Live Chat Solutions
To Enhance Your Website
Live Chats for Websites – Live chat has become an essential tool for websites, fostering real-time communication with visitors and boosting customer satisfaction.
With a plethora of options available, choosing the right live chat software can feel overwhelming.
The Best Live Chats for Websites
1. tawk.to
This free-forever live chat software is ideal for small businesses and startups on a budget.
It offers basic functionalities like chat history, canned responses, and file sharing.
While tawk.to doesn’t have advanced features like chatbots or ticketing systems, it’s a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for basic customer support needs.
Pricing: Free plan with basic features. Paid plans start around $15/month for additional agents and features.
Pros
- Free-forever plan
- User-friendly interface
- Mobile app availability
- Ideal for small businesses and startups on a budget
- Offers basic functionalities like chat history, canned responses, and file sharing.
Cons
- Limited features compared to paid options
- No chatbots, ticketing systems, or advanced analytics
- Might not be suitable for businesses with high customer support volume
2. Line.me
Widely popular in Asia, Line.me is a messaging app that integrates live chat functionality for businesses.
Leverage the existing user base of Line to connect with customers directly through their preferred communication platform.
However, Line.me might be less familiar to users outside of Asia and could require additional setup for businesses without an established presence on the platform.
Pricing: Freemium model. Basic features are free, with paid plans offering additional functionalities like chat history and analytics. Pricing varies depending on the region.
Pros
- Integrates with a popular messaging app (Line) with a large user base in Asia
- Allows businesses to connect with customers directly through their preferred communication platform.
Cons
- Geographically focused user base
- Might be less familiar to users outside of Asia and could require additional setup for businesses without an established presence on the platform
- Not ideal for businesses targeting a global audience.
3. LiveChat
A well-established player in the live chat market, LiveChat offers a robust suite of features, including chat routing, canned responses, powerful analytics, and chatbot integration.
It caters to businesses of all sizes, providing solutions from basic customer support to advanced lead nurturing.
However, LiveChat’s pricing structure might be higher than some competitors, especially for smaller businesses with limited needs.
Pricing: Plans start around $16/month per agent for basic features. Advanced features and functionalities come with higher pricing tiers.
Pros
- Extensive features
- Robust analytics
- Chatbot integration
- A well-established player with a comprehensive suite of features, including chat routing, canned responses, powerful analytics, and chatbot integration
- Caters to businesses of all sizes.
Cons
- Potentially higher pricing compared to some options
- Especially for smaller businesses with limited needs.
4. Tidio
This versatile platform combines live chat functionalities with a built-in chatbot builder.
Automate simple inquiries, qualify leads and offer 24/7 support all within one platform.
Tidio provides a free plan with limitations, but paid plans unlock advanced features like chatbots and email marketing tools.
Consider Tidio if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution that balances live chat with automation capabilities.
Pricing: Free plan with basic features (1 agent, 1 site). Paid plans start around $18/month for additional agents, chatbots, and email marketing features.
Pros
- Free plan
- Chatbot builder
- Email marketing integration
- A versatile platform combining live chat with a built-in chatbot builder for automated inquiries, lead qualification, and 24/7 support
- Offers a free plan with limitations, while paid plans unlock advanced features.
Cons
- Free plan limitations
- Might be overwhelming for businesses needing basic live chat with limited automation requirements.
5. Shopify Inbox
Designed specifically for Shopify merchants, Shopify Inbox provides a unified platform for managing customer communications across various channels, including live chat, email, and social media.
It seamlessly integrates with your Shopify store, allowing you to view customer purchase history and personalize interactions.
However, Shopify Inbox is only available to Shopify store owners and might not be suitable for businesses on other e-commerce platforms.
Pricing: Included in some Shopify plans, with additional costs for higher tiers and extra agents.
Pros
- Built for Shopify merchants
- Unified inbox
- Personalized communication
- Integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, allowing access to customer purchase history and personalization of interactions.
Cons
- Limited to Shopify users
- Not ideal for businesses on other e-commerce platforms or those without online stores.
Rocket.Chat
Open-source and highly customizable, Rocket.Chat caters to businesses seeking a self-hosted live chat solution with advanced features like video chat, file sharing, and integrations with various productivity tools.
The open-source nature gives you complete control over the platform, but it also requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance.
Consider Rocket.Chat if you have the technical resources and value extensive customization options.
Pricing: Free (open-source), but additional costs might be incurred for hosting and potential support depending on your setup.
Pros
- Open-source
- Highly customizable
- Advanced features
- Offers complete control over the platform and extensive customization options
- With features like video chat, file sharing, and integrations with various productivity tools.
