⚡ In short
- Live chat is a small chat window on your website where visitors message your team in real time.
- It sits between email (slow) and phone (one person at a time).
- Most tools add an AI chatbot for repeat questions and a help desk for follow-ups.
- You add it with a plugin or one line of code, and many tools are free to start.
Live chat in one sentence
Live chat is a messaging window on your website that lets a visitor ask a question and get an answer from your team while they are still on the page.
How it works
- You add a small piece of code (or a plugin) to your website. A chat bubble appears in the corner.
- A visitor clicks it and types a question.
- Your team sees the message in a dashboard or a phone app, with details like the page the visitor is on.
- You reply, and the answer appears on the visitor’s screen within a second.
When nobody is online, the chat shows an away message and asks for an email or phone number, so you can reply later.
Why visitors like it
- No waiting on hold. They can keep browsing while they wait.
- No email ping-pong. One quick question, one quick answer.
- Written answers. Prices and links stay on screen.
- Less pressure than a call. Many people simply prefer typing.
Why businesses like it
- One person can handle several chats at once.
- You answer doubts at the moment visitors are deciding to buy.
- You see who is on your site and what they read. See visitor tracking.
- Visitors who leave their email become leads.
Live chat, chatbots and help desks
| Tool | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Live chat | A person answers in real time | Buying questions, complaints, anything personal |
| AI chatbot | Software answers from your content | Repeat questions, nights and weekends |
| Help desk | Tickets answered by email | Requests that take time |
Most modern tools combine all three. In LiveChatBot, the AI Agent answers first, your team takes over when needed, and anything that needs follow-up becomes a ticket. More in chatbot vs live chat.
What does live chat cost?
Prices range from free to hundreds of dollars a month. Most tools charge per agent (seat), per conversation, or per visitor. LiveChatBot is free to start with 2 websites and 100 visitors per website every month, with paid plans in rupees. See pricing.
How to add live chat to your website
On WordPress, install a plugin. On Shopify, Wix, Squarespace or any other site, paste one line of code. The step-by-step install guide takes about two minutes.
Is live chat right for you?
If people ask you questions before they buy or book, yes. It suits online stores, coaching institutes, clinics, agencies, hotels and local businesses alike. Start with short opening hours and a good away message, and grow from there.
FAQ
Is live chat the same as a chatbot?
No. Live chat is people answering in real time. A chatbot is software. Most tools now offer both.
Do I need someone online all day?
No. Set opening hours, and outside them the chat collects emails or an AI Agent answers.
Does live chat work on mobile?
Yes. The chat adapts to phone screens, and your team can reply from a phone app.