If you're a Spectora user looking to enhance your communication with clients, custom phone number registration is a great feature to consider. This FAQ covers everything you need to know about registering a custom phone number in the US.
To create a custom number with your preferred area code Spectora uses a third-party service called Twilio. This service ensures your custom number is properly set up, maintained, and compliant with mobile carrier requirements.
Want to know why a custom number is necessary? Start here.
Curious about how to send messages? Start here.
What information is required to register a custom number?
What information is required to register a custom number?
For US customers, Twilio requires your business's federal Tax ID (EIN), business name, business type (LLC, LLP, etc.), and your business's physical address. They also require an authorized user's first name, last name, title, email address, and phone number.
You will be asked to provide and confirm this information on a form page the first time you set up a number. When information is available, Spectora will pre-populate the form to save you time.
🔗Phone Number Registration Form
Why does Twilio need this information?
Why does Twilio need this information?
Due to changes in industry standards and mobile carrier requirements custom phone numbers must be registered with this identifying information. As of September 27, 2022, Twilio updated its service requirements to comply with these changes.
Per their privacy policy, Twilio respects the confidentiality of your personal information and does not "sell your personal information, or the personal information of your end users".
What if I don't file my taxes with an EIN (Sole Proprietor)?
What if I don't file my taxes with an EIN (Sole Proprietor)?
On September 27, 2022, Twilio announced that they were ending the sole proprietorship offering and are requiring an EIN for business validation based on industry and mobile carrier demands.
As of November 2022, Twilio does not currently offer a way to register custom numbers with an SSN (No EIN). Here's a flow chart from their documentation on this. They have not specified when the 'No EIN' offering will be available.
The good news is, according to IRS resources you can request an EIN and not use it for "IRS purposes." For example, some businesses may use it to register for a business bank account.
"An EIN identifies tax returns filed with the IRS and, as a business owner, you may be required to get an EIN.
You will need an EIN if you pay wages, have a self-employed retirement plan, operate your business as a partnership or corporation, or if you're required to file any of these tax-returns: employment, excise, fiduciary, or alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.
Your type of business may not be required to attain an EIN, but you may need an EIN for dealing with other businesses, including banks, that require an EIN to set up business accounts.
The IRS will give you an EIN even if you don't need it for IRS purposes.
The fastest and easiest way to get an EIN is online. Just go to www.irs.gov and type in the keyword EIN."
What if I can't provide the required information?
What if I can't provide the required information?
If you are unable to provide this information we are unable to register your company for a custom phone number.
All your text messages will originate from Spectora's default phone number. We'll try our best to route responses to you but this won't work if your recipient works with multiple Spectora inspectors. Users of Spectora's default number are unable to customize text message templates.
Why are there 0 results for my requested area code?
Why are there 0 results for my requested area code?
Twilio only puts up a select amount of numbers per day with certain area codes. If you don’t see one initially with your area code, try again tomorrow.
Can I send texts to international numbers? Is there any additional cost for sending texts to international numbers?
Can I send texts to international numbers? Is there any additional cost for sending texts to international numbers?
Yes, you can send texts to international numbers with Actions and a custom phone number. Simply enter the phone number without any symbols in the phone number box on the client or agent contact:
We do not charge per message, so there are no additional fees for international messaging. You (the inspector) only pay a flat rate of $20 per month for the custom phone number, which covers all messaging volume.
If you have any questions or feedback, write into our chat bubble or email support@spectora.com!
