Setting up Compliance in BigCommerce

So, you’ve just installed Yotpo SMS & Email on your BigCommerce store, and now you wonder what the next steps there are for you.

At first, you should go around and get acquainted with the tool. See what options we offer. You can get a sense of how your messages will look like from the Text Marketing function or you can see what Automations we have available.

But before starting off, please make sure you are compliant with all text marketing regulations for the regions your customers are located in.

If you run a store in the US or Canada, you should abide by the TCPA and CTIA regulations, whereas if your main business is in Europe – make sure you are familiar with the GDPR rules. In case you run an international store, you can research and see what the local policies say about using text marketing as a service, but we advise you to stick to the GDPR regulations as they require the biggest transparency about the data you store from the customers and how it is going to be used.

Setting up your compliance at the beginning will take less than 10 minutes of your time, but it is worth avoiding the heavy fines ranging from $500-$1500 per violation.

This article will help you to go through the whole process as we will concentrate on 3 main steps:

• Updating your Privacy Policy
• Creating checkout opt-in for text marketing
• Add the opt-out option in your messages

Updating your Privacy Policy

As most of BigCommerce users, you should also have your Privacy Policy on a separate page on your store. You can use the sample privacy policy that the platform provides.

To access this page, navigate over Storefront ->Webpages menu in the BigCommerce side menu.

Once you locate your Privacy Policy, select Edit and a window with your text will appear.

Under the Other uses of personal data, you can paste one of the 2 suggested texts. If you have created your own privacy policy, you can add the following information right after you write about third-party services such as Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel

For US/CA stores, you can use the following text:

"Text Marketing and notifications: By entering your phone number in the checkout and initializing a purchase, subscribing via our subscription form or a keyword, you agree that we may send you text notifications (for your order, including abandoned cart reminders) and text marketing offers. Text marketing messages will not exceed [INSERT A NUMBER] a month. You acknowledge that consent is not a condition for any purchase. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving text marketing messages and notifications reply with STOP to any mobile message sent from us or use the unsubscribe link we provided you within any of our messages. You understand and agree that alternative methods of opting out, such as using alternative words or requests will not be accounted as a reasonable means of opting out. Message and data rates may apply. For any questions, please text HELP to the number you received the messages from. You can also contact us for more information. If you wish to opt-out please follow the procedures above.”

If your store is targeting European citizens better use this one:

Text Marketing Terms and Conditions: We are using a text messaging platform, which is subject to the following terms and conditions. By opting in for our text marketing and notifications, you agree to these terms and conditions. By entering your phone number in the checkout and initialising a purchase, subscribing via our subscription form or a keyword, you agree that we may send you text notifications (for your order, including abandoned cart reminders) and text marketing offers. You acknowledge that consent is not a condition for any purchase. Your phone number, name, and purchase information will be shared with our SMS platform "Yotpo SMS & Email Inc, an European Union company with an office in Sofia, Bulgaria, EU. This data will be used for sending you targeted marketing messages and notifications. Upon sending the text messages, your phone number will be passed to a text messages operator to fulfill their delivery. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving text marketing messages and notifications reply with STOP to any mobile message sent from us or use the unsubscribe link we provided you within any of our messages. You understand and agree that alternative methods of opting out, such as using alternative words or requests will not be accounted as a reasonable means of opting out. Message and data rates may apply. For any questions please text "HELP" to the number you received the messages from. You can also contact us for more information. If you wish to opt out please follow the procedures above."

Creating checkout opt-in for text marketing

If you have updated to the latest version of BigCommerce then the opt-in box appears automatically once you install the app. But in case you are running on an older version then you would need to do this manually. Worry not – the setup is very simple and takes less than a minute to configure.

The first thing you need to do is to check which is the checkout option you currently have. Navigate to Advanced Settings -> Checkout.

In case you use Optimized one-page checkout, there is no need for further action from your side – the opt-in button will appear automatically during checkout.

But if you use One-page checkout, then you need to add the following script into the Site verification Tags.

To do so, navigate to the Advanced Settings -> Web analytics. Under providers check the Site Verification Tags and then hit the Save button.

A second tab will appear on the top of the screencalled Site Verification Tags. Add the following script there:

<script src="https://smsbump.com/js/bigcommerce/consent_checkbox_old_checkout.js"></script>

Hit the Save button and now every time your customers proceed with their checkout, they will see the following checkmark right under your phone field.

If you want to change the title or the description of the consent, please navigate in the app menu to Settings and at the bottom, you will see the Checkout Checkbox section.

Add the opt-out option in your messages

An additional step you need to make, so you comply with the regulations, isto always add the STOPXXXXX to opt-out option in your messages. You will always find the option in the same place no matter whether you start an automation or you want to launch a text marketing campaign. It is in the Message section right above the text.

But if you are in a hurry and you forget to add it, we will remind you to do so with a bright red popup.

And you are done!

See, it wasn't that tiresome to settext marketing compliance for your BigCommerce store. Now, enjoy these 99% open rates and crazy ROI that Yotpo SMS will bring :)

Further Reading

If you would like detailed information from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) on the TCPA read this privacy manual. For the official CTIA best practices, please consult this guide.