SMS short code texting service

Get more messaging power and brand recognition by sending SMS and MMS from a memorable five or six-digit phone number.

  • Generate more opt-ins with a number your customers recognize and trust.
  • Access more message volume at high speeds.
  • Make the provisioning process easy with an experienced team.
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SimpleTexting is the SMS short code service trusted by top brands
Starbucks is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Cisco is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
LEGOLAND is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Century 21 is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Samsung is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Stanford University is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Chick-fil-A is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Marriott is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
Kaplan is using SimpleTexting for Text Marketing Services
What is an SMS short code?

What is an SMS short code?

A short code is a five- or six-digit phone number that is typically used for mass text messaging, SMS marketing, and automated texts. Short codes are easier to remember than traditional numbers and can send more messages per minute.

Your audience can text a word or phrase (known as a keyword) to your SMS short code to opt into your text message marketing program. Then you’re ready to start sending text campaigns at scale.🚀

SMS short codes are now synonymous with dedicated short codes. A dedicated short code is a five- to six-digit number for a single organization — thus, a short code dedicated to only one brand. Until early 2022, several brands could share the same short code and manage their contacts by opt-in text-to-join keywords, but now carriers only allow dedicated short codes to cut down on spam.
    “If you’re considering SimpleTexting, I highly recommend it. As a marketer, and someone who consults with multiple different types of businesses, the support that you get is wonderful. And I find the design of the platform allows you to move and experiment very quickly.”
    Jackelyn Dacanay

    Jackelyn Dacanay

    Marketing Director, Bella Santé

    The benefits of a dedicated short code

    You might wonder why short codes are the best choice for you and your business, or what text marketing has to offer. Let’s cover a few highlights.

    Professional branding 

    A dedicated short code communicates to your audience that you’re a well-established organization with defined branding. This helps subscribers trust you and pay attention to your messages.

    High-speed messaging

    Dedicated short codes give you access to higher volumes of messages (and more messages per minute) than other number types so you’re never limited in what or how much you can send.

    Potential for fast growth

    With a short, easy-to-remember number (which draws more subscribers) and superior messaging volume and speed, you can easily scale your text marketing program to meet your larger goals. 

    “Honestly, we’re connecting with people. Information is getting in front of those who need it, in a way that other communication strategies couldn’t do. If they’re contacted via text message there’s a guarantee that they’ll be reached.”
    Mike Billeter

    Mike Billeter

    Communication Director, Central Church

    How to make the most of your short code

    Short codes’ speed, volume, and ease of texting make them especially useful for situations like:

    Short codes simplify text-to-join, text-to-vote, and text-to-win campaigns by giving participants an easier-to-remember number to text. For example, Welstand Boutique uses a short code for a 10% off text-to-join promotion.
    Keyword campaigns
    Short codes let businesses send automated two-factor authentication texts faster and in larger volumes, making a better experience for users. And SimpleTexting has an API for you to integrate into your website or app.
    Two-factor authentication
    Get alerts out quickly with a short code. For instance, the Greater Easton Development Partnership sent texts to keep event attendees informed in the moment.
    Real-time alerts
    When your best route of communication is for someone to text you, short codes can help you share downloadable content. Take In-telligent’s app and Gifyyy’s photobooth photos as examples of resources you can share with a short code text.
    Downloadable content sharing
    Did you know that according to our data, appointment and reservation reminders are the top reason consumers sign up for texts from businesses? Use our scheduled texts and integrations to send reminders from your short code.
    Reminders
    On top of the uses above, short codes work well for any message you want to send to a massive number of people. Life Is Beautiful increased the delivery rate for its 200,000-person list from 21% to 98% simply by switching to a short code.
    Communication with massive contact lists

    How to get a dedicated short code for business texting

    With SimpleTexting, you get expert help every step of the way. We’ll work directly with you and the wireless carriers to get your SMS short code up and running.

    Choose your number
    Decide whether you’ll lease a random or vanity code based on your budget and goals for your organization. Get in touch with our team to get started.

    Complete your service approval form
    We’ll work together to provide a few key details about your organization, how you intend to use your short code, and what type of messages you’ll send.

