SMS marketing that builds trust and grows your business

Frequently asked questions

• Is SMS marketing legal?

  Yes, SMS marketing is legal in the United States, but it does come with rules you need to follow. The two main regulations to know are the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the guidelines set by the CTIA (the wireless industry association).

  In plain terms: you need to get clear, written consent from contacts before sending them marketing messages, include opt-out instructions in every message, and honor opt-out requests immediately. Text-Em-All is built to support all of this, from easy opt-in tools to automatic opt-out management, so staying compliant doesn't have to be complicated.

• What's the difference between SMS marketing and mass texting?

  Mass texting is the delivery mechanism — it's how you send a single message to a large group of people at once. SMS marketing is how you use that capability to promote your business, build customer relationships, and drive sales. Think of it like this: mass texting is the engine, and SMS marketing is where you're driving. Text-Em-All supports both, whether you're sending a flash sale to customers or an urgent update to your team.

• How do I get contacts to opt in to SMS marketing?

  There are a few easy ways to build your subscriber list. You can add a sign-up form to your website, include an opt-in checkbox at checkout, promote a keyword (like "Text DEALS to 12345") on social media or in-store signage, or collect consent manually and import contacts. The most important thing is that opt-in language is clear — people should know exactly what they're signing up for and how often they'll hear from you. Text-Em-All makes all of these methods simple to set up.

• How does SMS marketing compare to email marketing?

  Both have their place, but they serve different moments. SMS is best for time-sensitive messages such as flash sales, appointment reminders, and event updates because texts are read within minutes. Email is better for longer content, detailed promotions, or messages that don't need an immediate response. SMS open rates consistently outperform email, and response rates are significantly higher, too. For most businesses, SMS and email work best together rather than as either/or.

• What kinds of messages can I send with SMS marketing?

  Quite a few. Promotional texts like sales, discounts, and limited-time offers are the most common. But SMS marketing also works really well for loyalty rewards, product launch announcements, event invitations, and re-engagement campaigns for customers who haven't purchased in a while. The key is making sure every message delivers real value. If it's not something your customers would genuinely want to receive, it's probably not worth sending.

• What is 10DLC and do I need it for SMS marketing?

  10DLC (10-digit long code) is the standard phone number type used by businesses for SMS marketing in the U.S. Major carriers now require businesses to register their 10DLC numbers and campaigns before sending marketing messages at scale. It sounds more complicated than it is. Registration is a one-time process, and it actually helps your messages get delivered more reliably and avoid spam filters. Text-Em-All walks you through the registration process so you're set up correctly from the start.

• Can contacts reply to my SMS marketing messages?

  Yes, and that's actually one of the best parts. Two-way texting lets your contacts respond directly to your messages, and those replies go to a private inbox — not a reply-all chaos situation. This opens the door for real conversations: answering questions, confirming appointments, or just hearing what customers think. It's one of the things that makes SMS feel more personal than most marketing channels.