Adding live chat to your website is a fantastic way to engage visitors in real-time and provide immediate assistance, helping to build stronger customer relationships and boost conversions. With the increasing demand for instant communication, integrating live chat features has become essential for businesses of all sizes. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process to add live chat on website using a WordPress plugin. Whether you're running an eCommerce store, a service-based business, or a blog, this blog will help you enhance user experience and streamline communication.
In our previous blog, we explored 7 live chat plugins for WordPress websites, each offering unique features designed to cater to various business needs. Now, we’ll dive deeper into the process of selecting and installing the right plugin for your website. We'll cover step-by-step instructions on how to set up live chat, customize its appearance, and integrate it seamlessly into your existing WordPress site. Let’s get started.
Benefits of Adding Live Chat Plugin on Website
Adding a live chat plugin on website offers numerous benefits that enhance user experience, boost engagement, and drive conversions. Here’s an in-depth look at why integrating live chat is a smart choice for any website:
- Improved Customer Support: Live chat allows businesses to provide instant support to visitors. Customers can get answers to their queries in real-time, reducing frustration and enhancing satisfaction. This instant interaction is particularly helpful for resolving pre-purchase doubts, improving conversion rates.
- Increased Engagement: Live chat fosters two-way communication, making visitors feel valued and engaged. Instead of passively browsing, they can actively interact with your business, creating a more dynamic user experience.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Real-time assistance at critical moments in the buyer’s journey can significantly impact purchasing decisions. By answering questions or addressing concerns instantly, live chat helps convert hesitant visitors into paying customers
- Cost-Effective Customer Service: Compared to phone or email support, live chat is a cost-effective option. One agent can manage multiple conversations simultaneously, reducing staffing costs while maintaining service quality.
- Mobile-Friendly Support: Modern live chat plugins like Tawk.to are fully mobile-responsive, allowing businesses to assist customers on any device. This flexibility caters to the growing number of mobile users.
- Valuable Visitor Insights: Live chat tools often come with visitor tracking and analytics. Businesses can access data about visitor behavior, page views, and engagement levels, helping refine strategies and improve offerings.
- Increased Trust and Loyalty: Personalized, real-time communication builds trust with your audience. Visitors are more likely to return when they feel their concerns are addressed promptly.
By adding a live chat plugin to your website, you can create a more engaging, responsive, and customer-focused online experience.
Step to Add Live Chat on Website
If you are using WordPress, Tawk.to is one of the most popular and user-friendly WordPress chatbot plugins available. It is free, easy to set up, and comes with a range of features that make it a top choice for businesses of all sizes. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the process of adding Tawk.to live chat to your WordPress website while discussing key aspects such as ease of use, customization options, mobile responsiveness, integration capabilities, and more.
Step 1: Create a Tawk.to Account
Before you add Live Chat on Website using Tawk.to, the very first step is to create an account on their platform. This process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps to get started:
- Visit the Tawk.to Website: Go to www.tawk.to and click on the “Sign Up Free” button to begin creating your account.
- Enter Your Details: You will be prompted to provide your basic information such as your name, email address, and a password. This step is quick and easy. If you prefer a faster sign-up process, you can use your Google or Facebook account to log in.
- Set Up Your First Property: After creating your account, Tawk.to will guide you to set up your first "property" — which is essentially your website or business. You’ll be asked to provide your website's domain name and the name of your business. This ensures that your live chat feature is linked to the correct website.
- Access the Dashboard: Once your account setup is complete, you’ll be directed to the Tawk.to dashboard. From here, you can configure your live chat settings, including adding chat agents, customizing your chat widget, and setting up triggers to engage visitors.
Creating your Tawk.to account is the foundation to add live chat on website. Once this step is complete, you’re ready to move on to configuring the plugin.
Step 2: Install Tawk.to Live Chat Plugin for WordPress
To add live chat on website, the next step is to install the Tawk.to Live Chat plugin on your WordPress site. Follow these simple steps to integrate this powerful communication tool effectively:
- Login to WordPress Admin Panel: Start by logging into your WordPress website’s admin dashboard. This is where you’ll manage all your WordPress settings and plugin installations.
