Run SMS Competitions, Two-Way Chat & MMS with Your Own Dedicated Mobile Number.
A dedicated number that's yours alone, so customers can text you directly, enter competitions, and get instant replies.
One Number. Competitions, Conversations, and Campaigns.
A dedicated Virtual Mobile Number (VMN) is a mobile number that only you have access to. Unlike a shared number, people can text it directly at any time, without you needing to send a campaign first.
- Run competitions - let people text a keyword in to enter and win
- Two-way conversations - chat back and forth with customers from one number
- MMS campaigns - send images, GIFs, and video from your own number
- Keyword automation - auto-reply, forward entries, and manage responses
- Yours alone - a dedicated number nobody else shares
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Apply below and we'll get your dedicated number set up.
Everything a Dedicated Number Unlocks
Run Competitions
Print or broadcast a keyword like "Text WIN to 04XX XXX XXX" and let entries roll straight into your account.
Keyword Automation
Set up keywords that automatically reply, forward the message to your email or mobile, or add the sender to a contact list.
Two-Way Chat
Have real conversations. Customers can text your number any time and you can reply directly, all from the one thread.
MMS Campaigns
Send images, GIFs, and video from your dedicated number. See our MMS Multimedia Messaging page for full details.
Auto-Replies & Forwarding
Forward replies to an email address, a mobile number, or your own application URL for developers.
Enable It Yourself
No waiting on us. Turn on your dedicated number and keywords any time from the Senders section of your account.
How to Set It All Up
1. Get your dedicated number
- Log in to your SMS Express account and go to Senders
- Choose Add Number and select an available number for your country
- Confirm the monthly cost and enable auto top-up if you'd like
- Click Activate. Your number is ready to receive messages
2. Set up a keyword campaign
- In the Keywords section, click New Keyword
- Enter your chosen keyword, for example WIN or ENTER, plus a reference note for yourself
- Turn on the actions you want: forward replies to email or mobile, add the sender to a list, or send an auto-reply
- Click Activate and start promoting your keyword
Note: a handful of words are reserved by carriers and can't be used as keywords, including STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, HELP, and CANCEL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a dedicated Virtual Mobile Number (VMN)?
It's a mobile number that only your business has access to. Unlike a shared number, people can text it directly at any time and you'll receive it, without needing to send a campaign first. It's the number you use for competitions, keywords, two-way SMS, and MMS.
Can customers call my dedicated number?
Standard dedicated numbers are for sending and receiving text messages only. If someone tries to call it, they'll get a disconnected message. If you need a number people can call as well, we can arrange a callable virtual mobile number as an extra service — contact us for pricing.
How do keywords work?
You choose a word like WIN or ENTER, and set up what should happen when someone texts it to your number. This can include sending an automatic reply, adding the sender to a contact list, or forwarding the message to your email or mobile.
Can I run more than one competition or campaign at a time?
Yes. Each keyword is $5 per month, so you can run multiple keywords side by side on the one dedicated number, for example a different word for each competition or promotion.
What happens if someone texts in a word that isn't one of my keywords?
You can set default handling at the number level for any message that doesn't match a specific keyword, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Can I send MMS from my dedicated number?
Yes, though not all dedicated numbers are MMS-compatible. Chat to us before you launch an MMS campaign so we can confirm your number supports it. See our MMS Multimedia Messaging page for full pricing and details.
Are there words I can't use as a keyword?
Yes, a small number of words are reserved by mobile carriers and can't be used, including UNSUBSCRIBE, STOP, HELP, END, CANCEL, and similar opt-out terms. We'll let you know if your chosen keyword isn't available.
Do I need help setting this up?
Not at all, you can enable your dedicated number and keywords yourself from the Senders section of your account. But if you'd rather we set it up for you, just get in touch.
Ready to run your first SMS competition?
Apply for an account and we'll help you get your dedicated number set up.
Get Started.Questions? Call Kerryn: 1300 668 287