What Is SMS Enabled? Find Out How to Have an SMS Enabled Phone

Do you have an SMS-enabled phone? Are you sure what an SMS-enabled number is? Even if you think you know this type of phone, there may be aspects you aren’t yet aware of. We’re here to make sure you walk away with a better understanding of SMS-enabled and its meaning.

SMS-enabled phone numbers are becoming more common every day. They’re a common component of multi-channel marketing solutions and embedded communications for services and apps. If you’ve ever had a text from a business about a confirmed payment or a message about a new offer from a store, it came from an SMS-enabled phone number.

People prefer text messages from businesses based on the open and response rates. Nine out of 10 texts are read within three seconds, which is impressive for those who send out marketing this way. In addition, text messages can be used for all sorts of reasons. You can send notifications, customer service responses, discounts, and other information to customers on the fly.

What Is SMS? What About MMS?

SMS is an abbreviation for Short Message Service. It was invented in the 1980s and is one of the oldest technologies used for texting. It’s also the most commonly and frequently used by people for texting purposes. People send text messages frequently and receive them just as often.

On the other hand, MMS is short for Multimedia Messaging Service. It uses the same tech as SMS but can send more than text. An MMS can include images, videos, GIFs, audio, and more. The most common use for MMS is to send photos to other people. However, it’s highly versatile when you need to share more than a message with text.

SMS and MMS typically use a cellular network, so a wireless plan is needed to send them. The traditional SMS message can be up to 160 characters per text message. However, if the message is longer, it will be broken up into parts and sent to the recipient. This is usually done automatically, but this varies by carrier.

MMS messages have no specific limit. However, carriers can create their limits. There also may be limits depending on the device receiving the text. Most carriers will only send messages of 300 KB or less. There are some exceptions to this general rule.

What Does SMS-Enabled Mean?

It may not surprise you to learn that the fastest-growing communication channel on a global level is text messaging. Companies constantly engage with customers effectively and instantly through messages on their smartphones and other mobile devices. You likely have some texts of this type on your phone.

Most people think of SMS-enabled phones and envision their smartphones. This isn’t wrong. However, it’s not the only type of SMS-enabled phone available. Virtual numbers can also be used rather than those provided by a specific carrier.

The idea is that IP-based tech allows companies to transfer texts and calls, which is less expensive than doing so from a standard mobile number. If you’re asking, “Is my phone SMS-enabled?” the answer is typical yes. Most mobile phones can receive and send text messages. However, things can be a bit more complicated for businesses.

What Distinguishes a Normal Phone Number from an SMS-Enabled Phone Number?

They aren’t entirely different. The main distinguishing feature is that a network provides one number, and the other is a virtual number/DID. When you use virtual numbers, texts can be sent and received locally, even if you’re across the world from that specific location.

Let’s look at an example to simplify this for you. Perhaps you run a business outside the United States, but some customers are from Australia. When you have an SMS-enabled Australian cell number, you can text people in that country as if they weren’t an ocean away from your physical location.

What to Know About Short Codes vs. Long Codes

Short codes and long codes are two different varieties of telephone numbers. An SMS short code is shorter than average and usually spans five to six digits. On the other hand, an SMS long code is more like a traditional phone number. These are typically ten numbers but can be longer depending on your location.

Usually, short codes are utilized when a business wants its number to be super easy to remember. Examples include utility providers and banks who send out texts about bills and balances. Most of the time, these will come from a five to six-digit number, which makes it brief and easy to remember.

This isn’t the only example of short codes, however. Emergency service numbers are good examples of short codes people use daily. Remembering 911 (or 112 or 999, depending on location) is much simpler than keeping a 10-digit number available.

Do SMS-Enabled Landline Phones Exist?

Yes. Text-to-landline (TTL) allows businesses to receive and send text messages using ten digital business phone numbers. Once the landline phone has been SMS-enabled, you can receive and respond to texts sent to that number. It ensures you take advantage of opportunities.

Benefits of SMS-Enabled Landlines

Before we delve into the benefits of a landline that can be used for texts, let’s look at a few relevant statistics. About 90% of customers prefer businesses to text them instead of making a phone call. In addition, 85% want to start their conversations with companies using text messages. Another 77% positively perceive the brands that utilize landline texting.

Having SMS-enabled text ensures you don’t miss out on messages when customers inadvertently text a landline number. Text enabling the landline ensures every message makes it to you.

When you have another avenue to receive texts, it can lead to elevated messages and more business. If your landline allows texts, prospects, and customers can contact you and place orders whenever they like without needing an additional number.

Beyond that, text-enabled landlines provide you with additional flexibility. When a landline can work with texts, you can send out mass texts or text back and forth with customers and clients. Text forwarding can also keep all your texts in one place to easily organize replies and questions.

Reasons to Use SMS-Enabled Phone Numbers for a Business

There are many options for using SMS-enabled phone numbers as a part of your company’s business communications strategy. Many people use these numbers for the following purposes:

• Create brand awareness
• Promote time-sensitive offers
• Improve customer service
• Elevate purchase intent
• Build customer loyalty
• Decrease the costs and volume of call centers
• Activate traditional media and make it easier to measure

However, there’s a primary reason to choose SMS-enabled phone numbers above all these other benefits. It provides you with less expensive contracts and costs than you would expect from a typical provider.

How Esendex Can Help With Your Marketing Texts on an SMS-Enabled Phone

Having SMS-enabled phone numbers can make life easier for anyone who runs a business or organization. When you take advantage of our services at Esendex, this is easier than you might expect. We offer both short code and long code options depending on your needs. We also provide an SMS API that can be used to streamline your text marketing efforts.

What else do you get to make texting easier and more efficient? We provide:

• Two-way SMS
• Appointment reminders through text
• Scheduled messages
• Autoresponders
• Even two-factor authentication for use by your customers

If you’re ready to move to an SMS-enabled phone number, contact us to get started.