You have likely encountered numerous websites with chat boxes positioned in the lower right corner of the screen. Do you ever wonder how those chat boxes ended up there? Are you interested in learning how to incorporate a chat box into your own website?
In this post, we will explore the extensive range of live chat plugins that can be used with WordPress. There are numerous options to choose from, making the selection process challenging. However, rest assured that we have identified the top-notch plugins suitable for any situation.
What Is WordPress Live Chat?
Live chat is an application that allows visitors to your website to engage with you directly and in real time, just as the name suggests.
This can be advantageous or disadvantageous for you.
By answering any questions promptly and efficiently, you can effectively utilize this strategy to benefit your business. Additionally, this approach allows you to showcase the responsiveness of your company, effectively presenting a positive image.
This could be sufficient to instill confidence in a potential customer and lead them to make a purchase.
If you operate a small eCommerce website covering different time zones, being available to answer at all times is a challenging aspect of the live chat feature.
15 Best WordPress Live Chat Plugins for 2023
1. Zendesk live chat for WordPress
Any company that wants to increase their conversion rate, minimize support expenses, and enhance customer satisfaction can take advantage of incorporating WP live chat into their range of service channels. Zendesk, being the easiest, most customizable, and all-inclusive solution, is an ideal platform to provide WordPress live chat to your clientele.
Zendesk’s live chat plugin for WordPress simplifies your service operation by using intelligent features such as action-based prompts. For example, if a customer encounters difficulty on the checkout page, Zendesk’s top-rated live chat plugin for WordPress will trigger a prompt for one of your service agents to initiate a conversation with the customer. This enables your agent to offer the necessary support for the customer to successfully finalize their purchase.
This leads to increased conversions and more efficient agents, as you might imagine.
The Power of Zendesk—for WordPress
Zendesk is a great solution for businesses looking to provide live chat for WordPress as it encompasses the following features:
- Proactive chat support: Triggers in chat notify agents when a customer has met preset conditions, like time spent on a certain page. Your agents can reach out, offer support, and provide a better user experience, increasing sales as a result.
- Zendesk tracks key metrics: From real-time monitoring to agent performance, so you can identify areas to improve and what tactics are working in your favor.
- Uninterrupted support: Access all your customer data and conversations from one place, so it’s easier for your team to switch between channels and provide the best experiences with Zendesk.
2. LiveChat’s WordPress Plugin
If you’re looking to incorporate live chat on your WordPress website, LiveChat’s plugin is a versatile and robust choice. This plugin is compatible with various WordPress site builders, ensuring a straightforward and user-friendly implementation process. Additionally, LiveChat has collaborations with prominent e-commerce software like WooCommerce and BigCommerce, making it a suitable option for e-commerce websites.
You have the option to use LiveChat to actively communicate with website visitors, or you can utilize the chat box as a web form to collect emails for your mailing list. Additionally, you can customize your chat boxes to reflect your brand and incorporate team member photos for customer identification. The live chat plugin functions seamlessly with any WordPress theme or template, eliminating the need for any modifications.
Although LiveChat’s WordPress plugin can be downloaded for free, it can only be used with a paid LiveChat plan. The Team plan, which offers additional features like ticketing, is their standard plan. If you want to try out the plugin, you can begin a 14-day free trial with LiveChat.
3. OIark WordPress Plugin
With a seamless mix of sophistication and simplicity, Olark’s live chat software has gained a reputation for its elegance. The live chat WordPress plugin offered by Olark also possesses the same level of intuitiveness and potency. Simply by installing the Olark plugin on WordPress and refreshing your site, you can have an operational chatbox. After installation, you have the freedom to establish workflow rules, personalize your chat widget, store chat transcripts, and perform additional customization as desired.
You can easily integrate the live chat feature of the Olark WordPress plugin with your CRM and email marketing tools. By setting up automation rules, you can expedite conversations and obtain real-time reports on agent activity and visitor behavior. Furthermore, saving complete chats to your archives allows you to reference them later for enhanced customer insights.
Within your WordPress dashboard, you have the ability to include API calls and configure your Olark live chat to correspond with the website visitor’s local language. You can experiment with the Olark WordPress plugin at no cost; however, if you require more advanced features and unlimited chat capabilities, you must select a paid subscription from Olark.
