SMS Keyword Campaigns

Run an inbound campaign on a shared New Zealand short code

Reserve a keyword, advertise a simple text call-to-action, and have customer responses routed directly to your SMS4U account.

Shared short-code campaign

A practical way to collect SMS responses

Customers text your registered keyword to a shared short code. SMS4U identifies the keyword at the beginning of the message, assigns the response to your campaign, and delivers it to your team or systems.

Text INFO to [shared short code]
Discuss a campaign Compare dedicated short codes

How an SMS keyword campaign works

1

Reserve a keyword

Choose an available word that is easy to understand, remember, and include in your campaign material.

2

Promote the call-to-action

Tell customers to text the keyword to the supplied shared short code.

3

Receive and process responses

View messages in the dashboard, receive them by email, send them to a webhook, or trigger an automated reply.

What is included?

Keyword-based routing

Each valid response is matched to your registered keyword even though the short code is shared.

Optional automated reply

Confirm an entry, provide information, or send the next instruction immediately after receiving a valid message.

Flexible response delivery

Use the SMS4U dashboard, email forwarding, or a webhook into your own workflow.

Keyword campaign or dedicated short code?

The main decision is whether the short code can be shared and whether customers can reliably begin every message with a campaign keyword.

Choose a keyword campaign when

You need a defined campaign response

  • You are promoting a clear instruction such as “Text WIN” or “Text INFO”.
  • You want a lower-cost alternative to an exclusive short code.
  • Messages can be routed using one registered keyword.
  • The campaign may run for a limited period.
Choose a dedicated short code when

You need an organisation-wide SMS number

  • Customers should be able to text without including a keyword.
  • The same number will support several services or long-term conversations.
  • You want exclusive use of the sender number.
  • You need a stable branded SMS channel.
View dedicated short codes

Common keyword campaign formats

Text-to-winCollect promotional entries using a memorable keyword and optional entry details.
Code validationAsk participants to text a keyword followed by a unique printed or promotional code.
Text for informationSend an automated reply with instructions, a link, contact details, or the next step.
Registrations and callbacksCapture interest for events, services, offers, or follow-up from your team.

SMS keyword campaign pricing

Month-to-month campaign

Shared short code and registered keyword

  • $200 one-off setup
  • $100 for the first month
  • $60 per following month
  • Automated replies charged at 10c per SMS part
  • No SMS4U account charge for received inbound messages
$100first month

The mobile sender pays 20c including GST to text the shared short code. Pricing above is in New Zealand Dollars and excludes GST. Campaigns are month-to-month and may be cancelled at any time.

SMS keyword campaign FAQ

What is an SMS keyword campaign?

An SMS keyword campaign lets customers text a registered word to a shared short code. SMS4U reads the keyword at the start of the message and routes the response to the correct business account.

How is a keyword campaign different from a dedicated short code?

A keyword campaign shares the short code with other businesses and relies on a unique keyword for routing. A dedicated short code is reserved for one organisation and does not require customers to begin messages with a keyword.

Can the campaign send an automatic reply?

Yes. A reply can be triggered when a valid keyword message is received. Automated replies are outbound SMS messages and are charged at the applicable SMS rate.

Where can received campaign messages be delivered?

Responses can be viewed in the SMS4U dashboard, forwarded to email, or delivered to your systems through a webhook.

What does it cost the customer to enter?

Messages sent to the shared short code cost the mobile sender 20 cents including GST. This charge is applied by the sender's mobile operator.