Long Code vs Short Code
 

I recently viewed a video webinar for a product named Wrecking Ball SMS. They have created what appears to be an incredible software backend/frontend product which seems simple to use, both for the seller and those accounts that the client will manage. It's a one time cost of just under $400. It uses long codes, or basic phone numbers that you lease from Twilio and a person puts his own packages together for sale. There are no limits on texts or keywords.

I intend to enter the SMS business soon and just for comparison sake I am looking at every type of product available. What are the pitfalls with long codes? I have read about the differences between SMPP and SMTP, but not sure what the Wrecking Ball product is.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Thanks..............

Steve

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

Steve,

If you have questions about a particular product you are best to ask them directly. get the info straight from the horses mouth.

I've not actually heard of that service but be sure to let us know what you find out.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

SMTP is e-mail.

I don't know anything about the vendor you named, but this doesn't sound like a service at all. More like a gimmick designed to make you pay $400 for something you could otherwise do for free, (like sending e-mail to someone's phone.)

If you want to get into SMS marketing, look for a well-reputed white label SMS provider or platform that allows you to send actual SMS messages.

And if you want it to work when you need it to, expect the vendor to ask you to pay for it.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

I did some quick research on this system (very quick mind you). It appears to be a replacement for OpenVBX which is a very rudimentary system and has a bit of a learning curve but works for all intents and purposes. Not every plugin works, but there's usually a way to get the desired effect you could need.

I'm not sure how they could keep you from having to pay per text/call unless they add you to their Twilio account as a sub, but they'd burn through that $400 pretty quick if you actually sold some people and used it. It must just be for their software and you use your own Twilio account. Still looking into this mind you.

As for what I came into this thread for, Longcode vs Shortcode - I think the winner is your budget. Longcode does have the advantage with branding, allowing someone text and call to subscribe and still be transferred to the business owner or a sales rep. I've found SMS texting to really be spur of the moment, so in the restaurant business someone who sees a table top will be sitting down and can type in the extra numbers. A billboard however would benefit from the shorter more memorable number.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

Wrecking Ball SMS is new which is why you haven't heard about it. For the one time fee you are getting the already coded system to let you offer SMS Text Marketing, Contests, Polls, Appointment Reminders, Loyalty Punch Card all rolled into one system. With a front end to prospect and put them in the funnel to getting them to sign up. The back end lets them run their campaigns with an easy to use system. The collateral is already built into the system for them to printout with their info already on it. It uses Twilio so it already has a reliable service to back it up. If you want to go to the trouble of doing all the programming and testing be my guest. As a php programmer I'd prefer to not reinvent the wheel. It is worth the investment for what they have done. BTW, there are more features than what I mentioned I just can't remember them off the top of my head right now. You do use your own Twilio Account and it is for the software running on your server :)

This is a link to their replay and it is not an affiliate link I make absolutely nothing from posting this.

http://www.wreckingballsms.com/early

Martin Blakley

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

What's the fascination here? Looks like a $400 set up fee
to me. You still pay per text and for phone numbers (see the
checklist). I get all those features, and more, with no up front
fees with the company I use.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

Martin: thanks for your assessment, I agree it looks like it's ready to go out of the box, with many great features.

Tsnyder: thanks for your reply as well, may I ask what system you are using?

I remain unsure about the original question in the thread. Having read a good bit about long code and short code technology I have a basic understanding, but hoped to hear from Warriors who may be using each. What are your real world experiences?

Steve

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

You can do most all of that with OpenVBX. And its free.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

I use Lime Cellular. Mobile Marketing Reseller- Skills For Mobile Marketing Reseller Program

You can poke around... set up a demo account... take a test drive.

I like everything I see about them.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

Your really missing the point here. It is an already completed system, no programming required. I can get into programming and never get something launched because it isn't perfect enough. At 54 I'm getting too old to want to screw around with all the coding from scratch. The $400 is cheap as far as I'm concerned with all that is included in the system.

It provides another option for those who want to get into the SMS market place and make some money. No monthly fees and the payment system is alreay built into it for your. Load and sell easy peasey.

Of course, as I programmer, I know I will go under the hood and play around with it but I don't have to start from scratch ;)

Martin Blakley

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

You don't have to do any "programming" or "coding" with OpenVBX. Install some good (free) plugins and then Just drag and drop to build the voice and sms flows that do what you want. I think Wordpress has a higher learning curve then OpenVBX. I'm not a programmer by any stretch either. I'm just saying $400 seems pretty steep for something you can get for nothing, or for a few bucks using Chad Wyatt's WP plugins.

Re: Long Code vs Short Code
 

Again, looking at the thread, I was hoping that someone would be explaining the pros and pitfalls of long vs short codes - and, people's experience using one or the other in certain situations. Maybe this should be re-named to fit the Wrecking Ball review of this thread?