Why a number and not an alpha header?

 

Using an alpha header we do not recommend, it leaves your company open to scammers who can do damage to your brand, please read this article https://mobile.digital/usage-tips/dont-use-alpha-headers/

 

With the dedicated number we provide you, it can be saved as a contact for your company in a person's phone and therefore recognisable to them whenever communications come through from you. 

 

They can also contact you back on the dedicated number which will show up in your intouch chat. 

 

If you change to an alpha header you will not be able to receive replies from contacts and you will need to add your own optout message including your dedicated number eg. 'sms "stop" to 0428265613 to optout. Doing so can eat into your character count of your SMS.

 

The other thing to consider is that with the different protocols used for sending SMS and MMS, only your SMS would be able to have the alpha header applied.  You can still send an MMS but it can only use the dedicated number for sending, no alpha header.