A short code is a 5-digit number, like 22384, that customers text to reach your business. Short codes power competitions, voting, feedback lines, and any service where customers need to send you a message. Here’s what to know before you apply for one.
Short code vs sender ID
A sender ID lets you send messages under your brand name, but customers can’t reply to it. A short code works both ways: customers can text in, and you can reply. Many businesses use both — a sender ID for alerts and a short code for inbound messages.
Shared short codes
With a shared code, several businesses use the same number and messages are routed by keyword. A customer might text “JOIN” or your brand name to the code. Shared codes are cheaper and faster to launch, which makes them a good fit for pilots, events and smaller campaigns.
Dedicated short codes
A dedicated code belongs to your business alone. You can use any keyword, customers don’t need to remember a keyword at all, and the number itself becomes part of your brand. Dedicated codes cost more and take longer to set up because each network must approve them.
Standard vs premium rate
- Standard rate (free-to-customer or normal SMS rate): customers pay nothing extra, or the normal cost of an SMS. Best for feedback, registration and support.
- Premium rate: customers pay a higher charge per message, shared between the network and the service owner. Used for paid content and some competitions, and subject to strict rules and opt-out requirements.
When a short code is worth it
- SMS voting for shows, awards and events.
- Customer feedback and complaints lines.
- Promotions where customers text a receipt number or code.
- Opt-in lists (“Text JOIN to…”).
If customers will mostly pick from a menu rather than type free text, a USSD code may suit you better.
Get started with Connect Media
Connect Media provides Bulk SMS, USSD and IVR for Kenyan businesses from one dashboard and API. Create an account to start sending, see pricing, or email info@connectmedia.co.ke.
