10DLC Number: What It Is and Why It Matters

If you’re a business looking to send SMS messages to customers in the US, you may have heard of 10DLC numbers. 10DLC stands for 10-digit long code, and it’s a messaging solution that allows businesses to send a high volume of SMS from a local number.

When you see “10DLC,” think of a local number with an area code that matches the business or organization’s location. It’s sometimes referred to as “local A2P messaging” because cell carriers have approved it for application-to-person (A2P) messaging.

One of the key advantages of using 10DLC numbers is that they’re more affordable than toll-free numbers, which can also be used for messaging. Toll-free numbers were initially designed for voice calls, but they can also be used for SMS messaging.

However, toll-free numbers can be more expensive than 10DLC numbers, and they may not have a local area code. With 10DLC numbers, you can have a local area code that matches your business or organization’s location, which can help build trust with your customers.

Read also: How to Get a Short Code Number

What is a 10DLC Number?

If you’re planning on sending SMS messages for your business in the US, you’ll need to use a 10DLC number. A 10DLC number is a local 10-digit phone number that’s been vetted by carriers for A2P (application-to-person) messaging.

To register for a 10DLC number, you’ll need to go through a vetting process that includes providing your tax ID and campaign use case. This is to ensure that your brand and campaign are legitimate and that you’re not sending spam or fraudulent messages.

The vetting process is managed by The Campaign Registry (TCR), a third-party organization that works with carriers to improve the reliability and deliverability of SMS messages.

Using a 10DLC number has several advantages over other types of phone numbers for SMS marketing. For one, it allows for higher throughput per second, which means you can send more messages in less time. This is especially important for businesses that need to send appointment reminders or time-sensitive information. Additionally, 10DLC numbers have higher trust scores, which can improve open rates and engagement with your subscribers.

One thing to keep in mind is that there are some limitations to using 10DLC numbers. For instance, they’re not suitable for sending massive volumes of texts simultaneously, like with SMS marketing campaigns. Additionally, they’re not suitable for MMS messaging, which requires a shortcode.

Overall, using a 10DLC number can improve the reliability and deliverability of your SMS messages, which can help build trust with your customers. If you’re a business in the US looking to send SMS messages, registering for a 10DLC number is a must.

Why Use a 10DLC Number?

If you’re a business looking to send text messages to your customers, you may be wondering why you should use a 10DLC number. Here are some reasons why:

• Higher SMS message volumes: 10DLC numbers can potentially send SMS message volumes that are somewhere between long codes and short codes. This means that you can send more messages per second than you would with a long code, but at a lower cost than you would with a short code.
• Lower costs: 10DLC numbers are a low-cost option for businesses looking to send text messages. Compared to short codes, 10DLC numbers are more affordable and offer higher throughput per second.
• Reliability: 10DLC numbers are more reliable than shared short codes, which can be blocked by carriers due to spam and fraud concerns. With a 10DLC number, you have a dedicated number that is less likely to be blocked.
• Localized: 10DLC numbers are local area codes, which can help increase engagement with your customers. Customers are more likely to trust and respond to a local number than a toll-free number or shortcode.
• Compliance: Starting July 5, 2023, all mobile carriers will start ramping up penalties for unregistered numbers. By registering your 10DLC number with The Campaign Registry, you can ensure compliance with industry regulations and avoid penalties.
• Campaign types: 10DLC numbers are suitable for various campaign types, including transactional, appointment reminders, and A2P messaging. You can use 10DLC numbers for both SMS and MMS messaging.
• Vetting process: To get a 10DLC number, you need to go through a vetting process that includes a trust score and a campaign use case review. This process helps ensure that only legitimate businesses can use 10DLC numbers, which can help increase trust with subscribers.
• Limitations: While 10DLC numbers offer many benefits, there are some limitations to be aware of. For example, you can only use 10DLC numbers for application-to-person (A2P) messaging, not person-to-person (P2P) messaging. Additionally, there is a registration fee and a vetting fee, and you need to provide a tax ID to register.

Overall, 10DLC numbers are a reliable and cost-effective option for businesses looking to send text messages to their customers. By registering your number with The Campaign Registry and following industry regulations, you can ensure compliance and increase trust with your subscribers.

Read also: What is a Vanity Short Code?

How to Register for a 10DLC Number

If you want to send SMS messages to your customers using a 10DLC number, you need to register for one with a carrier. 10DLC numbers are a type of long code that is registered with carriers to support high volume A2P SMS messaging using the 10-digit phone number format. Here’s what you need to know to register for a 10DLC number.

Step 1: Understand the Vetting Process

Carriers are responsible for vetting businesses that want to use 10DLC numbers to ensure that they are legitimate and not engaging in spam or fraud. As part of the vetting process, you will need to provide information about your business, such as your tax ID, business type, and campaign use case. The vetting process is designed to ensure that businesses using 10DLC numbers are trustworthy and have a high trust score, which can improve deliverability and engagement rates.

Step 2: Register with The Campaign Registry

To register for a 10DLC number, you must work with The Campaign Registry (TCR), which manages the 10DLC registration process. TCR charges a vetting fee for businesses that want to register for 10DLC numbers, and you will need to provide information about your business and campaign types during the registration process.

Step 3: Choose a Carrier

Once you have registered with TCR, you can choose a carrier to work with. Different carriers may have different requirements for businesses that want to use 10DLC numbers, so it’s important to do your research and find a carrier that meets your needs. You may want to consider factors such as reliability, throughput per second, and open rates when choosing a carrier.

Step 4: Register Your 10DLC Number

After you have chosen a carrier, you can register your 10DLC number with them. You will need to provide information about your campaign, such as the type of messages you will be sending (transactional, appointment reminders, SMS marketing, MMS messaging, etc.), and the number of subscribers you have. Some carriers may have limitations on the types of messages you can send using a 10DLC number.

Step 5: Monitor Your Campaign

Once you have registered your 10DLC number, you can send your customers messages. It’s important to monitor your campaign to ensure that you are meeting carrier requirements and that your messages are being delivered successfully. If you receive fraud alerts or complaints from customers, you may need to adjust your campaign to improve deliverability and engagement rates.

In summary, registering for a 10DLC number involves understanding the vetting process, registering with The Campaign Registry, choosing a carrier, registering your number, and monitoring your campaign.

Following these steps, you can use a 10DLC number to send high-volume A2P SMS messages to your customers and improve engagement rates.

How does a 10DLC number look like?

A 10DLC number looks like a regular US phone number, with a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number. However, there are some differences between a regular phone number and a 10DLC number that you should be aware of:

• 10DLC number format: A 10DLC number must follow a specific format to be registered with carriers. The format is NXX-NXX-XXXX, where N represents a digit from 2 to 9, and X represents any digit from 0 to 9. For example, 555-123-4567 is a valid 10DLC number.
• 10DLC number type: There are two types of 10DLC numbers: standard and registered. Standard 10DLC numbers are unregistered numbers that can be used for low-volume messaging. Registered 10DLC numbers are numbers that have been registered with carriers and can be used for high-volume messaging. Starting July 5, 2023, all mobile carriers will start ramping up penalties for unregistered numbers, so it’s important to register your 10DLC number as soon as possible.
• 10DLC number features: 10DLC numbers have some features that are specific to business messaging, such as increased message throughput, improved deliverability, and reduced filtering. However, they also have some limitations, such as lower throughput than short codes, and higher costs than local numbers.