A2P Campaign Types Explained for Service-Based Businesses
Not sure which A2P campaign type to choose for your business SMS messaging? This guide breaks down Low Volume Mixed, High Volume Marketing, 2FA, and more to help you pick the right one.
This guide helps you choose the right A2P (Application-to-Person) campaign type for your business SMS messaging needs.
Quick Recommendation
For most service-based businesses (HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, home services, etc.):
Use "Low Volume Mixed" - It's the most cost-effective option and covers all the messaging you'll typically need: appointment reminders, customer follow-ups, estimates, and occasional promotions.
Campaign Types Breakdown
1. Low Volume Mixed (Recommended for Most Small Businesses)
Best For: Small to medium service businesses sending fewer than 2,000 messages per day
What You Can Send:
- Appointment confirmations and reminders
- Service follow-ups
- Estimate and invoice notifications
- Occasional promotional messages
- General customer communications
Pros:
- Lowest monthly fee
- Covers multiple message types in one campaign
- Perfect for businesses with a local customer base
Cons:
- Lower throughput (messages sent per second)
- Daily message limits on some carriers
- Not ideal if you need to send thousands of messages quickly
Typical Use Cases:
- "Hi John, this is ABC Plumbing. Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 2 PM."
- "Thanks for choosing us! Your invoice is ready: [link]"
- "Spring special: 10% off AC tune-ups this month. Reply STOP to opt out."
2. High Volume Marketing
Best For: Businesses running large promotional campaigns or marketing blasts
What You Can Send:
- Promotional offers and discounts
- Seasonal campaigns
- New service announcements
- Re-engagement campaigns
Pros:
- Higher throughput for sending many messages quickly
- Better deliverability for marketing content
- Designed specifically for promotional messaging
Cons:
- Higher monthly fees
- Stricter content requirements
- Requires clear opt-in consent for marketing
When to Choose This:
- You regularly send promotional blasts to 1,000+ contacts
- Time-sensitive offers that need to reach everyone quickly
- Running multiple marketing campaigns per month
3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA / OTP)
Best For: Sending verification codes and security messages
What You Can Send:
- Login verification codes
- Password reset codes
- Account verification
- Security alerts
Pros:
- Highest priority delivery
- Best deliverability rates
- Designed for time-sensitive security messages
Cons:
- Cannot be used for marketing or general messaging
- Specific format requirements
- Should only be used for actual authentication purposes
When to Choose This:
- You have a customer portal with login requirements
- Customers need to verify their identity via SMS
- Security-focused communications only
4. Customer Service / Care
Best For: Dedicated support and service communications
What You Can Send:
- Support ticket updates
- Service status notifications
- Issue resolution follow-ups
- Customer satisfaction surveys
Pros:
- Good throughput for support operations
- Clear categorization for carriers
- Appropriate for ongoing customer conversations
Cons:
- Not suitable for marketing content
- May have higher fees than Low Volume Mixed
When to Choose This:
- You have a dedicated support team
- High volume of customer service interactions
- Need to separate support from marketing messages
5. Appointment Reminders
Best For: Businesses focused primarily on scheduling
What You Can Send:
- Appointment confirmations
- Reminder notifications
- Rescheduling requests
- No-show follow-ups
Pros:
- Optimized for appointment-related messaging
- Good deliverability for time-sensitive reminders
- Clear use case for carrier approval
Cons:
- Limited to appointment-related content
- Cannot include promotional messaging
- May need separate campaign for other message types
When to Choose This:
- Appointment scheduling is your primary SMS use case
- You want to keep appointment messages separate from marketing
- You send a high volume of appointment reminders
Comparison Table
| Feature | Low Volume Mixed | High Volume Marketing | 2FA | Customer Service | Appointment Reminders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $ | $$ | $ | $ | $ |
| Message Types | Multiple | Marketing only | Security only | Support only | Appointments only |
| Daily Limit | ~2,000 | Higher | Highest | Medium | Medium |
| Best For | Small businesses | Large campaigns | Login security | Support teams | Scheduling-focused |
| Marketing Allowed | Yes (limited) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Transactional | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Message Limits & Throughput
What is Throughput?
Throughput is how many messages you can send per second (MPS). Higher throughput = faster delivery to large contact lists.
Typical Limits by Campaign Type
| Campaign Type | T-Mobile Daily Limit | AT&T Rate Limit | Throughput |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Volume Mixed | ~2,000 msg/day | ~15 msg/min | 1-3 MPS |
| Standard Marketing | Higher | Higher | 3-75 MPS* |
| 2FA/OTP | Highest | Highest | Up to 75 MPS* |
*Throughput varies based on your Trust Score from carrier vetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send marketing messages with Low Volume Mixed?
Yes, but keep promotional content to a reasonable portion of your overall messaging. If most of your messages are promotional, consider High Volume Marketing instead.
What happens if I exceed my daily limit?
Messages may be delayed or rejected by carriers. If you regularly hit limits, consider upgrading your campaign type.
Can I have multiple campaigns?
Yes, but each campaign has its own monthly fee. Most small businesses only need one Low Volume Mixed campaign.
How long does approval take?
Typically 1-7 business days, depending on the campaign type and carrier review requirements.
What if my campaign gets rejected?
Common reasons include incomplete business information, unclear message samples, or mismatched use case. You can resubmit with corrections.
Still Not Sure?
For most service-based businesses sending appointment reminders, follow-ups, and occasional promotions to local customers, Low Volume Mixed is the right choice. It's affordable, flexible, and covers the messaging needs of typical home service businesses.
If you're planning large marketing campaigns or have specific security requirements, contact our support team for personalized guidance.
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Get StartedThis guide is for informational purposes. Carrier requirements and fees may change. Always ensure your messaging complies with TCPA regulations and includes proper opt-out mechanisms.
About Local Business Pro Team
The Local Business Pro team combines decades of experience in service businesses, technology, and customer success to create content that helps contractors grow.
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