Cons
- Requires technical expertise for setup and maintenance
- Not ideal for businesses without in-house IT resources or those seeking a user-friendly, out-of-the-box solution.
7. Facebook Customer Chat SDK
Leverage the vast user base of Facebook by integrating live chat functionality directly into your Facebook Messenger.
This allows customers to connect with your business through a familiar platform they already use.
However, relying solely on Facebook Messenger might limit reach to users who don’t actively use the platform.
Pricing: Free, but ad costs might be a consideration if you plan to leverage Facebook advertising alongside your live chat strategy.
Pros
- Integrates with Facebook Messenger
- Large user base
- Familiar platform for customers
- Leverages the vast user base of Facebook by offering live chat functionality directly within Facebook Messenger, a platform many users are already familiar with.
Cons
- Limited to Facebook users
- Might not reach those outside the Facebook platform and could restrict customer support options for those who don’t use Facebook.
8. Zoom Video Conferencing
Primarily known for video conferencing, Zoom offers live chat functionality as an add-on feature.
This allows you to seamlessly transition from text chat to video calls for more complex discussions.
While Zoom excels in video conferencing, its live chat features might be less comprehensive than dedicated live chat platforms.
Consider Zoom if video conferencing is a core aspect of your customer interactions.
Pros
- Integrates with Zoom video conferencing
- Familiar platform for many users
- Allows seamless transition from text chat to video calls for more complex discussions
- Ideal for businesses already heavily invested in the Zoom ecosystem.
Cons
- Live chat features might be less comprehensive than dedicated live chat platforms
- May not be the most cost-effective option if video conferencing isn’t a core aspect of your customer interactions.
9. Chaty Premio
This feature-rich live chat solution caters to medium and large businesses.
Chaty Premio boasts functionalities like chatbots, ticketing systems, multilingual support, and detailed analytics to optimize your customer service strategy.
However, its robust feature set comes at a price, making Chaty Premio a potentially less cost-effective option for smaller businesses.
Consider Chaty Premio if you require advanced functionalities and detailed analytics for a large customer base.
Pricing: Custom quotes based on features and number of agents needed. Generally starts at a higher price point compared to some competitors.
Pros
- Extensive features
- Chatbots
- Ticketing system
- Multilingual support
- A feature-rich solution catering to medium and large businesses
- Offers functionalities like chatbots, ticketing systems, multilingual support, and detailed analytics for optimizing customer service strategies.
Cons
- Potentially higher cost
- Might be less cost-effective for smaller businesses with limited customer support needs
- The extensive feature set could be overwhelming for businesses requiring a simpler solution.
10. HubSpot Messages
Tightly integrated with the HubSpot CRM system, HubSpot Messages provides a centralized platform for managing customer interactions across live chat, email, and social media.
This allows you to leverage data from past interactions to personalize future conversations and enhance customer experience.
However, HubSpot Messages requires a HubSpot subscription, which might not be suitable for businesses not already invested in the HubSpot ecosystem.
Pricing: Included in some HubSpot CRM plans, with additional costs for higher tiers and extra agents.
Pros
- Integrates with HubSpot CRM
- Unified inbox
- Personalized interactions
- Provides a centralized platform for managing customer interactions across live chat, email, and social media
- Integrates seamlessly with the HubSpot CRM, allowing you to leverage data for personalized conversations and enhanced customer experience
Cons
- Requires HubSpot subscription
- Not ideal for businesses not already invested in the HubSpot ecosystem and its pricing structure.
11. Zendesk Chat (formerly Zopim)
Zendesk Chat offers a well-rounded live chat solution with functionalities like chatbots, proactive chat, and visitor tracking.
Its integration with the Zendesk customer service suite streamlines support workflows.
While Zendesk Chat caters to businesses of all sizes, its pricing might be steeper for basic features compared to some competitors.
Consider Zendesk Chat if you require advanced features and already use the Zendesk suite.
Pricing: Plans start around $19/month per agent for basic features. Advanced features and functionalities come with higher pricing tiers.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Chatbots
- Proactive chat triggers
- Visitor tracking
- Offers a user-friendly interface with features like chatbots, proactive chat triggers to initiate conversations, and visitor tracking to identify potential leads.
- Integrates with the broader Zendesk customer service suite.
Cons
- Potentially higher pricing for basic features
- Zendesk Chat pricing might be steeper for basic functionalities compared to some competitors.
Choosing the Right Live Chat Solution
With a vast array of live chat options available, the ideal platform depends on your specific needs and budget
Features
Integrations
Does the platform integrate with your existing CRM, marketing tools, or e-commerce platform?
Scalability
Can the platform handle your current and future customer support volume?
