Do you need the top live chat plugins for your WordPress site? By providing live chat support, you can swiftly address inquiries from website visitors, ultimately converting them into potential leads and customers.
In this article, we will be sharing the top live chat plugins that are compatible with WordPress websites, specifically tailored for small businesses.
What is WordPress live chat?
With the use of a WordPress chat plugin like Zendesk Support for WordPress, live chat on your WordPress site functions similarly to instant messaging. It enables your customer-facing teams, including service agents and salespeople, to engage in real-time communication with website visitors. Live chat is a valuable tool for delivering immediate assistance to your users.
Integrating WordPress live chat with other essential tools like CRMs, knowledge bases, chatbots, and automation platforms can be done either natively or through the use of APIs. Implementing live chat WordPress plugins can be achieved manually using code or by using pre-built plugins that are typically user-friendly for non-developers to set up.
How do you use live chat in WordPress?
To use live chat in WordPress, the most convenient method is to install a plugin. Depending on the chosen plugin, it might be necessary to create an account with the plugin’s provider. For instance, if using Zendesk, you will need to either purchase the software or take advantage of a free trial before obtaining the Zendesk WordPress plugin. Following that, the chat widget must be configured, allowing for any desired customizations to be made.
After the installation and configuration of the widget, typically, the control panel of your live chat software will be used to handle the incoming chats on your WordPress site. Therefore, if the Zendesk WordPress plugin was employed, you would utilize the Zendesk suite for monitoring, managing, and replying to live chat messages.
Why Add Live Chat Apps to Your Website?
Live chat is now the most popular digital means of communication among online shoppers, with 46% of customers favoring it over email (29%) and social media (16%).
There is no doubt that live chat greatly influences online sales by allowing customers to receive immediate answers without having to leave your website. Additionally, a positive live chat experience can encourage users to complete their purchase.
The inclusion of live chat support software on your WordPress site can be beneficial in:
However, this heavily relies on the live chat solutions that you utilize.
Opting for live chat software that fails to perform as intended can result in a negative chat experience. For example, it may be excessively complicated to configure or offer limited features which come at a high cost.
Consequently, a badly executed chat service could lead to lost sales and create an unfavorable perception of your business among users.
When searching for a live chat plugin, you’ll require a cost-effective solution that is user-friendly, compatible with WordPress sites, and encompasses all the necessary features.
Best Live Chat Plugins for WordPress Websites
After understanding the benefits of live chat support, let’s explore the top live chat plugins available for business expansion.
1. LiveChat
With a free LiveChat plugin designed for WordPress, LiveChat stands as the top live chat software available, ensuring simple installation and setup on your WordPress site.
It comes with well-designed live chat apps you can use on any device, such as desktops, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. With this functionality, you can chat with customers without logging in to your WordPress dashboard.
Adding chat forms before and after chat sessions is an effortless way to assess the performance of your chat teams. Additionally, users have the convenience of sending support requests directly from the chat window when your support team is unavailable.
The chat windows load incredibly quickly and are compatible with every device, ensuring a superior user experience for potential customers.
You can easily incorporate LiveChat with a range of online services such as Zendesk chat, Google Analytics, and leading email marketing providers. These integrations eliminate the need for manual entry of user details into other systems, resulting in significant time savings.
2. Brevo (Sendinblue)
Brevo, which was previously called Sendinblue, offers a robust and user-friendly live chat software that can be integrated into your website using the WordPress live chat plugin.
By utilizing this service, you will be able to respond to users’ spontaneous inquiries in real-time through live chat, thereby transforming them from mere visitors into paying customers. Additionally, the chat software seamlessly integrates with Brevo’s marketing automation system, enabling you to gather a higher number of potential customers.
Brevo possesses:
- Built-in email marketing
- User segmentation
- Marketing automation
- Retargeting for Facebook ads
In addition, it offers a comprehensive marketing bundle that includes customer relationship management (CRM), email and SMS marketing, landing pages, and numerous other features. This enables you to effectively convert a higher number of visitors into customers.
3. HubSpot
HubSpot, renowned for its CRM software, provides a complimentary WordPress plugin that enables incorporation of live chat on your website.
You can effortlessly utilize the live chat builder without any necessity of coding. The chat widget is further customizable, allowing you to tailor its design in accordance with your brand. Furthermore, constructing chatbots to respond to customer queries during your absence is also a straightforward process.
You can easily integrate HubSpot’s live chat software with the included CRM. The contact’s timeline automatically archives all live chat conversations, and you can customize conversations by retrieving contact details from the database.
In addition to the live chat and CRM, the HubSpot plugin offers:
- Forms and popups
- Email marketing
- Analytics
Your website visitors can be captured, organized, and engaged using just one plugin.
4. ChatBot
ChatBot is a user-friendly live chat system ideal for small businesses, employing AI chatbots to interact with customers around the clock.
