One of the features I love most on my own website is having a chat box. A while back I used Facebook Messenger on my website since it was a free chat box service, but they’ve since discontinued it. After researching my options I decided to add Chatra and my message conversion have dramatically increased compared to what they were with Facebook messenger.
What kind of websites benefit from a chat box?
Really any website can have a chat box, but it’s vital if you have an online store or if you offer a service that may require additional information. Chatra is great for all types of business websites including ecommerce, coaching, photography, bookkeeping, consultanting, planners, virtual assistants and even influencers.
Easy tutorial for adding a chat box to any website
Chatra makes adding a chat box to any website so simple. I’ll walk you through the steps beginning with setting up your account, customizing your chat box options and adding the chat box window to your website.
1. Create a Chatra Account
Chatra is a free service, although you will be limited to 20 chats per month. You can upgrade to a paid account for as little as $25 per month and enjoy some of the additional features like unlimited chats, Facebook integration, form capture leads, chat bot and so many other awesome tools to boost your business. See all Chatra pricing plans >>
2. Setup Your Website Chat Preferences in Chatra
Once your create an account, you’ll want to customize some of your settings before you add your chat box to your website. Depending on your plan you can customize:
Chat box color scheme
Chat box position
Away message
Online message
Pre-defined answers
Preferred language
Mobile settings
3. Embed the Chat Box Code on Your Website
If you have a WordPress website, you can install the Chatra plugin and connect your chat box without having to embed any code. Shopify websites also have a Chatra app that makes it easy to connect to your website.
For Showit, Squarespace and Wix websites, you’ll need to add custom code in the appropriate area (I’ve added mine to my footer canvas in Showit) in order for the chat box to display on all pages.
Once your code is added, publish and test to make sure it’s working properly.
That it’s! You’ve now added a way for your website audience to communicate with you via your website.
Why You Should Add a Chat Box To Your Website
Having a messenger box on your website is a great way to invite your website visitors to reach out to you with any questions, right from the page they’re already on. Your chat box can prompt them to ask questions about your products or learn more about your services.
Adding a chat box to your checkout pages is a great way to ensure you never lose a sale due to confusion during checkout or if your shopper gets cold feet.
Some products or services are more complex than others, leading to a customer needing more information in order for them to commit. Even if you have plenty of details on your website, a customer may have a very specific concern that you haven’t addressed. A chat box is the perfect way for them to ask you a quick question before they make their decision.
What is Chatra Messenger?
Chatra is a live chat and chatbot app that lets you communicate with your customers from any page on your website, in real time.
Depending on the plan you choose (anywhere from free up to $33 a month for a pro plan), you’ll get access to unbeatable features like:
Email notification as soon as a chat is received
Connect Facebook and Instagram messenger
Chat Bot to assist in automatically answering common questions
Form and Lead capture bot to collect your visitor’s name and email
Chat triggers to initiate a chat at the exact right moment
Engage in chats with real time visitors
View customer’s shopping carts in real time
Save replies to commonly asked questions
Invisible mode
Team chats
Operating hours
Group chats
Screensharing
Google Analytics
Conversion reporting
…plus so many other features!
How Chatra Has Changed My Business
For years I used Facebook Messenger on my website, and to be honest, I didn’t have many inquiries. When I did have inquiries, they would often go missed since in order to see the chat, I needed to be logged into Facebook.
Once I setup Chatra for my business, I was amazed at how many chats I was getting with real customers who were ready to buy from me. I quickly realized that without a chat box on my website, customers would just leave my website without having their question answered.
In the end, I’m glad that Facebook discontinued their Messenger chat box. Chatra’s user-friendly design makes it easy for customers to instantly message me with their question and I can get back to them in real time. *Literally as I was writing this blog post, I was chatting with someone in Chatra who eventually purchased several of my Showit templates!*
I'm a former corporate employee who decided to ditch the 9-5 and start my own business. Stick with me while I share my best business tips, design advice and website how-to's.