Complete the SMS verification form to receive a toll-free US phone number.

To send SMS marketing campaigns, you need to verify your business to prove that you plan to use the tool in an acceptable way. Verification rules are set by SMS carrier networks and applicable laws and regulations. After you’re verified, you’ll receive a toll-free US phone number and you can start sending SMS campaigns.

You can send SMS campaigns in the United States if your site is set to English. We're releasing this feature in waves. If you don't see this option, the experience isn't available for your site yet.

Subscribe to an SMS campaigns plan

You’ll be prompted to verify your business after you subscribe to an SMS campaigns plan.

How long does it take to get verified?

It usually takes 3-5 days, but sometimes it may take up to one week or longer. The verification process is operated by a third party vendor and is outside Squarespace’s control. Check your business verification status in the SMS panel.

What you need to verify your business

Before you start your verification request, you need:

• To be a type of business that’s allowed to send SMS campaigns
• A paid website subscription and an active SMS plan on Squarespace.
• A public website, or a publicly hosted screenshot of your website
• An SMS marketing opt-in checkbox and disclaimer
• A Terms of Service page which includes certain information
• A Privacy Policy page which includes certain information
• Your EIN (if your business is in the United States) or CBN (if your business is in Canada), if you’re a business with employees. You don’t need this if you’re a sole proprietor.

Businesses that can’t send SMS campaigns

Some businesses aren’t allowed to send SMS campaigns. These rules are set by SMS carrier networks and applicable laws and regulations, not Squarespace. Your business’ verification will be rejected if your business or your SMS message content is about:

• Alcohol
• CBD
• Credit repair
• Cryptocurrency
• Debt reduction or consolidation
• Federally illegal substances, including Marijuana
• Firearms
• Gambling
• Hate
• High-risk investment
• Loan marketing
• Sex
• Stock alerts
• Sweepstakes and contests
• Third-party debt collection
• Third-party lead generation
• Tobacco and vape

Verify your business for SMS campaigns

After you subscribe to an SMS campaigns plan, you can verify your business and receive a toll-free phone number:

1. Open the SMS panel and click Start verification.
2. Review the information you’ll need during verification and click Start.
3. Complete the forms, closely following these tips. Click Next to move between pages.
4. When you’re finished, click Submit registration.
5. Wait for approval. This usually takes 3-5 days. We recommend planning your first campaign with this in mind.

Tips for completing your business verification request

We recommend filling out all form fields in as much detail as possible, even optional ones. Follow these tips closely as you complete the verification forms, to avoid approval delays or rejection.

Check your business verification status

While you’re waiting, check your status in the SMS panel:

• Pending - Your request is waiting to be reviewed.
• In review - Your request is under review.
• Approved - Your request was approved.
• Blocked - Your request was rejected and you can’t resubmit it.

What to do if your verification request is rejected

If your request is rejected, you’ll see a rejected status in the SMS panel. Fix and resubmit your request within 7 days. If you were rejected because of your business type or because you were flagged as a potential fraud, spam, or phishing risk, you can appeal the decision if you believe your content was misunderstood.

Get express consent to send SMS campaigns

Before you can send SMS campaigns, you need to get “express consent” for SMS marketing. This means that wherever you collect phone numbers for marketing purposes, you need a clear opt-in option and a message that leaves no ambiguity about why you’re collecting phone numbers and how you’ll communicate with the people who share them with you.

Agreeing must be optional. You can’t require visitors to opt-in before they can access your products, complete a purchase, or use your services. If you already have a list of subscribers who have given express consent for SMS marketing, you can import them.

Use a form block to get consent

The best and quickest way to get express consent for SMS marketing is to collect phone numbers using a form block. The phone number field has a built-in consent checkbox and message designed to meet the requirements.

To verify your business, you’ll need to include a link to a public page where you collect phone numbers to prove that you have an acceptable opt-in. If you’re not ready to make your site public, you can also take a screenshot of the form block, host it publicly, and include a link to that page in the verification form.

Get verbal consent

If you get verbal consent for SMS marketing, you need to share your script to verify your business to send SMS marketing. Your script should include:

• Clear language that the person is consenting to receive marketing texts from you
• Information about how they can unsubscribe from your SMS campaigns in the future
• What you say back when they do or don’t give consent

Include SMS marketing in your Terms of Service

Ensure your Terms of Service includes how your business handles SMS marketing. Publish your terms on a dedicated page, and include the link in your business verification request. Your terms should mention that:

• Mobile information and phone numbers will be kept confidential and will not be sold, rented or shared with unauthorized third parties for their marketing or promotional purposes.
• Subscribers can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT to any text message they receive.

Why do I need to sign up for an SMS plan before I verify my business?

It costs money to register a phone number, so we ask you to subscribe up front.

Who reviews my business verification request?

Squarespace SMS campaigns is powered by third party service providers who have relationships with telecommunications carriers in different jurisdictions. Our service providers read your form responses, check your links, and make the decision to approve or reject your request.

Why does the verification process take up to a week?

In accordance with carrier compliance requirements and applicable laws and regulations, every request must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by our service providers. This process takes time.

Can I speed up the business verification process?

No. The process takes anywhere between one day and one week. It’s not possible to speed it up.

Can I send SMS campaigns before my business is verified?

No. You can draft SMS campaigns before you’re approved, but you need to be approved to send them.

Can I resubmit my business verification request if I was rejected?

It depends on why your request was rejected. If you were rejected because of issues with your business information, sample message, and proof of opt-in, you can fix and resubmit your request within 7 days to have your submission prioritized. After 7 days, it’s considered a new request and can take up to one week to be reviewed. If you were rejected because of your content, use case, or business type, you can appeal the decision if you think your content was misunderstood.

I’m already verified to send SMS messages through Acuity Scheduling. Do I have to reverify for my Squarespace site?

Yes. You need to verify your business to send SMS messages in Acuity and Squarespace to send SMS messages from both platforms.