Landline numbers and phones seem outdated, but a vast majority of Americans still use them. Your business may even be equipped with a landline phone that you’re looking to switch. If you’re looking to get involved in business texting and keep up with present-day communication methods, look no further!
We’ll provide some tips on how you can turn your landline number into a number you can text and receive texts from. But first, let’s talk about what it’s like to send a text message and to receive a text message from a landline number.
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Read about the 5 most common mistakes businesses make when texting landlines
Landline numbers cannot receive messages like someone would on their cell phone. So what happens if you text a landline? What happens depends on the capabilities of the recipient's landline service provider. Traditionally, landline numbers are associated with voice calls rather than text messaging, so they don’t typically receive or display text messages like mobile phones.
Here are a few possibilities of what could happen when you text a landline number:
- No response: In many cases, nothing will happen. The landline service provider may not recognize the incoming text message and therefore won't take any action. Your clients will not receive the text message, and you won't receive any notification of delivery or failure.
- Automated voice message: Some landline service providers offer a feature that converts incoming text messages into a voice message. If the recipient's landline service has this capability, your text message might be converted into a voice message and played back to the recipient when they check their voicemail.
- Error message: In some cases, you may receive an error message or a notification indicating that the text message delivery failed. This typically occurs when the landline service provider doesn't support text messaging.
As such, if you are using business texting to communicate with customers, you are running the risk of leaving behind a select few with landline numbers. In answering "Can you text a landline?" the answer is: it depends. Depending on the type of service provider your customers have, they may be able to receive your text messages despite their landline number.
Can You Text on a Landline?
Now that you know what happens if you text a landline, you might be wondering if you can text with a landline number. Traditionally, landline phones are designed primarily for voice calls and don't have the capability to send or receive text messages like mobile phones. However, with the advancement of technology, some landline service providers now offer features that allow limited text messaging functionality.
One such feature is known as "text-to-landline," which enables landline phone numbers to receive text messages. When someone sends a text message to a landline number with this feature, the message is converted into synthesized speech and played back to the recipient when they check their voicemail.
However, it's important to note that the ability to send text messages from a landline phone is still not widely available. Most landline phones are not equipped with keyboards or screens necessary for composing and viewing text messages. Additionally, landline service providers may not offer the option to send text messages from a landline phone.
If you're specifically looking to send text messages, it is generally more convenient to use a mobile phone or other devices designed for text messaging capabilities. Talk to one of our representatives to learn more about how text-enabling your landline can make or break your business.
Texting from a Landline Number
Just because you cannot text from a landline phone does not mean you have to get rid of your landline number. There are ways you can text from a landline number without worrying about what happens if you text a landline.
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If you’re not ready to let go of your landline number, you can at least text-enable it. This means that you can keep your business landline number but be able to text and receive messages without the hassle of a landline phone.
But how can you text from a landline? It’s easy! When you partner with Text My Main Number, we provide the texting software on your computer to easily send and receive texts.
To dive deeper, check out our blog post on How to Text-Enable a Landline: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Once you text-enable your landline number, all you need to do is:
- Install the software
- Transfer your contacts
- Start texting!
If you’re wondering if you can text on a landline, it’s simple once you have the right software. You can send both messages and images (SMS and MMS respectively) with a text-enabled landline number.
Create an Entirely New Number
Perhaps you just started your business or you are looking to get an entirely new number—you totally can! Once you create a new mobile number, you won’t have to worry about whether you can text on a landline number.
This is what happens if you text a landline that is text-enabled! If you will be switching from a landline number to a mobile phone, remember to alert your customers. You may even want to go into detail about what happens when you text a landline, so they know that your landline number will no longer be operating.
Benefits for Small Businesses
Discover how small businesses are benefiting from texting
There are so many reasons to text-enable your landline number. Rather than having to always address, “can you text a landline,” you can let your customers know that your business number is fully equipped to send and receive text messages.
Here are some benefits of text-enabling your landline:
- Enhanced Communication: Text messaging provides an additional means of communication alongside voice calls. It allows for quick exchanges, questions, and concerns, making it useful for situations where your customers just don’t want to call.
- Accessibility: Everyone uses text messaging. By enabling text on your landline, you open yourself up to communication with a larger audience. It allows others to reach out to you via text, increasing accessibility for customers who prefer or rely on text-based communication.
- Documentation and Reference: Text messages serve as a record of conversations, making it easy to refer back to previous messages and retrieve information. This can be helpful for recalling details, instructions, or important contacts discussed in previous text exchanges.
- Integration with Services: Text messaging is often used for service-related interactions, such as receiving alerts, notifications, verification codes, appointment reminders, and more. By enabling text on your landline, you can take advantage of these services and easily engage with them.
Now that you know exactly what happens if you text a landline, and the benefits of text-enabling your landline phone, it’s time to take action.
Sign up for our 14-Day Free Trial with Text My Main Number and text-enable your landline number today!
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