It is now a requirement that all businesses sending text messages to contacts in the USA register their business and their use case for sending text messages. This registration is not exclusive to marketing campaigns, but all SMS & MMS communications from a business standpoint. This ensures that your messages are delivered to the intended recipients and increases trust and engagement with your company. We’re committed to helping you take steps to have your business registered right away, so you can get started texting faster.

Carriers and authorities overseeing the registration process levee fees for registering companies based on use cases and message velocity. We have simplified these costs as follows:

The registration process involves submitting a form available to administrators under “SMS Registration” in the upper-right dashboard menu. This form will ask for basic information about the business and the messages it intends to send across all text-enabled phone numbers. This guide will take you through each section of the SMS Registration Form:

Here are some things to remember as you complete the business details section.

Your primary contact is the person responsible for texting on this particular phone number. We’ll follow up with them should any questions arise during registration or in the future.

The phone number should be a North American US Mobile number capable of receiving SMS messages.

Next, categorize the type of messages. Here are some guidelines on the type of messages that you might be sending:

These are messages which contain information that is necessary for your customers to use your product or service. These texts usually contain information that customers have requested and most businesses will fall under this use case. Think of the following:

Sample Message: Order number 31415 is on its way. Visit example.com/31415 to track your shipment.

These are messages sent to increase sales, promote your product, or raise awareness about your business. Any text message that is intended to promote your organization is considered promotional, including the following:

Sample Message: Thanks for shopping with us! Based on your purchase, we think you’d love this product: example.com/productrecommendation

In this field, “Describe Typical Use,” describe the content your company will be sending via SMS from this phone number. What is the purpose of these messages?

This is the method in which you plan to have your customers opt-in to your SMS campaign. Opt-in methods must occur before you text your customers for the first time. In this section, simply explain how you plan to have text recipients opt in. Your explanation should have a 40 character minimum. One thing to know before we get started here, is that a Privacy Policy is now mandatory for all sizes of companies (all verticals), except Sole Proprietorship. You also must clarify in the Privacy Policy if data sharing with third parties occurs or not. You are not allowed to share data with third parties for marketing or promotion purposes.

While you’re only required to list at least one place you collect Opt-in, we strongly recommend including all (and making sure they’re all compliant!).

The options to have customers opt-in are below, but for all consent approval options besides a website or form sign-up, you must provide additional details on how your organization communicates and receives consent.

Please provide an example that demonstrates the following:

There are six different ways that a recipient can give their consent via a call to action.

Regardless of the type of messages, you are sending – informational or marketing – a critical aspect of compliant business texting is consent. Businesses can only text contacts that have provided their express consent. Express consent can never be assumed. For example, if a patient provides their number for verification purposes when scheduling an appointment, they’re not automatically consenting to future appointment reminders. Likewise, just because someone is your customer does not grant you the ability to send them weekly marketing messages. Common opt-in methods include:

Please also provide the keyword and message for your customers to receive help.

As important as opting-in, is the ability to opt-out and no longer receive messages. This too, is required. VirtualPBX’s VirtualText App includes the following keyword-based opt-out by default, but you may add additional options within your account:

Depending on how and why you’ll be messaging your customers, you may fall under a special use case. Filling out your answers here will help us determine how to correctly register your company and avoid common account flags at the mobile carrier level.

Next, please provide samples of the messages that you’ll be sending.

That’s it! After you submit your SMS Registration, our team will review and process the information provided. You’ll be able to track the status of your registration through your dashboard and our team will reach out to you when registration has been approved, or if we need additional information.