10DLC vs. Short Code: Which Is Better for Your Messaging Needs?

Short Codes.

Toll-free numbers.

10DLC A2P numbers.

Ummm… three types of SMS marketing numbers are available!

Are you confused about which type of number you should choose to skyrocket your business’s ROI?

Don’t worry! You’re not alone. Even savvy marketers get confused about it.

Although all numbers seem similar on the surface, these SMS marketing numbers vary in terms of use cases, price, technical capabilities, etc. Therefore, before you jump into SMS marketing, you must first understand the difference between 10DLC vs Short Codes and how both numbers can impact the success of your SMS marketing strategy.

So, if you are wondering what is a 10DLC number, Short Codes, and the difference between Short Code vs 10DLC, you have come to the right place. This guide explains everything, along with the pros and cons and use cases. It will help you decide which is the perfect fit for your business needs.

So, without thinking much, let’s get started.

What is a Short Code?

A dedicated SMS short code is a 5 to 6-digit number that lets businesses send SMS and MMS to their customers. Short Code is short, as its name suggests. They are half the length of 10DLC numbers. That’s why they are easy to remember. These Short Codes are used for bulk texting, customer service, promotional messages, marketing campaigns, and customer service. Usually, in SMS marketing, shared Short Codes and dedicated Short Codes are used. Short Codes are often used for one-way communications, such as alerts or reminders, which businesses don’t expect customers to revert to.

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Let’s briefly understand various types of Short Codes.

1. Dedicated Short Code

Dedicated short codes are exclusive to one business or brand. Therefore, the brand or business has complete control over it. As it offers high security and reliability, businesses can use it to send notifications, provide customer service, or run large-scale marketing campaigns.

For example,

Text “PIZZA” to 34567.

These dedicated short codes are further classified into two types.

Vanity short codes – Numbers that spell about the specific brand. It contains repeating or consecutive numbers. For example, a short code for a dance studio, 32623, spells out DANCE.

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Random Short Codes – Numbers are generated randomly, so they are difficult to remember and costly as compared to vanity short codes. For example, you can use a random code like 358679 to run an SMS marketing campaign to promote your product/service.

2. Shared Short Code

Multiple brands or businesses can share Shared Short Code. Businesses or brands can use it across multiple campaigns to get consumer feedback, for smaller campaigns, or to promote their brand/business.

For example,

Healthcare, e-commerce Retail, and Insurance brands can share the code 12345. They can use unique keywords, such as Text “PRODUCTS” to 12345 to get a list of products or Text “SECURE” to 12345 to get information about insurance schemes.

What is a 10-digit Long Code or 10DLC Number?

There are two main types of long codes.

1. Toll-free numbers
2. 10DLC numbers.

Toll-free numbers are mainly used for calling purposes but support two-way messaging, MMS, SMS, and voice. Usually, it begins with a prefix three-digit area codes such as 800, 877, 833, 844, or 855, etc. These text-enabled toll-free numbers are affordable and quick to get. Its registration process is free, and as it does not require an EIN or TAX ID, even very small businesses can easily register for it. Even these numbers do not have daily limits for sending messages like 10DLC and offer higher messaging speed compared to 10DLC. They are ideal for offering customer support through text or to receive calls.

For example,

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If so many benefits exist, why do businesses use 10DLC numbers?

Toll-free numbers don’t give a personal feel from the brand perspective as they start with a generic code like 800 number. That’s why businesses won’t get as much engagement as 10DLC numbers.

What are these 10DLC numbers?

A 10DLC or A2P 10DLC is the 10-digit phone number (example: 401-430-2000) used in the US for business messaging. It relates to Application-to-Person messaging, which lets applications such as Textdrip send SMS to users. They’re simple and quicker to set up.

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Businesses or brands don’t have to spend higher setup and monthly costs for it. Using 10DLC, businesses can send text messages using a local phone number instead of a personal mobile device. These 10DLC codes let businesses send large quantities of text messages at an affordable rate. In 10DLC, a specific local area code is used to make the person receiving the message feel more personable.

However, to use a 10DLC number, businesses/brands must undergo a special registration process and adhere to the US messaging guidelines. These 10DLC numbers are ideal for two-way communication, appointment reminders, personalized offers, and consumer-focused initiatives.

Key Difference Between 10DLC and Short Codes: Detailed Comparison

Let’s understand how 10DLC and Short Codes differ, their pros and cons, and when you should choose 10DLC over Short Codes.

10DLC Vs Short Codes: Difference

10DLC Vs Short Code: Pros and Cons

Let’s check out a few pros and cons of 10DLC and Short Code.

10DLC: Pros and Cons

Pros

• 10DLC is more affordable, so it is an attractive option for SMBs with tight budgets.
• 10DLC numbers improve SMS engagement rate as getting a message from the 10-digit number with the local area code feels more personal as compared to receiving the text from the 5 or 6-digit Short Codes.
• 10DLCs cost much less as compared to dedicated short codes. Even in many cases, they are free.
• The setup and final approval time for 10DLC is around three to ten business days.

