These days, most modern auto repair shops use business text messaging to update their customers about appointments, promotions and repairs. This quick and convenient communication helps both staff and customers exchange vital information during busy days.

However, due to scammers and spammers, new rules aim to make sure people only get the messages they want. If you’re just setting up two-way texting within your business, we make it easy to comply with these guidelines.

What is 10DLC and how it affects your business

10DLC (10 Digit Long Code) is quickly becoming the new industry standard for business text messaging. U.S. Mobile Carriers that send application-to-person text messages (A2P) via local long codes have started this practice for two reasons.

• Better delivery of messages that customers want from businesses they trust
• Limit spam from the ones they don’t

This applies to all A2P SMS and MMS messaging via 10-digit phone numbers as more carriers adopt this approach. While it began in 2008, most major carriers started making it mandatory for businesses to register those numbers in 2022.

As of July 5, 2023, businesses must register all phone numbers used to send SMS and MMS messages to U.S. phone numbers as an approved campaign. Messages sent using unregistered phone numbers will be gradually and then fully blocked by some platforms by August 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, AT&T and T-Mobile raised their per-message rates on unregistered traffic on June 1, 2023. Next, they will increase them even further on August 1, 2023. Meanwhile, Verizon will hike its per-message rate on unregistered traffic on July 1, 2023.

How can you avoid these costly charges? We make it easier than you think.

How Do You Follow These New Business Text Messaging Rules?

While it may sound daunting, the process actually improves communication with auto repair shop customers. As a result, they will not have to shift through possible fraud messages to set up their next service. Overall, this change builds trust in business text messaging so people continue to use it wisely. 

Even better, we set up your registration and campaigns for you so you have one less hassle in your day. Our support doesn’t just help, we do it for you! 

First, we register your auto repair shop with your cell carrier. Further, we make sure your upcoming campaigns comply with the new rules so you don’t face additional fees.

Initially, businesses must pay two types of fees to carriers for A2P 10DLC: registration and per-message carrier ones. Registration fees go from $4 for a brand to $44 for a brand with some platforms. They also offer monthly campaign fees from $2 to $5. 

Also, starting in the summer of 2023, fees for unregistered messages range from $0.002 to $0.015 apiece, depending on your carrier. All this can add up quickly if you have a large customer base. 

As an AutoFlow customer, we make it easy for you to navigate these changes and still use business text messaging. This new industry standard ultimately makes the most out of every conversation. So, let’s rise to the challenge together!

Why your business still needs text messaging

While this may feel like one more hurdle to overcome, don’t underestimate the value of business text messaging. It works as an extremely effective marketing tool.

• Text marketing has open rates as high as 98%
• You can reach a large audience of all ages
• It creates strong customer engagement

It’s also the fastest way to get a message delivered and responded to. On average, 95 percent of business text messages get read within three minutes. For every minute you save in your shop, the sooner you can get an approval and move on to the next repair.

If you want to test those numbers out yourself, check out the return-on-investment calculator’s effect for AutoFlow’s 2-way texting.

Texting also serves as a platform where you can share estimates and digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) with a few clicks. Moreover, you can follow up with photos, videos and invoices. In short, it covers every step of the customer journey. Above all, it makes it easy for everyone to exchange details swiftly and quietly from anywhere you have WiFi.

Likewise, these business text messaging numbers can support a high volume of text messages at an affordable cost. This reinforces 10DLC’s value as an excellent SMS solution for many businesses. Once numbers get pre-verified, 10DLC can send up to 180 messages per second, while long codes take one second per message. 

Also,10DLCs show up as local 10-digit phone numbers so customers recognize their area code. That makes them more likely to respond.

So, what’s next?

All businesses who send 10DLC messages must register their brands and messaging campaigns through a third party. The Campaign Registry (TCR) works as a central hub for registering A2P 10DLC messaging campaigns. To get started, you need three pieces of information:

• Brand information, like a name or EIN/Tax ID
• Type of messages you’ll send (two-factor authentication, marketing, etc.)
• A sample message with wording, embedded links, and opt-in/opt-out details
• Expected volume

AutoFlow will walk with you every step of the way. Since we do this for a variety of customers, we can take care of this process seamlessly. That way, you can get back to business, knowing the overall cost and that it’s in good hands.

After all, we deliver in the power of business text messaging. We have seen how this technology has empowered auto repair shops to work more efficiently and transparently. 

Face it, texting has become the de facto way we communicate. It allows customers the freedom to answer anywhere when it suits them. The simple clicks of an icon or a quick response gives your staff the replay needed to proceed with a repair.

Start wasting time communicating with phone calls or trying to set up 10 DLC on your own. We can make it – and other steps you need to take – remarkably easy. Let’s set up a demo today so we can show you the way.