How do I verify my text messaging phone number?

Please see this article for more information on why verification is needed. This is a policy that is enforced by the U.S. wireless network carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.) and is not specific to One Church Software.

A verified number is required to avoid issues with the deliverability of messages.

For verification, go to Account Settings > Messaging > Verify Now from the top of the side menu within One Church Software.

You will then need to answer a few questions on the pop-up form, which is displayed after you select "verify now."

*The first selection will be auto-populated based on account data. Please review these for accuracy.

These questions focus on the content you will be sending and how you protect consumers from unwanted texts.

1. Estimated Monthly Volume: How many text messages do you expect to send per month across all recipients?

Note: This is an estimate. You can take the average number of messages you send in a month multiplied by the average number of recipients on each message (ex. 4 messages X 60 recipients on each message = 240 monthly volume). Choose 1,000 in the dropdown.

2. Use Case Description: What will you be messaging, and who are the recipients? Be specific (i.e. to communicate with members is not sufficient).

Example: We send important church-specific news and information to our church members who've opted in to receive this type of communication via text.

3. Sample Content (2 - 3 examples): This is a sample of all messages you will be sending. This includes any you send to staff as well as those you send externally. Please include actual verbiage and not summaries.

Examples:

4. Opt-In Consent Description: How does the message recipient explicitly consent to receive text messages? If they submit an online form, provide the URL to the form.

Note: Church members still need to opt-in to receive text messages. Typically, the best place for this is on a guest form or connection card. You can create a form within One Church Software.

There are two form design options available (please choose only ONE of the two options if building the form in One Church Software):

Option 1
You can create a form that provides a description that reads something like, “By providing your phone number, you are opting into receiving text communication relating to ____________ (be specific as to what messages can be expected to be received)."

Option 2

You can create a form that provides a place where people can indicate, as they input their mobile number, that they want to receive text messages: "Are you interested in opting in to receive text messages from One Church Software at the number provided above? Reply STOP to __________________ to cancel. Message and data rates may apply." You can create this form within One Church Software.

To activate option 2, click on the pencil icon next to the form's title.

A pop-up will display, where you will need to check, Create new profile if submission cannot be matched to an existing person profile. Also, make sure that the Phone field is set as required. After this is completed, click on the "Done" button.

5. Privacy Policy: The church website must have a privacy policy along with the verbiage (your policy doesn't have to be this exactly, but it must include some of these types of language):

"No personal information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties."

A good spot for this is the footer of the website, especially the main page.

Why should I verify my text messaging number?

How do I enable text messaging?

How do I design a form?