Cons

• 10DLC numbers are not as convenient as the dedicated Short Codes as they are longer numbers.
• Registered 10DLC numbers offer a throughput of around 150 messages/minute, which is lower than short codes. Even unregistered 10DLCs offer a throughput of around 60 messages/minute, which is also lower than short codes.

When Should You Choose 10DLC Over Short Codes?

If you’re on a tight budget and want to send a large number of messages on a regular basis, choosing Short Code is the right pick for you. However, if the scenario is different, like you’re a business that don’t want to send a huge amount of messages at once, getting the 10DLC personable number with a local area code is the right fit for you.

Sometimes, for 10DLCs, businesses need to pay small fees, and the number has a slower messaging speed than short codes, but it is worth the cons.

Why?

The reason is simple. When consumers receive personalized messages with their local area code through 10DLCs, it will make them feel special and build trust instead of getting messages from the 5 to 6-digit Short Codes. In short, for real-time updates and two-way communication, 10DLC numbers are ideal.

How are 10DLC Compliance Standard Enforced?

Businesses must register their 10DLC numbers with carriers for A2P texting. If businesses do not register 10DLC numbers, it can lead to potential penalties such as fines, surcharges, decreased deliverability and throughput. Besides, there is a high chance of the number to be blocked from sending messages. Penalties might differ depending on the carrier.

However, with Textdrip, we make the 10DLC registration a hassle-free process for you. At Textdrip, we help you with brand registration and campaign registration. Therefore, there is no need to contact The Campaign Registry or any other website to complete the registration.

Once your brand is successfully registered, it will gain credibility and be recognized as the approved brand.

What Regulatory Rules Govern Short Codes?

TCPA and CTIA compliance rule the Short Codes. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act states that businesses must obtain prior consent before sending messages. Besides, CTIA guidelines state that businesses must follow ethical practices, such as including clear opt-out instructions and adhering to carrier guidelines. Business messages must align with the carrier-specific rules; otherwise, they won’t get approval.

Cost Comparison: Which Option Fits Your Budget?

Choosing 10DLC or Short Codes depends on your budget, target audience, and objectives. Generally, 10DLC is more affordable than Short Codes, making it a perfect fit for SMBs (small-to-medium businesses). However, here we are making head-to-head cost comparisons (estimated).

Typical costs for 10DLC and Short Codes include setup fees, monthly costs, and message fees. Besides, there are also hidden costs, such as registration fees and maintenance fees.

When to Choose 10DLC?

Businesses can use 10DLC phone numbers for customer service (to resolve any issue or for real-time support). It can be used for two-way messaging and send customers reminders about appointments. It is also used for local business messaging.

For example,

A local retail store can use a 10DLC number to send personalized offers to local customers like this – “Visit [store name] for exclusive deals today.”

Even healthcare providers can use 10DLC numbers for follow-ups and send appointment reminders.

For example,

“Gentle Reminder: Your appointment with [doctor name] is on [Date, time]. Reply YES to confirm.“

Scenario – Booking Conformation/Payment Reminder

(10DLC Number: +1 (555) -123-4567)
“Hey [Customer Name]! Your trip to [destination name] is confirmed for [Date]. Please ensure your payment is completed before [Date] to avoid cancellation. For more details about the trip, check our travel guide [Link] or call us at +1 (555)- 123 – 4567 for more assistance.”

Scenario – Personalized Car Dealership Offer Via 10DLC

Another scenario is a car dealership. Suppose the car dealership owner wants to send personalized offers to local customers. In that case, 10DLC phone numbers are the right choice.

(10DLC Number: +1 (555) -345-6789)

“Hi [Customer Name]! We’ve an exclusive offer just for you. Get $1000 off on [car model name]. Visit us at [Address] or call us at +1 (555)- 345- 6789  to schedule your test drive. Hurry! Offers end [Date]! Reply STOP to opt-out.”

Now, you must be wondering why 10DLC is the right choice here. The reason behind it is that it is an affordable solution for small business owners and lets businesses send personalized messaging tailored to each customer. Besides, 10DLC provides on-time delivery of promotional messages, maintains a professional identity, and is compliant with carrier regulations. So, it ensures better deliverability and reduces the risk of messages being filtered as spam.

It’s Time To Recap!

10DLC vs Short Codes – the choice between them depends on your business objective, budget, and target audience. If you’re a local business that wants to build community relationships and have minimum text messaging requirements, 10DLC is an affordable solution with a personalized touch. For enterprises that want to run large-scale SMS marketing campaigns worldwide, Short Codes is a perfect fit in spite of the higher upfront investment. Therefore, before making any decision, test your messaging requirements, regulatory obligations, and long-term growth strategy. Choose an automated SMS marketing platform like Textdrip, which helps you simplify the 10DLC registration process, ensuring compliance with the carrier guidelines.

Whether your messaging requirement is sending personalized updates or targeted marketing, Textdrip helps you manage it effectively. Textdrip makes your business communication effective with impressive features like scheduled messages, SMS automation, two-way texting, personalization, and more. Book a demo or get a FREE trial and experience how it can transform your marketing efforts.