How to Set Up an SMS Service

Setting Up an SMS Service
1. Obtaining a short code is a critical step to setting up an SMS service. Go to the Common Short Code Administration website, click on 'Obtain a Code' and follow the detailed instructions. This process, including waiting time, will take you 6 weeks to 12 weeks or more from start to finish.
2. Build an SMS gateway, a software program that interfaces with the short code and the cell phone carriers. This will be your back-end software platform. If you don't have the computer programming skills to accomplish this, hire someone with these skills to do the work for you.
3. Determine your target market and create a comprehensive marketing plan to reach these businesses who will be your customers. Business-to-consumer businesses are typically the best type to utilize SMS marketing.
4. Begin doing face-to-face selling to get businesses signed up for text messaging services. The end users, who are their customers, are the people who will actually receive the SMS messages.