What is 10DLC?

Whether you’re new to the business text messaging game or are a veteran but still thoroughly confused, here’s the broader context that can help you out:

When business text messaging first came out, there were very few regulations and consumers were getting bombarded. 

In response to this, from 2017-2020 the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA), major mobile carriers (like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T) and other institutions began rolling out regulations and programs to make texting secure and successful for consumers and businesses. 

As mobile technology has become more ubiquitous, text messaging has emerged as a popular and effective way for businesses to communicate with their customers. One of the latest trends in business SMS is the use of 10-digit long codes (10 DLC). In this blog, we’ll explore what 10 DLC is, how this means for your business.

10 DLC stands for “10-digit long code.” It’s a type of phone number that businesses can use to send and receive text messages. Unlike short codes, which are typically five or six digits long and are used for mass marketing campaigns, 10 DLCs are standard phone numbers that are registered with the wireless carriers specifically for commercial SMS messaging.

How does 10 DLC work?

How does 10 DLC work? To use 10 DLC, businesses need to register their phone numbers with the wireless carriers. The registration process includes providing information about the business and its intended use of SMS messaging. Once the number is registered, businesses can start using it to send and receive text messages.

Starting June 1, 2023, the consequences of not having this number registered through The Campaign Registry (TCR) are going to ramp incur hefty fines of $10,000 and more based on each unregistered text. There are other consequences like higher fees, lower deliverability rates, and a poor reputation.

The Benefits of 10DLC

One of the benefits of 10 DLC is that it allows for higher throughput, which means businesses can send more messages per second than they could with short codes. Additionally, 10 DLCs tend to have better deliverability rates than short codes, as they are less likely to be filtered as spam.

10DLC Best Practices

As 10-digit long codes (10 DLC) become more popular for business SMS messaging, it’s important for businesses to follow best practices to ensure compliance with regulations and to maintain a positive user experience. Here are some guidelines to follow for 10 DLC texting:

1. Obtain consent: Just like with any other SMS messaging, it’s important to obtain consent from users before sending them messages. Make sure to clearly communicate the type of messages that will be sent and give users the option to opt-out at any time.
   
2. Comply with regulations: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) have specific rules and guidelines for SMS messaging. Make sure to comply with these regulations to avoid legal issues and to maintain trust with your users.
   
3. Provide value: Users are more likely to engage with SMS messages that provide value, such as exclusive discounts or important updates about their accounts. Make sure to send messages that are relevant and useful to the user.
   
4. Be clear and concise: 10 DLC messages support longer message lengths than short codes, but it’s still important to be clear and concise in your messaging. Avoid using jargon or complex language and get straight to the point.
   
5. Be mindful of timing: Avoid sending messages during off-hours or outside of the user’s timezone. Additionally, be mindful of the frequency of your messages to avoid overwhelming your users.
   
6. Use a recognizable sender ID: Make sure that your business name or brand is easily recognizable as the sender of the message. This helps to build trust with users and increases the likelihood that they will engage with your messages.
   
7. Allow for two-way communication: 10 DLC allows for two-way communication, which means that users can respond to your messages. Make sure to monitor your messages and respond promptly to any user inquiries or feedback.

Following these best practices can help businesses to use 10 DLC effectively and to provide a positive user experience for their customers.

How is 10 DLC changing business SMS?

The use of 10 DLC is changing the landscape of business SMS in a number of ways. For one, it’s making SMS messaging more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses, as the cost of entry is lower than with short codes. Additionally, 10 DLC is allowing businesses to have more meaningful, two-way conversations with their customers. This is because 10 DLC supports more personalized messaging and allows for longer message lengths than short codes.

Another way that 10 DLC is changing business SMS is by enabling businesses to use SMS messaging in new and innovative ways. For example, businesses can use 10 DLC to send appointment reminders, customer support messages, and notifications about order status updates. They can also use 10 DLC to collect feedback from customers and to send personalized promotions and offers.

Conclusion As more businesses look to incorporate SMS messaging into their customer communication strategies, 10 DLC is emerging as a popular and effective way to do so. With it’s higher throughput, better deliverability rates, and more personalized messaging capabilities, 10 DLC is changing the way businesses think about SMS messaging. Whether you’re a small business looking to improve your customer communication or a large enterprise looking for a new way to engage with your customers, 10 DLC is worth considering as part of your overall SMS strategy.

If you are a B3 Host Client, contact us now to register your phone number.