargon Buster
Shortcode: A 5-6 digit number used for mass messaging campaigns and high-volume communications.
Long number: A standard-length phone number (10-11 digits) that customers can reply to like a regular mobile number.
Two-way messaging: Communication where both parties can send and receive messages, enabling proper conversations.
Message throughput: How many messages per second a number can handle before networks start delaying delivery.
Wrap-up
Your choice between shortcodes and long numbers comes down to scale and purpose. If you're broadcasting to thousands, shortcodes make sense despite the higher costs. If you want conversations and quick setup, long numbers are your friend.
Don't overthink it though. Most businesses do fine starting with a long number and upgrading if they need to. The important thing is getting your messaging up and running so you can start learning what works for your audience.
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