Thoughts on chat widgets? Love them or hate them?
Hello IH,
Wondering what your thoughts on chat widgets are? I find them pretty distracting when using a web page. What about you?
For those that have them installed on their websites, do they become the primary source of your enquiries and are they worthwhile?
They're pretty annoying to me.
I'd prefer a chat to just be easy to find if I need it. Or perhaps wait for 30 seconds after I interact... a button click or whatnot.
Or if I haven't scrolled in the last 60 seconds... possibly implying that I've found something I'm interested in and need engagement on.
I'm very very happy I added a chat widget to my startup's website. I get a ton of feedback and bug reports that I don't think I would have gotten otherwise.
We had one installed at one stage on our site but removed it as way too many silly enquiries and also enquiries from people with a very low level of English.
It depends on why I'm visiting. If I'm just perusing and don't need any help, then they're annoying. However, if I really do need help then I think they're very convenient, especially if the answer is instant.
Visual distraction is still okay, but the popping sounds when I open the site on multiple tabs is akin to stepping on a line of balloons ...
I always ignore them and can't remember to ever use one.
is more annoying than it helps. the worst are the ones that open automatically. for inexperienced users this might be helpful. I think it always depends on the person who is currently on the site.