Getting started with Channel Talk

Anna • Content Marketing Manager US Team

  • Quick Tips

The First Steps of Your Customer Driven Journey

Why does using a live chat make sense?

Talking to customers is crucial for any business. While you can remove a storefront and still have customers, you can't have a business without them. Understanding your customer base is equally important, providing valuable insights for making informed decisions.

For online businesses, direct interaction with customers is challenging. This is where live chats come into play. They are gaining popularity because they enable real-time communication, enhancing the overall customer experience. Live chats bridge the gap between businesses and their online customers, making them feel valued and providing instant feedback. Choosing the right live chat platform can be daunting, but it's a vital step in improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Adopting a new platform

As with any software, there's a learning curve. However, the value and opportunities they provided can become evident after mastering the basics.

Channel Talk is no different. While it may take some time to fully understand the platform, starting with its basic features will be a first step towards building stronger connections with your customers and team.

Getting started is straightforward. With just four simple steps, you'll see why our customers love us. In this article, we'll provide easy-to-follow instructions to help you set up Channel Talk quickly and start using it without any hassle.

Step 1: Setting up your profile

Your profile is what customers see when they chat with you, so making a good first impression is crucial for building trust. Here’s how to set up your profile:

  1. Access Channel Settings

    • Go to ‘Channel settings’ at the bottom left corner of your app and select ‘Channel Profile’ from the list of settings options.

  2. Update Profile Information

    • Change the name, description, and image to reflect how you want customers to see you when they start a chat.

  3. Customize Appearance

    • You can change the theme colors and set up a bot profile to enhance your brand’s identity.

  4. Update Contact & Location Information

    • Customize your chat plug-in link or update your company information so customers can learn more about your brand.

Take a moment to update your company information and make a lasting impression on your customers.

Step 2: Setting up the live chat widget

With your profile set up, it's time to ensure your chat widget aligns with your brand. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Install the Plugin

    • In ‘Channel settings,’ locate the ‘Manage plug-in’ tab and install the plugin on your site if you haven’t already done so.

  2. Platform-Specific Installation

    • If you need guidance on installing through Shopify or WordPress, more information is available.

  3. Manual Installation

    • For other platforms, click the guide to learn how to insert the plugin script onto your site.

  4. Customize the Chat Appearance

    • Once installed, move over to ‘Web plug-in settings’ to start customizing the look of your chat.

  5. Adjust Widget Settings

    • Change the shape of your button (widget or label), customize the chat widget image, and adjust the widget's position on your page. You can also change theme colors and toggle between light and dark mode.

Once your chat widget is set up, you can invite the rest of your team by following the instructions in Step 3, or skip to Step 4 if you're running your business solo!

Step 3: Invite your team to your team chat

If you’re working with teammates, consolidating all work-related communication in one place is essential. Here’s how to invite your team to the chat:

  1. Access the Teammates Tab

    • Under ‘Channel settings,’ go to the ‘Teammates’ tab and click ‘Invite new manager’ at the top right corner of the screen.

  2. Send Invites

    • You can send your members the invite link or invite them via email by entering their email addresses.

  3. Confirm Team Members

    • Once they accept and create an account, you’ll see them listed in the ‘team chat’ tab on the far left of your screen.

  4. Download the Mobile App

    • Don’t forget to download the mobile app to communicate even while on the go.

With a simple interface and all the features needed for effective team communication, the team chat feature is a must-use tool as you interact with your customers.

Step: 4: Test it out!

Now it’s time to test out Channel Talk! Open a new internet browser and go to your site to see how the new chat widget looks.

  1. Check the Widget

    • Click on the widget and experience the chat from the customer’s point of view.

  2. Review and Adjust

    • By testing the chat, you can determine if any changes need to be made. Return to the settings to modify your setup based on your store’s needs.

Testing ensures that everything is working correctly and gives you the opportunity to fine-tune the experience for your customers.

After the initial set up

Of course, there's more that Channel Talk offers, but it's essential to start with the basic features that have made Channel Talk a favorite among its customers.

If you’re interested in learning about other features, such as

1. Live chat

2. Team chat

3. Marketing

4. AI Agent, ALF we recommend reaching out to our team for a detailed walk-through and onboarding, so you can get the most out of Channel Talk faster.

Should you have further questions or seek additional information, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated Channel Team! We’re right next to you, every step of the way. You can reach out to us anytime by clicking our logo at the bottom left of your screen.


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