TCPA Basics Every Business Owner Should Know Before Texting Customers

This is not legal advice — it is operational common sense. When businesses get TCPA wrong, the problem is almost always consent documentation, not malicious intent.

Core ideas

• Marketing texts require prior express written consent in most cases
• Buying lists is not consent
• Customers must be able to opt out easily — usually by replying STOP
• Keep records of when and how each number opted in
• Identify your business in every message

Appointment reminders vs promos

Transactional reminders for existing appointments sit in a different bucket than marketing blasts. Mixing them without clear consent creates confusion — separate the programs.

Practical first step

Audit every place you collect phone numbers. Add explicit SMS opt-in language where needed. Test STOP on your own phone before you announce the program.

We build compliant SMS programs through SMS marketing — opt-in flows, reminders, and promos with documentation.