Collect SMS & WhatsApp Consent at Shopify Checkout

Grow your SMS and WhatsApp marketing lists with compliant consent collection at checkout - the highest-converting touchpoint in your customer journey.

Why Collect at Checkout?

Checkout is the #1 place to collect SMS and WhatsApp consent because:

• ✅ High intent: Customer is actively purchasing, ready to engage
• ✅ Contact info already provided: Email and phone number entered
• ✅ Trust established: They’re giving you their money
• ✅ Conversion rates: 25-40% opt-in rate at checkout vs. 5-10% on popups

Industry benchmarks:

• Email popup form: 2-5% conversion
• SMS popup form: 1-3% conversion
• SMS at checkout: 25-40% conversion ⬅️ 10x better!

Compliance First: Know the Rules

Before collecting consent, understand the legal requirements:

United States (TCPA)

Requirement: Express written consent

What this means:

• ✅ Customer must check a box (not pre-checked)
• ✅ Must clearly state they’re opting into marketing messages
• ✅ Must disclose message frequency and data rates
• ✅ Must provide opt-out instructions

Penalties: Up to $1,500 per violation (per message!)

European Union (GDPR)

Requirement: Explicit, freely given consent

What this means:

• ✅ Separate checkbox for marketing (not bundled with terms)
• ✅ Clear explanation of what they’re consenting to
• ✅ Easy opt-out at any time
• ✅ Record of when/where consent was given

Penalties: Up to €20 million or 4% of annual revenue

Canada (CASL)

Requirement: Express consent

What this means:

• ✅ Similar to TCPA (checkbox required)
• ✅ Must identify your business
• ✅ Must provide contact info for questions
• ✅ Must honor opt-outs within 10 days

Penalties: Up to $10 million CAD

International (WhatsApp)

Requirement: Opt-in consent in all regions

What this means:

• ✅ WhatsApp requires opt-in consent globally
• ✅ Cannot use pre-checked boxes
• ✅ Must be separate from SMS consent
• ✅ Must comply with local data protection laws

Tajo’s Approach: We automatically configure compliant consent based on your store’s primary country and customer locations.

Prerequisites

Before setting up consent collection:

• ✅ Tajo connected to Shopify (Setup guide)
• ✅ Brevo account with SMS/WhatsApp enabled
• ✅ Shopify plan: Basic or higher (checkout customization)
• ✅ Phone number collection enabled at checkout
• ✅ 15 minutes to complete setup

Note: Shopify Basic, Standard, and Advanced plans all support checkout customization. Shopify Starter does NOT.

Step 1: Enable SMS Consent in Tajo

1.1 Access Tajo SMS Settings

1. Log in to app.tajo.io
2. Navigate to Settings > SMS & WhatsApp
3. Click Shopify Checkout Integration

1.2 Configure SMS Consent

1. Toggle on “Collect SMS consent at checkout”

2. Select your compliance region:

   • 🇺🇸 United States (TCPA compliant)
   • 🇪🇺 European Union (GDPR compliant)
   • 🇨🇦 Canada (CASL compliant)
   • 🌍 International (Global best practices)

3. Customize checkbox text (or use defaults):

US Default (TCPA compliant):

☑️ Send me exclusive offers and updates via SMS

By checking this box, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages (e.g., cart reminders) at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition to purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel.

EU Default (GDPR compliant):

☑️ I consent to receive marketing SMS messages

You can withdraw consent at any time by replying STOP or clicking the unsubscribe link in our messages. View our Privacy Policy.

4. Click Save SMS Settings

1.3 Choose Double Opt-In (Optional)

What is double opt-in? After checkout, send an SMS asking customer to reply “YES” to confirm consent.

Pros:

• ✅ Higher quality list (only engaged subscribers)
• ✅ Extra compliance layer
• ✅ Protects from fake phone numbers

Cons:

• ❌ 20-30% don’t complete second step
• ❌ More complex setup
• ❌ Slower list growth

Recommendation:

• Use double opt-in if: High value per subscriber, compliance-critical industry (finance, healthcare)
• Skip double opt-in if: E-commerce, need fast list growth, already collecting at checkout (high intent)

To enable:

1. In Tajo SMS Settings, toggle on “Double opt-in required”
2. Customize confirmation message:

   Welcome to [STORE NAME]! Reply YES to confirm you want to receive exclusive offers via SMS. Msg & data rates may apply.

