SMS alerts: opt-in and message flow
Pulse is an internal website monitoring platform operated by WebDS. This page documents, in full, how a person gives express written consent before WebDS sends them any SMS, and what messages they receive afterwards. It is published for transparency and for messaging compliance review.
Call to action and message flow
1. The client asks for SMS alerts
WebDS only monitors websites for organisations under an existing service agreement. An authorised contact at that organisation asks their WebDS account manager, by email or during onboarding, to add SMS alerting for a named person. No numbers are ever bought, imported or collected from a list.
2. WebDS emails a personal opt-in invitation
A WebDS administrator sends that person an email invitation from alerts@notify.pulseops.webds.com. The email names their company, explains that the alerts cover website outages and service interruptions, states that message frequency varies, that message and data rates may apply, and that they can reply STOP to opt out and HELP for help. It contains one unique, single-use link that expires after 14 days.
3. The person opens the hosted consent page
The link opens the consent page shown below at pulseops.webds.com/sms-optin/<unique-token>. The page is pre-filled with their name, email and company. They type their own mobile number and must actively tick the consent checkbox — it is unchecked by default and the submit button stays disabled until it is ticked and a valid number is entered. Phone number and SMS consent are collected only on this page and are never a condition of any other service.
4. Consent is recorded and stored
On submission WebDS stores the exact consent wording displayed, the mobile number, the company, the date and time, the IP address and the browser user agent, linked to the invitation. This record is retained for as long as the number is subscribed and is available on request as proof of consent.
5. Messages sent after opt-in
Only transactional, account-notification SMS are sent: a website of theirs is down or degraded, an SSL certificate is expiring or invalid, suspicious content has been detected, or a previously reported issue has recovered. No marketing, promotional or third-party messages are ever sent. Typical volume is 0–5 messages per month per recipient and depends entirely on incidents.
The consent screen (exact reproduction)
Below is the live consent form as the recipient sees it. It is shown here read-only because the real page requires the unique invitation token from the email.
Get outage alerts by text
Hi Jane Doe, WebDS monitors the websites for Meehan Law Firm. Add your mobile number below to receive critical alerts by SMS as well as email.
Include your country code, e.g. +1 for the US.
The checkbox is unchecked by default. The button below stays disabled until the recipient ticks it and enters a valid mobile number.
Sample messages
- Pulse alert: themeehanlawfirm.com is DOWN (HTTP 503) since 09:14 UTC. We are investigating. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.
- Pulse alert: themeehanlawfirm.com is back UP as of 09:41 UTC. Downtime 27m. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.
- Pulse alert: SSL certificate for example.com expires in 5 days. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help.
Opting out and help
Reply STOP to any message to stop all SMS immediately; reply HELP for assistance, or email team@webds.com. Email alerts continue regardless — SMS is always optional and is never required to use or receive any WebDS service. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
Mobile numbers and SMS consent are used solely to deliver these operational alerts. We do not sell or rent them, and no mobile opt-in data or consent information is shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes. See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.