That means your reminder is almost guaranteed to be seen. Even better, most people check texts within three minutes of receiving them.

This immediacy is why text reminders outperform phone calls and emails. Customers don’t want business text messaging service  a voicemail they have to replay or a lengthy email buried under promotions. They want something short, clear, and right in their pocket.

Paper forms, in-store signage, event sign-ups, or QR codes** can also be used if they clearly state that the customer is enrolling in text alerts and describe what they will receive. The wording must be unambiguous: silence or implied consent (e.g., giving a phone number during a purchase without notice) is not sufficient.

Once consent is collected, send only messages that match what was promised. Do not switch a transactional-only opt-in (such as delivery notifications) into promotional texts unless you obtain additional permission. Always include a visible opt-out path (“Reply STOP to unsubscribe”). Honor opt-outs immediately.

Finally, **store proof of consent**. Maintain logs of when the user opted in, what language was shown at the time, and how they provided the consent. This recordkeeping is essential for legal defense if a claim arises.

In short: be explicit, be honest, give control, and document everything.