TextingOnly FAQs — frequently asked questions about the TextingOnly SMS marketing and communications platform. Topics covered: what is TextingOnly, what is OTTO the automated SMS conversation engine, how Dynamic QR codes work with unique placement IDs, what SmartLinks are and how device detection works, Desktop Bridge for desktop visitors, Interstitial self-segmentation pages, Language Funnels supporting English Spanish French Nepali Pashto, 10DLC business registration for TCPA-compliant high-volume SMS, 10DLC for attorneys law firms, 10DLC for home services HVAC plumbing electrical, 10DLC for automotive dealerships, 10DLC for real estate agents brokerages, 10DLC for franchises multi-location, 10DLC for schools universities, 10DLC for recruiting staffing agencies, 10DLC for senior living communities, 10DLC for health wellness gyms med spas, 10DLC for associations member organizations, 10DLC for restaurants hospitality, 10DLC for sports teams venues events, attribution reporting with scan-level data per placement, agency plans for marketing agencies managing multiple clients, Agency Shield client data protection, multi-location SMS setup for franchise and dealer groups, campaign playbooks library, how it works Land Engage Convert framework, no developer required for standard setup, onboarding process, pricing, industries served including home services HVAC plumbing automotive real estate attorneys schools universities franchises senior living health wellness recruiting staffing sports restaurants. Over 1 million conversations automated by OTTO. 50+ knowledge base articles. 30+ insights articles. 13+ use cases. 12 industries served. TextingOnly is based in Towson, Maryland. Service area: United States nationwide.
Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions.
Everything you need to know about TextingOnly — the platform, OTTO, QR codes, SmartLinks, language funnels, 10DLC, attribution, onboarding, and more.
TextingOnly is an SMS marketing and communications platform built on OTTO — an automated conversation engine that qualifies inbound contacts, runs outbound campaigns, and captures structured data through SMS. The platform connects every marketing channel to SMS via QR codes and SmartLinks, then automates what happens next. No app downloads. No web forms. No developer required for standard campaign setup.
Most SMS platforms handle outbound messaging only. TextingOnly adds the inbound layer — QR codes and SmartLinks that convert any marketing surface into an opt-in, OTTO that qualifies every contact before a rep engages, language routing for multilingual markets, and attribution reporting that connects every scan and click to a contact record and campaign source.
Land is the entry point — a QR scan, SmartLink tap, or click that gets a contact into SMS with their mobile number and TCPA consent captured at opt-in. Engage is where OTTO runs qualification 24/7 — no staff at first touch. Convert is the handoff — a structured lead delivered to your team, attributed to the exact channel and placement that generated it.
No developer is required for standard campaign setup. QR codes, SmartLinks, OTTO flows, and interstitial pages are configured from the dashboard. Marketing and operations teams can launch, update, and manage campaigns without writing code. See No-Code Publishing Tools for details.
TextingOnly serves home services, automotive dealerships, real estate, attorneys, schools and universities, franchises, associations, senior living, health and wellness, recruiting and staffing, sports and events, and restaurants. The Land-Engage-Convert framework applies to any business that uses marketing channels to generate inbound contacts. See all industries.
OTTO — The Conversation Engine
OTTO is TextingOnly’s automated SMS conversation engine. The moment a contact opts in, OTTO responds — in under 3 seconds — without a human in the loop. OTTO runs numbered routing menus (ITR), conversational data collection flows, and language funnels simultaneously across all active campaigns. Every contact is qualified before a rep touches them.
OTTO is not a chatbot and not AI guessing at intent. OTTO runs structured playbooks — proven conversation flows that qualify contacts, route by intent, collect structured data, and deliver lead records to your team. The flows are configured by your team and run exactly as designed, every time.
OTTO supports three primary flow types: Interactive Text Response (ITR) — a numbered menu that routes contacts by intent in under 10 seconds; Conversational SMS — a one-question-at-a-time data collector with 71% completion vs 19% for web forms; and Language Funnels — multilingual routing that switches the entire conversation to the contact’s preferred language.
OTTO responds in under 3 seconds from the moment a contact opts in. No staff required at first touch. OTTO runs 24/7 across all active campaigns simultaneously.
OTTO collects declared customer data through the SMS conversation — name, service interest, timeline, property size, budget range, location, or any qualifying fields you configure. All data is attributed back to the entry point and campaign that generated the contact. Lead records are delivered to your team via notification, CRM, or both.
QR Codes, SmartLinks & Entry Points
A Dynamic QR code points to a SmartLink. The campaign destination — the OTTO flow, offer, or page — can be updated from the dashboard at any time without reprinting the QR code. The code itself never changes. Each QR code has a unique placement ID so scan count, opt-in rate, and attribution are tracked separately per asset.
