Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

What is GetMobileCoupons?
GetMobileCoupons is a text messaging broadcast service designed to meet the needs of both small and large commercial businesses like yours.
Who is it for?
GetMobileCoupons is for owners like you who have timely information to disseminate to your customers. Almost everybody has a mobile phone these days, and the best way to get your message out is with quick and direct text messages.
How might I use it?
Here are a few examples, but you are only limited by your imagination.
  • Send discounts and special deals
  • Inform of an upcoming sale or other event
  • Conduct a contest or raffle via SMS
  • Reward your frequent customers with discounts
  • Offer lists for different purposes; create a few!
How does it work?
Here's a basic rundown:
  1. First you choose a keyword to identify a group you (owner) intend to broadcast messages to.
  2. Next you register your phone# as the manager of this keyword.
  3. Then sign up for an affordable monthly plan, or opt for a free trial.
  4. Help your customers join the group(s) they are interested in (clear & simple instructions provided).
  5. Use our straightforward web site (or your phone) to broadcast text messages to your groups.
  6. No software to install or configure. It's really that simple!
Is this U.S. only?
Yes, GetMobileCoupons is available in the U.S. only.
Which carriers supported?
GetMobileCoupons is available on all major US carriers, including: Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, Virgin, Cricket, T-Mobile, Alltel, and more. Additional carriers coming soon...

Troubleshooting

Why didn't I receive my password during registration?
There are a number of reasons why you might not have received your welcome text message (with password) during registration. We're happy to help you out. Sometimes the cellular networks are just slow. If you've waited 10 minutes and still have not received it, please do the following:
  1. Text HELP to 41411.
  2. Text HELP to 46645.
  3. E-mail us (support at ) and include:
    • Your mobile phone#
    • Your wireless carrier
    • When you tried to register (including time zone)
    • What happened as a result of texting HELP To those two numbers
    • If you are able to send and receive text messages normally
If you receive your password later and have already closed the registration confirmation window, you can simply use your phone# + password to login with.

Signing Up

How do I sign up?
Signing up is quick and easy.
  1. First you choose a keyword to identify a group you (owner) intend to broadcast messages to.
  2. Next you register your phone# as the manager of this keyword.
  3. Then sign up for an affordable monthly plan, or opt for a free trial.
  4. Help your customers join the group(s) they are interested in (clear & simple instructions provided).
  5. Use our straightforward web site (or your phone) to broadcast text messages to your group(s).
  6. No software to install or configure. It's really that simple!
Do I have to pay?
As the group leader, you (e.g. owner) will be the billed a fixed amount every month via PayPal. This provides you a fixed number of message credits for you to use each month (which varies depending on the plan you are signed up for). Beyond that, we do not bill your subscribers or group members, although standard text messaging rates do apply. Members may wish to review their wireless service plans for details on whether text messages are included for free or not.
How do I pick the right plan?
Do some basic calculations by multiplying your expected group size(s) by the # of messages you intend to broadcast per month. Then pick a plan that will cover your required messaging volume. If your needs change, you can always upgrade or downgrade plans at any time, so don't stress too much about making the perfect decision!

Example 1

You have a group with 30 members. You plan to send two messages per week (or roughly 8 broadcasts per month). This will result in 8x30 = 240 messages per month. So you could sign up for our 350-message plan, which would cover your expected messaging plus allow a few extra broadcasts where necessary.

Example 2

You have one group with 1000 members that you will broadcast to each Friday (about 4 times per month). You have several other groups with 20-50 members each that you will broadcast to several times a week. This will result in roughly 1000x4 + 50x12 = ~5000 messages per month. So here you might want to sign up for our 5500-message plans.

