Frequently Asked Questions
What is SMS?
SMS stands for Short Message Service. This is the standard by which all phones send and receive 160 character text messages. ‘Text Messages’ and ‘SMS’ are often used synonymously.
How many characters can I have in my outgoing text messages?
160 is the standard length for SMS text messages.
Do my customers get charged to receive text messages?
Only from their wireless provider, and most wireless carriers include text messaging with their service plans so it is 100% free to the end-user (your customer).
Which wireless carriers work with AvidMobile?
We work with all major carriers across more than 58 countries internationally. In the US and Canada, we provide shared and dedicated short codes, and even long codes. International 2-way and 1-way SMS routes are available as well.
Do I need the AvidMobile API or Application to service my business?
If you are a developer and know how to use an API, then the AvidMobile SMS API will be easy to use. If you have to ask the definition of API, then we have a self-service platform that you can login to in order to create all of your mobile marketing and SMS campaigns yourself.
Once I register a keyword, for how long do I own it?
Your keyword remains in your account for as long as you make the monthly payments. If you cancel your account or fail to make your payment, the keyword becomes available for others to register after 45 days.
How can I upload, or enter mobile phone #’s to one of my marketing lists?
If you have an existing list that you need imported, upload it through the dashboard control panel. Additional subscribers can be added to your list if they opt in to your campaign by sending a text message to your keyword, or they can enter their information right on your website through a web opt-in script you can install provided from AvidMobile.com.
Do I need to put software on my personal computer?
No software is required. You can configure your campaigns through our dashboard that you can access from any computer that is connected to the Internet.
Can I start with a small plan and then upgrade if I need more?
Yes, you can change your plan at anytime. Need more text messages because your customer base is growing rapidly? Call or e-mail in and one of our friendly customer service representatives will change your current plan to the plan that best fits your needs.
Can I cancel my plan at anytime?
We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If our program doesn’t work correctly or if you are not satisfied with our customer support, you can cancel at anytime effective immediately, unless your specific agreement has terms other than month to month. See your specific agreement for terms and conditions.
How often can I send new promotions or alerts to my list?
As often as you like as long as that is less than or equal to the number of messages the end user agreed to receive. This is directly determined by your specific enterprise and business model. We provide full-service consultation to help you communicate with your customers as frequently as possible to monetize the technology without excessive customer annoyance or opt-out.
Do I get charged for incoming text messages?
Not for any of our US Short or Long codes, but in other regions MO rates can apply.
Are there set-up fees to get started?
Set-up charges are determined by your specific account and needs. Call us now to discuss your specific needs and programs.
Can I reserve more than one keyword?
We typically do not limit the number of keywords that you can have on any plan.
Do you have a referral or affiliate program?
Yes. We have multiple affiliate programs designed specifically for resellers or people that just want to refer business. For affiliate marketing opportunities contact us here. We also have a 100% white-labeled program for resellers and media companies who want to be a direct provider of mobile marketing services, but do not want their clients to see AvidMobile at all. The dashboard carries only your logos and information.
What is a Text Opt-In?
Messages must be delivered to a consumer’s mobile device only after the user has opted in to receive them. A user might indicate interest in a program in several ways. This can be accomplished by the user texting in your KEYWORD to the short code. Many businesses have now added a disclaimer in their purchase agreements to their customers expressly stating that by signing the purchase order they are agreeing to accept mobile messages from the business. This is also an acceptable opt-in and these phone numbers can be uploaded for future marketing efforts. The final way to get opt-ins to your mobile database of customers is to install multiple web opt-in scripts on your website. If you have frequent visitors to your site, offer them coupons, specials, reminders, exclusive information, and all they do is type in their phone number. When they type in the phone number they are uploaded into the database automatically.
How do my customers Opt-Out?
Users can Opt-Out at any time by replying STOP to any message they receive.
What is a Short Code?
It is an abbreviated phone number that can be 5 or 6 digits in the US. This 5 or 6 digit number identifies what company and program is sending Business to Consumer (B2C) texts. Whether you want to utilize one of our short or long codes or want to provision your own dedicated code for any country, contact us today and we can review pricing 1-877-511-6624.
