=== HelpLane Chat - Free Live Chat Plugin for WordPress === Contributors: helplaneio Tags: live chat, chat, customer support, live support, chat widget, woocommerce, help desk, customer service, support chat, free chat Requires at least: 5.0 Tested up to: 6.9 Stable tag: 1.0.0 Requires PHP: 7.4 License: GPLv2 or later License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html Free live chat plugin for WordPress. Add real-time customer support with automatic user identification and WooCommerce integration. == Description == **HelpLane Chat** is a powerful, easy-to-use live chat plugin that helps you provide exceptional customer support directly on your WordPress website. Engage visitors in real-time, answer questions instantly, and boost conversions with our feature-rich chat widget. ### Why Choose HelpLane Chat? ✅ **100% Free to Get Started** - No credit card required ✅ **Easy Setup** - Install in under 2 minutes ✅ **Automatic User Identification** - Know who you're talking to instantly ✅ **WooCommerce Integration** - See customer order history and lifetime value ✅ **Lightweight & Fast** - Won't slow down your site ✅ **Mobile Responsive** - Works perfectly on all devices ✅ **No Coding Required** - Simple settings page configuration ### Perfect For: * **E-commerce Stores** - Support customers during checkout, reduce cart abandonment * **SaaS Companies** - Provide real-time product support * **Service Businesses** - Answer client questions instantly * **Bloggers & Content Creators** - Engage with your audience * **Any WordPress Site** - Improve customer satisfaction and conversions ### Key Features **Automatic User Identification** When users are logged into your WordPress site, HelpLane Chat automatically identifies them by name and email. No need for visitors to repeatedly enter their information - conversations start instantly. **WooCommerce Integration** For WooCommerce store owners, HelpLane Chat provides your support team with valuable customer insights: * Total order count * Lifetime customer value * Purchase history context * Currency information This helps your team provide personalized, informed support that increases customer loyalty and repeat purchases. **Real-Time Support Dashboard** Manage all customer conversations from your HelpLane dashboard. Receive notifications when customers need help, respond instantly, and keep conversation history organized. **Customizable Chat Widget** Control when and where your chat widget appears. Configure display rules, customize colors to match your brand, and create a seamless experience for your visitors. **Fast & Reliable** Our chat widget loads asynchronously, ensuring your website performance remains fast. Built with modern technology to handle high traffic volumes without issues. ### How It Works 1. **Install & Activate** - Add the plugin to your WordPress site 2. **Get Your Brand Token** - Sign up free at [helplane.io](https://helplane.io) or use your existing account 3. **Enter Token** - Paste your Brand Token in the plugin settings 4. **Start Chatting** - The widget appears on your site and you can start helping customers! ### Free Forever Plan HelpLane offers a generous free plan to help you get started with live chat support. As your business grows, upgrade to unlock additional team members, advanced features, and higher conversation volumes. ### Privacy & Security We take data privacy seriously. HelpLane is GDPR compliant and uses secure HTTPS connections for all communications. You control what data is shared with the chat widget through the plugin settings. ### Support & Documentation Need help getting started? Visit our [documentation](https://helplane.io/docs) for setup guides, tutorials, and best practices. Our support team is available to assist you via email at support@helplane.io. == Installation == ### Automatic Installation (Recommended) 1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard 2. Go to **Plugins > Add New** 3. Search for "HelpLane Chat" 4. Click **Install Now** and then **Activate** 5. Go to **Settings > HelpLane Chat** 6. Enter your Brand Token and save settings ### Manual Installation 1. Download the plugin ZIP file 2. Go to **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin** 3. Choose the ZIP file and click **Install Now** 4. Click **Activate Plugin** 5. Go to **Settings > HelpLane Chat** 6. Enter your Brand Token and save settings ### Getting Your Brand Token **New to HelpLane?** 1. Visit [helplane.io](https://helplane.io) and click "Get Started Free" 2. Create your free account (no credit card required) 3. Complete the quick setup wizard 4. Your Brand Token will be displayed in **Settings > Chat Widget** 5. Copy and paste it into the WordPress plugin settings **Already Have an Account?