4. Tidio WordPress Plugin
Tidio’s free live chat plugin for WordPress can be installed quickly and is suitable for mobile devices. It offers support for email and Facebook Messenger in addition to chatbots, which can help reduce the workload of service agents. Another notable feature of Tidio is its incoming visitor notification, allowing agents to interact with visitors promptly upon their arrival.
You can customize your widget to match your branding and effortlessly use it on your website, browser, or mobile device. Furthermore, you can access all conversations from a single panel, making it convenient for agents to oversee and handle their conversations in one location. Additionally, utilizing natural language processing aids in quickly comprehending and resolving customer problems.
Furthermore, Tidio offers a no-code, drag-and-drop chatbot building tool and provides templates for popular chatbot flows like an abandoned shopping cart, which can help streamline the process and save time. By utilizing Tidio’s free plan and plugin, you can access a majority of its features. However, it is important to note that the free plan does have limitations on visitor counts, email volume, and chat operator seats.
Customize your widget to reflect your branding and effortlessly integrate it on your website, browser, or mobile device. Moreover, you can conveniently access all conversations from a single user-friendly panel, enabling agents to efficiently handle their interactions. Additionally, with the help of natural language processing, you can gain an advantage in comprehending and resolving customer problems.
5. WP Social Chat
WP Social Chat (formerly WhatsApp Chat WP) by QuadLayers is a plugin for your WordPress website that enables your customers to initiate a WhatsApp conversation. With over 100,000 active installations, WP Social Chat is the preferred choice due to its advantageous paid plans, which offer unlimited agent accounts, customizable chat widgets, and pre-set greeting messages for your team.
Given the extensive usage of WhatsApp for personal messaging, it is logical for businesses to connect with their customers on this platform. This app is compatible with GDPR regulations, and the premium version offers the flexibility of including numerous team members and distinguishing their roles, thereby preventing customers from feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, you have the option to display chat boxes on all pages of your website or on a specific selection. WP Social Chat’s WordPress plugin offers a free plan, which includes one agent and does not allow customization. For more advanced features, paid plans are available with prices ranging from $30 to $90 for a one-time payment.
6. Support Board plugin
Support Board’s live chat for WordPress plugin offers essential features for any live chat solution. This includes the capability to handle and answer chats directly within the WordPress dashboard. What distinguishes it is the additional extensions that link Slack and/or Diagflow. Therefore, if you prefer and intend to utilize either of these tools for your live chat setup, Support Board is worth considering.
The Support Board live chat enables businesses to initiate a conversation with website visitors and assist new shoppers in finding suitable products. Additionally, it allows for gathering email addresses to compile marketing lists, and offers notifications on desktop, browser, and mobile devices to ensure no opportunity for engagement goes unnoticed.
Support Board has a distinctive attribute in its pricing structure, which involves a one-time fee. Unlike several WordPress live chat plugins where a paid monthly plan is required, Support Board only charges a one-time fee of $59. Additionally, if you desire additional extensions such as Diagflow or Slack, you will have to pay an extra one-time fee ranging from $9 to $29.
7. Pure Chat
You can have a live chat widget on your site in less than an hour by using Pure Chat’s straightforward Live Chat plugin for WordPress. After installation, you can engage with potential customers and existing clients by using the browser-based or mobile app version of Pure Chat. The mobile apps are accessible on iOS and Android platforms.
The main goal of the Pure Chat plugin is to provide a simple and transparent experience. Additionally, it offers real-time analytics and contact history, which allows agents to interact with customers more confidently and have a better understanding of the overall situation. By integrating with over 1000 popular business apps, conversation insights can be shared across teams, enabling quick actions on the most valuable leads.
Pure Chat serves as a lead collector as well, as the chat box converts into an email form when you are not available. To utilize their WordPress plugin, you must acquire either the Growth or Pro plans, priced at $49 and $99 per month respectively. Both packages encompass all the essential features one would anticipate from a reliable live chat plugin for WordPress.
8. Formilla Live Chat
Formilla is a comprehensive live chat WordPress plugin that is accessible to WooCommerce users. It is equipped with mobile-friendly features and utilizes AI-powered chatbots. Additionally, users can utilize the Formilla live chat app on both mobile devices and browsers to engage with visitors, monitor chats, configure chatbots, and analyze live chat performance.
As soon as a visitor comes to your website, utilize real time monitoring to keep track of their activities and determine their preferences regarding products or services. In case it seems like a visitor is hesitating or unsure about navigation, take the initiative to assist them through Formilla Live Chat, similar to how you would assist someone in a physical store. Additionally, you have the option to tailor your approach based on the customer’s location or language, and customize the chat boxes with agent images to create a more personalized atmosphere for the conversation.
