Two-Way Texting FAQ

We’re excited to get you up and running with instant two-way texting! Before we spin up your number, here’s everything you need to know—broken into bite-size pieces so you can jump in right away.

What is two-way texting?

Two-way texting lets you send and receive SMS/MMS messages directly with your clients—right from your Walla Inbox—for real-time conversations, confirmations, and feedback.

Why do I need to register my number?

Mobile carriers require businesses using 10-digit long codes (10DLC) to register via The Campaign Registry (TCR). Registration:

Verifies your studio as a legitimate sender
Boosts delivery rates and throughput
Reduces risk of message blocking or extra fees
Verifies your studio as a legitimate sender
Boosts delivery rates and throughput
Reduces risk of message blocking or extra fees

Your Walla support lead will manage the submission on your behalf.

What is The Campaign Registry (TCR)?

TCR is the industry’s national database for businesses sending SMS/MMS over 10DLC. It:

Checks and verifies your details
Assigns a trust score to your number
Improves overall message deliverability
Checks and verifies your details
Assigns a trust score to your number
Improves overall message deliverability

How long does approval take?

Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks
Occasional delays during high-volume periods

You’ll get an email confirmation when your number is approved and two-way texting is live.

Can I choose my number’s area code?

TCR assigns numbers, but we can request an area-code match to your studio when possible. Let us know any preferences early so we can coordinate.

What counts as a “segment”?

A segment is roughly 153 characters (letters, numbers, symbols, spaces). Emojis or special characters can push a message into multiple segments. Only outgoing messages draw from your segment pool; incoming messages do not.

Where can I see my SMS usage and allowance?

You can view your usage anytime inside your Walla inbox. Open any message thread, and just below the text box you'll see a segments used indicator that shows how much of your monthly allowance you've used.

How are overages billed?

All locations under your account share a single monthly segment allowance. If you exceed that allowance, overages are billed at the beginning of the following month. Your allowance resets on the 1st of each month.

Why doesn't Walla stop sending messages when I hit my limit?

Your monthly allowance applies to general messaging conversations and campaigns sent through your Marketing Suite. We made a deliberate decision not to cut those off mid-month — stopping sends could mean a campaign goes out to half your list or a client conversation goes silent at the wrong moment. Instead, we let your messages go out uninterrupted and bill overages the following month, so your client experience is never compromised.

How can I reduce or avoid overages?

A good first step is auditing your active automations — look for any that are sending more frequently than needed or targeting broader audiences than intended. A few common areas to review:

Win-back or re-engagement campaigns running on large segments
Promotional blasts going to your full client list vs. targeted groups

If you'd like a second set of eyes on your messaging strategy, our Studio Business Coach can help you identify what's working, what's not, and where you might be over-sending without realizing it. Reach out to us at support@hellowalla.com or chat with us in your dashboard to set something up.

What if my number isn’t approved yet?

SMS sends will be blocked until approval
Emails in your automations will still dispatch

Plan your campaigns around the expected TCR approval timeline to avoid interruptions.

How will I know two-way texting is active?

You’ll receive an email confirmation as soon as TCR approves your number—then you’re all set to start texting!