Is there a contract?
There are no long term contracts, and you can cancel at any time! However there are no partial month credits, so if you cancel in the middle of your monthly billing cycle, you will retain your message credits and use of our service for the rest of the month, but you will not be billed again.
How can I change my service plan?
To change plans, simply log in to your account on GetMobileCoupons and choose a new plan. You will now have TWO active subscriptions, which is valid but probably not desirable. So simply cancel (via PayPal) your old subscription plan. You may wish to time a change like this with your monthly billing cycle.
How can I cancel?
To cancel your GetMobileCoupons service plan, please visit PayPal and terminate your subscription there. We will honor this request and no longer bill you. You may also e-mail our support staff for help terminating your service with us.

Note that there are no partial month credits, so if you cancel in the middle of your monthly billing cycle, you will retain your message credits and use of our service for the rest of the month, but you will not be billed again.

How can I change my personal info later?
You may wish to change your username or e-mail address after signing up. Simply log in to your account on GetMobileCoupons and click the "Profile" link in the navigation bar.

Changing your phone# is slightly more complicated. You will need to register a new account with your new phone#, then while logged in as your old account, click "Settings" for your group, then click "Transfer Group", then provide the phone# of the account you wish to transfer to. For help transferring active service plans too (i.e. if you don't wish to sign up again with the new phone#), please contact our support staff.

Creating & Managing Groups

What's a group?
A group, identified by a keyword, contains any number of members you wish to broadcast messages to. Often you will have a single group for everybody you wish to message. You may also wish to have smaller groups for more targeted messaging. Or do both, so you can broadcast some messages to everybody, and some to specific groups. Users may belong to any number of groups, and can join or leave at their leisure.

Whenever you log in to GetMobileCoupons or click "My Groups" in the nav bar (if already logged in), you will see a list of your groups. From this first page, you may view members of any of your groups, change group settings, broadcast messages to a group, or create new groups.

What's a keyword?
A keyword identifies a group. You should choose a keyword that is short but clear. Not all keywords are available, but you will be able to easily see whether your desired keywords can be registered as you type them.

A good SMS keyword might relate to an activity, a group, or your church's name. Here are some examples:

  • VIPSAVINGS
  • FREEPIZZA
  • HOTSHOES
  • MIKESCAFE
  • OILNLUBE

Once you create a group, you can't change its keyword. However you may delete your keywords and create others.

How do I get people to join my group(s)?
Click on the "Members" link next to your group name, and you will be taken to a page with detailed instructions on many ways to add members to your group. This includes: an HTML widget to put on your blog/web site, verbal instructions for people to join by sending a text message, custom-printed t-shirts with subscription instructions, a public web page you can direct users to with a sign-up form, and more.
How many groups should I have?
Many users simple create a single group for everybody they wish to message. But you may also wish to have smaller groups for more targeted messaging. Or do both, and you can broadcast some messages to everybody, and some to specific groups.
How big/small should a group be?
The smallest group has 0 members, but that's not very useful. The largest group can be as big as you need! Create groups that mesh with how you intend to use GetMobileCoupons.
What are "reserved" keywords?
Some keywords may be flagged as "reserved". These can include common brand names or short (3-4 character) keywords. While most keywords can be registered automatically on our web site, reserved keywords require manual approval by our staff. If the keyword you want is reserved, just contact our support staff.

Broadcasting Messages

How do I broadcast messages?

To broadcast messages from our web site, simply log in, click "Broadcast" next to the group you want to send to, then type your message and click the send button. This screen will show how many message credits you have remaining in your account.

To broadcast from your phone (when you are away from your computer), see below.

How long can a message be?
Messages can be up to 160 characters in length.
How many messages can I send?
Each message you send will deduct message credits from your account based on the # of people in your group. You may send as many messages you want as long as you maintain a positive message credit balance. If you run out of credits, you may sign up for a larger plan.
Can I broadcast directly from my phone?
To broadcast from your phone (when you are away from your computer), you can send a text message to 41411 that starts with the word "ALERT" followed by your group's keyword, and then your message. For example to send to VIPSAVINGS, you would send this text message to 41411:
alert vipsavings This is my message! Everybody in the group will receive this.

