Process to Get a US Short Code

1. Begin by leasing your Short Code

There are two options to select from for the Short Code your users will message to a: Non-vanity Short Code and Vanity Short Code. A Non-Vanity Short Code is a randomized number chosen by the Short Code Registry that costs about $500 per month.

The second option is the Vanity Short Code number which is a 5-digit to 6-digit number selected by the company itself. The allure of the vanity Short code option is the non-randomness of the number as it could improve the chances that the user recalls the number or that the number could be relevant to the company branding. For example, Arby’s Short Code number is 27297, which cleverly spells out the company name on the phone keypad and makes it more intuitive to the user when subscribing. Other examples of Vanity short codes could be 12345 and 121212. Compared to the cost of the Non-vanity option, a Vanity short code costs about $1,000 per month to lease with the value that your company would select the number intentionally.

2. Submitting an Application to the Short Code Registry

Now that you have leased a Short code, whether a non-vanity or vanity number, you must submit an application in order to disclose information relevant to your company and expectant purpose of the Short Code number.

For this particular step, there are SMS aggravators that work as a third-party to aid in the process of ensuring the approval of the application. The allure of such a professional is the cost associated with a denied application.

3. Submitting an Application to Wireless Carriers

This process is analogous to the previous step. The only difference between the two steps is that this application goes to the Carriers that would be allowing the messages to be sent with the Short Code you are leasing. There is a variety of information required: Short Code Information, SMS Campaign Type, Billing Information, Marketing Plans and Client Information.