This article explains how to add live chat functionality to your WordPress website.
1. Choose Your Live Chat Service
Before adding chat to your website, you need to select a live chat provider. Popular options include Intercom, Zendesk Chat, LiveChat, and Tawk.to. Most offer free plans for small businesses.
Sign up for your chosen service and complete their setup process. You'll receive a piece of code (called a widget or embed code) that you'll add to your website.
2. Access Your WordPress Admin Dashboard
Log into your WordPress admin area. If you need help with this step, read how to access your WordPress admin dashboard.
Once logged in, you'll see your WordPress dashboard with a menu on the left side.
3. Install the Chat Code Using a Plugin
The easiest way to add live chat is using a plugin:
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress menu
- Search for "Insert Headers and Footers" or "Code Snippets"
- Install and activate the plugin
- Go to Settings > Insert Headers and Footers
- Paste your chat widget code into the "Scripts in Footer" section
- Click Save
The chat widget should now appear on your website within a few minutes.
4. Add Chat Code Directly to Your Theme
If you prefer not to use a plugin:
- Go to Appearance > Theme Editor
- Select your active theme
- Click on footer.php from the file list
- Scroll to the bottom and find the
</body>tag - Paste your chat widget code just before
</body> - Click Update File
Warning: Making changes to theme files can break your website if done incorrectly. Always create a manual backup before editing theme files.
5. Configure Chat Settings
Return to your live chat provider's dashboard to customize your chat widget:
- Set your business hours
- Write welcome messages
- Choose widget colors to match your branding
- Set up offline messages for when you're unavailable
- Add team members who can respond to chats
6. Test Your Live Chat
Visit your website in a private/incognito browser window to test the chat function:
- Check that the chat widget appears correctly
- Send a test message to yourself
- Verify it works on mobile devices
- Test on different pages of your website
If the chat widget isn't appearing, clear your browser cache and wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
Positioning Your Chat Widget
Most chat services let you control where the widget appears on your pages. The bottom-right corner is standard, but you can often adjust this in your chat provider's settings.
Some services also let you show chat only on specific pages, which is useful if you only want it on your contact page or product pages.
If you're still stuck with adding live chat to your website, contact Web60 support for assistance.
FAQ
Q: Will live chat slow down my website?
A: Modern chat widgets are designed to load quickly and shouldn't noticeably impact your site speed. Most load after your page content is already visible.
Q: Can I use live chat if I'm not always online?
A: Yes, most chat services offer offline messaging. When you're unavailable, visitors can leave messages that you'll receive by email.
Q: Do I need to pay for live chat?
A: Many services offer free plans for small businesses with basic features. Paid plans typically include advanced features like chat history, team management, and integrations.
Q: Can I customize the chat widget colors?
A: Yes, most live chat services let you change colors, position, and welcome messages to match your website's branding.
Q: What if the chat widget conflicts with my theme?
A: Try switching to a different chat widget style in your provider's settings. If problems persist, contact your chat provider's support team.
Q: Can I see chat history and visitor information?
A: Most services provide dashboards where you can view past conversations, visitor locations, and which pages they visited before starting a chat.
Q: Will live chat work on mobile devices?
A: Yes, modern chat widgets are designed to work on all devices and will automatically adjust for mobile screens.
Last updated: 1 March 2026