If you're developing an SMS marketing campaign, you should feel excited. You now have a whole new way to engage your customers. However you have a lot of work to do to ensure it's successful. Not only do you need to decide who you're going to target, you must also figure out what short codes to implement.

Short Codes Defined
Short codes are simple ways for customers to engage with brands and vice versa. When managers send readers messages, such as deals or promotions, recipients need a quick way to answer. Short codes make this happen.

"Short codes are simple ways for customers to engage with brands and vice versa."

These codes are about five to six digits long. Readers opt into the campaign and respond to short codes by sending a company-approved word or phrase. That could be a simple "yes" or a random word generated by the business.

Short code sms can be shared or dedicated. Many companies use shared short codes because they cut down on costs. Dedicated short codes are owned by one company and, as you might expect, are much more expensive.

How to Choose a Dedicated Short Code
You can choose your short code, but remember, there is a difference between dedicated and shared codes. If you're eyeing a specific shared code, there's a good chance another company is using it. Dedicated short codes are exclusive and have a number of keywords assigned to it that other businesses, namely competitors, can't use. 

Finally, consider the type of short code you'll use. While companies once leaned on short codes that spelled a word, today more are choosing ones that customers can easily remember. It's best to take this approach. To learn how to set up short codes, talk to a third party.