How to Set Up Toll Free Numbers for Texting

In Numinar, you can go ahead and start texting/send text surveys right away with toll-free numbers.

Follow the steps below to start toll-free texting if your account subscription includes our texting feature! If you are unsure if you signed up for texting, please contact support via chat or at support@numinar.com.

💡Numinar utilizes two types of phone numbers, a number for Texting / Text Surveys and a number for Calling. Texts and Text Surveys currently only utilize toll-free numbers.

Step 1/9: Click on Settings

Step 2/9: Fill out the "Organization Information" fields

🚨 We highly recommend ensuring that your website contains a 'Contact Us' page where visitors can Opt-In to recieve messaging. Not only is this a great way to help build your own contact list, it also helps carriers verify that you have a legitimate organization.

See this example from our friends at glennyoungkin.org:

Notice that the following items were addressed in the Opt-In checkbox:

Organization name and description of messaging
Organization or name of the individual that will be represented in messaging
Fee disclosure, "Message and data rates may apply"
Delivery Frequency disclosure
Customer Care Information, "Text HELP for help"
Opt-out instructions, "Text STOP to end"
Link to Privacy Policy with information on how the users information will be used
Link to Terms and Conditions describing Terms of Service
Checkbox for actual opt-in (This cannot be pre-selected)

Step 3/9: Click on Purchase Number in the Phone Numbers tab

Step 4/9: Select the phone number type

Step 5/9: In this case, select texting

Step 7/9: Click on Add Number

Step 8/9: Check for your toll-free number

Step 9/9: Check your toll-free number verification status

To ensure your toll-free number is ready when you need it, please allow 3 to 10 business days for approval.

💡If you are conducting multiple large projects (50k+ messages), it is advised to purchase two numbers to switch between to avoid being flagged as spam.

💡 Four different statuses can be displayed: 💡

🔈 Submitted - These numbers have been successfully submitted and are awaiting review from our texting provider. This number has limited deliverability until it enters the 'In Review' status.

🔉 In Review - These numbers are being reviewed by our texting provider. Until the review is completed, this number has a limit of 2,000 message segments. It may also be subject to higher carrier filter scrutiny.

🔊 Verified - These numbers have been approved by our texting provider as valid toll-free numbers and have high deliverability. We do NOT recommend deleting or replacing this number until all voter outreach involving this number is completed.

🔇 Rejected - These numbers have been rejected by our texting provider. Please review the information in your organization settings page and either refresh or delete the rejected number.

Step 10/10: If you plan on calling, or sending IVRs be sure you have number for calling. Only 1 number is required for calling/IVRs

💬Frequently Asked Questions

What is a toll free number?

Toll-free numbers are 10-digit phone numbers that are not area code specific and used for texting and text surveys.

Should I replace/refresh my toll-free number?

You can replace your toll-free number during text projects at any time. For text survey projects, it is recommended to wait 24 hours after beginning a text survey project before refreshing the toll-free number to allow responses to come in. There may be some instances where you will need to replace regardless and support@numinar.com can assist.

How many toll-free numbers do I need for texting? How many non-toll numbers for calling?

You only need 1 non toll-free number for calls, and can have up to 5 toll-free numbers for texting. You can have both in the account at the same time.

What is the benefit of having multiple toll-free numbers?

Multiple toll-free numbers increase the total throughput for your texting projects. A single number can only process a certain amount of message segments per second. By utilizing additional numbers you are able to complete your projects much faster! This is particularly helpful if you are on a tight deadline or rushing to complete a project before an event!

Are there any best practices that could help improve deliverability?

Please check out the How to write a (personalized) text message script and How to ensure your texts are compliant articles for helpful tips to improve deliverability.