Requirements for Short Code approval

Mackenzie Daudfar
Mackenzie Daudfar

You have heard about SMS short codes and you receive them all the time. Your business acquaintances brag about the delivery they are getting and the money they are making. You want in.

What are the requirements? Let Foxie help to explain.

The SMS landscape is always changing and it is difficult for even seasoned professionals to stay on top of things. 

Compared to other types of SMS messaging like Toll-Free or 10DLC, short codes are more heavily regulated, take longer to get approved, and are slightly more expensive. But they are worth it!

To begin your short code journey, you must lease a five or 6-digit short code. Regulations then require that you fill out a lengthy short code application, explaining who you are and how you plan to use the short code. Next is the provisioning process, which entails getting approval from every network carrier in the United States. 

Sound complicated? It is. Foxie has this down to a science and will guide you every step of the way.

Below are a few requirements that must be met to get approved for a short code. It’s a different and much cleaner and more efficient way of sending, so let Foxie walk you through the entire process. You need to demonstrate a clear call-to-action (CTA). A clear CTA must describe exactly what information will be sent to your customers once they sign up and agree to receive messages. 

A clear CTA should include:

  • The company and program name
  • A description of the program
  • Opt-in and out instructions
  • How often they will be receiving messages
  • Instructions on how to contact customer support
  • Additional carrier cost and message and data rates

These are very important to help ensure customers recognize promotional and transactional messages. 

Each short code application you submit for approval must include a template of the content you plan to send. The CTIA will approve one of these three types of messages:

  • One-time messages – These transactional, non-recurring messages are triggered when a recipient replies with a keyword, which should result in a single and immediate text message.
  • Recurring messages – These are subscription-based communications that require the customer to opt-in to receive multiple ongoing messages. These messages must include clear opt-out instructions in the very first communication.
  • Two-factor authentication – These communications are used to verify the identity of a customer by a third-party service using a combination of two of the following: a password, a mobile phrase or a fingerprint.

The CTIA maintains a consistent user experience for everyone by following the above guidelines.

Whew……that’s a lot of information to absorb and navigate. But don’t worry because at Foxie we know what works and what doesn't.

Are you ready to drastically improve communication with your employees and customers?

Foxie has developed FoxieEngage, which is a single platform that gives you the ability to chat, respond to social media questions, text, talk, and communicate with your staff, customers, and vendors…all on their terms and in the way they choose to communicate with you.

FoxieEngage is what your business needs and what your customers and employees have been yearning for.

Be more engaged with your customers and employees...call us at 866-BE-ENGAGED (866-233-6424), text START to FOXIE (36943) or email me at mdaudfar@foxie.com.

We are looking forward to engaging with you soon!