You can easily create your own chatbot using the platform’s drag and drop builder. Additionally, it offers a range of industry-specific templates, simplifying the process of building scenarios that suit your business.
The eCommerce bot template, for example, can assist customers in navigating your purchasing procedure. On the other hand, the sales bot template enables you to directly sell products within the chat window.
Additional chatbot templates are available.
- Customer service
- Restaurant
- Package tracking
- Coffee shop
- Recruitment
- And more
Previously, small businesses faced difficulty in creating chatbots, but this platform eliminates the unfair advantage. The user-friendly templates enable you to incorporate a virtual assistant across your website, social media platforms, messaging apps, and other channels.
The integration of ChatBot with WordPress and WooCommerce is seamless. Moreover, if users prefer to interact with a human instead, they can easily be directed to customer support, Facebook Messenger, phone support, and other integrated platforms.
5. Olark
The Olark live chat service is well-liked among online businesses. Integrating Olark with WordPress can be done effortlessly using a code snippet, or alternatively, you have the option of utilizing the convenient Olark live chat plugin, which is available for free.
Integrating Olark with online services such as Zendesk, Highrise, and Salesforce is a straightforward process. Additionally, there are various third-party mobile apps available for Android and iOS devices that enable the use of Olark chat. This convenient solution facilitates effective communication with customers even when you’re not at your desk.
6. LiveAgent
With help desk functionality, LiveAgent is a top-notch multichannel live chat software that comprises various features like live chat, email ticketing, time tracking, call center, and more.
LiveAgent is an exceptional all-in-one solution for small businesses without an existing support desk system in place.
LiveAgent also works seamlessly with WordPress, website builders, and other marketing platforms. This makes it easy to share customer details with your other tools and services.
7. Chaport
If you are looking for a free live chat support solution specifically for WordPress, Chaport presents itself as a great choice. They offer a free plan with no expiration that includes the following features:
- Unlimited chats
- Unlimited notifications
- Unlimited history
- Unlimited registered operators
You are able to have a maximum of 5 operators concurrently available online.
Chaport offers a comprehensive range of features in its free live chat support software, such as mobile apps for chat support, chat widgets that support multiple languages, and analytics and reporting capabilities. Additionally, it allows seamless integration with different third-party tools via Zapier.
By upgrading to paid plans, you can benefit from additional advanced features such as typing insights, file sending, visitor notes, auto-invitations, and more.
8. Intercom
With Intercom, you can effectively capture leads, interact with visitors on your website, and enhance conversions for your small business. Additionally, you can leverage its messaging features such as live chat and customizable chatbots that can be automated using your preferred workflows.
Intercom can be utilized for various other objectives such as streamlining your marketing endeavors, guiding new clients during the onboarding process, and employing it as a means to generate potential leads.
If you only require live chat capability, this solution may offer unnecessary features that you won’t utilize. However, if you prefer a live chat system that can handle all of these tasks in one platform, then Intercom is the perfect choice for you.
The service is compatible with CRM software, Google Analytics, email marketing providers, Slack, and various other platforms.
9. Freshchat
Freshchat is a live chat software that can compete with the more popular solutions mentioned in this article.
This app serves as a messenger and conversation platform where you can engage in live chats with visitors utilizing either human chat agents or AI-powered bots.
You have the ability to access various features with Freshchat.
- Customer timeline views
- In-app campaigns
- Live profiles
- Customizable bots
- And more
In Zendesk or Slack channels, you have the option to connect your chats to support tickets. Additionally, to enhance your efficiency, you can utilize intelligent replies, personal notes, and notifications on your computer.
10. LivePerson
LivePerson is a software for live chat support that assists you in interacting with your site visitors and customers, ultimately boosting your online sales.
Through this service, you have the ability to communicate with users via chat.
- Live chat
- SMS
- Facebook Messenger
- And more
LivePerson’s chatbots allow you to create automated conversation flows using their easy-to-use interface. Additionally, you can interact with users and oversee conversations through desktop and mobile workspaces.
LivePerson is a highly effective solution suitable for businesses of medium, large, and enterprise-level.
11. Smartsupp
If you are in need of an affordable live chat solution, Smartsupp is the perfect service to consider. Smartsupp allows you to monitor and save user sessions directly on your website, enabling you to understand how your website is being utilized and identify any obstacles that might deter potential customers from making purchases.
In addition, Smartsupp can be utilized for monitoring conversations through Google Analytics to obtain a comprehensive understanding of your progress. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with several leading eCommerce platforms including WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and more.
12. Pure Chat
Pure Chat is an alternative to free live chat software. It offers an affordable option to easily incorporate live chat widgets into your website. Additionally, the free plan allows for three chat members with unlimited live chat history.
Pure Chat offers mobile applications that enable your team and customers to stay connected, no matter their location on mobile devices. Additionally, it enables customers to send email messages even when you are unavailable.
