10DLC stands for 10-Digit Long Code. These are regular 10-digit phone numbers that businesses use to send bulk SMS messages and make voice calls. They look just like personal phone numbers, but they are meant for business use.

10DLC is also called A2P 10DLC, which stands for Application-to-Person. This means that a business application sends messages directly to a customer's phone. Mobile network operators in the US have approved these numbers for A2P SMS messaging.

If your business sends SMS messages to contacts in the USA using long codes, 10DLC registration is mandatory.

What is the purpose of 10DLC? 

10DLC is important because it:

• Protect consumers from unwanted spam messages.

• Help businesses communicate more effectively with their customers.

• Improve message deliverability. It allows higher messaging throughput compared to regular long codes, meaning more messages get through to your recipients.

Note:

Before starting the registration process, make sure you have enough SMS credits. There will be a one-time fee and a registration cost for each step, which will be charged as soon as you register. All payments will be deducted as SMS credits from your organization's account.

If your brand or 10DLC campaign registration is rejected due to issues like spelling mistakes, spacing errors, or an invalid email address, you will need to register again and pay the fees again. Double-check all your information before submitting.

If you need to make changes to your brand or 10DLC campaign data after submission, whether it is before verification or after approval, you will need to pay the registration fee again.

10DLC registration involves three steps: 

How to register a brand for 10DLC with Zoho Campaigns 

To start registering a brand for 10DLC with Zoho Campaigns,

1. Click the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Click SMS under Marketing Channels.

3. In the Gateways tab, click Start Sender Configuration.

4. From the dropdown, select the country as USA.

5. Begin the 10DLC registration process. 

10DLC brand registration

1. Fill in the details in the form:

2. Then, check the checkbox to agree to bear the cost for 10DLC brand registration. This is a one-time, non-refundable payment of SMS credits.

3. Click Register to submit.

Note:

10DLC brand registration takes approximately 5 business days to be approved.

 10DLC campaign registration 

Once your brand registration is approved, you can proceed with the 10DLC campaign registration.

 Campaign Information 

1. Fill in the following campaign details:

2. Click Next to proceed. 

Contact Compliance 

1. Fill in the following compliance details: 

2. Click Next to proceed to the pricing page. 

Pricing and Payment

On the pricing page, review the payment details. The initial payment includes an upfront cost equal to three times the monthly 10DLC campaign subscription fee, plus a one-time setup fee. The monthly subscription will be automatically charged starting two months after registration. The exact cost depends on your selected use case.

Here is an example of the pricing works:

Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, then click Submit to complete the payment.

Note:

10DLC campaign registration takes approximately 2 weeks to be approved. You will receive an email notification once it is approved.

Long codes, or 10DLC (10-digit long codes), are regular 10-digit phone numbers that businesses use to send SMS messages and make calls. They look like personal phone numbers, but are meant for business communication, especially for sending messages to customers. They are also called A2P (Application-to-Person) 10DLC because the messages are sent from a business application to a customer’s phone.

Once your 10DLC campaign is approved, you can purchase a long code number and link it to your campaign. Here is how to do it:

1. Click Add Phone Number.

2. Enter a combination of digits you want the number to start or end with.

3. Click Search to see a list of available numbers.

4. Select a number from the list and click Purchase. 

Your long code is now linked to your approved 10DLC campaign. You are ready to start sending SMS messages to your US contacts.

Tips to avoid registration issues 

To ensure a smooth registration process, keep the following best practices in mind:

• Double-check all fields: Errors like typos, extra spaces, or invalid email addresses can cause your registration to be rejected.

• Use your official business information: Make sure the details you enter match your official business records, especially your EIN.

• Have sufficient SMS credits ready: Fees are deducted immediately upon submission. Ensure your account has enough credits before you begin.

• Plan for approval time: Brand registration takes about 5 days and campaign registration takes about 2 weeks. Plan ahead to avoid delays.