As of 2024, In order to send as receive SMS compliantly, every business is required to undergo an application for a phone number, typically a US-based Toll Free Number (TFN). The phone number verification process typically lasts about 1 week, although applications can be delayed, or even denied, for reasons we will discuss below.
No matter which SMS provider you choose, assuming they are a compliant provider, (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Blaze SMS, for example) you will have to undergo this process. Every new number provisioned must have the associated business information validated by a third-party company that is typically the same regardless of the SMS provider.
Can I send messages prior to phone number verification?
Before your phone number is verified, US and CA carriers place full restrictions on your ability to send and receive messages. This means that any message sent or received by that phone number will be denied. The carrier will decline to fulfill the message. You should not attempt to send messages, or activate automations, or subscriber double-opt-in responses, because the messages through those numbers will be denied by carriers.
What can I do once my phone number is verified?
Once the third-party company validates your business information and approves your phone number for use, you have full ability to send and receive messages at scale. Top SMS providers (like Blaze SMS) will make sure that you collect subscribers in a TCPA-compliant way (The TCPA is the Telecomunications Consumer Protection Act). Blaze SMS will also make sure that you are not sending messages in a local timezone’s “Quiet Hours” (between 9pm - 5am in the local time zone). Tools like Blaze have a variety of automatic compliance-ensuring mechanisms to make sure that your verified phone number stays in good standing with carriers, so that you can have the best throughput possible. Once you’re verified, you’re good to go!
How long does it take to get verified?
Generally speaking, it takes about 1 week to get verified (about 5 business days, and verification doesn’t happen on weekends). In our experience, one week is the most likely scenario. For some websites and shops, however, a submission may be denied for any number of reasons. If an initial submission is denied, what we do here at Blaze SMS is automatically address the response from the carriers and resubmit your verification form on your behalf. When a new submission is submitted, the process resets, and it will take approximately another week to hear back. This is something again that every SMS provider has to deal with, because just about everyone has to go through the same third-party verifier.
How do I submit for verification?
After you complete onboarding, we immediately submit your phone number for expedited verification based on the information you provide during the onboarding process. This ensures the fastest possible time to hear back from carriers regarding your verification status. If you ever need to edit this information, it is available to view and edit on the Phone Numbers page.
There is no cost to you while your number is being approved. You can also try out multiple SMS providers at the same time to see who is the fastest at provisioning your phone number. If you ever decide to uninstall Blaze SMS, we keep your phone number active (and any approvals pending), for one month, in case you come back. We will work with you whether onboarding or exiting to ensure a smooth experience.
Do I have to get verified?
Yes, every suffiently good provider will require that you are verified. This is the only way that you can send and receive SMS within the US and CA without being denied. We have seen some SMS providers that use shared numbers, which is detrimental for a variety of reasons. First, it is almost always the case that you won’t be able to receive incoming SMS, because that number is shared by multiple businesses. It is a poor practice, skirts the lines of legaility, and puts your number, and entire SMS subscriber base, at risk if any other business misuses the number and gets the number blacklisted.
What are the requirements for verification
A few key things are required to make sure the carriers approve your business for a phone number:
- Your website must be publicly accessible (not password protected)
- The contact page must have business details that match what you’ve submitted on your phone number verification form
- You must not sell a “SHAFT” (Sex, Hate, Alcohol, or Tobacco) product (CBD products are unfortunately not allowed, either).
- If you’re using a third-party pop-up, it must display the required compliance language (discussed below). If you’re using a Blaze SMS built-in pop-up, we make sure it is always compliant by default.
What is good Compliance Language?
We recommend the following as your compliance language. This should be the disclaimer placed on your pop-up or phone number collection form. It should be placed beneath the button used to submit the phone number.
By providing the number and clicking the button, you agree to receive recurring auto-dialed marketing text messages (including cart reminders, confirmation codes, & AI content) and our [link]Terms of Service[/link] (including arbitration). Consent is not required to purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. View our [link]Privacy Policy[/link]
Both of the [link] values (your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy) should be properly hyperlinked, clickable, and in bold font.
Can I send international SMS without being verified?
In general, it is possible, since carrier verification generally applies to the US and CA, although you will want to talk with our team at Blaze SMS before attempting to do so. Attempting to send international messages without verification may be declined by our system without express prior approval.
Can I get approved for an SMS Short Code?
Yes. For an additional cost. SMS Short codes are typically 5-digit numbers (12345) that a brand can register in order to send messages. These are typically more memorable, and sometimes prefered. The cost for an SMS short codes, no matter who provides them, is generally quite expensive, and is a cost that we have to pass through to the customer. SMS short codes through Blaze SMS are $1000 per month. This is our cost and we make no margin from it. You can get approved for one if needed. Contact us through live chat to get started.
How can I get started?
At Blaze SMS, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We provide high-throughput enterprise SMS marketing for Shopify businesses with the best possible pricing available. To get started, install our app on the Shopify App Store, complete the onboarding, and contact us if you need any help at all!
