How to collect SMS consent with a link
Overview
You can collect SMS marketing consent from new or existing contacts by using a dynamic hyperlink!
The VAR_SMS_JOIN tag in the snippet below will generate a unique code and SMS link for each contact. When clicked on a mobile device, the SMS link will open the contact's SMS app with a message draft to your Sendlane phone number containing their unique consent code. When contacts send this message containing their unique code, consent to receive SMS will be recorded in their contact Profile. Messages sent by contacts to confirm their consent will appear in your Reply Center and will not cost any SMS credits!
In this guide
⚠️ SMS consent links will not open on certain devices or inbox providers
Some devices, inbox provider apps, and specific combinations of devices and inbox provider apps will not render links designed to open an SMS app to send a message.
If you experience an issue with SMS links, try to recreate it using the same type of device and the same version of the same app. If the SMS link does not work in the replicated environment, it is likely that the device and/or app combination does not support SMS links.
⚠️ SMS consent links do not work in test email sends
To receive a working SMS link, you must use a live email send. Instead of using the test email function, create a list with the email addresses you want to receive the "test" email.
Include compliance messaging
To collect consent to receive marketing SMS messages, your email, post, sign-up form, or other medium must contain:
- A link to your terms of service, AND
- A link to your privacy policy, AND
- Clear messaging on the consent your contacts are giving to receive SMS marketing messages
See the sample message below:
[your business name] at the number provided, including messages sent by autodialer. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel at any time. View our Privacy Policy* and SMS Terms of Service*.
*Include hyperlinks to policies
Insert and edit an HTML block
The following method works wherever links are accepted. We'll use an email sent from your Sendlane account as an example!
- Open any campaign or automation email
- Drag an HTML block into your email
- In the HTML window that appears, delete the Insert HTML Here placeholder text
- Paste the following HTML snippet in the HTML window:
<a href="sms:VAR_SMS_PHONE?&body=Send%20this%20text%20to%20subscribe%20to%20SMS%20Updates! VAR_SMS_JOIN">
Text us to sign up for SMS updates!
</a>
The sms:VAR_SMS_PHONE tag tells your contacts' SMS app to 1. open the SMS app and 2. Set your Sendlane phone number as the recipient. The VAR_SMS_JOIN tag generates a unique code that confirms their subscription to your SMS program when sent back to your account's Sendlane phone number.
To change the text of the hyperlink that will appear in the email you send to contacts, replace Text us to sign up for SMS updates! with your preferred message.
To change the draft message in contacts' SMS app, edit the Send%20this%20text%20to%20subscribe%20to%20SMS%20Updates! text to your preferred message, ensuring that a %20 remains between each word. We recommend drafting a message that clearly communicates that contacts will receive SMS messages from your brand if they choose to sign up for your SMS program and how often they should expect to be messaged. To add contacts to specific lists, include an opt-in keyword here to add contacts to specified lists!
Click Save to finish your block!
Additional SMS Resources
Check out the Sendlane Marketing Journal for tips, tricks, and best practices for SMS Marketing: