Toll-Free Texting Numbers!

If you’re interested in using toll-free texting numbers for your business, here’s the article for you.

In the last few months, a lot has changed with texting.

Most notably, more and more businesses are using toll-free numbers to text their prospects, customers and VIPs.

A  few years back, getting a toll-free number for texting was a pain.  And once you got a number, you were limited in its usage.  For example, MMS texting wasn’t possible, and you could forget using emojis!

Now all of that has changed.

In the last few months, toll-free numbers have become the preferred choice for top level Marketing professionals.

Here’s what you need to know about toll-free texting.

What’s the difference between toll-free and 10DLC numbers

As of right now, the differences between toll-free numbers and 10DLC (10 digit long codes AKA a regular phone number) is huge.

First off, as I write this, the costs are the same.

A toll-free number does not cost any more than a 10DLC number.   

Of course, I thought… “If the cost is the same, there must be differences in how the numbers perform.”  I was right… toll-free numbers perform BETTER than 10DLCs (for now).

Second, toll-free numbers are faster at delivering text messages.  

I believe the carriers have decided businesses using toll-free numbers must be serious about text marketing.  As a result, they are allowing toll-free numbers to send more messages… faster.

How fast?  Some customers are reporting send speeds up to 4x.

Will you get the increased speed?

At this point, we’re seeing all toll-free numbers show faster delivery.  We’re seeing people get from 1 to 4 times the sending speed of a 10DLC number.  But of course like everything in life, it’s not guaranteed.

With the benefit of faster send times… you no longer need numerous numbers in your account.  Many text marketers use 3, 5, 10, or even 40 10DLC phone numbers to send out in volume.  With faster send speeds, many of those numbers can be released – saving you money!  

The third thing we’re seeing is less carrier filtering.

Think of filtering on text messages like spam traps in email.

Carriers are less likely to mark messages from toll-free numbers as spam… or filter them.  As a result, many users are seeing better deliverability!

That means more subscribers are seeing the messages, and more are responding.

Crazy right!

Now the best part… as of February 2021 – toll-free numbers are now able to send MMS messages.  

In other words, now you can send picture messages, and memes to your followers… emojis too!

So, toll-free numbers cost the same, allow faster sending, allow you to use MMS messages, and don’t get filtered as much… Why might you want to GET or KEEP a 10 DLC phone number?

I can think of a few situations.

One, maybe you’ve put a lot of time and money into promoting your texting number… if you had t-shirts printed, or just used your texting number for a big Mail promotion – DON’T change your number.

If your business is hyper local and having a local area code is important – Don’t change to a toll-free number.

If you’re not seeing slow delivery, or any type of filtering – Don’t change your number!

But honestly, everyone else should be thinking about changing their texting number to a toll-free number.

Should you move to a toll-free number?

Making the decision to move from a 10DLC number to a toll-free number is up to you.

But if you’re still on the fence, let me give you one more incentive.

Very soon the carriers will be implementing a Fee and Registration requirement for any business using a 10DLC number.

Yep – the carriers are going to charge you more.

Plus you’re going to have to go through a registration process.

It’s not the end of the world, and there will be a lot of businesses who register and pay the monthly fees.

But, why go through the hassle of registering and paying added fees, if you can simply swap over to a toll-free number???

Seems like the decision is a simple one to me.

How to change your 10DLC number to a toll-free number?

For Betwext users we need you to email us at support@betwext.com let us know your email you log in with and that you want to change your 10DLC number to a toll-free number.

Now what?

What to do AFTER you moved to a toll-free number…

Here’s what you need to do next.

As soon as the new toll-free number is in your account, I want you to send out a special text message.

Remind people who you are, and let them know you updated your texting number.

Want an example?  

Here’s the toll-free number change text message I’d send:

“Hi this is Brian from Betwext, we recently changed our texting number.  Look for great content, texting tips and tricks and the occasional Bonus. Please add this number to your contacts list.  Reply with “STOP” to unsubscribe.”

Remember to make the message your own, so people know who you are!