Pricing
Ease of Use
Consider the technical expertise required for setup and ongoing maintenance.
By carefully evaluating these factors alongside the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, you can confidently choose the live chat solution that empowers you to deliver exceptional customer service and boost website conversions.
The Most Popular Live Chats in the US and Canada
The live chat landscape reveals interesting trends across the United States and Canada
Live Chat Popularity in the United States
1. tawk.to
With over 249,000 live websites in the US, tawk.to reigns supreme.
This free-forever platform offers a user-friendly interface and basic functionalities like chat history, canned responses, and file sharing, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups.
2. LiveChat
A well-established player, LiveChat boasts over 220,000 live US websites.
It caters to businesses of all sizes, providing a comprehensive suite of features, including chat routing, canned responses, powerful analytics, and chatbot integration.
3. Line.me
Surprisingly popular in the US with over 223,000 live websites, Line.me is a messaging app that integrates live chat functionality for businesses.
This might be due to a large Asian expatriate population in the US familiar with the platform.
Live Chat Popularity in Canada
1. Shopify Inbox
Tailored specifically for Shopify merchants, Shopify Inbox takes the lead in Canada with over 9,500 live websites.
This integrated solution allows businesses to manage customer communication across various channels, including live chat, email, and social media, all from a unified platform.
2. tawk.to
Maintaining its popularity across borders, tawk.to secures the second spot in Canada with over 9,000 live websites.
Its free plan and user-friendly interface make it an attractive option for Canadian businesses as well.
3. Tidio
With over 6,900 live Canadian websites, Tidio offers a well-rounded solution combining live chat functionalities with a built-in chatbot builder.
This allows Canadian businesses to automate simple inquiries, qualify leads, and provide 24/7 support.
Popular Live Chats for WordPress
1. LiveChat
A well-established player, LiveChat offers a user-friendly WordPress plugin for easy installation and configuration.
It provides a comprehensive suite of features like chat routing, canned responses, and powerful analytics.
2. Tidio
This versatile platform combines live chat functionalities with a built-in chatbot builder.
Tidio offers a dedicated WordPress plugin for seamless integration, allowing you to automate simple inquiries, qualify leads, and provide 24/7 support directly from your WordPress site.
3. HubSpot Live Chat
While HubSpot itself isn’t a WordPress plugin, it integrates with WordPress websites through their plugin directory.
You’ll likely need a paid HubSpot plan to access this functionality, but it allows you to leverage live chat alongside the comprehensive features of the HubSpot CRM system.
4. Zendesk Chat (formerly Zopim)
This solution offers a Zendesk Chat WordPress plugin for integration.
Zendesk Chat provides advanced features like chatbots, proactive chat triggers, and visitor tracking, making it a strong option for businesses seeking a robust customer service solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
LiveChat offers a user-friendly setup process.
Generally, you’ll need to create a LiveChat account, obtain a code snippet, and integrate it into your website’s code.
Many website builders offer integrations or plugins to simplify the process.
If you’re a Maple Web Design client, we can help you get LiveChat installed and configured on your website.
Yes, LiveChat can be very beneficial for websites.
It allows you to connect with visitors in real-time, answer questions, address concerns, and potentially convert them into leads or customers.
LiveChat can improve customer satisfaction, boost sales, and provide valuable insights into visitor behavior.
There’s no single “best” live chat software, as the ideal solution depends on your specific needs and budget.
Here are some popular options:
- LiveChat: A well-rounded platform with robust features.
- Tidio: Combines live chat with a chatbot builder.
- HubSpot Live Chat: Integrates with the HubSpot CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.
- Zendesk Chat: Offers advanced features alongside live chat.
Yes, HubSpot offers a live chat feature called “HubSpot Messages” which integrates with their CRM platform.
HubSpot offers a free tier with limited features, including a basic live chat functionality.
However, for more advanced features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Chatbots are not included in the free HubSpot tier. Paid plans offer chatbot functionalities.
There are a few limited free chatbot creation options available online.
However, these might have limitations in functionality or customization.
For a more robust chatbot experience, paid services or plans with chatbot builders might be necessary.
Adding a HubSpot chatbot requires a paid HubSpot plan with chatbot features.
The setup process typically involves creating the chatbot within the HubSpot platform and then generating code to embed it on your website.
There might be some very basic free chatbot options available online.
However, keep in mind that these might have limitations in functionality, customization, or data storage.
For a more powerful and reliable chatbot experience, paid services or plans with advanced chatbot builders are often recommended.
Do You Need Live Chat for Your Website?
Maple Web Design can help you explore live chat and chatbot options, recommend solutions that fit your website’s needs, and even assist with setup and integration.
Feel free to contact us for further assistance!