- Navigate to Plugins: On the left-hand menu, locate and click on “Plugins.” This section allows you to add new plugins, manage existing ones, and enhance your website’s functionality. Select the “Add New” button at the top.
- Search for Tawk.to Plugin: In the search bar on the top-right corner, type “Tawk.to.” The WordPress repository will display relevant results, including the Tawk.to Live Chat plugin.
- Install the Plugin: Once you locate the plugin, click the “Install Now” button next to it. WordPress will automatically download and prepare the plugin for activation.
- Activate the Plugin: After the installation is complete, click on the “Activate” button. This will enable the plugin on your website, making it ready for configuration and use.
With the Tawk.to plugin installed and activated, you’re one step closer to enhancing customer engagement on your website. The next steps involve linking your Tawk.to account and customizing the chat widget to align with your website’s branding. Stay tuned for these crucial steps to make the most of your live chat feature.
Step 3: Configure the Plugin with Your Tawk.to Account
After activating the Tawk.to plugin, the next step to add Live Chat on Website is to connect the plugin to your Tawk.to account. This integration enables the live chat widget to function seamlessly on your website. Here’s a detailed guide to configuring the plugin:
- Access the Plugin Settings: Navigate to your WordPress admin panel, locate the "Settings" menu, and click on "Tawk.to." This will open the plugin’s settings page, where you can begin the configuration process.
- Log in to Your Tawk.to Account: On the settings page, you will be prompted to log in to your Tawk.to account. Use the same email address and password you registered with during the sign-up process.
- Select Your Property: After logging in, you’ll see a list of properties (websites) associated with your Tawk.to account. Select the specific property you want to connect to the plugin. This links the live chat widget to your website.
- Configure Additional Settings: Once connected, you can customize several options:
- Visibility Options: Ensure the Tawk.to widget displays on every page of your website.
- URL Exclusion: Hide the widget on specific URLs or paths where chat is unnecessary.
- Privacy Options: Enable visitor recognition to provide personalized support.
By completing these steps, your live chat is ready to engage visitors. This seamless integration boosts interaction, helping your website provide responsive customer service and increase conversions.
Step 4: Customize the Chat Widget Appearance
When you add live chat on website, customizing the widget’s appearance is essential to ensure it aligns with your website's branding and provides a seamless user experience. Tawk.to offers a variety of customization options to help you create a cohesive and professional look for your live chat feature. Here’s how you can do it:
- Access Widget Settings: Navigate to the Tawk.to settings page in your WordPress admin dashboard. From there, click on "Dashboard," select the Settings tab, and proceed to the Chat Widget section. This is your central hub for customizing the widget’s appearance.
- Select the Language: Tawk.to supports multiple languages, allowing you to localize the chat experience for your audience. Choose a language that suits your website visitors to ensure clear and effective communication. If you have built your website with Elementor then you can create Elementor pages with WPML and create a multi-language website.
- Adjust Colors to Match Branding: Personalize the widget’s color scheme to align with your website’s design. You can modify the background color of the chat box, adjust text colors, and tweak button colors to create a cohesive look that enhances your brand identity.
- Edit the Welcome Message: The welcome message is the first point of interaction with your visitors. Tawk.to allows you to customize this greeting, making it more engaging and tailored to your audience. For example, you can include a friendly introduction or a call to action to start the conversation.
Customizing your chat widget ensures that your live chat feature integrates seamlessly into your website, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Step 5: Set Up Triggers for Automatic Chat Invitations
When you add live chat on website, setting up triggers for automatic chat invitations is a great way to proactively engage with visitors based on their behavior. With Tawk.to, you can create personalized chat triggers that are activated based on specific visitor actions or the time they’ve spent on a page. These triggers can significantly enhance your user experience by offering timely assistance, which can improve conversion rates. Here's a detailed breakdown of how to configure automatic triggers:
Navigate to Triggers
To get started, log into your Tawk.to dashboard. From the left sidebar, click on “Administration”, and then select “Triggers”. This is where you can create and manage all your automatic triggers.
Create a New Trigger
Click the “Add Trigger” button to start creating a new trigger rule. You’ll be presented with several options for trigger types. Let’s break them down:
Basic Page Notification Trigger
- Set Up Trigger Name: Choose a descriptive name, like "Welcome Message" or "Product Inquiry."
