Short Code Self-Service enables customers to initiate and manage the leasing of US short code directly through the Sinch Build Dashboard. Customers can order short codes, submit brand and content provider vetting, monitor progress and maintain visibility throughout the approval process.
The Short Code Self-Service Wizard further streamlines this experience by allowing customers to submit brand and content provider vetting and link it to their short code within the same workflow, eliminating the need to navigate to other areas of the dashboard.
This guide walks you through the self-service steps for purchasing a short code.
Buying a Short Code
You first need to buy a short code. Follow the steps outlined below:
- Log in to the Sinch Build Dashboard.
- Select Numbers from the left menu and select the Get virtual numbers option. The Get virtual numbers page is displayed:
Important Note: Currently the option to purchase short codes self-serve is only available for the United States.
Ensure that United States is selected in the Country field. Select Short Code from the Number Type drop-down.
The Search Type field provides you with several options to search for the short code you require:
Match pattern
$1000/mo
An additional Match Pattern field is displayed which allows you to search for pattern of numbers
Filtered search
$1000/mo
Additional fields are displayed:
- Filter Type - allows you to filter by types of short code i.e. 5 digits, 6 digits, sequential and more.
- Starting Number - Input a number you want the short code to start with.
Random
$500/mo
Allows you to search for random available short codes.
For the example of this Guide, we will select the Random option. Click Search. - A list of the available short codes for purchase is displayed:
Click Buy corresponding to the short code you want to buy.
Note: If you are not happy with the numbers available, you can hit search again for another set up short codes to select from. - The Buy short code dialog is displayed:
Carefully read the pricing information provided. You have two options:
Pay Now
Allows you to to secure the lease for the Short Code and the associated fees will be added to your next invoice for payment.
Pay Later
Reserves the short code without an upfront payment, allowing you to defer the cost for up to 30 days or until you reach the brand linking stage of the onboarding process.
Note: If the short code is not paid for within 30 days, it will be removed from your account and released back into the number pool. Also if short code payment is still outstanding, you will not be able to proceed any further with the process of activating and configuring your short code.
Regardless of your choice, the short code must eventually be paid for before it can be fully provisioned and used for messaging.
Once you are ready to proceed select the check box to agree to the terms and conditions.
Click the Pay button. - Your purchased short code is displayed in your list of virtual numbers and the details page for your short code is displayed:
This page allows you to setup your purchased short code for compliance and so that it can be used to send messages.
The easiest way of setting up and configuring your short code is to use the wizard which guides you through the process step by step. But if you want to proceed with the short code compliance and setup steps manually, complete the additional steps outlined below:
To use the wizard, click Start the wizard.
Setting up your new Short Code using the Wizard
The short code wizard guides you through all the steps required to configure and set up your short code.
- The Understand the process page of the short code wizard is displayed:
The left side of the page shows you the steps you need to complete to provision your short code so you can start using it to send messages. The first step provides an overview of the end to end short code onboarding process.
Click Understand costs to move on to the next part of the process. - The Understand costs page of the short code wizard is displayed:
This explains the cost associated with the short code you have purchased.
Click Choose profile to move on to the next part of the process. - The Verify brand page of the short code wizard is displayed:
Select your business profile form the Select profile drop down. If your brand is not already verified you will be given the option to create and verify a new profile for your brand and the wizard will guide you through this process step by step.
Click Choose profile. - The Verify content provider step is displayed:
Select a content provider from the Select profile drop down. Click Content provider verified:
If your content provider is not already verified you will be given options to verify your content provider
Click Application service provider. - The Add ASP step is displayed:
You have the option to select the Sinch default ASP or you can add a new ASP. For the purposes for this guide we ill use the SInch ASP. Click Save.
Click Link short code. - The Link short code step is displayed:
In order to link your brand and content provider to your short code, you need to pay for the short code. Click Link short code to link your short code to your brand (business profile, content provider and ASP.
A confirmation message is displayed that your short code has been successfully linked and you will be able to view the short code statement.
Click Connect SMS Channel. - The Connect SMS channel page of the short code wizard is displayed:
This allows you to connect your short code to an SMS channel. Click + Connect to SMS Channel. Select the SMS Channel from the drop down list. If you do not have an SMS Channel click the Go to SMS link to create one. Click Connect.
A message is displayed showing you that you have been successfully connected your short code to the SMS channel. You are returned to the wizard:
Click Register use case. - The Register use case page is displayed:
Click Register use case. The Create US short code campaign page is displayed. Please follow the steps outlined in the Registering your Use Case for US Short Codes article, to register your use case for your short code.
If the information you have entered is successfully verified then you are returned to the short code wizard. - Click Finish setup. You short code setup is now complete. Click Finish to close the wizard.
Registering your Use Case
Please follow the steps outlined in the Registering your Use Case for US Short Codes article, to register your use case for your short code.
