Frequently Answered Questions
Can I text from my communities landline phone number?
Click here to check to see if your number is eligible for activation.
Am I going to have to go through a bunch of hassles and changes with my phone company or my phone system?
Absolutely NOT!
Although the number is the same (think of it as an address) the text and voice networks are 100% separate. Your voice services and equipment operate as they always have. Your voice providers don't even know -or care- that your number is also part of the text network.
How will I send and receive texts?
It's Simple
The easiest way to send and receive your business text messages is from the comfort of a computer with a full size screen and keyboard using our TextBox apps or your favorite Internet browser. We also have apps for Android and Apple smartphones and tablets that can access your TextBox on the go.
How will I know when new texts have been received?
POP!
Texts to your landline number automatically pop up on your computer screen, your browser, your tablet, and/or your smartphone.
Will I need some special equipment?
Absolutely none!
If you have an Internet connected computer, tablet, or smartphone you have everything you need to start sending and receiving texts from your business in minutes.
Do I need to be near my phone system or phone line to send and receive texts?
Nope!
You can access your TextBox text messages from virtually any Internet connected device anywhere in the world.
Can multiple staff access our TextBox at the same time?
Of Course!
And as texts come in and go out, each logged in device is synchronized with the conversation.
Will texts come in if we are on the phone?
Absolutely
There is no connection or relationship between your voice and text services. They are completely independent of each other.
How long does it take to get started?
It only takes minutes.
We can instantly verify the eligibility of your number. Then all we need to do is collect a bit of contact information and call you at the number to verify that your household or business is the owner of the phone number we are text enabling.
Do my customers, contacts, friends, staff need to have the app?
Nope
It's text messaging not mobile IM which means 99.9% of all mobile phones in the US and Canada can communicate with your TextBox service.
will this work to receive authentications from google, skype or other online services or updates from my bank?
Unfortunately, not at this time
They use ‘short codes’ (5 or 6 digit numbers) rather than 10 digit telephone numbers. The short code providers determine which carriers they deliver to. At this time, they don’t deliver to non-cellular telephone numbers so it will not work.
Why would people want to text my business?
Because they Can!
Texting a business is often much more efficient than calling. Everybody texts these days. Texting a business is just a natural progression. Many people assume they can text any number.