They are the same thing. SMS stands for Short Message Service and is mainly used outside of the US, where text messaging is the more common term.

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A short code is a 5 or 6 digit number that has been issued by the US short code authority that regulates telecommunications and is specifically designed for mobile and text messaging communication. It is just like a phone number, but shorter and easier to remember. Other countries have different short code number standards. You MUST have a short code to send out text messages. This is a requirement of wireless carriers, The MMA, and may soon be covered by legislation. It allows people to text back to any messages received. Low priority text messages do not use short codes and can only be responded to for some carriers - for this reason, it is not best practices to use this channel, however we recognize the cost benefits.

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Every new phone sold in the United States since 2001 has text messaging capabilities included. Most wireless companies include text messaging in their basic plan. Please check with your wireless service provider for more information.

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Contact your wireless provider or reference your phone's manual.

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There are more mobile phones than there are landlines in the US, and worldwide, and the difference is growing. The vast majority of adult consumers and households use it as their main communications channel and no one doubts the impact that it will have on contact. Phones, like wallets and keys, are carried everywhere and text messaging allows you to reach your customers wherever they are, at anytime.

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The Federal Communication Commissions (FCC), The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), and the Wireless Carriers.

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Yes, the MMA has a Code of Conduct, and the CSCA has Best Practices.

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No. They have to opt-in in order to receive text messages from you. Text messaging will soon be regulated by SPAM Act legislation and it is advisable to ensure all programs adhere with best practices from day 1.

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According to the MMA, you must ask for and obtain consent by obtaining an explicit opt-in from the user for all mobile message campaigns. This can be from an SMS Opt In process, a voice response, a web registration, or other MMA recognized methods. Bottom line is, if you do not have consent to send them a text message, (a legitimate opt-in), you cannot send a text.

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There are various plans that each wireless providers offer. Some people pay per text, some buy a bundle which includes a certain number of texts per month, and some are on an unlimited text plan.

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Mobile marketing can be effective for your business in a variety of ways. Consumers may text to get a coupon, enter a contest or sign up to a VIP group for special offers - from in store, print & outdoor ads or any other mediums where they may see your brand. Mobile is the number one channel to start a conversation, its fast and simple and InvolveMobile allows you to extend the relationship and knowledge that can grow into something profitable. There are lots of other reasons too, customers may request product information, a sales request or maybe just to get customer feedback and have an entertaining interaction. In short, its quick and easy for the consumer to engage and you can capture the relationship in your database. Text messages are quicker and result in more conversions than asking to call or to visit a website. See our Mobile Tips for more information.

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To send your club members special coupons, to alert them to what’s going on in the store or on the website, to provide the customer with quick updates on requested information (weather, traffic, sports scores, etc.) For many of the same reasons a company would email the customer, but instantly. The company can reach the customer wherever and whenever they are; they do not have to be by a computer.

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160 characters for Priority text messages and 120 characters for Low Priority text messages.

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Yes. Our system can track the entire path of the message, from the time that it left our system to the time that is was delivered to the end users device, (Not applicable for low priority messages.)

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Absolutely not. One of the fastest growing demographics for texting is the 35-55 ages group.

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Standard texts are texts that do not require the end user to pay an additional “premium” fee to interact. Premium texts are quite often used by mobile content companies to sell ringtones and information services. We do not currently allow premium texts and revenue sharing on a standard InvolveMobile account, please contact us about upgrading to a corporate account if you are interested. There are many additional carrier requirements in order to charge customers via Premium sms / text messaging.

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