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WooCommerce SMS Consent and STOP Handling (OrderRing)
Published 1 October 2026 · Updated 2 October 2026
Disclosure: Tillpress sells OrderRing. This guide describes OrderRing Lite 1.0.5 and OrderRing Pro 1.25.1 as of 2 October 2026. It explains what the plugin does; it is not legal advice. Messaging rules (TCPA, CTIA, carrier 10DLC policy) are your responsibility as the sender.
Short version: only text customers who agreed, honour STOP instantly, answer HELP, and do not text at night. OrderRing handles the mechanics (the checkout checkbox, the keyword replies, the opt-out list, quiet hours). You still decide what you send and keep the consent wording honest.
1. Collect consent at checkout
Both Lite and Pro add an SMS consent checkbox to WooCommerce checkout. It is on by default and the default label is:
I agree to receive SMS updates about my order (msg & data rates may apply). Reply STOP to opt out.
- Change the wording to match what you actually send. If you only text “order ready”, say so.
- Required or optional: the checkbox is optional by default. You can make it required, but most stores keep it optional so nobody has to accept texts to buy.
- Consent is stored on the order. With “require SMS consent” on (the default), OrderRing will not send an automatic text for an order that didn’t tick the box.
2. STOP, HELP and START are automatic
When a customer replies, the incoming-SMS webhook reads the first word, ignoring case and punctuation:
| Customer sends | What OrderRing does |
|---|---|
| STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT | Adds the number to the opt-out list and sends your STOP reply. Every later SMS and voice call to that number is blocked. |
| HELP, INFO | Sends your HELP reply (store name and how to reach you). |
| START, UNSTOP | Removes the number from the opt-out list and sends your START reply. |
All three replies are editable under OrderRing → Settings. The default STOP reply is “You have been unsubscribed from SMS messages. Reply START to re-subscribe. Msg&data rates may apply.” Opt-out records are kept even when you erase a customer’s personal data, because they are your proof the number said STOP.
Twilio also blocks delivery to numbers that texted STOP to your sender (error 21610). OrderRing shows that as “This number replied STOP” rather than a generic failure, so staff don’t keep retrying.
3. Quiet hours (Pro)
Pro can hold automatic messages overnight. Turn on quiet hours and set the window (the default is 21:00 to 08:00 store time). An order that becomes Ready for Pickup at 22:30 is not texted then; it is deferred to the end of the window, and an order note records when it will go. The same rule applies to scheduled pickup reminders. Lite sends straight away and has no quiet hours.
4. What counts as consent in the Pro inbox
When staff start a new conversation from Messages, OrderRing checks the contact first. It allows the send if the customer ticked the checkout box, texted you first, or came through your site’s chat widget. Otherwise staff must confirm they have permission (an attestation that is logged). A number on the STOP list can’t be messaged at all.
5. US carrier registration is separate
Consent handling doesn’t register your number. US stores sending from a local 10-digit number still need A2P 10DLC registration through Twilio, and toll-free numbers need toll-free verification. See Twilio for WooCommerce: credentials, webhook and 10DLC and A2P 10DLC for restaurants.
Checklist before you turn on automatic texts
- Checkout checkbox wording matches what you send.
- STOP, HELP and START replies name your store.
- Incoming-SMS webhook is set in Twilio (otherwise STOP replies never reach the site).
- Quiet hours on, if you use Pro.
- 10DLC or toll-free verification approved.