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Incoming SMS
Receive replies to your SMS campaigns
with your own virtual reply number
A virtual reply number allows customers to reply to the texts that you send them.
People can also text you directly.
Incoming texts are sent instantly to you via our incoming SMS API.
A virtual mobile number costs just £9.50 + VAT per month.
It’s low cost and easy to set up.
No set up fee
incoming texts are free to receive
No contract or minimum term
About Incoming SMS
How do I set up a virtual mobile number?
It’s fast and simple.
1. Set up an SMS Works account.
2. Log in and select 'Request New Reply Number'.
3. We’ll set up your reply number, attach it to your account and contact you by email when it’s ready for use.
4. You will then have 7 days' free use of the reply number, after which we'll be back in touch to provide payment options.
Incoming numbers are set up within 2 working days.
What is a virtual reply number?
A virtual reply number is an 11 digit mobile number. It's also know as an SMS long code.
It looks and behaves exactly the same as a normal mobile number.
Instead of the number being attached to a phone, it’s attached to your SMS Works account.
Our long code SMS service is the ideal solution if you want to receive replies to your text campaigns or if you want people to be able to text you directly.
How does it work?
Incoming texts are sent to you instantly, to a URL that you set in your SMS Works account.
To receive replies from your contacts, you simply configure the originator (who the message is from) of the outbound text to your virtual reply number.
The recipient then replies to the text in the normal way.
People can also text to the number directly, without having to reply to a text they’ve received.
It's a dedicated long code SMS service, in our words the number is not used by any other company or organisation.
How much does it cost?
SMS long codes cost £9.50 + VAT a month.
There is no set up fee, minimum term or contract.
You pay for your incoming number in advance either by credit / debit card or bank transfer.
You choose how often you want to pay for your incoming SMS number, quarterly, every 6 or 12 months.
There is no additional charge per SMS for receiving texts to your virtual reply number.
Outbound texts are charged in line with our standard SMS rates.
Users are charged one text at their normal rate to send to your virtual reply number. (This would be included in their free monthly SMS bundle if they have one.)
Virtual mobile number FAQs
What is an incoming SMS number?
It’s an 11 digit mobile number that allows people to reply to the texts that you send them.
They can also text the number directly.
It’s virtual because there’s no physical sim card or mobile device that the incoming messages land on. We host the number which you configure in your SMS Works account.
Incoming texts are sent to your over the web, to a URL that you set.
How much do incoming SMS numbers cost?
£9.50 + VAT per month. You pay in advance by credit / debit card or by BACS transfer.
You can pay, quarterly, every 6 months or 12 months.
How are renewal invoices generated?
You’ll be sent an invoice 4 weeks before your current incoming number is due to expire.
You can pay the invoice either by credit / debit card of by BACS.
Is there any notice period?
There’s no notice period and you can cancel your incoming number at any time.
Can I send pictures to my incoming SMS number?
No. The SMS Works does not currently have a way of accepting pictures or other types of file.
How are incoming texts sent to me?
Incoming texts are simply posted to a URL of your choice. This is set in your account.
You can also export all incoming numbers as an Excel spread sheet.
How much does it cost to send a message to my virtual mobile number?
It costs one text at the normal network rate. Texts are included in the free monthly text allocation of any tariff.
Do I own my virtual mobile number?
You don’t actually own the virtual reply number, so you wouldn’t be able to transfer it to another provider. But you do own it in the sense that as long as you pay for it, it’s exclusively yours.
Your number would never be switched to someone else or shared with another SMS Works account.
Get started with your virtual reply number today.
If you're sending texts to your customers and contacts it makes sense to give them the option to reply to the texts that they receive from you.
You'll be giving them a better service at very low cost.
Set up your free SMS account and you'll be up and running in no time.