- Delay: Choose how long after the page loads the trigger will activate (e.g., after 30 seconds).
- Visitor Page URL: Specify which pages you want the trigger to apply to (like the homepage, product pages, etc.).
- Agent's Name: Choose the agent who will handle the chat.
- Trigger Message: Write a friendly and engaging message, like "Hi there! Can I help you with something today?"
- Click Save: Finalize the settings and save the trigger.
Basic Chat Rescuer Trigger
- Set Up Trigger Name: Choose a name that indicates the purpose, like "Rescue Chat."
- Delay: Set the delay for how long before the chat invitation is triggered.
- Agent's Name: Assign an agent to handle the message.
- Trigger Message: Customize the message that will prompt the chat invitation, e.g., "Need help finding the right product?"
- Click Save: Save your settings.
Advanced Trigger
- Set Up Trigger Name: Again, name the trigger for clarity.
- Enable ‘Each Visitor Will Only Receive This Message Once’: This ensures visitors don't get repetitive messages.
- Conditions: Set conditions for when this trigger should run, such as a visitor viewing a specific product or spending a certain amount of time on the page.
- Run Trigger and Check Actions: Once the conditions are met, you can decide which actions will take place, such as opening the chat widget or sending an automated message.
- Click Save: Save the advanced trigger once you’ve configured all the settings.
By setting up these triggers, you can create a more dynamic and engaging experience for your website visitors. Proactive chat invitations make it easier to add Live Chat on website and ensure that you’re providing excellent customer service right when your visitors need it most.
Step 6: Test Mobile Responsiveness and Cross-Device Compatibility
Testing mobile responsiveness and cross-device compatibility is a crucial step when you add live chat on website. With a significant portion of website traffic coming from mobile users, ensuring the chat widget performs seamlessly across devices is essential. Tawk.to’s live chat plugin is fully mobile-responsive and designed to provide an optimal user experience on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Also you need a properly responsive website to work things perfectly, for that you can go for Premium WordPress Elementor Themes from WP Elemento. They offer various premium themes for different niches.
- Responsive Widget Design: Tawk.to’s chat widget automatically adjusts its layout and size based on the device’s screen dimensions. Whether a visitor is using a smartphone with a small screen or a large tablet, the chat window remains intuitive, non-intrusive, and easy to navigate. This guarantees a smooth and professional experience for users on any device.
- Mobile App Support: Tawk.to enhances its mobile functionality by offering dedicated apps for both iOS and Android. These apps allow you to manage chat inquiries in real-time, even while you’re on the go. Notifications ensure you never miss a visitor’s question, enabling businesses to provide prompt and responsive customer service anytime, anywhere.
- Test on Multiple Devices: After integrating Tawk.to’s live chat, test the widget on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Check for proper alignment, usability, and overall appearance. Simulate user interactions to ensure typing fields, buttons, and chat visibility are functioning seamlessly across devices.
Prioritizing mobile responsiveness and cross-device compatibility, Tawk.to ensures your live chat feature delivers an excellent user experience, no matter how visitors access your website. This step significantly boosts customer satisfaction and engagement, making it a critical part of the setup process.
By following these steps, you can easily add Tawk.to live chat to your WordPress website and enhance your customer service, engagement, and conversion rates. With its ease of use, customization options, mobile responsiveness, and integration capabilities, Tawk.to is undoubtedly one of the best live chat plugins for WordPress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding a live chat plugin on website using WordPress is a smart strategy to enhance customer engagement and support. As we've discussed, the benefits to add live chat on website are vast, improving customer service, increasing engagement, driving higher conversion rates, and offering valuable insights into visitor behavior. With easy-to-use plugins like Tawk.to, integrating live chat on your WordPress site becomes a straightforward process that can be tailored to meet your specific business needs.
From ensuring mobile responsiveness and cross-device compatibility to testing the functionality, every step is essential in delivering a seamless user experience. Live chat not only boosts customer satisfaction but also builds trust and loyalty, ensuring visitors feel heard and supported in real-time. By implementing the steps outlined, you can successfully add a live chat feature to your website and take your customer service to the next level.
