How do I keep a text message short to control its cost?

You will have shortened a message so it fits in as few segments as possible, because SMS is billed per segment.

Before you start

You need the Manage permission to save the shorter text.

Steps

1. Open SMS Templates, pick the template and the language.
2. Read the counter under the box: it shows characters and an approximate number of segments.
3. For Latin text, one segment holds 160 characters, so the counter is right. Aim to stay under 160.
4. For Persian, Arabic or other non-Latin text, one segment holds about 70 characters. Work out your own count: the number of characters divided by 70, rounded up, is nearer the real figure than the counter.
5. Remove words, drop the site name if the variable is optional for you, and prefer short links. Variables such as {{manageUrl}} count at their real length when sent.
6. Press Save.

What you will see

Fewer segments per message, and a lower SMS bill.

If something goes wrong

• The counter assumes Latin text, so it understates the cost of non-Latin messages by more than half.
• The text of a variable is added at send time, so a long name or link makes the real message longer than the preview.
• Keep the variables the message needs; removing one just makes it empty.