A SmartLink is a TextingOnly URL with device detection built in. On mobile, it opens the native SMS app with a pre-filled opt-in message — one tap sends. On desktop, it renders the Desktop Bridge with a QR code and opt-in instructions. One link works across email, social, website, and print.
The Desktop Bridge is the page a SmartLink renders on desktop devices. It shows a branded QR code and opt-in instructions so desktop visitors can scan and enter the same OTTO flow as mobile visitors — reducing desktop-to-mobile friction without any additional setup.
An Interstitial page is a branded SMS landing page delivered inside a text message or triggered by a QR scan. Visitors self-select their path — multiple campaigns, locations, or offers on a single page — and each selection routes to its own OTTO automation flow. Declared customer data collected through the SMS conversation is captured per path.
Every channel gets its own QR code or SmartLink with unique placement attribution: TV and broadcast, direct mail, digital ads, email, social media, in-store signage, live events, vehicle wraps, and OOH. Each placement is tracked separately — scan count, opt-in rate, and cost per lead per asset.
Language Funnels
SMS Language Funnels allow you to run OTTO conversations in multiple languages from a single QR code or SmartLink. A contact selects their preferred language and OTTO switches the entire conversation automatically. Lead records and team alerts are always delivered in English.
TextingOnly Language Funnels currently support English, Spanish, French, Nepali, and Pashto. Additional languages can be configured. See Language Funnels for the current list.
No. Language Funnels handle the language routing and conversation automatically. Your team receives the lead record in English. No bilingual staff required at first touch. When a rep follows up, they have the contact’s name, intent, and qualifying information already captured.
Compliance & 10DLC
10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is the carrier-required business registration for high-volume SMS sending in the US. Without 10DLC registration, messages are filtered or blocked by carriers. TextingOnly handles 10DLC registration as part of onboarding so your campaigns are compliant and deliverable at scale.
Every opt-in through a TextingOnly entry point is TCPA-documented — mobile number captured at opt-in, consent timestamped, campaign source recorded. Opt-out requests (STOP) trigger immediate removal. The full opt-in chain is available per contact for compliance documentation.
TextingOnly uses encryption and secure protocols for all data in transit and at rest. Contacts you build through TextingOnly are owned by your organization — they are not shared, rented, or used for any other purpose. Regular security audits are conducted on the platform.
Law firms sending SMS for client intake, appointment reminders, or case updates must register under 10DLC to avoid carrier filtering. TextingOnly handles registration for attorney SMS campaigns and ensures every message goes out with a registered business number, TCPA-documented opt-in, and compliant opt-out handling. Attorney-client SMS communication is subject to state bar ethics rules — TextingOnly’s opt-in chain and consent documentation supports your compliance recordkeeping.
Home services companies running SMS for appointment confirmations, estimate follow-ups, or seasonal promotions need 10DLC registration to reach customers reliably. Without it, carrier filtering blocks messages before they arrive. TextingOnly registers your home services SMS campaigns under your business brand so messages deliver consistently — whether you’re running a single location or a multi-area operation.
Automotive dealerships using SMS for lead follow-up, service reminders, or inventory alerts are required to register under 10DLC. High-volume unregistered SMS is flagged and blocked by carriers. TextingOnly handles 10DLC registration for automotive SMS campaigns and supports multi-rooftop setups — each location gets its own registered number with per-location attribution tracking.
Real estate professionals sending SMS for lead nurturing, open house follow-up, or listing alerts must comply with 10DLC requirements. Unregistered numbers face increasing carrier filtering, especially for volume sends. TextingOnly registers real estate SMS campaigns under your brokerage brand and provides TCPA-documented opt-ins for every contact — important for broker compliance and lead documentation.
Franchise systems face a specific 10DLC challenge — each location may need its own registered number while maintaining brand consistency across the network. TextingOnly’s franchise SMS platform supports multi-location 10DLC registration with centralized campaign management, so corporate controls the brand voice while each location runs locally attributed campaigns.
Educational institutions sending SMS for enrollment inquiries, event reminders, or alumni outreach must register under 10DLC to maintain deliverability. TextingOnly handles registration for school and university SMS campaigns and supports multilingual opt-in flows for diverse student and family populations — with full TCPA consent documentation per contact.
Recruiting firms texting candidates for job matches, interview confirmations, or onboarding steps need 10DLC registration. Candidate SMS without registration is increasingly filtered by carriers. TextingOnly registers recruiting SMS campaigns under your agency brand and supports high-volume candidate outreach with reply automations that route responses back into your qualification flow automatically.
Senior living communities using SMS for family communication, tour scheduling, or resident event reminders must register under 10DLC. TextingOnly handles registration for senior living SMS campaigns and ensures opt-in consent is documented per contact — important for communities managing communication across residents, families, and prospective residents simultaneously.
