For many years, Yardbook has offered text message capability through our partnership with a third-party provider, Twilio. This solution has been cost-effective and reliable, serving many of our users. Even our free tier users can leverage this feature to send their invoices via text messages.
However, due to recent regulatory changes, Twilio can no longer support our current method of sending text messages. The A2P 10DLC regulation aims to control the delivery of application-based messages from businesses to customers. This policy requires that every business sending text messages acquire a dedicated number and register their brand and messaging use-cases with this number.
To continue to support our user’s texting needs, Yardbook has built a solution that enables dedicated numbers by integrating with the Twilio APIs. Premium account users now have the option to purchase their own dedicated number directly from Twilio and connect it to their Yardbook account using API keys. Once this integration is established, all your existing texting workflows will automatically utilize your dedicated number instead of relying on our shared numbers.
Click here for instructions on getting a dedicated number.
By having your own dedicated number, you will enjoy additional benefits:
- Choose a local area code that’s familiar to your customers
- Use the same number on different platforms
- Messages sent through A2P 10DLC numbers are more likely to be delivered
If you decide not to get a dedicated number, you can still send templated text messages using our approved toll-free numbers.
FAQs
What will happen to my old text messages?
All of your past text messages will remain in Yardbook. Nothing will be deleted.
Is there a cost associated with obtaining a Twilio number?
The current pricing (2023) for a local number is $1.15 per month, and maintaining your A2P 10DLC monthly registration costs around $2. Additionally, there is a usage-based charge of approximately $0.01 per message. There are also one-time costs associated with initially signing up for A2P 10DLC, amounting to approximately $20 for Sole Proprietors and Low Volume brands. (For more details, please refer to the Twilio Pricing Page).
In our research, we have found that Twilio offers one of the most cost-effective services for online texting, especially when operating at scale.
What happens if I don’t sign up for a dedicated number through Twilio? (Premium Accounts)
Starting on July 5th 2023, Twilio will implement message filtering as part of their transition to A2P 10DLC.
How will the dedicated number change my current workflow?
We have made significant changes behind the scenes to ensure a seamless transition and minimal disruption to your existing workflows. With your own dedicated number, you can continue sending and receiving messages using your own API key. This allows you to maintain your normal workflows without the need for major adjustments. The dedicated number is tied to your account and enables you to send messages to your customers while complying with A2P 10DLC requirements.
Will I still receive replies from my older text messages?
Yes, replies to your older text messages will continue to be routed to your account and customer records. You will still receive email notifications when these replies come through, ensuring that you can stay updated and maintain a smooth communication flow with your customers.
How do I verify that my text message is going through?
Twilio provides delivery status updates that are sent back to your Yardbook account, giving you visibility into the progress of your text messages. To check the delivery status of your messages, you can navigate to the Bulk Text Message page within your Yardbook account. There, you will find the delivery status listed for each text message you have sent.
If I don’t upgrade to a dedicated number, can I still send invoices and estimates via text messages?
We have launched a set of toll-free numbers that can be used to send out templated messages. Please note with this option, you will not be able to customize the message that goes out. The message will include information such as the business name and a URL to access the invoice or estimate.
For example, if your business name is Evergreen Landscaping, the message may say:
“Your invoice from Evergreen Landscaping is ready. [URL to the customer invoice] Thank you for choosing us! Reply STOP to opt-out.“
This will be a one-way text message, meaning your users can’t directly respond to the text message. However, they can still respond using an in-app message after they have opened the online invoice or estimate. This way, you can maintain communication and address any questions or concerns your customers may have regarding the invoice or estimate.
I’ve signed up for a Twilio Free Trial, now what?
If you have signed up for a Twilio Free Trial, please note that the trial does not allow sending messages to outside numbers. To utilize Twilio’s messaging services with Yardbook, you will need to purchase a dedicated number from Twilio and use that number for your Yardbook account.
For detailed instructions and assistance with purchasing a dedicated number from Twilio, you can refer to this page.
I am getting an error when linking my dedicated number to Yardbook
If you encounter an error message when attempting to link your dedicated number to Yardbook, that message is designed to provide information about the cause of the problem and offer guidance on how to resolve it. For example, the error message may indicate issues with your authentication keys or specify that the number you have added cannot be found in your Twilio Account.
If you receive an error message that is not clear or requires further assistance, we recommend reaching out to our support team at [email protected].
Can I send messages with more than 240 characters with a dedicated number?
Yes, with a dedicated number, we plan to increase the character limit from 240 to 320 for SMS messages. This means you will have more room to convey your message within a single text.
However, it’s important to note that there is still a size limit for each SMS message, and if you exceed the character limit, Twilio may charge for multiple messages to accommodate the content. You can refer to Twilio’s documentation on SMS character limits for more information on how they handle long messages and any associated charges.
Additionally, we plan to introducing the ability to send MMS file attachments from dedicated numbers. This feature will allow you to include images or documents in your messages, providing more flexibility in your communication.
What happens if a customer tries to call my dedicated number?
By default, if a customer tries to call your dedicated number, they will receive a recording from Twilio. The recording may inform them that the number is not currently set up to receive voice calls.
However, if you would like to forward incoming calls from your dedicated number to your cell phone or another desired destination, you have the option to set up call forwarding within Twilio. Twilio provides several methods to accomplish this, allowing you to redirect calls to a different phone number.
Can I use my dedicated number on multiple platforms?
Yes, you should be able to use the same dedicated number to send out new messages on multiple platforms. However, when you link your dedicated number to Yardbook, it will have a callback_url set up to direct inbound messages specifically to Yardbook. This means that all incoming messages received on that dedicated number will be routed to Yardbook and accessible within the Yardbook platform.
In the future, as part of our ongoing development efforts, we plan to introduce another endpoint in our Zapier integration. This will allow you to utilize Zapier to split inbound messages and pass them to both Yardbook and the other system you are using. This will enable you to have a more integrated and synchronized messaging experience across multiple platforms.
Can we use our own number instead of purchasing a new number?
If you already have a dedicated number for text messaging from another carrier, Twilio does support number porting. This means you can transfer your existing number to Twilio’s platform and utilize it for your messaging needs. The process of porting a phone number to Twilio is outlined in their support documentation.
However, it’s important to note that number porting can be a complex process and may require some time to complete.
As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. ([email protected])