If your website forms (like "Contact Us," online schedulers, or sign-up forms) ask for a phone number, you need to add some specific language to stay compliant with text messaging rules. This is like getting a clear "yes" from someone before you text them!
Why This Is Important
If you don't have this required opt-in language on forms that ask for a phone number, your texting registration will be denied. Without an approved texting registration, you won't be able to send any texts.
What's Required for SMS Opt-In Compliance?
If a form on your website requires a phone number to be filled out, you must include the following:
An Unchecked Opt-In Checkbox:
This checkbox should be placed right next to or just below the phone number field.
The words for the checkbox must be clear, like: "Opt-in to Text Messages".
Important: This box must not be checked by default. The customer needs to actively check it.
Accompanying Compliance Language:
Immediately next to or directly under the opt-in checkbox, you need to include the following (or very similar) exact wording. Remembering to replace the bracketed information with your specific details!
Required Language: "By providing a telephone number and checking "Opt-in to Text Messages", I consent to be contacted by SMS text messages regarding customer care, account notifications, and delivery notifications. Reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. I agree with the Privacy Policy(YOUR PRIVACY POLICY URL) and Terms and Conditions(YOUR TERMS & CONDITIONS URL) of [YOUR OFFICE NAME]."
Example of How it Looks:
When Is This NOT Required?
If the phone number field on a form or online scheduler is optional (meaning people don't have to fill it out to submit the form), then you don't need to add the opt-in checkbox and special wording for that specific form.
Common Questions
Why do I need an SMS opt-in checkbox on my forms? You need it to get clear permission from customers before you send them text messages. This is a requirement for texting registration and helps you stay compliant with messaging rules.
What happens if I don't include the opt-in language? Your texting registration will be denied, and you won't be able to send any text messages.
Does the opt-in checkbox need to be checked automatically? No, it must be unchecked by default. Customers need to actively click it to show they agree to receive texts.
What specific information needs to be in the opt-in language? It needs to state the types of messages, how to opt-out (STOP), how to get help (HELP), that message frequency can vary, that message and data rates may apply, and links to your Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Do I need this opt-in language if the phone number field is optional? No, if the phone number field is optional on your form, you are not required to include this specific opt-in language.
Where should the opt-in checkbox and language be placed? It should be placed right next to or directly under the phone number field on your form.