🚨Coming Aug 11: Clients will be able to choose which texts they receive: transactional, marketing, both, or neither. This article shows how it will work once it's live!
To maintain compliance with TCPA regulations and our SMS vendor requirements, Spectora now uses two separate SMS consent options — one for transactional messages and one for marketing messages. Clients and agents must actively choose to receive each type of text message, and inspectors can view and edit consent status directly from the dashboard.
This update is automatically enabled for all inspector accounts — no action is required to turn it on. In addition, inspectors can now mark individual SMS messages as transactional or marketing, just like they can with emails. When a client or agent has opted out of a message category, they will not receive SMS messages in that category.
Online Scheduler
Online Scheduler
When a client or agent books an inspection through the online scheduler, they will see two separate checkboxes to opt in to receiving SMS text messages — one for transactional messages and one for marketing messages.
Both checkboxes are optional — clients and agents can proceed to the next step without selecting either.
Each checkbox must be selected individually for each client and each agent added to the inspection.
If a client or agent goes back during the scheduling flow, they can select the checkboxes at that time.
Transactional consent covers appointment confirmations, reminders, and report delivery notifications. Marketing consent covers promotional and non-transactional communications. A client or agent may consent to one, both, or neither.
Viewing and Editing Consent in the Inspector Dashboard
Viewing and Editing Consent in the Inspector Dashboard
Inspectors can view and edit a client's or agent's SMS consent status for both transactional and marketing messages directly from the dashboard. This should only be done after speaking with the client or agent and receiving their verbal consent.
When creating an inspection:
On the New Order Form:
From an Inspection:
Open the inspection and locate the client or agent.
Click Edit next to their name.
Review or update the transactional and/or marketing SMS consent status in the form.
Save your changes.
When Adding a New Client or Agent to an Inspection:
Both transactional and marketing consent options are available when adding a new client or agent. Select only the categories for which you have received confirmation from the client or agent.
From the Contacts Screen:
Go to Contacts and select the client or agent.
Click Edit.
View or update their transactional and/or marketing SMS consent status.
🛑 Note: Inspectors may only modify consent after speaking with the client or agent and receiving their permission to do so. Each consent type (transactional and marketing) must be confirmed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this change affect all inspector accounts?
Yes. This update is automatically enabled for all Spectora accounts — no setup is required.
What is TCPA?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a federal law that regulates how businesses can contact consumers via phone and text message. Requiring opt-in consent for SMS messages is a key part of TCPA compliance.
What is the difference between transactional and marketing SMS messages?
Transactional messages are directly related to the inspection — such as booking confirmations, appointment reminders, and report delivery notifications. Marketing messages are promotional or non-transactional communications. Clients and agents can consent to one, both, or neither.
Can inspectors mark which SMS messages are transactional or marketing?
Yes. Inspectors can categorize individual SMS messages as transactional or marketing, the same way they can with emails. Messages will only be sent to clients or agents who have opted in to that category.
Click Automation in your Navigation Bar.
Click on one of the headings to expand it.
Enable the text message you'd like to edit.
Click Edit Template on that message.
Select the SMS Type (Transactional or Marketing) from the dropdown.
Click Save to apply your changes.
Can I opt a client in to SMS on their behalf?
Only after speaking with them and receiving their verbal consent. Inspectors should not select SMS consent — for either transactional or marketing messages — without first confirming the client's or agent's preference for each category.
What happens if a client or agent doesn't opt in to one or both consent types?
They will not receive SMS messages in the categories they have not opted in to. For example, a client who consents to transactional messages but not marketing messages will still receive appointment reminders and report notifications, but will not receive promotional texts. They can still receive email communications regardless of SMS consent status.
Can a client or agent change their consent later?
Yes. Consent for both transactional and marketing messages can be updated at any time through the Contacts screen or from within an inspection.
If you have any questions or feedback, write into our chat bubble or email support@spectora.com!
