Add SMS Opt-In to a Form

Act-On Forms can collect phone numbers and SMS opt-in consent using a pre-built section called SMS Opt-In. Drop it into any Form, configure the disclaimer, and submissions flow straight into your SMS Opt-In List. This is the fastest way to start (and keep) growing your opt-in base.

Before you start

You will need:

• The URL of your company's Privacy Policy. It should include language about SMS communications.
• A disclaimer for opting in to SMS, approved by your legal team. Act-On provides three standard disclaimers (see below for text); your legal team can also write a custom one.

Add the SMS Opt-In section

The SMS Opt-In section includes four components:

• Phone Number field
• SMS Opt-In checkbox with legal disclaimer
• reCAPTCHA validation to prevent bot submissions
• Submit button

To add it:

1. In the Design tab of the Form Builder, drag the SMS Opt-In Section from the left panel into the Form design.
   • The new section appears with all four components. The Phone Number field is pre-mapped to the correct system field and cannot be changed.
2. Click the Opt-In Field to continue setup.
3. Toggle the Welcome Message automation. It is ON by default. (See Customize and Send SMS Welcome Messages.)



4. Scroll to Disclaimer and choose Provided or Custom:
   • Provided: Act-On assembles a standard disclaimer based on your selections - one of the three Message Types, your Privacy Policy URL, and your anticipated frequency (messages per week or month).
   • Custom: enter your own text. Work with your legal counsel to match the jurisdictions you operate in.





5. Click OK and continue editing your Form.

Validate international phone numbers

Act-On automatically processes US, Canada, and Puerto Rico mobile numbers submitted without a country code. For recipients based elsewhere, you need to require the country code with a leading +.

1. Click the Phone Number field in your Form's SMS Opt-In section.
2. Go to the Validation tab.
3. Under AND, select Phone US or International.
4. Add an Error Message explaining that international subscribers must include a country code starting with +.
5. Test the Form to confirm the validation rule works.

How submissions reach the Opt-In List

Contacts who provide a phone number and tick the SMS opt-in checkbox are added to the SMS Opt-In List automatically when they submit the Form.

SMS Opt-In disclaimers provided by Act-On

Act-On provides three predefined disclaimers that vary by the type of message you plan to send. Each includes a link to your Privacy Policy and reflects your anticipated frequency.

Next steps

• Customize and Send SMS Welcome Messages: the automatic SMS new opt-ins receive.
• Build Your SMS Opt-In List: overview of all three opt-in routes.
• Add SMS Opt-Ins from a Marketing List or External Data Source: import opt-ins you already have.