Who approves short codes?
Short code programs have to be individually approved by each wireless carrier to prevent spammers. We handle all of these issues for your company.
Do I need my own short code or could I use one of your shared short codes?
It varies by circumstance. Many people can leverage one of our shared short codes at extremely reasonable rates and do everything they need to do in order to both remain compliant and maintain the integrity of their data.
However some circumstances predicate the procurement of your own dedicated short code. We can certainly facilitate your needs here and often even have already provisioned short codes just waiting for the next owner. Contact us today and we can discuss your situation and help you determine whether you need your own short code or could potentially use on of ours plus the costs associated.
Do I need a short code or a long code?
This is a common question we get asked. Short Codes are commonly used for almost every type of SMS text message: marketing, transactional, alerts, notifications, emergency, and more. Short Codes are intended to handle any message that is marketing in nature. If your campaign requires high volumes of messages, then a short code is the best and most reliable option.
SMS Long Codes are more often used for lower volume SMS messages. Some people use them for Web to chat or customer service type functions, transactional alerts, appointment notifications, and more. Long codes are not designed for bulk SMS nor will the carrier provision them for that type of use. We typically recommend less than 200 SMS per day per long code. Thus a business that is going to send thousands, tens of thousands, or even more SMS on a daily basis but wish to use long codes would then secure a bank of long codes and divide traffic between them. This is something that can be easily done with the AvidMobile API.
Is pricing different for long codes and short codes?
The short answer is yes. The setup fee, monthly fee, and message fees are different for long codes and short codes.
AvidMobile does not charge any setup fee for Long Codes. Short Codes have a setup fee that is called the Provisioning fee. This fee covers all of the work and fees passed through by carriers to get carrier approval on a new SMS short code campaign.
Long codes start at $0.75 per code per month. Short Codes have a hosting fee and lease. The hosting fee can vary depending on the program. The lease for a short code is either $500 or $1000 per month depending on whether you get a random or vanity short code. Whether you choose to use long codes or short codes, you still need to work with a company that can help you provision the codes and setup with the carriers, provide the messaging gateways, and application or API to manage your campaigns.
AvidMobile has been in the space for years and has the answers to all of your questions. Long Code, Short Code, SMS Gateway, SMS pricing? Whatever it is, call us today and we can get you answers and up and sending SMS text messages today! Contact us to get answers for all of your questions.
How do I acquire an SMS gateway?
There are many parts that go into sending an SMS message across US carriers, Canadian Carriers, or even carriers worldwide. The gateway to the carriers is the most important element of all of this, but let’s review all of the parts and where you might find them and piece them together.
1. An SMS Application or API
To send a text message locally or internationally, you must first have some ability to deliver it over the internet. If you are a developer, you could be looking for an API that would allow you to provide a DID or phone number and deliver an SMS on demand. If you are not a developer, then you will need somewhere you can login with a username and password and type out a message and deliver it to the phone numbers you desire (This would be called an SMS Application).
2. A short code or long code
For most countries including the US or Canada, to deliver a text message you need a short code or long code. Most application providers or aggregators can provide you with codes to deliver your messages. When a text message is delivered through the SMS gateway to the individual this code will appear in the “From” location on their phone. When you are using 2-way API or Applications your user can even reply to the SMS and you can receive it back to a call-back URL or to the application itself.
3. An SMS Gateway
Aggregators and some Application providers already have contracts with the carriers around the world and can easily and quickly get you set-up to send SMS worldwide. The SMS pricing will be different from region to region in the world, and the ability to get short codes, long codes, or even 2-way will vary based on who you decide to work with for your SMS needs.
To send and receive 2-way SMS or even deliver 1-way MTs through an SMS gateway you need all of the above to make that happen. Fortunately, some providers like AvidMobile have it all and can get you sending SMS messages today in many circumstances.
Plug into our API: www.avidmobile.com/api
Use our application to create and send SMS: www.avidmobile.com/application
Even resell our SMS application and other features: www.avidmobile.com/reseller
The industry’s best SMS pricing bar none. Check us out today or email us for more info at info@avidmobile.com