Mobilozophy is answering your frequently asked questions about mobile marketing.
Are there multiple ways to send SMS messages?
Can a text message be any length?
Why does Mobilozophy limit my messages to less than 160 characters for coupons and notifications?
What is a Common Short Code?
What is the cost and how do I buy a short code?
Is Mobilozophy’s short code certified by all carriers?
What is a keyword?
Where do you get your lists from?
Are there other methods of mobile marketing?
How do I know which channel is right for me?
If I build a mobile application will it work on all phones?
What if any charges do consumers incur?
Are there multiple ways to send SMS messages?
Yes, there are two types: SMTP and SMPP.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), is the same protocol used to send email. Using SMTP, text messages are delivered as email. Via SMTP, messages aren’t sent over the carrier networks and therefore, cannot be tracked. Sending texts over SMTP has a low delivery rate.
Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol. SMPP includes a per-message fee, like a toll, to connect and send messages directly through a carrier network. Commonly, a marketer must work with an aggregator who is approved by the carriers to utilize their networks for delivering SMS, which then can be tracked. The delivery rate for sending messages via SMPP is usually 99 percent.
Can a text message be any length?
The standard character limitation for SMS messages is 160 characters in length, which includes spaces, hyphens, numbers, punctuation, etc. Depending on the carrier, if you exceed the maximum number of characters messages may be divided into two separate texts.
Why does Mobilozophy limit my messages to less than 160 characters for coupons and notifications?
Mobilozophy makes concerted efforts to adhere to the Mobile Marketing Associations’ Best Practices; therefore, we have developed our system to automatically insert certain language as advised by the MMA and required by carriers.
What is a Common Short Code?
Common Short Codes (CSCs) are a compilation of five to six digits, that mobile subscribers can send a text and receive mobile content. You can license a random or vanity code. A vanity code is a number that stands for something, for example, 28766 = CUPON. All short codes need to be approved by participating carriers, such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint.
What is the cost and how do I buy a short code?
You cannot buy a short code out-right, it must be leased from the Common Short Code Agency (CSCA), however, Mobilozophy can assist you through the process. The cost to lease a random CSC is $500 a month, while a vanity CSC is $1000 a month.
Is Mobilozophy’s short code certified by all carriers?
Mobilozophy’s short code 28766 (CUPON) is certified by the following carriers: T-Mobile, AT&T Verizon, Sprint/Nextel/Boost, Alltel, Dobson, US Cellular, Cellular South, Virgin, nTelos, Rural, Cellcom, Immix, and the Eastern Kentucky Network.
What is a keyword?
Keywords are designated words that are used to distinguish individual mobile campaigns. When you send a keyword to a CSC you will get back information related to that specific campaign. For example, if you texted BEACH to 28766 you would get back info on beaches in Florida.
Where do you get your lists from?
Marketers must obtain consent from consumers before sending content via their mobile device. So, no we don’t provide a list of names and mobile numbers. By integrating a call-to-action within your marketing materials, such as Text DEMO to 28766, you provide the opportunity for consumers to participate in your program, thus building your mobile database. Once a person opts-in to your program, you may send them future messages, unless they stop your program by opting-out.
Are there other methods of mobile marketing?
Absolutely! Mobile websites and mobile applications are great for mobile marketing. Building a mobile website offers you an additional presence beyond the desktop, and mobile applications consist of software that uses a mobile device’s own capabilities, such as its camera and GPS to offer a feature-rich user experience.
How do I know which channel is right for me?
It is important to us that you succeed in implementing mobile in your marketing initiatives. With our Mobile Marketing Campaign Services, we will review your marketing plans to help you decide which channel(s) are best for meeting your goals.
If I build a mobile application, will it work on all phones?
No, a mobile application is built to work on an individual phone operating system. We build the apps for the most common phone operating systems: iPhone, Blackberry, and Android systems.
What, if any, charges do consumers incur?
The most common messaging programs are standard rate and premium rate. For standard rate programs, consumers are charged their basic message and data fees in accordance with their carrier data plan. They do not incur charges from content providers.
For premium rate programs, consumers incur a charge by the program provider to receive specific content such as score alerts and ringtones, in addition to the standard messaging and data rates applied by their carrier.
Do you have a mobile marketing question you’d like answered? Contact us or use #AskMobilozophy!