Live chat support

[aboriginalhostel]

I've recently checked a friend's hostel website, noticing he's got a live chat support, so I decided to have one as well!

We already have a Skype button on our website but it's only efficient for customers who have Skype installed on their computer (and during travels it depends if the hostel have installed it on guest computers).

I found several results on Google but only those which you have to pay for... until I found this page.

Basically you can get a script which you put on your website and install the client software on your reception computer.

I went for AIM as both Yahoo and MSN are used by our staff sometimes.

If you want you can check our live chat on our website and I would be grateful for your opinion...

I think it could be good tool to increase inquiries/reservations.

[Hostels]

Looks good -- familiar interface, no login.

There are also a couple of other free "live support" programs that I've heard of -- though I think the one you have is probably better.

• http://www.helpcenterlive.com/
• http://www.craftysyntax.com/ (I know a hostel that uses this one and the front desk staff didn't like it)

[Scotch Argus]

I like the idea of this, gives the customer an easy point of contact - also would be useful for those who may speak a language well enough to type, but may be intimidated by the thought of a phone conversation. I think if you have this it'll be important for it to be staffed most of the time, as people will expect it to be live. That's the one thing that's put me off a bit - we're not big enough to have reception permanently staffed, so customers might find it frustrating.

[aboriginalhostel]

I like the idea of this, gives the customer an easy point of contact - also would be useful for those who may speak a language well enough to type, but may be intimidated by the thought of a phone conversation. I think if you have this it'll be important for it to be staffed most of the time, as people will expect it to be live. That's the one thing that's put me off a bit - we're not big enough to have reception permanently staffed, so customers might find it frustrating.

This feature is definitely good for those who keep permanent reception, ie. someone is always at a computer just like someone is always at the phone.

What I really like in the AIM widget is you can customize almost any field of it therefore you can also notify users about anything, just like operating hours as well.

Meanwhile it is also possible to use a client software through your mobile (if you have constant internet connection which not many countries can be proud of now, however it is a future possibility! )

[sabrina]

Looks nice.

Live chat support is useful for hostels to provide quality services to their customers and thus improve the business. Yet, it’s better to choose professional live chat solutions which are designed specifically for businesses. For example, professional live chat software enables you to monitor your website visitors, send proactive chat invitations, make customizations, check reports and so on.

________________________
Sabrina
http://www.comm100.com/livechat/

[Phillip]

This feature is definitely good for those who keep permanent reception, ie. someone is always at a computer just like someone is always at the phone.

After a month, how has it gone with widget? Have many people used it?

[BackpackOz]

I am going to introduce this onto my website as well - great idea. I would be interested to hear how it is going ?