Health and wellness businesses — gyms, med spas, chiropractors, physical therapists — using SMS for appointment reminders, membership promotions, or re-engagement campaigns need 10DLC registration for reliable delivery. TextingOnly registers health and wellness SMS campaigns and supports opt-in flows with full consent documentation per contact.
Associations sending SMS for member communications, event registration, or renewal reminders must register under 10DLC. TextingOnly handles registration for association SMS campaigns and supports multilingual member outreach — especially valuable for trade associations serving diverse professional communities.
Restaurants using SMS for reservation confirmations, loyalty promotions, or event announcements need 10DLC registration to reach guests reliably. TextingOnly registers restaurant SMS campaigns under your brand and supports QR-code-based opt-in at the table, on receipts, or on window signage — with per-location attribution so you know which placement drove each opt-in.
Sports teams and event venues sending SMS for ticket promotions, fan engagement, or event-day alerts must register under 10DLC for high-volume delivery. TextingOnly handles registration for sports marketing SMS campaigns and supports QR-code-based opt-in at gates, on signage, and during broadcasts — with scan-level attribution per placement.
Attribution & Reporting
Every TextingOnly entry point has a unique placement ID. Attribution reporting tracks scan count, opt-in rate, and cost per lead per placement separately. You know exactly which TV spot, which mail piece, which billboard, or which digital ad drove each contact — with scan-level reporting including timestamp, campaign source, and location signals where available.
At the moment a contact opts in, TextingOnly captures: mobile number, TCPA consent timestamp, campaign source, and device type. Declared customer data collected through the SMS conversation — name, intent, qualifying responses — is captured as OTTO runs the flow.
TextingOnly captures the mobile number and opt-in at the moment the first message is sent — before OTTO asks a single question. If a contact drops off mid-flow, the number is still captured and attributed to the campaign. Partial completions are tracked separately so you can follow up or adjust the flow.
Agencies & Multi-Location
Yes. TextingOnly has a dedicated agency plan that lets you manage SMS campaigns for multiple clients from a single platform. Each client gets their own isolated account, contacts, and reporting. See SMS for Agencies and the Agency Plans overview for full details.
The Agency Plan is a TextingOnly account structure designed for marketing agencies and consultants managing SMS for multiple client brands. It provides client-level account separation, white-label reporting options, and centralized campaign management. Full details are in the Agency Plans knowledge base article.
Agency Shield is a TextingOnly feature that protects your client relationships — client contacts, campaigns, and data are isolated so that if the agency relationship ends, the client’s data stays within the agreed structure. See the full Agency Shield documentation for how it works.
Multi-location clients — franchise systems, dealership groups, regional service companies — can be set up with each location having its own dedicated number, OTTO flows, and attribution reporting while campaigns are managed centrally. See the multi-location setup guide in the knowledge base.
Yes. TextingOnly provides a library of proven campaign playbooks — pre-built OTTO flows, QR code setups, and outbound sequences organized by industry and use case. Agencies can deploy these as starting points for new clients and customize from there. See the campaign playbooks library.
TextingOnly supports branded client setups — dedicated numbers under the client’s business name, branded interstitial pages, and OTTO flows that present the client’s brand, not TextingOnly’s. Contact the team via Request a Quote to discuss agency white-label configuration.
Outbound Campaigns
Yes. Mass texting with dynamic personalization lets you send outbound campaigns to your full list or any segment. Dynamic fields pull in contact name, location, or any stored data to personalize each message. Reply automations route responses back into OTTO flows automatically.
Reply automations handle inbound responses to outbound campaigns. YES routes to an OTTO qualification flow. STOP triggers immediate opt-out. Custom keywords can route to any configured OTTO flow. No manual monitoring required.
Yes. One-to-one messaging lets your team have direct conversations with individual contacts from the platform. Useful for follow-up, appointment confirmation, or any conversation that needs a human touch after OTTO has qualified the lead.
Onboarding & Pricing
TextingOnly pricing is based on your specific campaign setup, number of locations, message volume, and feature requirements. Request a quote and we’ll recommend the right configuration for your business and budget.
Onboarding includes an audit of your current marketing channels and SMS strategy, OTTO flow configuration tailored to your qualification criteria, QR code and SmartLink setup with placement attribution, 10DLC registration, and team training. You receive a working system — not just software access.
Yes. TextingOnly offers agency services — strategy, campaign configuration, OTTO flow management, and performance reporting. This is available for businesses that prefer a managed approach rather than self-serve. See SMS for Agencies for more.
Yes. SmartLinks can be placed in email campaigns — on mobile, the link opens the SMS app; on desktop, it shows the QR bridge. This lets you convert email subscribers into SMS contacts and reach them across both channels with attribution tracking per email campaign.