Set up your texting number

US carriers require every business that texts customers to use its own registered number. Every SMS pack includes one, and we handle the registration for you.

Draft. Steps highlighted like this name panel screens that still need checking against the live panel.

Choose a number

Pick the kind of number your customers will see. You can add more numbers later, for example one per location.

NumberPriceReady in
Toll-free
A dedicated 1-833 number		Included with every SMS packusually 3–7 business days
Local
A number in your area code		$10/month, plus $29 setupusually 1–2 weeks
Your current number
The one customers already have saved		$15/month, plus $29 setupusually 2–3 weeks

Setup fees are waived on annual billing. Each extra number is $10/month.

What to have ready

Carriers check every business before it can text. Registration goes fastest when these match your official records exactly:

  • Your legal business name and address, as they appear on your registration or tax documents.
  • Your EIN, if your business has one. A local number needs it.
  • A working website or business page that shows your business name.
  • How customers agree to get texts from you, for example a checkbox at checkout or a sign-up form at the counter.
  • One or two examples of texts you plan to send.

Set it up

  1. Go to Settings → Plan & billing and add an SMS pack.
  2. Choose your number type: toll-free, local or your current number.
  3. Fill in your business details and how customers opt in. Confirm screen name in panel
  4. Submit. We send the registration to the carriers for you.

Approval takes the time shown above. Carriers review every business by hand to stop spam, so it can't be rushed. We'll let you know as soon as your number is ready to text. Confirm how the panel notifies

Texting from your current number

Your calls stay exactly where they are today. Only texting moves to Centrx, so customers can text the number they already know and you reply from Centrx.

To prove the number is yours, you'll need a signed letter of authorization from whoever holds the phone account, and a recent bill from your phone provider. Keep the number active with your provider for as long as you text from it.

If registration is turned down

Carriers say why, and most fixes take a few minutes. The usual reasons:

  • The business name or address doesn't match official records.
  • The website doesn't load or doesn't show your business name.
  • It isn't clear how customers agree to receive texts.
  • Example messages don't include your business name or a way to opt out, like "Reply STOP to unsubscribe".

Fix the details and resubmit. We'll help if you're not sure what to change.

Once you're approved

Centrx only texts customers who opted in, handles STOP and HELP replies for you, and holds marketing texts during late-night hours. Every text you send, including replies from Cenbot, counts toward your SMS pack. See how email and SMS packs work.

Related guides

Still stuck? Contact us or email [email protected]. We usually reply within one business day.