3. Click Save

Step 2: Enable WhatsApp Consent (Tajo Exclusive!)

Why WhatsApp?

• 📱 2 billion+ active users globally
• 📈 98% open rate vs. 20% for SMS
• 💬 Two-way conversations (customers can reply)
• 🌍 Preferred in 100+ countries

Tajo Advantage: We’re the only Shopify + Brevo integration offering WhatsApp consent collection. Klaviyo, Mailchimp, and Omnisend don’t support WhatsApp.

2.1 Set Up WhatsApp Business Account

Already have WhatsApp Business? Skip to 2.2

Need to set up?

1. Go to business.whatsapp.com
2. Create WhatsApp Business Account
3. Verify your business phone number
4. Connect to Brevo:
   • In Brevo, go to Settings > WhatsApp
   • Click Connect WhatsApp Business
   • Follow authorization flow

2.2 Enable WhatsApp Consent in Tajo

1. In Tajo, go to Settings > SMS & WhatsApp
2. Toggle on “Collect WhatsApp consent at checkout”
3. Enter your WhatsApp Business Number (from Brevo)
4. Customize checkbox text:

Recommended template:

☑️ Send me order updates and offers via WhatsApp

Get instant order updates, exclusive deals, and customer support via WhatsApp. You can opt-out anytime. By checking this box, you agree to receive messages at the phone number provided.

5. Select consent type:

   • Marketing only - Promotional messages
   • Transactional only - Order updates
   • Both (recommended) - All message types

6. Click Save WhatsApp Settings

2.3 Customize WhatsApp Welcome Message

When someone opts in via checkout, send automatic welcome via WhatsApp:

1. In Tajo, go to Automations > WhatsApp Welcome
2. Enable “Send welcome message to new WhatsApp subscribers”
3. Customize message:

Hi {{FIRSTNAME}}! 👋

Thanks for joining our WhatsApp community!

Here's what you can expect:
✅ Exclusive offers & early access
✅ Order tracking & delivery updates
✅ Instant customer support

Your first-order discount: *{{DISCOUNT_CODE}}*

Shop now: {{STORE_URL}}

Questions? Just reply to this message!

4. Optional: Add welcome image/video
5. Click Save & Activate

Step 3: Test Your Consent Collection

3.1 Create Test Order

1. Visit your Shopify store in incognito/private browsing mode
2. Add product to cart
3. Proceed to checkout
4. Enter test email (e.g., [email protected])
5. Enter your real phone number (for testing)
6. Look for checkboxes:
   • ☑️ SMS consent checkbox
   • ☑️ WhatsApp consent checkbox (if enabled)
7. Check both boxes
8. Complete checkout (use Shopify’s test payment info)

3.2 Verify Consent Was Recorded

In Brevo:

1. Log in to Brevo
2. Go to Contacts > All Contacts
3. Search for your test email
4. Open contact profile
5. Check Subscription status:
   • Email: Should be subscribed
   • SMS: Should be subscribed ✅
   • WhatsApp: Should be subscribed ✅ (if you enabled)

In Tajo:

1. Go to Tajo Dashboard > Contacts
2. Search for your test email
3. Verify Consent sources:
   • SMS: Shopify Checkout (with timestamp)
   • WhatsApp: Shopify Checkout (with timestamp)

On phone:

• If you enabled WhatsApp welcome: Should receive WhatsApp message within 1 minute
• If you enabled double opt-in SMS: Should receive confirmation text

3.3 Troubleshooting Tests

Checkboxes not appearing?

• Clear browser cache, try incognito mode
• Verify Tajo is connected: Dashboard > Integrations > Shopify (should be ✅)
• Check Shopify plan: Must be Basic or higher (not Starter)
• Ensure phone number field is required at checkout

Consent not showing in Brevo?

• Wait 2-3 minutes (sometimes there’s a delay)
• Check Tajo sync logs: Dashboard > Sync Logs
• Verify Brevo API key is valid: Settings > Integrations > Brevo

WhatsApp message not received?