In order to install this plugin, you are required to create an account with Formilla. Fortunately, Formilla offers a 14-day free trial of their Premium plan, which is priced at $24.99 per month. If you choose not to upgrade after the trial period, you will be switched to their Standard free plan.
9. 3CX Live Chat
3CX Live Chat, previously known as WordPress Live Chat, is a plugin specifically designed for WordPress. It allows you to effortlessly incorporate live chat functionality on your website, and the initial one-year usage is completely free. You have complete control over customizing your chat widget and its configurations with 3CX. Moreover, if you are already a 3CX user, the chat plugin seamlessly integrates with the entirety of 3CX’s communication system.
In 2022, significant updates are being made to 3CX. The new plugin being developed aims to incorporate voice capability and a team communication system. Through a single user interface, users will be able to access and continue conversations from multiple channels. Additionally, they will have the ability to initiate video conferencing calls. With mobile accessibility on iOS and Android devices, agents will have the flexibility to handle their conversations whether they are in the office or working remotely.
3CX is suitable for service agents, salespeople, and individuals requiring communication with customers through WordPress live. It is designed to expand along with your team, with no restrictions on the number of agents. Following the initial year, a yearly fee of $145 will be charged for the Pro plan, while the self-managed Standard plan remains free.
10. WP Telegram
WP Telegram is a live chat plugin for WordPress that is essential for enhancing your ability to connect with valuable customers who are drawn to Telegram’s end-to-end encryption. With WP Telegram, you can conveniently engage with Telegram groups and channels using a Telegram bot.
The private notifications module in Telegram assists agents in staying updated on ongoing conversations, preventing them from falling behind or becoming inactive. When an email sent through your WordPress website matches an added email address in the plugin, the message is immediately redirected to Telegram. This allows the most suitable team member to handle it efficiently.
The only downside might be the implementation process. To create a new bot, add it to a group, and configure the bot’s rules for sending content, you will need to follow the plugin’s instructions. However, if you encounter any difficulties, you can seek assistance with setup in WP Telegram’s public group @WPTelegramChat. Unlike other pricing models that involve monthly subscriptions and charging per agent, WP Telegram determines its pricing based on the number of websites. The pricing for a single site starts at $44.10 and increases to $299 for 10-100 sites.
11. Facebook Chat
Facebook Messenger is very popular, although not as popular as WhatsApp globally. However, it is the preferred messaging app in the United States. By using the Facebook Chat plugin on your WordPress website, you can integrate the Facebook Messenger experience. This allows your prospects and customers to interact with your business in the same manner as they would on Messenger.
To prevent customers from feeling abandoned while you are offline, use auto-replies for frequently asked questions. Furthermore, customers can still communicate with you even if they have left your website. Additionally, individuals without a Facebook account can also contact you through the anonymous Guest Mode.
Moreover, this WordPress live chat plugin has the capability to store the Messenger chat history of your customers, ensuring a smooth interaction between agents and customers. Additionally, visitors can easily utilize the Messenger interface without the need to log in to Facebook. It is worth mentioning that the plugin is free and only requires a Facebook page for functionality.
12. Tawk.to
Tawk.to offers a free option for adding chat functionality to your site. You can implement it by adding a line of JavaScript or using the WordPress plugin. It provides numerous excellent features such as real time tracking, conversation logging, localization in over 45 languages, and more.
The great advantage is that it is entirely free to use, but if you want to remove the Tawk.to logo from chats, you will have to pay $15/month.
Tawk.to is a popular option for people seeking a wide range of features at an affordable price, with more than 4 million users.
13. HubSpot Live Chat
HubSpot, a suite of software programs, is well-known among marketers and customer service professionals. Their software encompasses various areas such as email marketing and customer support.
Live Chat is one of the programs that are available. It is packed with awesome features such as automatic saving of all conversations, mobile apps, and integration of data with other HubSpot services.
For those who anticipate future growth for their site and prefer to manage all aspects within a single software program, HubSpot is a good choice, particularly with its basic free plan.
14. SendInBlue
SendInBlue is primarily a marketing platform that offers a range of features such as email marketing, SMS marketing, CRM, landing pages, and live chat, with a slightly lesser emphasis on customer support, although it still provides several live chat options.
