When adding live chat software to your website, there are two types of window available: inline or pop-out chat windows. Both options power great chat sessions, but they do so in slightly different ways.
To help you choose your preferred chat window, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of both options.
Inline chat windows
Inline chat windows are embedded within your website. That means that they stay in one place on the screen, and follow the user as they move from page to page.
With inline chat, you’re getting a window that remains in constant view while visitors browse your website.
Your customers can continue the conversation whilst exploring your site, without having to click in and out of separate windows.
Inline chat window pros:
- - A seamless experience for the user
- - Visible, accessible chat
- - No disruption to the online journey
Inline chat window cons:
- - You must add tracking code to all your web pages
- - If the visitor exits your website, the chat will end
- - Restricted window size
Pop-out chat windows
Pop-out chat does what it says on the tin: the window pops out from your website. With this option, a separate browser window opens whenever a visitor initiates a chat.
The user needn’t stay on your site to continue a pop-out chat session. Once a chat is launched, the window stays open until the user manually closes it.
It runs independently from web activity, and can be resized and moved around the visitor’s screen.
Pop-out chat window pros:
- - You need only add tracking code to the pages you’d like a chat option on
- - Window design can be as large or as detailed as you wish
- - A flexible window that stays open even after site exit
Pop-out chat window cons:
- - Window can lose focus and become lost amongst open apps
- - Disjointed experience between chat and website journey
- - Potential issues with pop-up blockers
So, inline or pop-out chat windows? If you only want chat in specific web pages – such as a contact or billing page – we’d recommend the pop-out option. For all other instances, inline chat is your best bet.