Why your Number Provider Matters, and Why YOU should Care
In today’s hyper-connected world, SMS marketing is a powerhouse for engaging customers ⚡️. But are you paying enough attention to the backbone of your messaging strategy: your 10DLC A2P phone numbers 🧐?
Want to watch the video that inspired this post? You can check it out Here!
Key Points 🔑
- Understanding 10DLC A2P
- These are standard 10-digit local numbers used for application-to-person (A2P) messaging
- They undergo a registration process with Direct Connect Aggregators (DCAs) to ensure compliance and legitimacy
- Number Availability: Not All Pools Are Created Equal
- Providers source numbers from different pools, each with varying availability
- Area code scarcity is real, high-demand areas like Miami (305) or Columbus (614) can be tough to secure
- Actionable Insight: Ask your provider about their number pool size and availability for your target area codes. Don’t settle for “we’ll figure it out.”
- Number Health: The Hidden Factor
- The FCC suggests a 90-day holding period for released numbers to prevent abuse
- Providers that skip this step risk offering numbers with poor reputations, leading to “scam likely” flags
- Actionable Insight: Prioritize providers that enforce a 90-day holding period. Ask about their average number reputation scores. Protect your brand from being associated with spam
- The Impact on Your Campaigns
- Poor number health can trigger spam filters on carrier networks and messaging apps (like Google’s native messaging app)
- This hurts deliverability and damages your brand’s reputation
- Actionable Insight: Vet your provider thoroughly; ask about their DCA connections and number pool sources—transparency is key 🔑
- Choosing the Right Provider
- Ask if the provider holds numbers for 90 days
- Ask the average reputation scores of numbers
- Ask which DCA’s they use
- If they can’t answer, move on 💨
Remember 💭
Your 10DLC provider isn’t just a commodity; it’s a strategic partner 📈. By understanding the nuances of number availability and health, you can ensure your SMS campaigns reach their full potential. Don’t let a bad number ruin your hard work 🙅