• Verify WhatsApp Business number is correct in Tajo settings
• Check Brevo WhatsApp connection: Brevo > Settings > WhatsApp
• Make sure you used a real phone number (not Google Voice or VOIP)

Step 4: Optimize for Higher Opt-In Rates

4.1 Positioning & Design

Checkbox placement matters:

✅ Good placement:

• Below email field, above payment section
• Near “Contact Information” section
• Grouped with other optional fields

❌ Poor placement:

• Bottom of page (below “Place Order” button)
• Hidden in collapsed sections
• Mixed with legal terms

Design tips:

• Use clear, readable font size (14-16px)
• Add icon (📱 or 💬) for visual appeal
• Use benefit-focused language: “Get exclusive offers” not “Subscribe to marketing”

4.2 Copy Optimization

Bad copy (compliance-focused only):

☑️ I agree to receive marketing SMS messages. Msg & data rates may apply.

Conversion rate: 15-20%

Good copy (benefit + compliance):

☑️ Text me exclusive deals & order updates! Msg & data rates may apply.

Conversion rate: 30-35%

Great copy (specific benefit + urgency):

☑️ Get 10% off your next order via text + instant shipping updates! 📱

By checking, you agree to receive promotional SMS. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out.

Conversion rate: 40-50%

Formula: [Immediate benefit] + [Ongoing value] + [Compliance]

4.3 Incentive Testing

Offer immediate value for opting in:

Test these offers to find what resonates with your audience.

4.4 A/B Testing Framework

Set up split testing:

Week 1-2: Test checkbox copy

• Variant A: “Get exclusive offers via SMS”
• Variant B: “Text me 10% off + shipping updates”
• Measure: Opt-in rate

Week 3-4: Test checkbox placement

• Variant A: Above payment section
• Variant B: Below shipping address
• Measure: Opt-in rate

Week 5-6: Test incentive amount

• Variant A: 10% off next order
• Variant B: $10 off next order
• Measure: Opt-in rate AND redemption rate

Ongoing: Test seasonal offers, rotating benefits

Step 5: Maintain Compliance

5.1 Honor Opt-Outs Immediately

TCPA/CASL requirement: Process opt-outs within 10 days Best practice: Instant (automated)

Tajo handles this automatically:

• Customer replies “STOP” to SMS → Unsubscribed in Brevo + Shopify
• Customer clicks unsubscribe in email → Removed from SMS list too
• Customer opts out via WhatsApp → All lists updated

You should:

• Never manually re-subscribe someone who opted out
• Never purchase SMS lists (always illegal in US/Canada/EU)
• Keep records of opt-out requests for 3+ years

5.2 Respect “Do Not Call” Lists

US only: National Do Not Call Registry

• Applies to voice calls, not SMS/WhatsApp
• However, best practice is to not SMS numbers on DNC registry
• Tajo does NOT automatically check DNC registry (you’re responsible)

If you want to check:

• Visit donotcall.gov for US numbers
• For enterprise users, Tajo can integrate with DNC scrubbing services (contact support)

5.3 Keep Consent Records

GDPR requirement: Prove consent was freely given

What to record (Tajo does this automatically):

• ✅ When consent was given (timestamp)
• ✅ Where consent was collected (Shopify Checkout)
• ✅ What they consented to (exact checkbox text)
• ✅ IP address (if available)
• ✅ Double opt-in confirmation (if used)

How long to keep: Minimum 3 years after unsubscribe

Where to find in Tajo:

• Dashboard > Contacts > [Contact Name] > Consent History

5.4 Annual Consent Refresh (Optional)

Some brands re-confirm consent annually to maintain list quality:

Method 1: Re-engagement Campaign Send SMS/WhatsApp:

Hi {{FIRSTNAME}}! Still want to hear from us? Reply YES to keep getting exclusive offers, or STOP to unsubscribe.

Method 2: Email Re-permission Send email with links:

• “Yes, keep me subscribed to SMS”
• “Unsubscribe from SMS”

Should you do this?