If you are in need of a marketing software package that is well-designed and includes live chat support, consider taking a look at SendInBlue.
15. ChatBot
ChatBot is a service that specializes in chatbots. With their Visual Builder technology, you can effortlessly build sophisticated chatbots that offer numerous paths, as depicted in the above image.
Other features of the chatbot include the availability of premade templates for specific scenarios such as discounts or customer feedback, the ability to track conversations using analytics, and the utilization of Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning to constantly enhance the performance of the chatbot.
If you are in need of a chatbot that is powerful and adaptable in all situations, consider looking into ChatBot, as its technology surpasses that of several other alternatives.
16. WSChat
WSChat is a WordPress live chat plugin created by ELEXtensions that offers a straightforward and efficient way to communicate with visitors on a website in order to promote engagement, conversion, or address any concerns.
Visitors have the option to initiate conversations, inquire about things, and receive immediate assistance using the chat widget. The widget is designed with a user-friendly interface to facilitate communication with visitors and deliver the level of customer service they anticipate.
WSChat allows users to access conversation history, statistics, and easily connect with other products. Moreover, it assists in delivering a positive user experience by supporting pre-chat forms, offline mode, chat routing, and agent assignment.
17. JivoChat Live Chat
JivoChat is a business messenger that integrates with multiple messaging systems such as WhatsApp, Apple iMessage, and Facebook. It offers numerous features, including real-time monitoring, chat log storage, agent chat transfer, and smart triggers.
JivoChat’s pricing structure is both simple and affordable, making it an ideal option for those with limited funds.
18 Freshchat by Freshworks
Freshworks offers an array of customer service software programs, with Freshdesk, Freshcaller, and Freshchat among the ten different options available. Freshchat concentrates solely on live chat support, whereas the remaining programs cater to email support or CRM needs.
Although they are intended to be integrated with each other, Freshchat can also be used as a standalone chat plugin. It offers all the standard features you would expect, such as group chats, automation, proactive campaigns, and integration with other services like Stripe or Salesforce. Additionally, there is a highly capable free plan available.
If you are considering utilizing one service to handle all of your customer service and HR requirements, consider the FreshWorks package of software. It offers cost-effective solutions that are also highly capable.
19 Chaport
Chaport is a plugin that offers a chat function for your website, characterized by its simplicity and lack of complicated features and options. Therefore, it is a perfect choice for those seeking a straightforward and hassle-free method to incorporate chat support into their site.
The text includes various standard chat plugin features such as automated responses, group conversations, integrations, and chat records.
Chaport is a plugin that focuses solely on chat and is available at an affordable price.
20. Intercom
Intercom is a customer service platform that is centered around “conversations,” encompassing live chat, emails, product tours, and other mediums.
The app has a sleek and contemporary design, giving it a casual and intimate vibe compared to other competitors. It offers various features such as chatbots, product tours, integration with popular apps like Slack and Facebook, as well as several other tools focused on facilitating conversations.
Intercom is an excellent option if you are willing to spend more and prefer a customer service approach that is more personalized.
Key Features of Live Chat
In order to provide the complete experience, a good WordPress live chat app should possess a few specific characteristics.
If these features are available, it would be advantageous; however, they are not mandatory.
These include:
Eye-catching Design
Many live chat apps have standard design templates, but some also allow you to customize the appearance to match your WordPress theme. It is important for the design of the live chat app to blend with your WordPress theme, yet still be distinctive enough to catch attention.
Native Integration
In order to have confidence in an app for customer service, it is crucial for it to have native integration, which indicates that it is specifically designed for WordPress and can function independently without APIs or third-party apps.
Ticketing System
If you want your live chat function to do more than just answer quick questions, having an integrated ticketing system can be beneficial. Being able to raise tickets to keep track of inquiries ensures that nothing is overlooked, and customers can follow up when needed by using ticket numbers.
Chat Surveys
The integration of surveys within a chat app provides businesses with a quick and easy method to gather important business intelligence, assess customer satisfaction, and collect feedback on quality and service.
Proactive Greetings
It is beneficial that chat apps include proactive greetings as a regular feature. It is ideal to have an app that is both polite and helpful while also respecting personal space, acknowledging it is just an application. Equally significant is the ability to personalize the greeting.
What to Look For in a WordPress Live Chat Plugin?
What should you consider when choosing a live chat plugin, based on the above criteria?
