Web Forms
Incorporating a compliant opt-in feature on your website is a common application of web forms. Salesmsg's Demo Web Form serves as an excellent example, illustrating the standards and appearance of a legally compliant Web Form. Web form description requires a link where presented form can be viewed and checked.
Type | Description |
Compliance Language | Compliance language should appear directly beneath the CTA (call to action).
"I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy." |
Terms of Service | Provide a direct link to your terms of service. |
Privacy Policy | Provide a direct link to your privacy policy.
💡 Pro tip: if your privacy policy references "data sharing", your 10DLC application may be rejected unless your policy specifically outlines SMS opt-in consent and data will not be shared. |
Website Footer | Your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy should be linked just below the opt-in form. |
Keywords
In order to lawfully send text messages to your contacts, it's essential to obtain their explicit written consent, signifying their agreement to receive your messages. Utilizing SMS keywords is a common method to gain this specific consent, where individuals text a particular word to opt-in for messages.
Keyword Compliance Checklist
You might have encountered this practice when a company prompts you to text a specific word to their number (e.g., "Text ALERTS to (888) 343-3434").
To establish keyword compliance, follow these straightforward steps:
Type | Description |
Compliance Language | Compliance language should appear directly beneath the phone field and not elsewhere on the page.
"I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.
Privacy policy: https://mydomain.com/privacypolicy Terms & conditions: https://mydomain.com/terms |
Terms of Service | Provide the FULL URL to your terms of service. |
Privacy Policy | Provide the FULL URL to your privacy policy. |
eCommerce Checkout
To legally text your contacts, express written consent is required. This can be obtained by providing customers with a checkbox to opt-in to your text messages at the point of sale.
Checkout Page Checklist
The following guidelines apply to all checkout pages collecting subscribers, including Shopify Plus merchants and those using custom checkouts or integrations with Recharge or ChartHook:
All other merchants are currently unable to collect subscribers at checkout. This restriction includes soliciting SMS marketing consent from the primary customer contact field used for account identification and login.
Compliant opt-in language must be visible and located on the same popup, form, or checkout page where a user opts in. It cannot be concealed or placed on a separate page.
Type | Description |
Email Field | The text inside the email field should only ask for an email address, not an email and phone number. |
Text Below the Email Field | The text below the email field should only mention email, not phone or SMS. |
Opt-in Checkboxes | Opt-in checkboxes for both email and phone number should be optional and therefore not pre-checked. |
Compliance Language | Compliance language should appear directly beneath the phone field and not elsewhere on the page.
"I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders) at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition to purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy." |
Terms of Service | Provide a direct link to your terms of service. |
Privacy Policy | Provide a direct link to your privacy policy. |
Links | Your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy should be linked below your disclosures on the form |
TCPA-Approved Compliance Language
I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages (e.g. cart reminders) at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition to purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Note: To collect subscribers in compliance with legal regulations, your shop's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy must be accessible within the opt-in language. This can be achieved by hyperlinking the terms directly. If hyperlinking is not possible, the full URLs for both the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy should be included, allowing viewers to search for or access these documents as needed.
For example
View our Terms of Service (https:/myshop.com/terms-of-service/) and Privacy Policy (https://myshop.com/privacy-policy).
Paper Forms
If your paper form includes a section for collecting phone numbers, it can also provide customers with the opportunity to opt-in for future text messages.
To align with legal regulations, the opt-in process on your paper form must be carefully structured. It should include both a checkbox and a clear disclaimer. This disclaimer must explicitly state that by completing the form, the individual is consenting to receive text messages from your organization. This ensures transparency and adherence to compliance standards.
Type | Description |
Opt-in Checkboxes | Opt-in checkboxes for the phone number should be optional and therefore not pre-checked. |
Compliance Language | Compliance language should appear directly beneath the phone field and not elsewhere on the page.
"I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.
Privacy policy: https://mydomain.com/privacypolicy Terms & conditions: https://mydomain.com/terms |
Terms of Service | Provide a direct link to your terms of service. |
Privacy Policy | Provide a direct link to your privacy policy. |
Links | Your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy should be linked below your disclosures on the form |
Frequently asked questions
Is this required?
If you want to use a local phone number to text contacts who have phone numbers in the United States, yes it is required.
I already have permission to text my contacts, do they need to opt-in?
If you already have permission to message them, no you don't need them to opt-in again. However, to get approved for 10DLC which is required to send messages you need an opt-in that meets the criteria above.
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