• Yes if: Highly regulated industry, GDPR-focused, or >50% inactive subscribers
• No if: High engagement rates, clear value proposition, e-commerce

Advanced Strategies

Strategy #1: Separate Transactional & Marketing Consent

For higher opt-ins, offer two checkboxes:

☑️ Send me order & shipping updates via SMS (transactional)
☑️ Also send me exclusive offers & deals (marketing)

Why this works:

• Transactional checkbox gets 60-80% opt-in (high value, low risk)
• Marketing checkbox gets 30-40% opt-in
• You can send transactional messages to everyone, upsell later

To set up in Tajo:

1. Settings > SMS & WhatsApp
2. Toggle on “Separate transactional consent”
3. Customize both checkbox texts
4. Create separate Brevo lists for each type

Strategy #2: Progressive Disclosure (Email → SMS → WhatsApp)

For maximum opt-ins, collect in stages:

Stage 1 (Checkout): Collect email only Stage 2 (Thank you page): Popup asking for SMS consent with 10% off Stage 3 (First email): Ask for WhatsApp consent with exclusive access

Conversion rates:

• Email at checkout: 95%+ (required)
• SMS at thank you page: 40-50% (immediate incentive)
• WhatsApp via email: 25-30% (layered asks)

Result: Higher overall consent without overwhelming at checkout

Strategy #3: Dynamic Consent Based on Cart Value

For high-value carts, offer bigger incentives:

if (cart_value > 100) {
  checkbox_text = "Get 15% off your next order via text + VIP early access"
} else {
  checkbox_text = "Get 10% off your next order via text"
}

Set up in Tajo:

1. Settings > Checkout Customization
2. Toggle on “Dynamic consent incentives”
3. Set cart value thresholds and offers:
   • $0-$50: 10% off next order
   • $50-$100: $10 off + free shipping
   • $100+: 15% off + VIP access

FAQ

Do I need consent to send order confirmation SMS?

Transactional messages (order confirmation, shipping updates) have different rules:

US (TCPA): No consent required for transactional messages, BUT customer must have provided phone number in context of transaction EU (GDPR): Can send transactional messages without marketing consent, but should give opt-out option Best practice: Collect transactional consent separately from marketing consent (see Strategy #1 above)

Tajo’s approach: We recommend collecting both transactional and marketing consent at checkout for maximum clarity.

Can I pre-check the consent checkbox?

US: ❌ No - Violates TCPA (pre-checked boxes not valid consent) EU: ❌ No - Violates GDPR (consent must be “freely given”) Canada: ❌ No - Violates CASL

Penalty for pre-checked boxes: Up to $1,500 per message sent (TCPA)

Tajo enforces this: Our checkboxes are never pre-checked.

What if customer unchecks the box?

They complete checkout without SMS/WhatsApp consent. You can:

• ✅ Send order confirmation email (always allowed)
• ❌ Send marketing SMS/WhatsApp (not allowed)
• ✅ Show popup on thank you page asking for consent (optional)
• ✅ Send email asking them to opt-in to SMS (allowed)

Can I send marketing emails to customers who only consented to SMS?

Yes, IF they provided email during checkout. However:

• Best practice: Get explicit email consent too
• EU/GDPR: May require separate email consent checkbox
• Tajo recommendation: Use one checkbox for “Email + SMS” or separate checkboxes

How often can I text subscribers?

There’s no legal limit, but best practices:

Tajo recommendation: Start with 2x/week (Tuesday, Saturday). Monitor unsubscribe rate. If < 1%, you can increase frequency.

Can I text customers who bought from my Shopify POS?

If you collected phone at POS: Yes, BUT only if you had a consent checkbox at point of sale

If customer just gave phone for receipt: No, cannot send marketing messages

Solution: In Tajo, we auto-filter POS customers without consent flag. To text POS customers, collect consent at POS via tablet/iPad with form.

Conclusion

You’ve now set up compliant SMS and WhatsApp consent collection at Shopify checkout! 🎉

What you’ve achieved: ✅ TCPA/GDPR/CASL compliant consent collection ✅ High-converting checkout placement ✅ WhatsApp consent (Tajo exclusive feature) ✅ Automated consent recording and management ✅ Welcome message automation

Expected results: 25-40% of checkout customers will opt-in to SMS, and 20-35% to WhatsApp.

Next Steps

1. ✅ Test your setup with 3-5 real purchases (friends/family)
2. ✅ Monitor opt-in rates weekly in Tajo dashboard
3. ✅ Build your first SMS campaign to new subscribers
4. ✅ Set up abandoned cart SMS recovery flow
5. ✅ Create WhatsApp automation for order updates

Related Articles

• Build an Abandoned Cart Recovery Flow
• SMS & WhatsApp Compliance Guide
• Set Up WhatsApp Order Notifications
• Connect Tajo to Shopify

Questions about consent collection? Contact [email protected] or chat with us in the Tajo dashboard!

Last updated: January 22, 2025