An SMS From name is the sending identity (sender ID) that your contacts see when they receive a message from you.
This can be a word, for example, MyCompany, which is known as an alphanumeric (alpha) From name, or a number, known as a numeric From name. The options available depend on the countries you want to send SMS to.
If you’ve purchased any inbound numbers, these appear in your list of From names in Dotdigital, and you can select any of these as your default From name. You can’t edit or delete these numbers.
Learn more in Manage SMS From names.
Before you start
Things you need to know:
Not all of the below sender ID types can be used in all regions. Learn more in the section Options by region.
Alphanumeric From name (alpha)
Alphanumeric From names are the most straightforward to set up, and can provide easy brand recognition for your recipients. By default, we set your company name in Dotdigital as your From name.
However, alphas cannot receive replies, so if you need to receive replies, you can purchase an inbound number, and include this in your messages. To allow contacts to opt-out of SMS messaging, you can include an SMS unsubscribe link.
Learn more in Use SMS click to unsubscribe.
SMS alpha From names must be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 11 mixed alphanumeric characters. They can’t contain any spaces.
Alpha From names can’t be made completely of numbers. They can be made entirely of letters.
In the UK, there’s a list of blocked From names that you can't use. If you try to use a From name that's blocked, you get a warning notification. The following characters are also not supported in the UK for alphas:
_(underscore),(comma)!(exclamation point)#(number/pound sign, or hashtag)
Learn more in Restrictions for SMS Sender IDs in the UK.
Short code
You can either have a shared or dedicated short code. The short code can be either Standard rate or Freetext.
Standard rate
The cheaper option, but your recipients are charged to send messages to the short code. The message charge they pay is set by the mobile network.
Freetext
A higher cost option which allows your contacts to send messages to you at no cost to them.
Shared short code
Many different people and organisations can use the same shared short code.
With a shared short code, you must choose a keyword that’s unique to your business. Your contacts must include this keyword as the first word of any message they want to send to you.
Keywords can only use letters and numbers, special characters are not supported.
Example
The fictional company, SnowYo, uses the shared short code 87800 and the keyword SNOW. Their customers send messages to 87800 and must include the keyword SNOW as the first word of their message.
Dedicated short code
If you use a dedicated short code, this means that you own that number and every message sent to it goes into your account – your recipients don’t need to include any particular keyword in their message to ensure it reaches you. Owning a dedicated short code is a great option for large-volume SMS senders.
Virtual mobile number (VMN)
You can either have a shared or dedicated virtual mobile number. Most users opt for a dedicated virtual number.
Need-to-knows
It is not possible to port or migrate VMNs from another supplier.
Inbound messages typically come out of the recipient’s bundle or are charged at standard network rate. If the number is not native to their country, it will be charged as their standard international rate.
Shared VMN
With a shared VMN, you must set up a keyword that’s unique to your business. Your contacts must include this keyword as the first word of any message they want to send to you.
Dedicated VMN
A dedicated VMN is your number, and you are the only one using it, so you can publish this number on flyers, posters, or websites, and your contacts don’t have to include any keywords to ensure their messages reach you.
In addition:
A dedicated VMN enables end users to make initial contact. Your contacts can text straight to your number without you having to reach out to them first.
A VMN looks and behaves like a regular mobile number, so your contacts don’t have to worry that they might be texting a premium rate number.
Messages sent into this number cost you nothing, you just pay a set monthly price for the number itself.
When a dedicated long number is newly assigned to your account, you must wait at least half an hour before you attempt to send any messages. This ensures that the process of allocating the number to your account is fully complete.
10-digit long code (10DLC)
10-digit long codes (10DLCs) are the most common way to send marketing or other SMS in the USA. You can use a 10DLC as your sender ID and your contacts can reply directly to it.
While it’s also possible to send with a 10DLC in Canada, message throughput is much lower than with a toll-free number.
Toll-free number
Toll-free numbers are an option to send messages in the USA and Canada. As with 10DLCs, contacts can reply directly to a toll-free number.
Learn more about 10DLCs and toll-free numbers in the section Sender ID options in the US and Canada.
Options by region
Certain countries have particular restrictions on the type of sender IDs you can use for SMS. There can also be additional requirements based on the kinds of messages you send.
If you want to send within a region not listed here, contact your Customer Success representative to discuss the available options for sender IDs.
Australia
Available sender ID | Marketing messages | Transactional messages |
Alphanumeric From name (alpha) | ✔️Yes* | ✔️ Yes |
Virtual mobile number (VMN) Sometimes known as a long number. | ✔️Yes | ✔️Yes |
*All marketing SMS messages must provide contacts with the option to opt-out. For marketing messages sent from an alpha, you must include opt-out instructions. We advise including an opt-out link in your messages.
Learn more in Use SMS click to unsubscribe.
Alternatively, you can also purchase a VMN to allow contacts to unsubscribe by inbound message.
You can purchase a Virtual mobile number (VMN) for sending in Australia directly in the platform.
Learn more in Purchase an SMS number.
Learn more about sending SMS in Australia.
New Zealand
Available sender ID | Marketing messages | Transactional messages |
Standard rate dedicated short code | ❌No | ✔️ Yes |
Freetext dedicated short code | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes While it’s possible to send transactional messages from a freetext short code, a standard rate short code is more cost effective for this. |
Learn more about sending SMS in New Zealand.
Singapore
Available sender ID | Marketing messages | Transactional messages |
Alphanumeric From name (alpha) | ✔️ Yes* | ✔️ Yes |
Virtual mobile number (VMN) Sometimes known as a long number. | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
*All marketing SMS messages must provide contacts with the option to opt-out. For marketing messages sent from an alpha, you must include opt-out instructions. We advise including an opt-out link in your messages.
Learn more in Use SMS click to unsubscribe.
Alternatively, you can also purchase a VMN to allow contacts to unsubscribe by inbound message. Contact your Customer Success representative to discuss.
Learn more about sending SMS in Singapore.
United Kingdom
Available sender ID | Marketing messages | Transactional messages |
Alphanumeric From name (alpha) | ✔️Yes* | ✔️ Yes |
Shared shortcode with keyword Standard rate or freetext | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
Dedicated shortcode Standard rate or freetext | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
Virtual mobile number (VMN) Sometimes known as a long number. | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
*All marketing SMS messages must provide contacts with the option to opt-out. For marketing messages sent from an alpha, you must include opt-out instructions. We advise including an opt-out link in your messages.
Learn more in Use SMS click to unsubscribe.
Alternatively, you can also purchase a short code or VMN to allow contacts to unsubscribe by inbound message. You can purchase numbers directly in the platform for sending to the UK.
Learn more in Purchase an SMS number.
Learn more about sending SMS in the UK.
United States and Canada
All sender ID options for sending SMS in the US and Canada must be verified by the networks before sending. We help guide you through this process when you purchase a number through us, or migrate a number to us.
Available sender ID | Marketing messages | Transactional messages |
Dedicated short code Standard rate or freetext | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
10-digit long code (10DLC)* | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
Toll-free number | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
*Message throughput for 10DLCs in Canada is low compared to other options, so is not recommended.
Learn more about sending SMS in the US and Canada.