Sending texts (SMS) to guests requires a bit of work as a result of new regulations introduced by the carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) in late 2023. Lodgix has chosen Twilio as our SMS provider, as they've made it the easiest to integrate with Lodgix.
Step #1: Setup a Twilio account
Twilio will ask to verify your phone number
Twilio will provide you with a recovery code, make sure to keep that handy as you may need it again someday.
Once signed up for Twilio, please create an account on Twilio
Enter the name of your company for the "Account Friendly Name"
Choose "Twilio SMS, Voice, Verify, Lookup" for "What will this account be used for?"
Review images below
Step #2: Get a Phone Number
Step #3: Create an API Key for the New Phone Number
Twilio will then provide you with the necessary API Key SID and API Secret needed for Step #4:
Step #4: Copy / paste your account credentials into Lodgix.
Twilio will provide you with an account SID, an API Key Sid and API Key Secret (see previous step), all three must cut and pasted into Lodgix with Guests > SMS Gateway
Your account SID can be found here within Twilio:
If you fail to copy your initial API Key secret, you will have to generate a new API Key, type in "API Keys" in the Twilio search window:
Step #5: Registration and Verification at Twilio
This part is tricky and might take a bit of trial and error. You will need to verify some business and use case information before you can start to send SMS to your guests.
The toll-free verification will ask for your business name and location (this will be verified BTW) and a "messaging use case" (see image below).
estimated monthly volume: Make best efforts to guess how many SMS's you will send per month.
opt-in type: Web Form
messaging use case categories: customer care
Proof of consent: Try using this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UspFP2jSV2Qu3BUZ9, it's a screenshot of the consent form used when a guest books directly
Use case description: Talk about need to communication reservation details to the guest in a timely manner.
The toll-free number verification will take about 2 to 4 days. Make sure the street address you enter, matches the address you've setup for your business. They will not verify the number if it doesn't match.
Note: When you send an SMS from your verified free trial phone number, it will always begin with "Sent from a Twilio trial account." Twilio will remove this message after you upgrade to a paid Twilio account.
Twilio Help Links:
And more details here: https://help.twilio.com/articles/1260801864489
If you have guests from UK and want to text them, you will need a UK phone number to be able to do that. To purchase an UK number verification is required.