SMS marketing compliance for service businesses (2026)

The three rules that matter

1. Register for A2P 10DLC. Any US business texting from a 10-digit local number must register the brand and campaign with The Campaign Registry. Unregistered messages are throttled or blocked outright.
2. Get consent before the first text. TCPA requires prior express consent. For service businesses that means a checkbox on your form or a documented verbal opt-in on the call.
3. Honor STOP and HELP. Every campaign must respect STOP (opt-out) and HELP (auto-reply with your business name and support contact) — automatically, no human in the loop.

The opt-in language that works

Put this exact wording under your booking form or below your intake checkbox. It satisfies TCPA and 10DLC campaign review.

By checking this box, I agree to receive SMS messages from [Your Business Name] about appointments, reviews, and service updates at the number provided. Message frequency varies. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help.

The message footer

Every marketing SMS (review requests count) needs the business name and an opt-out. Keep it short:

— [Your Business]. Reply STOP to opt out.

Record-keeping habits

• Store the timestamp, source (web form, call, in-shop), and consent text version for every contact.
• Never buy or scrape phone lists — carriers can trace this back to your campaign and shut it down.
• Suppress STOP contacts across every campaign, not just the one they opted out of.
• Keep your website's Privacy Policy and Terms live and linked from the opt-in — reviewers will click through.

Do this and you're safe

Register 10DLC, use the opt-in language above, keep a footer, honor STOP/HELP. That's the whole compliance surface for a solo service business. Risacare handles the registration and STOP/HELP automation so you can focus on the jobs.