What do you think of this cool idea?

[G. Lasagne]

with reference to another thread i was searching google for bookmark printing, when i clicked on this site a live chat window popped up and teh guy asked if he could help with anything regarding bookmarks, so he knew i was online, on his website and what page i was lookng at, i thought it was a really good idea, i spoke to the guy about it and he offered to put the same thing on my site, (for a price) any feedback?

The site is http://www.printingblue.co.uk/bookmarks-printing.asp try it yourself:)

[GNU]

with reference to another thread i was searching google for bookmark printing, when i clicked on this site a live chat window popped up and teh guy asked if he could help with anything regarding bookmarks, so he knew i was online, on his website and what page i was lookng at, i thought it was a really good idea, i spoke to the guy about it and he offered to put the same thing on my site, (for a price) any feedback?

The site is http://www.printingblue.co.uk/bookmarks-printing.asp try it yourself:)

I use those things a lot when im looking to buy something, sites have definitely closed sales with me as a result of that kind of service, though these are quite complex services I'm buying rather than simple products.

If you get questions mailed to you already I would definitely add something like that, because, whilst wating for you to mail them an answer they will be off looking at competitors sites. I have often received replies from companies after I bought from a competitor... a feature like this keeps them on site and closes the sale... can be very powerful IMO.

[G. Lasagne]

I use those things a lot when im looking to buy something, sites have definitely closed sales with me as a result of that kind of service, though these are quite complex services I'm buying rather than simple products.

If you get questions mailed to you already I would definitely add something like that, because, whilst wating for you to mail them an answer they will be off looking at competitors sites. I have often received replies from companies after I bought from a competitor... a feature like this keeps them on site and closes the sale... can be very powerful IMO.


Yeah thats what i thought, is it not too intrusive though?

Im a heating engineer, so a lot of people have questions, the problem is having someone man it all the time, i suppose you could just turn it on when your in the office, or would it be on permanently?

[Faevilangel]

I find them annoying, if I wanted to talk to someone I would hit the live chat button or ring them ;) Popups asking you if you need help are distracting and a pain in the backside.

They are easy to implement, the most common one is livezilla, just insert some javascript and an image into the webpage.

[martin001]

You've also got to make sure you are there to actually greet / answer them!

[Babybots]

We use something similar from Online chat centers, its free and allows us to see who is on what page, also allows us to instigate a chat session with them if we want to, although don't tend to do this as don't want to be intrusive.

Adding to the site is very simple, is just a few lines of code that they supply, takes less then a minute to add it into your site.

Steve

[G. Lasagne]

I find them annoying, if I wanted to talk to someone I would hit the live chat button or ring them ;) Popups asking you if you need help are distracting and a pain in the backside.

They are easy to implement, the most common one is livezilla, just insert some javascript and an image into the webpage.


But how do you know there online, and what page there looking at, is that a different programme?

I suppose it would be down to how you worded your messages, i.e "Hi Dave here, thanks for visiting our site, if you have any questions then let me know, if not i will leave you in peace to continue browsing" something informal and friendly, with a trade like mine almost everybosy has a question of some sort, its not like people just serching for the cheapest ipod. But is suspect it will annoy quite a few people, maybe its something worth testing though:)

[G. Lasagne]

We use something similar from Online chat centers, its free and allows us to see who is on what page, also allows us to instigate a chat session with them if we want to, although don't tend to do this as don't want to be intrusive.

Adding to the site is very simple, is just a few lines of code that they supply, takes less then a minute to add it into your site.

Steve

So what do you use it for, is it just another option for people to contact you?

[Babybots]

So what do you use it for, is it just another option for people to contact you?

Basically yes, but its also handy to see traffic to the site in a live environment, if I post something on a forum announcing a new product or update its good to see the impact of that straight away rather then waiting for google analytics to update

[Faevilangel]

But how do you know there online, and what page there looking at, is that a different programme?

I suppose it would be down to how you worded your messages, i.e "Hi Dave here, thanks for visiting our site, if you have any questions then let me know, if not i will leave you in peace to continue browsing" something informal and friendly, with a trade like mine almost everybosy has a question of some sort, its not like people just serching for the cheapest ipod. But is suspect it will annoy quite a few people, maybe its something worth testing though:)

There are loads of software add ons that you can use to see who is on your site. I just use google analytics but some want to know who is on the site at the time, and where they are going.

Every site that has popped up chat for me, has been closed, I see it as a salesman in comet, only after getting you to part with your money quicker. I want to shop at my convenience and If I need a hand, I will come and find you.
Have a button for live chat, but don't do the annoying pop ups.

I don't know how it will help you tho, being a "tradesman", for online shopping and hosting etc, it will be ideal as a lot of people get confused by the wording or trying to find something in particular, but is anyone looking for a tradesman, really going to go onto a website and want to talk to them via the internet? I would rather ring them or get them to come out.

Maybe it's just me

[JohnSmith1]

Hi,your idea is good.