** 1. Log in to your [HelpLane dashboard](https://app.helplane.io) 2. Click the gear icon to open **Settings** 3. Select **Chat Widget** from the menu 4. Copy your Brand Token from the "Install Widget" section 5. Paste it in the WordPress plugin settings == Frequently Asked Questions == = Is HelpLane Chat really free? = Yes! HelpLane offers a free plan with generous limits to help you get started. You can upgrade as your business grows to unlock additional features and higher conversation volumes. = Where do I get my Brand Token? = Log in to your [HelpLane dashboard](https://app.helplane.io) and go to Settings > Chat Widget. Your Brand Token is displayed in the "Install Widget" section. If you don't have an account yet, sign up free at [helplane.io](https://helplane.io). = Will this slow down my website? = No. The HelpLane chat widget loads asynchronously and won't block your page from loading. It's optimized for performance and designed to have minimal impact on your site speed. = Does it work with WooCommerce? = Yes! HelpLane Chat has built-in WooCommerce integration. When enabled, your support team can see customer order counts, lifetime value, and purchase history to provide better, more personalized support. = Can I customize the chat widget appearance? = Yes! You can customize the widget colors, position, and behavior from your HelpLane dashboard under Chat Widget settings to match your brand. = Can I hide the widget on certain pages? = Yes. You can configure which pages show or hide the chat widget in your HelpLane dashboard under Chat Widget settings. Use URL patterns to control widget visibility. = Will logged-in users be automatically identified? = Yes! When the "Identify Logged-in Users" option is enabled, WordPress users who are logged in will be automatically identified by name and email when they open the chat widget. This creates a seamless support experience. = Do I need coding knowledge to use this plugin? = Not at all! HelpLane Chat is designed for non-technical users. Just install the plugin, enter your Brand Token, and you're ready to go. No coding required. = Can multiple team members handle chats? = Yes! You can add team members to your HelpLane account from the dashboard. Team members can view and respond to conversations based on your plan limits. = Is the plugin GDPR compliant? = Yes. HelpLane is GDPR compliant. You have full control over what user data is shared with the chat widget, and all communications are encrypted via HTTPS. = What data does the plugin send to HelpLane? = The plugin loads the chat widget script from HelpLane servers. When enabled, it can send logged-in user information (name, email, user ID) and WooCommerce customer data (order count, total spent) to provide context for support conversations. See the "External Services" section for full details. = Can I use this on multiple websites? = Yes! Each website will need its own Brand Token from your HelpLane dashboard. You can manage multiple brands/websites from a single HelpLane account. == Screenshots == 1. Plugin settings page - Easy configuration with just your Brand Token 2. Live chat widget on your website - Clean, modern design that matches any site 3. WooCommerce integration - See customer order history and lifetime value 4. HelpLane dashboard - Manage all conversations in one place == Changelog == = 1.0.0 = * Initial release * Automatic user identification for logged-in WordPress users * WooCommerce integration with customer order data * Simple settings page with easy Brand Token configuration * Asynchronous widget loading for optimal performance * HTTPS secure connection * Mobile responsive chat widget == Upgrade Notice == = 1.0.0 = Initial release of HelpLane Chat for WordPress. Install now to start providing real-time customer support on your website! == External Services == This plugin connects to the HelpLane service to provide live chat functionality on your WordPress site. **Service Provider:** HelpLane ([helplane.io](https://helplane.io)) **What data is sent and when:** * The chat widget script is loaded from `chat.helplane.io` when any page on your site is viewed (required for the chat widget to function) * When a visitor opens the chat widget, their messages are sent to HelpLane servers for delivery to your support team * When "Identify Logged-in Users" is enabled, the following data is automatically sent for logged-in WordPress users: * WordPress User ID (prefixed with "wp_") * Display name (first + last name, or username) * Email address * When "Include WooCommerce Data" is enabled and WooCommerce is active, additional customer data is sent: * Order count (total number of orders) * Total lifetime value (total amount spent) * Store currency **Why this data is sent:** This information helps your support team provide better, more personalized assistance by knowing who they're talking to and understanding the customer's history with your business. **Service Links:** * [HelpLane Website](https://helplane.io) * [Terms of Service](https://www.helplane.io/terms) * [Privacy Policy](https://www.helplane.io/privacy-policy) * [Documentation](https://helplane.io/docs) **Data Privacy:** All data transmissions use secure HTTPS connections. You can disable user identification and WooCommerce data sharing at any time from the plugin settings. HelpLane is GDPR compliant and takes data privacy seriously.