How to add live chat to WordPress

There is no Orbis Chat plugin or one-click installer for WordPress. You add chat by pasting one line of code, which only takes a couple of minutes.

Before you start, check that you have verified your email address. The widget will not work until you do. The verification email comes from noreply@orbischat.co.uk, so check your spam folder if you cannot see it.

Copy your snippet

Find your snippet in the Websites area of Orbis Chat. It looks like this:

<script async src="https://orbischat.co.uk/widget.js" data-key="YOUR_WEBSITE_KEY"></script>

Option 1: a plugin for adding code

Many WordPress sites already have a plugin for adding code to the header or footer of every page. This is usually the simplest choice, as it keeps your change safe when your theme updates.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to the plugin's settings.
2. Find the section for adding code to the footer of all pages.
3. Paste the snippet and save.

If you need to install a plugin for this, choose a well-maintained one, and take a backup first.

Option 2: your theme

Some themes have a settings box for custom scripts. If yours does, paste the snippet in there. If you edit theme files directly, the line goes just before the closing body tag, and you should use a child theme so that updates do not overwrite your change.

Check it worked

1. Clear any caching plugin or service you use.
2. Open your site in a private browser window.
3. Open the chat button and send a test message.

If you run an online shop on WordPress, you may also want to read how live chat helps shoppers. Read about live chat for ecommerce.

Frequently asked questions