FAQ
What is the cost?
The costs are very simple. There is a one-time setup fee of $197. Sometimes we have promotional offers or specials, where the setup fee may be reduced. But generally, the one-time setup fee is $197. There is a $27 monthly charge for the service. So in most cases, your first month’s cost is $197, and every month thereafter is $27. This includes 1 keyword. Any additional keywords are $27 each. So if you wanted 3 keywords, your monthly charge would be $81.
Do I have to sign a contract or make a commitment?
No. There is absolutely no contract or commitment. You may cancel at any time. However, your setup fee is not refundable.
Are my customers charged anything for the texts?
That depends on the customer’s cell phone plan. Many different cell phone service providers offer many different text packages. Some have unlimited texting plans; in those cases, there is no charge to your customer for texting. However, if the customer doesn’t have a text messaging plan with their carrier, they may be charged 10¢ or 15¢ per text. It is the responsibility of your customer to know their texting plan and cost. At the end of every message sent to your customer is language indicating that “standard rates may apply” so they understand this. But TextOpt.com and you will never charge them any additional fee to send or receive a text message from this service.
Do I need to have a cell phone, or know how to text?
It would probably benefit you to have a cell phone that is text-capable (or have access to a friend or someone who does), so you can test your campaigns. However, none of this is set up through a phone or through a text message–it’s all done online. You don’t need to be a “texter” or know how to do it. All your campaigns and messages will be set up through a web site portal. So really all you need is access to a computer with an Internet connection.
Your $27 a month fee includes 1 keyword. This would more than likely be the name of your restaurant or store or band. You can change your offer/coupon/message associated with that keyword as frequently as you like. However, you can have as many keywords as you like, if you wanted to segment your campaigns or have different offers at the same time, or to different audiences. Each keyword is $25 a month. So if you have four keywords, you pay $108 a month. If you have 10 keywords, you pay $270 a month.
Yes. You can change your keyword as often as you wish, as long as the keyword you choose is available.
Why isn’t the keyword I want available?
Popular keywords, like PIZZA or FOOTBALL may be taken early, because of their obvious popularity. Because we can’t have more than one keyword on the same shortcode, keywords are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone else already has PIZZA, and that is the keyword you want, you have a couple of options. You can wait and see if that person changes their keyword (maybe they had a special on pizza only for one month), or you can make yours slightly different; for example, OKCPIZZA. Another option would be to lease your own shortcode, which will cost about $1,000 per month.
No. The shortcode remains the same at all times. You can only change your keyword.
Are my customers really texting that much?
As a whole, US cell phone customers are using data transfers (mostly texting and emailing) more than they are making calls, as of December 2009. Please see below for some statistics about texting and cell phone usage; it’s really quite staggering how many people, in all socio-economic and age groups, are texting. A LOT.
- 80% of U.S. Mobile phone users text.1
- 44% of 28-39 year-olds text regularly.2
- 1.5 trillion text messages were sent in 2009.3
- As of December 2009, more people used text and data services on their phones than made calls.4
- Each year, news access from mobile devices increases 500% over the previous year.5
- More than $25 million has been raised for Haiti earthquake relief through $10 SMS donations.6
What if someone decides they don’t want to receive texts from me anymore?
It is very easy for someone to opt out of messages at any time. With every message they receive from you, by law we are required to attach at the end language that they can text the word “STOP” to stop receiving messages. That is all they have to do: respond to a text with the word “STOP” and they will never receive any more messages from you. It’s that easy, and you don’t have to worry about keeping track of it (you don’t want to send someone a message after they’ve opted out). The system keeps track of it for you!
Is this legal? Is it like SPAM?
This is not SPAM because you are only sending messages to customers who opt in–those who choose to receive messages from you. They have to actively opt-in by texting your keyword to a number. So you’re only sending messages to people who WANT to receive them. Can you imagine a better customer base? These are your fans, friends and most loyal customers and supporters. They communicate via text, and now you have a chance to be part of that conversation.
Do you have other questions? Please contact us!
