Shortcodes

Shortcodes are 5 digit codes used to enable customers to text into your business, regarding offers, or to provide sign-up details (e.g. for a loyalty card). Shortcodes are placed on adverts, including press, online and TV materials, typically with a relevant keyword. For example, a retailer may include “Text SHOP to 62233”, on a poster, or a bank branch may include “Text FINANCE TO 52244”. When customers text in a keyword, our iris system automatically generates and sends them a response message to confirm that their text has been received.

Owned or shared?

An owned shortcode is a five digit number that cannot be used by other businesses, and it means keywords are not absolutely necessary (though often are still applied). When purchasing owned shortcodes, a minimum time period must be set (typically a year), but other than this, there are no restrictions. Keywords and shortcodes can be used on as many campaigns as you choose, and the target recipients can be segmented in various ways, ensuring all contacts are relevant for each promotion.

Shared shortcodes provide less options, but can be implemented at a quicker and lower price. While the shortcode is shared with other businesses, the keywords chosen would be exclusively yours; access to all data is related to keywords and so no other business can see the results of your campaign.

The benefits of shared codes include:

speed to the campaign being live (there is no set-up period or costs associated, as the number is already live and maintained by Incentivated)
only having to pay for what you require (time period and number of keywords).

See examples of our work with shortcodes in our case studies section, or contact us now to find out more.

GSK

Marie Curie

Marie Curie

Laura Ashley

British Red Cross

Incentivated is an independent technology company with 10+ years' experience operating exclusively in the mobile marketing services sector.

We help our international client base engage with their customers by designing, developing and delivering integrated acquisition, retention (CRM) and transaction (mCommerce) campaigns and services for mobile.

Our proprietary technology and specialist staff are well positioned to help brands, the public sector and charities to develop everything from enterprise messaging (SMS & MMS) through to mobile internet sites, to server side software or handset applications, including web apps, for 'smartphones' and feature-phones.

We also provide strategic, creative and technical advice for the use of mobile by businesses to raise awareness, deliver marketing ROI and provide customer service.