SMS Consent Guidelines
FollowPaid is a B2B SaaS platform used by small service businesses (plumbers, electricians, contractors, landscapers) to send automated SMS invoice reminders and Google review requests to their customers. This page describes how FollowPaid users are required to collect consent from their end customers before sending any SMS messages.
Screenshots: Opt-In Flow
The images below document the exact opt-in language and the in-app consent requirement described on this page.
Example: the text message exchange a customer sees
Illustrative example using the exact registered message copy. FollowPaid's A2P 10DLC campaign is pending carrier approval, so live message delivery cannot yet be captured; this mockup shows the identical text that is sent once approved.
In-app consent requirement (FollowPaid Settings page)
Every business owner must acknowledge this requirement before SMS features activate on their account.
How Opt-In Works: SMS Double Opt-In
No automated reminder or review message is ever sent to a phone number until the recipient has confirmed by text that they want to receive messages. Consent is collected in-band, over SMS itself:
- A service business owner adds a customer's phone number to FollowPaid (manually or via QuickBooks sync).
- FollowPaid sends that customer a single opt-in invitation message. It contains no invoice or billing content, only the request to opt in.
- The customer replies YES to opt in. The reply is recorded with a timestamp and the inbound message ID in the FollowPaid database.
- Only after the YES reply do automated invoice reminders and review requests begin for that phone number. If the customer never replies, no further SMS is sent to them, ever. Opt-in is voluntary and not required to receive the service being performed.
Exact Opt-In Invitation Message
This is the one-time invitation sent when a customer's phone number is first added:
“[Business Name] uses FollowPaid to send invoice reminders and review requests by text. Reply YES to receive texts. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.”
After the customer replies YES, they receive this confirmation:
“You're opted in to invoice reminders and review requests from [Business Name] via FollowPaid. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.”
In-App Consent Acknowledgment
In addition to the double opt-in above, every FollowPaid user (business owner) must check the following acknowledgment in their Settings before SMS features are enabled:
“I confirm that I obtain consent from my customers before sending SMS messages, using language that meets the requirements above.”
This acknowledgment is recorded with a timestamp in the FollowPaid database when the business owner confirms it in their account settings.
Opt-Out
All SMS messages sent via FollowPaid include opt-out instructions. Customers can reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe and will receive no further messages. Reply HELP for assistance. A customer who has opted out can opt back in at any time by replying START or YES.
Message Types and Frequency
- Invoice payment reminders (1 to 3 per invoice, based on the configured schedule)
- Google review requests (1 per completed invoice, sent after payment)
- Review follow-up (1 optional follow-up if no review was left after 3 days)
Privacy and Data
Customer phone numbers are stored securely and used only to send the messages described above on behalf of the service business. Phone numbers are never sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
See our full Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.