Group Member Questions

How do I join a group?
There are many ways to enter a group, and your group leader should tell you their preferred method(s). (See "How do I get people to join my group(s)?" under Creating/Managing Groups). One of the easiest ways is to simply text the group keyword to 41411.
How do I leave a group?
There are a number of ways to leave a group. You can send a text message to 41411 with the word "LEAVE" followed by the group keyword, e.g.:
leave groupname

To opt-out of ALL text messages from 41411, text the word "STOP" to 41411, or type your phone# into the form on the opt-out page linked in this web site's footer.

Is it free?
GetMobileCoupons does not charge group members for joining groups or receiving message. However your wireless carrier may have fees associated with text messaging.
Will I get SPAM?
GetMobileCoupons will NOT send unsolicited advertisements or sell your contact information to a 3rd party. You may review our Privacy Policy for more details.

Costs & Fees

What does the group manager pay?
The group manager signs up for an affordable monthly service plan, which is automatically billed on a monthly cycle based on start date. This provides a fixed number of message credits, with plans ranging from small and casual to quite large. Beyond that, GetMobileCoupons does not charge any additional fees, though standard text messaging rates apply.
Do group members pay anything?
GetMobileCoupons does not charge group members for joining groups or receiving message. However your wireless carrier may have fees associated with text messaging.
How can I cancel service?

Managers

Managers may cancel GetMobileCoupons service plans by logging in to PayPal and terminating subscriptions there. We will honor this request and no longer bill you. You may also e-mail our support staff for help terminating your service with us.

Note that there are no partial month credits, so if you cancel in the middle of your monthly billing cycle, you will retain your message credits and use of our service for the rest of the month, but you will not be billed again.

Group Members

Users who have joined groups and no longer wish to receive messages can opt-out in a number of ways. To leave a single group, you can send a text message to 41411 with the word "LEAVE" followed by the group keyword, e.g.:

leave groupname

To opt-out of ALL text messages from 41411, text the word "STOP" to 41411, or type your phone# into the form on the opt-out page linked in this web site's footer.

Privacy, SPAM, & Advertisements

Will I receive unsolicited text messages?
GetMobileCoupons will NOT send unsolicited advertisements or sell your contact information to a 3rd party. You may review our Privacy Policy for more details.
Do you have a Privacy Policy?
Yes. Our Privacy Policy is available online.
Can people see my messages on the web?
When a group leader broadcasts messages, the messages are retained on our servers and made available via the group's public web page. Click "Public Page" to see this page. You may link to or e-mail the link for this page to your members. If you don't want these messages exposed on the web, you may deactivate this setting in the "Settings" panel for your group.

Miscellaneous

How is this related to TextMarks?
GetMobileCoupons is a trusted partner of TextMarks, Inc.. Our messaging back-end infrastructure and the 41411 shortcode are managed by TextMarks. Your account & password are also valid on the TextMarks web site, where you may find more advanced options for your keywords.
Can I automate message broadcasting?
Yes. In addition to triggering broadcasts from our web site and from your phone, you may also wish to integrate GetMobileCoupons into your existing web site or application. For example if you have existing software that might benefit by notifying your customers of events automatically, you can do so by integrating with our APIs. You may also programmatically fetch previously sent messages, invite members to your group, and much more.

See the TextMarks Developer Center for integration information. Your username, password, and keywords are shared with TextMarks, a trusted partner of GetMobileCoupons.

How can I opt out and stop receiving messages?
You may opt out from 41411 using any of the following means:
  • Send a text message with the single word STOP to 41411.
  • Type your phone# into our Opt Out form and confirm.
  • If you are unable to use our automated systems to opt out, you may contact our support staff and request to opt out. Remember to include your mobile phone# in your message. You can reach our friendly support staff via e-mail: support at .

Help Me!

Still have questions? Contact us.
Still having problems? You can reach our friendly support staff via e-mail: support@getmobilecoupons.com. Or give us a call: 888-854-5840. We also recommend posting in our Forum, where other users are likely to help too.