Get your business ready to text customers before you apply.

Part 1: Five things reviewers check on your application.

Every commercial texting application (whether toll-free or 10DLC) is reviewed before you can send. Here are the five items they verify first:

1. Your legal name matches public records exactly. Carriers check that the business name you enter matches the legal name on your IRS EIN records exactly (sole proprietors use their own details). If your LLC is registered as "Acme Workshop LLC", do not apply as "Acme Workshop" or your trading DBA name without matching documentation.
2. Your tax identification matches your entity classification. If you registered an LLC or corporation, provide your federal EIN. If you operate as an unregistered sole proprietorship, apply through the sole-proprietor registration path using your legal personal name.
3. Your website is live, public, and complete. Reviewers will visit your URL. If your website is password-protected, shows a "Coming Soon" splash page, or lacks basic business details, the application is rejected immediately. Ensure your site has an About section, contact address, and clear descriptions of what you sell.
4. Your website hosts clear Privacy and Terms pages. Your privacy policy must state clearly that customer mobile numbers are not sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.
5. Your opt-in consent is strictly optional and separate. Carrier guidelines require that text messaging consent is voluntary and cannot be a required condition of purchase or service. A customer must be able to complete a purchase or book a service without agreeing to receive promotional texts.

Part 2: How to format your text signup form and disclosure.

Bundled consent is the single most common cause of carrier rejection. Follow these five formatting rules on your signup forms:

1. Keep the text checkbox completely separate from your terms of service. Never combine "I agree to the Terms of Service and to receive marketing texts" into a single checkbox. Text consent must have its own standalone line.
2. Leave the text checkbox unchecked by default. Pre-checked boxes fail carrier verification. The customer must actively click or tap to check the box.
3. Display your exact business name in the disclosure. State your brand name plainly so the subscriber knows who will be sending them messages.
4. Include message frequency, rates, and opt-out wording. Mention that message frequency varies, standard message and data rates may apply, and that they can text STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance.
5. Link directly to your privacy policy and terms. Place clickable links to your privacy policy and terms of service immediately adjacent to the consent text.

Copy-paste opt-in disclosure and sample message templates.

Use this compliant disclosure text beneath the phone field on your website or counter signup form:

[ ] Yes, send me updates and special offers from [Business Name] by text. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for info. View Privacy Policy at [https://yourdomain.com/privacy/] and Terms at [https://yourdomain.com/terms/]. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

When carrier applications ask for sample text messages, provide realistic marketing examples that reflect your declared use case and include mandatory STOP language:

[Business Name]: Our autumn woodworking collection is now available in the shop! Stop by this Saturday or browse online: [yourdomain.com]. Reply STOP to opt out.

The carrier review timeline and honest expectations.

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