How to choose the right SMS Sender ID for your Business in Sri Lanka

Best SMS Sender ID Choosing Guide in Sri Lanka by Text.lk. (10 Tips and Mistakes What to Avoid). Find Perfect SMS Sender ID to your Business. Bulk SMS or Transactional SMS.

What is SMS Sender ID?

An SMS Sender ID is the name or number that appears as the sender when recipients receive your SMS messages. Instead of displaying a random phone number, a well-chosen Sender ID shows your brand name or company identifier, making your messages instantly recognizable and trustworthy. At Text.lk SMS Gateway Sri Lanka, we know that a good Sender ID goes beyond just a name.

Why your Sender ID is important?

Just like choosing the right domain name for your website, selecting the perfect Sender ID is very important for your business success. A professional Sender ID:

·  Helps customers recognize and trust your brand

·  More people open your messages (about 98%)

·  Less chance of messages going to spam

·  Makes your messages look professional

·  Gets more replies from customers

Prefer to watch? Check out our you-tube video on “choosing a right SMS Sender ID” that helps your messages stand out!

12 Essential Tips for Choosing Your SMS Sender ID

1. Keep It Short and Memorable

Character Limit: Your Sender ID must be 11 characters or less for alphanumeric IDs.

Best Practice: Aim for 6-8 characters to ensure easy readability and memorability.

Examples:

• Instead of “SuperMarketChain” → Use “SuperMkt” or “SuprMart”
• Instead of “TechSolutions” → Use “TechSol” or “TechSup”

2. Make It Brand-Aligned

Your Sender ID should directly reflect your brand name or be easily associated with your business. This creates instant recognition and builds trust.

Good Examples:

• “Amazon” for Amazon Products
• “PayPal” for PayPal Payments
• “FedEx” for FedEx Deliveries
• “TextLK” for Text.lk SMS Gateway Sri Lanka

3. Avoid Numbers and Special Characters

Character Rules:

• ✅ Allowed: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, spaces, hyphens (-), underscores (_)
• ❌ Avoid: Special characters (#, @, %, $, etc.)
• ❌ Don’t use: Numbers-only Sender IDs for branding purposes

Why: Numbers and special characters can trigger spam filters and make your messages appear unprofessional.

4. Think Long-Term and Scalable

Choose a Sender ID that can grow with your business. Avoid being too specific if you plan to expand services.

Example: Instead of “FlowerShop” (limiting), use “BloomCo” (allows for garden supplies, events, etc.)

5. Research Trademark and Usage Rights

Before finalizing your Sender ID, ensure it’s not trademarked or used by competitors:

• Check trademark databases
• Search existing business names
• Verify domain availability
• Review competitor Sender IDs in your industry

6. Avoid Generic Terms

Don’t use generic terms like “Info,” “Support,” or “Admin” as these are often flagged as spam.

Instead use:

• Your actual business name
• Recognizable brand abbreviations
• Service-specific identifiers tied to your brand

7. Consider Your Message Type

Different message types may require different Sender ID approaches:

• OTP/Security: Use your main brand name for trust
• Marketing: Use campaign-specific but brand-related IDs
• Notifications: Use service-specific identifiers

8. Test for Pronunciation and Spelling

Your Sender ID should be easy to:

• Pronounce when spoken aloud
• Spell without confusion
• Remember after seeing it once

Avoid: Complex abbreviations or unclear letter combinations.

9. Follow local rules and guidelines

Different countries have varying regulations for Sender IDs:

For Sri Lanka specifically:

• Registration required for all alphanumeric Sender IDs
• Must be 3-11 characters
• Content must include your brand name
• Separate registrations needed for OTP vs. Marketing messages

10. Use Consistent Branding

Align your Sender ID with your other digital assets:

• Match your social media handles when possible
• Align with your domain name style
• Ensure consistency across all customer touchpoints

11. Avoid Double Letters

Why: Double letters increase typo chances and can cause delivery issues.

Examples to avoid:

• “BookStore” → Use “BookShop”
• “FoodDelivery” → Use “FoodDel”

12. Plan for Multiple Sender IDs

Consider registering multiple Sender IDs for different purposes:

• Primary brand for general communications
• Service-specific for different offerings
• Campaign-specific for marketing initiatives

Sri Lanka Specific Requirements

Registration Process for Text.lk Clients

Required Documents:

1. Authorization Letter (official template from Text.lk)
2. Business Registration (BR) certificate OR National ID (NIC)
3. Company letterhead with wet signature
4. Website documentation OR Domain Registration (if applicable)

Process:

1. Download authorization letter template from Text.lk
2. Complete with business details
3. Submit via email: [email protected] or whatsapp: 076 901 18 55
4. Wait for carrier approval (1-3 business days)

Read More : How to Request a Sender ID with Text.lk

Content Requirements

Sri Lankan regulations require:

• Brand name must appear in message content
• Separate registrations for OTP vs. Marketing
• No generic content allowed
• Clear opt-out options for marketing messages

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using competitor names or trademarked terms
2. Creating confusing abbreviations that don’t relate to your brand
3. Choosing overly generic terms that get filtered as spam
4. Not registering in countries that require pre-registration
5. Using the same ID for different message types inappropriately

Best Practices for SMS Success

Message Content Integration

• Always include your brand name in the message content
• Use consistent tone and style across all messages
• Provide clear call-to-actions
• Include opt-out instructions for marketing messages

Delivery Optimization

• Register your Sender ID in advance to avoid delivery failures
• Test message delivery across different mobile networks
• Monitor delivery rates and adjust if needed
• Use appropriate message types (OTP vs. Marketing) for better delivery

Conclusion

Choosing the right SMS Sender ID is as important as selecting the perfect domain name for your website. It’s your first impression, your brand identifier, and your trust signal all rolled into one. By following these guidelines and working with Text.lk’s streamlined registration process, you can ensure your SMS communications are professional, trustworthy, and effective.

Remember: A well-chosen Sender ID is an investment in your brand’s digital presence that pays dividends through improved customer engagement, higher open rates, and stronger brand recognition.

Ready to register your Sender ID? Contact Text.lk support at [email protected] or visit your dashboard to begin the registration process today.

Read more – What is a Sender ID and how does it work? ¹