Texting from Your Business Number: 10DLC Made Simple

To text customers from your business number, the mobile phone companies need to know who you are. That sign-up is called 10DLC registration ("10-digit long code" just means a regular 10-digit phone number), and since February 1, texts from unregistered business numbers are blocked.

Can I Text Customers from My Business Phone Number?

Yes, once your number is registered. Customers like getting a text. It is quick, it does not interrupt their day, and they can reply when it suits them. That is why so many small businesses send appointment reminders, quotes and "we're on our way" messages from their business number.

The rules have been tightening, and this month they reached a milestone. Beginning February 1, the big mobile phone companies (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) are blocking business texts sent from regular local numbers that have not been registered. Not filtering them. Blocking them.

Why Do Mobile Phone Companies Require Registration?

Text spam has grown the same way robocalls did. The mobile companies want to protect their customers' inboxes. Registration gives them a way to trust real business messages and block the rest. For you, the upside is that registered messages are more likely to be delivered.

What Do You Need to Register?

There are two parts: telling them about your business, and describing the kinds of texts you will send. To get ready, gather:

• Your legal business name, exactly as it appears with the IRS.
• Your EIN (federal tax ID number).
• Your business address, website and a contact email and phone number.
• A short description of what you will text about, such as appointment reminders or customer service.
• Two or three sample messages that look like what you will actually send.
• How customers agree to get texts, such as a checkbox on your website or a sign-up form at the front desk.
• How customers stop texts, usually by replying STOP.

The details need to match. If your website says one business name and your registration says another, it can slow things down. Use the same name, address and website everywhere, and make sure your website shows how people sign up for texts.

How Do You Write Sample Messages That Get Approved?

Reviewers want to see that your messages are clear and expected. Good samples:

• Name your business.
• Say why you are texting.
• Tell people how to stop, like "Reply STOP to opt out."

For example, a dental office sending reminders might use: "Peachtree Dental: Reminder of your appointment Tuesday at 10am. Reply C to confirm or call us to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out."

What Are Good Business Texting Habits?

• Only text people who have agreed to hear from you.
• Keep a record of how and when they agreed.
• Honor STOP requests right away.
• Stick to the kinds of messages you registered.
• Text during reasonable hours.

For more on tone and timing, see our post on how to text customers without annoying them.

How Does Registration Work with Telonium?

Telonium business texting lets you send and receive texts and pictures on your business number. Registration is required before texting is turned on, and we help you through it. You can apply for registration through Telonium, and our features page shows how texting fits with the rest of your phone system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Registration Take?

It varies. The business part can be quick, while the review of your message types often takes longer, sometimes several business days or more. Plan ahead, especially before a busy season.

Why Aren't My Business Texts Being Delivered?

The most common reason is that the number is not registered yet. Other causes are messages that do not match what you registered, or missing STOP wording. Check those first.

Does Registration Affect Phone Calls?

No. It covers business texts from local numbers. Your calls work the same as before.

If you have been putting registration off, now is the time. Give us a call at 404-566-8888 and we will help you get started.