Furthermore, pre-chat forms are available to collect essential visitor details, such as their email address, for future contact purposes.
Why use WordPress chat plugins?
WordPress is globally recognized as one of the leading content management systems due to its exceptional extensibility through plugins. This holds true for the finest live chat plugins available for WordPress, which numerous brands utilize to leverage the potent advantages they offer.
Instant support
Participants were asked about the most important factor in a satisfactory customer experience, and quick resolution time emerged as the leading factor. It is not unexpected, but the key point is that a WordPress chat plugin is frequently the most practical means to deliver the instant support customers expect. Businesses using WordPress can opt for a WordPress live chat plugin, which enables them to send initial chat messages directly from their website within a day.
Elevate customer satisfaction
Customers will respond positively and your CSAT score will increase if you offer timely support. However, offering immediate support is different from offering it on a larger scale. This is where WordPress live chat plugins excel. By integrating the plugin with other tools like chatbots, you can take advantage of automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to address simpler customer inquiries, allowing your agents to focus on more complex matters and save time.
Increase conversion rates
Increase conversion rates by being proactive and offering assistance to customers before they need to ask. With WordPress for live chat, if a customer spends a long time on a page, a support agent will be prompted to start a chat on your website. This enables the agent to provide assistance and address any inquiries the customer may have before finalizing their purchase. As a result, outreach efforts by agents and salespeople become more focused and relevant.
Increase the value of your customers
Customers who engage in brand chats are three times more likely to convert compared to those who do not. Besides, this group of customers usually has a higher average cart value of 10 to 15 percent. Consequently, WordPress live chat plugins can enhance the lifetime value of customers and enable your company to generate more value from each customer. Furthermore, this also leads to increased value of your agents as they can focus their time on more significant prospects.
What are the features that you need from your WordPress chat plugin?
Convenient interface
The quality of the chat experience for all participants will be greatly influenced by the interface used by your agents to communicate with customers. When using WordPress chat plugins, you will come across two types of interfaces: native dashboards, which are integrated into your WordPress dashboard, and third-party dashboards, which are hosted by your live chat software provider within their own live chat apps.
The convenience of third-party dashboards usually depends on personal preference and existing workflow, despite their greater flexibility and sophistication. Therefore, it is important to seek your agents’ opinions regarding the convenience of the WordPress chat plugin you select.
Automation
Many customers favor live chat as a distinctive experience compared to phone or email communication. However, the true value of live chat for businesses lies not only in its popularity among customers, but also in the capability of a WordPress chat plugin, empowered by automation rules for basic inquiries, to independently address a significant portion of customer queries.
Live chat becomes even more valuable for businesses due to automation, as it allows organizations to offer cost-effective service through a preferred customer channel.
Reporting and analytics
Having reporting and analytics capabilities in your live chat plugin for WordPress is essential. It not only enables managers to offer data-driven feedback to agents, but also ensures transparency across the entire business. This is crucial in determining the allocation of resources for your business.
Furthermore, advanced analytics systems have the capability to offer valuable insights into customer sentiment, which can effectively inform decision-making in product development, sales, marketing, and service.
Self-service options
Having self-service options such as knowledge bases is essential alongside live chat. Similar to automation rules, self-service aids customers in locating answers to frequently asked questions, allowing agents to assist those who truly require their help. Furthermore, even during non-working hours when live chat is unavailable, customers still have a dedicated platform to address their concerns.
How to choose the best WordPress chat plugin?
To ensure you select the most suitable WordPress chat plugin, it is essential to consult someone familiar with your organization, its workflow, existing systems, and future growth plans. With limited time available, it is impractical to test numerous plugins. Therefore, we suggest utilizing the following criteria as your primary guide to enhance the likelihood of choosing the optimal WordPress chat plugin for your needs.
- Effectiveness of integration with WordPress and other systems
Before making a decision, ensure that your WordPress chat plugin can easily and effectively integrate with your existing systems, as it is improbable that the plugin alone will encompass all aspects of your sales, service, and/or marketing operations. It will be necessary for other systems, like CRMs, customer analytics software, and more, to exchange data with your WordPress chat plugin.
- Current and future feature/cost fit
Choosing a WordPress chat plugin which includes unnecessary features often leads to higher costs. However, considering that your business may undergo significant changes in the near future, it is important to find a chat plugin that meets your current requirements and budgetary constraints, while also having the ability to expand as needed.
- Agent and customer experience
When choosing the best live chat plugin for WordPress, it is essential to consider the preferences of both your agents and customers. Their satisfaction and the value they receive will heavily depend on their experiences. Hence, it is advisable to allow your agents to try out the chosen plugin before committing to lengthy contracts. Additionally, it is recommended to test the software from the customer’s perspective, either by conducting user testing or personally exploring the software.
