---
title: "Case Study: SMS for Business - Short Codes vs Long Codes"
description: "Case Study: SMS for Business - Short Codes vs Long Codes"
---

[Blog | TextUs™ ](https://blog.textus.com)

# [Case Study: SMS for Business - Short Codes vs Long Codes](https://blog.textus.com/case-study-sms-for-business-short-codes-vs-long-codes)

 Written by [TextUs Team](https://blog.textus.com/author/textus-team) | Apr 29, 2016 5:30:00 PM

#### We’ve all gotten texts like this before.

**Shortcode text: **Win a brand new Porsche! Text VROOM to 27272!

Even if you’re into the idea of driving around in your new Porsche, you probably don’t look forward to getting these texts.********

#### Companies tell us again and again: *We tried text messaging and it doesn’t work!*

But, most of the time, they’ve tried ***short-code text messaging***** -- mass, impersonal, one-way communication** -- like the text above.

**Long-code text:** *"**Hey Michelle, we are scheduling interviews for the CNO position. Would 9, 12, or 3 work best for you on Friday?"*

****  
****

There’s a better way. **Long-code text messaging is personalized, directed, two-way communication**.

#### Long code is the ideal form of [business texting](https://textus.com/) for your sales team.

Thinking of adding texting to your business communication strategy? Long codes and short codes are as different as cell phones and pagers. Let’s break it down. 

#### What is short-code text messaging?

- Five- or six-digit numbers used for texting in high volume
- Good for sending promotions, alerts, and offers
- Customers can’t communicate back in any meaningful way
- Automated keywords only option for response

**Shortcode text:** Want $10,000? Text WINWIN to 85558.

**Response:** *"STOP"*

**Shortcode automated response:** *"**You have been unsubscribed from I Like 2 Win."*

No wonder your text messaging campaign didn’t get results!

 

##### <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-whetten/the-death-of-mass-marketi_b_226716.html>

#### [Mass marketing is dead](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-whetten/the-death-of-mass-marketi_b_226716.html). Impersonal, generalized communication simply doesn’t work anymore. Today’s customers expect valuable content with a personal touch.

 

#### What is long code text messaging?

- 10-digit number that looks like a traditional phone number
- Tied to a text-enabled phone line, routed through a phone or an app on your computer
- Use it for texting, voice calls, and more

 

#### Firms use long-code texting to connect with their clients in a meaningful way.

 

## **Face-off!**

#### Long Code vs. Short Code

| **Feature** | **Long-Code Texting** | **Short-Code Texting** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Communication ** | Two-way personalized communication | One-way mass communication |
| **Phone number** | 10-digit number, similar to a traditional phone number Regular business phone number can be text-enabled | 5- or 6-digit number Regular business phone number cannot be text-enabled |
| **Set-up** | Set up is quick and easy, and you may up and running with a long code number in **as little as four hours** | Set up to run a short code campaign is lengthy, usually **four months**, and requires approval from multiple carriers |
| **Price** | Usually less than $100 per month | $500 - $1000 monthly leasing fee, plus additional messaging fees and monthly keyword fees |
| **Recipient fees** | End user charged only their standard messaging fees | End user may incur additional fees, including recurring monthly charges |
| **Reach** | Usable across wireless carriers International capabilities | Approval at the discretion of individual wireless carriers; approval process lengthy Use limited to the country of origin; each country in a campaign requires a unique number |
| **Capabilities** | Use the same phone number for voice calls, fax, and text | No voice or fax capabilities |
| **Convenience** | Clients can call the number you text them from | Clients cannot call the number you text them from |
| **Longevity** | Purchased for the long term and owned in the same way a company owns any telephone number | Leased for at most 12 months before renewal is required; shared short codes can simultaneously be used by other companies, such as your competition**** **** |

## **Set-up **

#### Setting up a short code: Notoriously difficult

- Request a short code from Common Short Code Association (CSCA).
- Commit to paying a leasing fee for three, six, or 12 months,  just to *register* your short code number, [regardless of whether any wireless carriers approve your campaign](https://www.usshortcodes.com/info/get_a_short_code/start_sms_marketing_campaign/)
- Submit your campaign proposal to each wireless carrier, who may accept or reject your proposal, it’s up to them
- Can’t text any clients whose wireless carrier rejects your plan
- Get campaign itself vetted by the CSCA
- **Process usually takes four months**

#### Setting up a long code: Super easy

- Fill out a form online or make a call
- **Be texting in as little as four hours**

 

## **Pricing**

#### Short codes: Expensive

- [$1000/month for a dedicated short code number](https://www.usshortcodes.com/info/get_a_short_code/start_sms_marketing_campaign/)
- $500/month for a shared short code you might share with your competitor
- Often additional per-message and keyword fees

#### Long codes: Affordable

- $20/month - $200/month
- Usually unlimited texting

#### Leasing and running a three-month short-code campaign can cost more than an entire year of unlimited long-code service.

 

## **Use**

#### Short codes: Mass blasts. Opt-in required.

- Promotions and deals
- Bill reminders
- Emergency notifications
- Weather updates
- Traffic updates
- Security notifications
- Sweepstakes and contests
- Voting

#### Long codes: Personalized communication. No opt-in required.

- Sending appointment reminders
- Confirming appointment times
- Gathering customer information
- Providing targeted, valuable content
- Informing clients of opportunities
- Troubleshooting product or service problems
- Customer service chats

Clients can use long code to:

- Ask product questions
- Update contact information
- Inquire about service changes
- Confirm appointments
- Notify of late arrivals
- Solicit sales advice

#### Two-way texting is what customers and clients are used to. It’s as convenient as personal text and provides the professionalism of email.

 

#### Short codes: old school communication.

In our [recent study of staffing and recruiting firms](https://start.textus.com/staffingbenchmarkingreport), we found that slow-growth firms use text messaging in a short code way: for mass, impersonal blasts.

#### Long codes: business communication of the future.

**Fast-growth firms use [business text messaging](https://textus.com/) in the long code style**: personalized, one-to-one, value-added business communication.

Want more on business texting? Check out our [Definitive Guide to Business Texting](https://textus.com/business-texting/definitive-guide-business-texting/).

** **

 

[View full post](https://blog.textus.com/case-study-sms-for-business-short-codes-vs-long-codes)

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