Text messaging is often used as a means for communicating with other people. Also known as Short Message Sending, or SMS, text messages are words and characters that make up one message that can be sent from one mobile phone to another.



Text messaging was developed with the emergence of the new mobile phone handsets that were part of the GSM series. The first phones that were enabled to send and receive text messages were created in 1985. Since that time, the technology for text messaging as well as the development of phone models which emphasize the texting feature of the phone.

Recent phone models now have features that enhance the texting capabilities of the phone. Some features used for texting are predictive text, which tries to guess what word the user is trying to spell out, as well as graphics, emoticons and animations, icons that can be added to the message to enhance the emotions of the text.

There are still some phones whose main functionality and features are for making telephone calls. However most modern phones cater mostly to texting, enabling users to efficiently compose, store and edit text messages.

There used to be no charge for text messages. Now, because of a marked rise in usage, companies have placed rates on sending text messages. It is understandable that users would be resistant to the expenses brought on by text messaging. After all, it is another quick way to get in touch with friends. Given this, there have been endeavors to make other options available to users who do not want to pay just for sending text messages.

Several instant messaging applications have already tried to integrate sending text messages to their functions. They often enable their logged on users to send text messages to their listed contacts. One common drawback to this is that the contact has to register their mobile numbers before their friends can send them text messages.

Another option is the presence of online text message sites that allow people to send messages from the website directly to a mobile number. These sites often cater to mobile phone service providers from a specific location. Most of them cater to mobile phone owners in the USA or the UK.

All the user needs to do at these sites is put the complete mobile number of the one they want to send the message to. Complete mobile number means including the area code, and sometimes even the country code. There are also sites that do not support all service providers so it is best to check with the online guidelines to make sure that the phone company is supported. Once the number is in place, the user can then put a subject line and compose the message. Once this is done, the message can be sent.

Some websites are not secure in that they send spam to the used number or they sell that number to third party companies. Other sites allow the first message to be sent for free, however to send more messages, the recipient needs to reply to the site. When searching for a site to try and send a text message for free, it is best to find one that has no hidden fees and gimmicks as well as no ulterior motives.