SMS Short Code Registration: Your Mozeo Guide

SMS messaging via a short code is one of the easiest ways to reach and engage a mass audience.

The part that’s not so easy is the initial setup. Before you can use your short code to send texts, you must complete a lengthy and complex registration process.

Luckily for you, Mozeo specializes in helping businesses lease and register short codes. In this article, we will cover every step involved in registering a short code and explain Mozeo’s role in the process.

Jump right to:

• What is SMS Short Code Registration?
• Benefits of Registered Short Codes
• SMS Short Code Registration Steps
• FAQs About Short Code Registration

<span id=What>What is SMS Short Code Registration?</span>

SMS short code registration is the process businesses must follow before they can begin using their short code to send text messages. The process, which can take 6-8 weeks, involves leasing a short code from the U.S. Short Code registry and submitting a campaign brief to the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) and major wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.).

Each carrier will review your campaign brief independently. Carriers will check to make sure your campaign follows TCPA compliance laws, does not include hateful or age-restricted content, and refrains from deceptive or aggressive marketing tactics.

Using a registered short code guarantees speedy delivery, boosts customer trust, and protects your business from legal complications.

<span id=Benefits>Benefits of Registered Short Codes</span>

Your business can choose between using a standard 10-digit phone number or a 5- or 6-digit short code. While 10-digit long codes (10DLC) are easier to register, they aren’t nearly as reliable and trusted as short codes.

Here are the top reasons why many businesses use registered short codes:

• High Throughput: Short codes support high-volume, high-speed messaging (more than 500 messages per second).
• Trusted Sending: Because of the strict vetting process, carriers will prioritize routing of short codes over 10DLC and toll-free numbers.
• Memorable Number: Short codes are easier for consumers to recognize and remember, so they’ll be more likely to open your text messages.

<span id=Steps>SMS Short Code Registration Steps</span>

A registered short code opens up a whole new communication channel for your business — a channel with no deliverability issues, no risk of legal action, and no reputation damage. Registered short codes ensure reliable, high-speed, compliant delivery, so you can reach thousands of recipients at once.

Ready to register a short code for your business? Here are the steps to make it happen:

1. Choose an Application Service Provider

The very first step in short code registration is choosing an SMS application service provider (ASP), such as Mozeo. An ASP serves as the bridge between your business and mobile carriers, making it possible for you to use short codes for SMS marketing.

An ASP like Mozeo will assist you in the registration process, helping you to:

• Choose and lease a short code
• Prepare the campaign brief for carrier approval

Ensure compliance with TCPA laws and CTIA guidelines

• Submit your documentation to all major carriers
• Handle questions and revision requests from carriers

Once your short code is approved, the ASP handles the provisioning of your short code. This involves providing the technical infrastructure needed to route messages across mobile networks. Finally, the ASP will activate your short code, allowing you to begin sending texts.

Most ASPs (including Mozeo) provide a built-in platform for sending and managing SMS campaigns, but you also have the option to integrate with a third-party SMS marketing platform.

2. Pick Your Short Code Type 

There are two types of short codes: random and vanity. Random short codes are less expensive, starting at $1,000 per month. Vanity short codes cost more ($1,500 per month), but you get to choose your digits. Customers might have an easier time remembering your short code if you choose repeating digits (222444) or digits that spell your brand name or a relevant word (78953 spells STYLE).

To check short code availability, visit the Find a Short Code page of the U.S. Short Codes Registry website.

3. Apply to Lease Short Code

The short code lease application requires you to provide information about your organization, how you intend to use the short code, and how you will comply with TCPA and CTIA guidelines. Your ASP (Mozeo) will assist you in completing the short code application. 

Be prepared to provide the following information for your short code lease application:

• Company Information: Company name, physical address, website, point of contact details, etc.
  ‍
• SMS Program Details: Message type (promotional, transactional, sweepstakes), use case (marketing, customer support, 2FA, account notifications, etc.), per-user message frequency, message examples
  ‍
• Opt-in Mechanism: A description of how you will collect SMS consent (text-to-join keyword with double opt-in, checkbox on a form, etc.)
  ‍
• Opt-out Language: Provide examples of your opt-out instructions (“Reply STOP to unsubscribe from texts.”)
  ‍
• Legal Information: Terms and Conditions URL, Privacy Policy URL

4. Submit Application to Mobile Carriers

Once you have completed your short code application, your ASP (Mozeo) will submit the application to mobile carriers. Each mobile carrier will thoroughly review your application to ensure your campaign complies with all relevant regulations. Mozeo will handle any questions or revision requests from carriers.

After reviewing your application, carriers will connect your short code to their network for testing. Once all carriers have given final approval, your short code is activated.

5. Test Short Code 

Before giving you the green light to begin using your short code, your ASP (Mozeo) will perform additional testing to ensure everything works properly. This is the final step in helping your business adhere to compliance guidelines and provide a great user experience.

Mozeo will test your opt-in and opt-out processes, keyword functionality, message routing and deliverability, high-throughput capacity, and more.

6. Go Live 

Finally, once your short code has been approved by carriers, provisioned across networks, and thoroughly tested, your ASP (Mozeo) will give you the go-ahead to start texting. Once you go live with your short code, you can use Mozeo’s user-friendly SMS platform to build subscriber lists, launch mass texting campaigns, and track key metrics.

<span id=How>How Mozeo Helps Your Business Get Short Codes Registered</span>

The SMS short code registration process is lengthy and complex — but Mozeo makes it easy!

Mozeo’s top-notch customer service team will help you every step of the way. We’ll begin by gaining a deep understanding of your business and SMS campaign goals. Next, we’ll put together a winning application, submit it to all major carriers, and handle any questions and revision requests from the carriers. 

Once your short code is approved and ready to use, Mozeo will continue to support your SMS initiatives with compliance settings, campaign-building tools, and analytics.

<span id=FAQ>Frequently Asked Questions About Short Code Registration</span>

How Long Does it Take to Register a Short Code?

The short code registration process typically takes 6-8 weeks. This timeline can vary based on carrier workload, the complexity of your use case, and whether carriers require revisions to your application.

How Much Does Leasing a Short Code Cost?

The cost of leasing a vanity short code starts at $1,000 per month. Random short codes are less expensive, starting at $500 per month.

What’s the Easiest Way to Register a Short Code

The easiest way to register a short code is to work with an application service provider (ASP) like Mozeo. Your ASP will help you with every step of the process: filling out the application, submitting it to carriers, answering carrier questions and making requested revisions, and ensuring your short code is functioning properly across all networks.

Get Stress Free Short Code Registration With Mozeo

Short codes are crucial for businesses that need to send a high volume of SMS messages at once. However, before you can start texting, you must undergo a long and complex registration process to get your short code approved by mobile carriers.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Mozeo makes short code procurement and registration a breeze. We’ll learn about your business, put together a compliant and pristine application, and work with carriers until your short code is approved and ready to use.

Ready for a short code? Pick Mozeo as your service provider and we’ll make it happen! Get started today with Mozeo.