    Provision and test your number
    We’ll connect with an aggregator and submit a joint form with your help. You’ll have to outline how you plan to stay compliant. They’ll issue their final approval or give you feedback so we can re-submit.

    Launch your marketing campaign
    You’re ready to start using your new dedicated short code! Our easy-to-use platform gives you all the features you need to run a successful text marketing campaign.
    “Since I’ve implemented SimpleTexting text campaigns into my daily tasks, we’ve had increased appointments with agents in our area so that we can help them grow — and we can help our company grow to an even larger scale.”
    Emily Gannon

    Emily Gannon

    Recruiter and Global Sales Coordinator, Weichert Realtors

    Short code texting vs. long code texting

    What’s the difference between texting with a short code and texting with a local or toll-free number? We’ve set up an easy table to show you the key points of each.

    A chart showing the difference between short code and long code texting

    Why choose SimpleTexting?

    We know there are plenty of text marketing platforms out there that offer short codes, so why should we be your pick?

    Experts who’ve done this a few thousand times
    The short code provisioning process is complex. You’re going to want a co-pilot who’s navigated the process plenty of times before. We’ve helped thousands of business owners lease their short codes.

    Help with registration every step of the way
    You don’t have to figure out how to provision your short code alone. Just contact our team, and we’ll walk you through the process.

    Best-in-class customer support seven days a week
    Our support team is made up of real people who are rooting for your success, and we’re around every day to make it happen.

    Ease of use
    We pride ourselves on being user-friendly for both SMS marketing beginners and veterans. We also offer demo videos for our most popular features and plenty of resources to help you get started.

    Fast speed to value
    You can get up and running ASAP with SimpleTexting. No unnecessary waiting or long processes, just SMS success.

    Proven partnership
    Our data tells us that 67% of businesses plan to increase their text marketing budget in 2025. If that includes you, partnering with us ensures faster success.

    “It’s very reasonably priced and easy to use. We were able to get up and running quickly.”
    Todd Spangler

    Todd Spangler

    Parts Manager, Nissan of Columbus

    Types of dedicated short codes

    Random Short Codes 

    As the name suggests, random short codes are randomly assigned five- or six-digit numbers. Businesses frequently use random codes for short code texting because they are the cheapest of the two options starting at $1,000 per month.

    Vanity short codes

    A dedicated vanity short code makes your number extra memorable because it can be customized to your brand. For example, a dance studio could use the short code 32623 to spell out the word DANCE.
    Some businesses prefer using vanity numbers because they are easier to remember and simplify tools like text-to-join.
    Vanity short codes start at $1,500 per month.

    Frequently asked questions about short code texting

    Still have a question about texting with short codes or our short code service? Here are some of the most common questions we hear from customers and our answers.

    How much does it cost to have a dedicated short code?

    Using a short code involves upfront costs and ongoing costs. Let’s break down what both look like for SimpleTexting users.

    First, you’ll need to pay a one-time setup fee of $2,500. This covers number registration and provisioning.

    From there, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee starting at $1,000 for a random short code and $1,500 for a vanity short code. On top of that, Canadian users will need to pay a carrier fee for each inbound and outbound text.

    Don’t forget the cost of your texting service – at SimpleTexting, our plans start at $29 per month.

    Short codes are pricier than other number types, but their speed and ease of texting make them worth it for many businesses.
    You can text from a short code number using a texting service like SimpleTexting after you register for the number. Short codes require a texting service instead of a regular texting app because there needs to be a clear link between the number and its associated organization.
    Short codes have five to six digits, while long codes like toll-free and local numbers have 10. Also, short codes tend to have much higher registration and upkeep fees than other number types in exchange for faster delivery speeds and higher message volumes.
    As long as you register your short code number, it’s 100% legal to text with one. In fact, the registration process helps you stay compliant and keeps you out of carrier spam filtering, making it more compliant than texting from an unregistered local number.

    Try business texting for free

    See what it’s like to use our short code texting app before you commit. Get a free 14-day trial (no credit card required) so you can get a short code from a service you have experience with.

    Published: September 17th 2025