Should I publish my cell phone texting address? What about control, privacy and security?

Bloggers, social networkers and web site owners!

There has been a lot of publicity recently on a variety of real estate blogs, discussions and websites about using Outlook to send text messages to someone's cell phone, I also posted on this topic.

TEXTING IS ALL THE RAGE!

However, after serious thought to this issue (sharing my cell texting address with others) I began to have concerns about control, privacy and security.  I sure don't want my cell phone to get clogged with SPAM!

With this texting trend there may be a time in the not to distant future where you and I will be receiving SPAM on our cell phones.  Maybe you already are.

DO NOT publish your cell phone text address!  Here are three good reasons:

1. You are guaranteed to get unsolicited text messages - like SPAM in your Inbox
2. Depending on your cell phone plan, you may be charged for text messages
3. Privacy and security issues

Is there a solution?  Yes.  (See the icon on the right "Text Me on My Cell Phone...> > > )

I use a service (5.99 a month) that allows people to send text messages to my cell phone using their web browser.  Instead of displaying my cell number on my sites they just click an icon or link (it doesn't display any personal info) and send a direct text message to my phone...without knowing my number.  Now that's privacy!

Let's face it, if I have your cell number I can send you a text meesage whether you want it or not.

You can make this "texting" feature available from your website, your blog, and on some of your social networking pages...most anywhere on the internet.

Some agents are using this in their Craig's List ads.

If you want to try it out go to my website and in the lower left hand corner click on the "Text Me on My Cell Phone" icon.

FYI: I use this service for one reason only...it provides my website visitors instant access to me while they are on my website or blog.  I have seen an increase in web visitor conversion because of it.  However, as with so many businesses there is an opportunity to earn money.  I'm telling you this upfront so you don't think I'm trying to sell you something.  To my knowledge this is the only service that works this way.  I've used widgets...the problem with these is I have to be in front of my computer in order to respond to a web visitors message (they use a IM wiki)...with this service I can be at the beach and respond because the message is coming directly to my cell phone.  In fact, I can even log into my account and see my text messaging sessions (a history report).