An inbound SMS messaging services provider allows your company to accept incoming SMS text messages from any mobile device users using virtually any mobile network. In today’s business environment, this ability is crucial, since experts suggest that most sell phones now have Short Message Service (SMS) ability and billions of mobile device users worldwide use SMS to communicate. Inbound SMS messaging services allow your company to receive text messages as emails or via HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

There are many reasons to find inbound SMS messaging services. These services allow you to receive sales questions from customers and allow field-based staff to send you information instantly. You can also use SMS text messaging to receive questions from customers or customer responses to promotional offers. SMS messaging even allows you to set up customer polls. If you are sifting through inbound SMS messaging services information, consider:

1. Selecting a company specializing in inbound SMS messaging services so that you do not have to pay for 2-way service.

2. Opting for an inbound SMS messaging services specializing in marketing and survey services.

3. Choosing a bulk inbound SMS service that can handle a high volume of messages.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an inbound SMS messaging services provider offering inbound service separately.

While many companies want to have the ability to send and receive SMS messaging, for some marketing applications you may in fact only need inbound services. For example, if you are creating a specialized SMS number for employees to call in from the field, you may not want to send as well as receive messages. In these cases, an outbound-only service is ideal.

I recommend: Messagemedia allows you to receive SMS in your inbox. The company even alerts you when incoming messages have arrived. Graphnet allows companies to receive incoming SMS messages through a personal, dedicated long inbound number that allows almost any mobile device user to dial in. Companies can receive texts via email, web, fax machine, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), HTTP post, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and other file transfer protocols.

Look for inbound SMS messaging services offering survey services.

Many companies seeking inbound SMS services want to establish a survey or poll which encourages customers to call in. If your company wants to receive SMS messages for this reason, why not look for an SMS service company that provides survey services and allows you to receive SMS messages as well?

I recommend: Zoomerang allows you to set up text surveys and polls with inbound SMS survey services. Setup is simple--just select a keyword, design a survey and announce the keyword to customers. Clickatell offers SMS survey services that allow your company to set up as many as seven different surveys and to easily view the results.

Seek out inbound SMS messaging services with bulk capabilities.

Whether you want to receive SMS messages to set up a survey or to receive text messages from the office, your message may need a service capable of handling numerous messages. In this case, a bulk service provider familiar with business SMS needs may be your best bet. Such a company can ensure that you get all your messages without a hassle.

I recommend: Aerialink is a bulk SMS Gateway service that has been in business since 2002. BulkSMS is a large company offering both inbound and outbound bulk SMS services that are perfect for high-volume SMS applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you start examining inbound SMS messaging services list prices and information, you'll find that service providers may refer to CSC options or long numbers. CSC (Common Short Codes) refers to the special shortened phone numbers that SMS providers often use to set up voting and ordering services. Messages sent to short codes are often billed at a higher rate than full-length numbers, but the shorter numbers are easier for customers to remember. Although long numbers may be harder to remember, they're also less expensive and can be used internationally. You can also have a unique long number that is not shared with other users.