When outlining the necessary components, we deem the following as crucial elements for any WordPress live chat plugin:
Easy to Use
When using an app for an extended period of time, it is crucial that it is easy to use. Ideally, you would have a straightforward chat app to integrate into your website and an equally uncomplicated app for chatting.
Responsive Design
As web usage is progressively transitioning to mobile devices, your chat application must have the same level of responsiveness as your website. It is crucial that it functions seamlessly on all types of devices and screen sizes, as failing to do so would disrupt the overall user experience.
Customizable Design
In order for a chat app to be distinct in a positive way, it is crucial to have some level of customization that allows it to be seamlessly integrated into your WordPress theme. The bare minimum requirement for this customization should include the option to modify colors and fonts, ensuring that the chat aligns with the branding.
WordPress Hooks or App Integration
If you use programs such as SalesForce, MailChimp, ZenDesk, or other applications, it is beneficial to have the capability to connect your chat app to them. Some chat apps have built-in compatibility with these programs, while others utilize an API.
Automation
A well-functioning WordPress live chat app should include some automation to greet users and have the ability to work with triggers. People may not want to be disturbed by chat immediately when they visit a page, so implementing smart triggers to display chat based on certain actions can be effective.
Chat Dashboard
It is also important to have a dashboard that allows us to manage chats, view tickets, and access previous chats. We frequently need to refer back to past conversations, so an efficient method is essential.
Why Should You Use a Live Chat Plugin?
You may be questioning the reason for using a chat plugin. Despite the fact that many shops are successful without using them, it is plausible that they could increase their sales further by incorporating a chat feature.
It’s More Personal
The main advantage of chat apps is that they enhance the shopping experience by adding a personal touch. Engaging with customers through chat allows for direct communication and eliminates the distant and impersonal feel associated with email, thereby creating a welcoming and approachable atmosphere for visitors.
By appearing as a company operated by actual individuals rather than an impersonal corporation, it creates the impression of relatability.
Having chat plugins is also beneficial as they create positive initial impressions, which can significantly impact customers’ purchase decisions.
The faster you create a positive impression of your site, the better, as decisions are often made subconsciously within milliseconds. Avoid depending on lengthy FAQs or emails to persuade customers about the value of purchasing from you!
Including your real name and photo in the chat app is important because it avoids the unpleasant experience of conversing with an AI bot, especially when one’s money is at stake.
Gather More Customer Data
Several chat plugins offer the ability to track users as they navigate through various pages on your website. For instance, you can observe when visitors access the Features page and subsequently send a notification to inquire if they have any particular inquiries.
In addition, you can use this information to improve the sales process and make changes to your landing pages. Is it common for visitors to ask the same questions on a specific page? Most chat plugins enable you to save every interaction, so make sure you keep a record of each one and make any necessary adjustments.
Reduce Support Ticket Time
By answering customers’ questions promptly in a chat, you can also save yourself a considerable amount of potential support time. Spending a few minutes addressing questions upfront can potentially save you numerous hours of exchanging support emails.
If your help desk system shows new emails at the bottom of the inbox, it is worth noting that closing a ticket that could have been resolved in a thirty-second chat might require waiting for hours.
Appeal to Different Types of Customers
When it comes to seeking assistance or acquiring information, people have various preferences. Some individuals favor conversing over the phone, whereas emails are more preferable for others. Additionally, there are those who prefer communicating via text but are unwilling to endure prolonged waiting periods for an email response.
By using a live chat plugin, you have the ability to cater to customers who prefer immediate communication with an actual person, which can be a significant portion of your target audience, depending on your market.
Capitalize on Spur of the Moment Opportunities
According to Statista.com, more than 50% of purchases can be categorized as “impulse buys,” indicating that customers made the decision to purchase the product instantly, without conducting any prior research or price comparison.
Incentivizing visitors to make impulsive purchases, chat apps serve as an effective method.
Your chat app can serve as a virtual sales associate, assisting customers in feeling at ease when making impulsive purchases. By promptly addressing any inquiries, you minimize the likelihood of customers losing interest before finalizing a purchase.
Reduce Cart Abandonment
Cart abandonment refers to the situation when a customer adds items to their cart but ultimately decides not to make a purchase, which is a circumstance you aim to minimize. You can achieve this by utilizing live chat plugins.
With the implementation of a live chat service, you can promptly address any uncertainties or concerns that customers might have. Additionally, numerous services have the capability to send notifications or pop-ups, prompting inactive users to proceed with the checkout procedure.
