Mark O'Neill asks:
I would like visitors to my website to be able to send me a SMS message if they would like to get in contact with me. However, there is no way I am going to put my mobile number online as I don’t want crank callers calling me up at all times of the day and night.
Is there an online service that allows people to send me SMS messages, but without being able to see my mobile number? Obviously, the web app would have the number, but wouldn’t show it on the screen. Then I can view the message on my phone and decide whether to respond.
Does such a service exist? Or have I just thought of a great new website idea? 
7 Answers -
Roy
March 15, 2011You could use a standard contact form that sends an email, with the email address pointing to your mobile number instead. Every SMS-capable phone can be “texted” via email. The email address formats are pretty much all the same, generally it’s 10-digit mobile number @ domain dot com. Here’s a partial list of the domains for some of the major US carriers:
T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
T-Mobile Sidekick I & II: phonenumber@tmail.com
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
MetroPCS: phonenumber@mymetropcs.com
AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
You will probably want to set the text field for the body of the message to a limit of 160 characters if you use this option. As long as users are aware that they’re sending an SMS message, they should understand why it’s limited.
Wikipedia List of SMS Gateways
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SMS_gateways
BTW you definitely want to add some spam protection like a captcha or something to the PHP mailer (or whatever system you decide on using)
March 16, 2011Tracy Holz
March 16, 2011Get a Google voice account for free, then give that sms number out – then forward that sms message to where ever you want!!
Holzster
Unfortunately, Google Voice is not yet available outside the US.
March 16, 2011FIDELIS
March 16, 2011Hello, you could also try using the following online sms service. It provides virtual mobile numbers:
https://www.2-waysms.com/
Phlegon
March 16, 2011Sadly, it appears Uk networks no longer allow this feature. I’m on T-mobile UK and after searching for the solution on the forums, it appears they pulled the plug on the service. Great post. Thanks
Daniel Shane
March 16, 2011Maybe try obtaining a number from http://k7.net/ which will give you a US based phone number. [Washington State]
From there you could associate the K7.net number with a Google Voice account.
You might then be able to send & receive SMS directly from your computer.
Tina
March 21, 2011Mark,
which of the solutions above did you test? Which ones worked and which one are you going to use?
Jessica Cam W.
April 2, 2011This isn’t quite SMS, but what about Meebo Me widgets? You don’t have to reveal your phone number and your website visitors can chat with you as long as you’re logged in/online on Meebo.com on the computer, iPhone or Android app. Visitors can also leave you messages if you’re offline.