Installation Guide
/wp-content/plugins/technicalhimanshu-chatconnect
directory or install it directly from the WordPress plugin screen.
Plugin Features
TechnicalHimanshu ChatConnect focuses on simplicity, clean UI, smart message formatting, responsive interaction, and zero WhatsApp API dependency.
Floating WhatsApp Chat
Floating WhatsApp button with customizable popup form for fast visitor communication.
Welcome Messages
Automatically display a customizable welcome message with configurable delay and frequency.
Smart Message Builder
Dynamic placeholders with automatic empty-field removal for clean WhatsApp messages.
Business Hours
Online and offline status with timezone-aware scheduling and overnight business hour support.
Responsive Design
Optimized popup and floating button UI for desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Page-Level Display Control
Control display visibility for homepage, posts, pages, and WooCommerce products.
Keyboard Friendly
Supports keyboard interaction including ESC to close the chat popup.
Privacy Focused
No external API, third-party tracking, or external visitor data collection.
Lightweight Performance
Lightweight frontend assets and optimized interaction designed to minimize overhead.
Welcome Message
ChatConnect 1.1.3 introduces an optional automated welcome message designed to encourage visitors to start a WhatsApp conversation.
Configure Your Welcome Message
The welcome message can be enabled or disabled from the ChatConnect admin settings. When enabled, the message appears above the floating WhatsApp button after the configured delay.
Display Frequency
You can control how frequently the welcome message appears to visitors.
- Every page load — displays the welcome message whenever the page loads.
- Once per browser session — displays it once during the visitor's current session.
- Once per day — limits the message to one display per day.
- Once every 7 days — limits the message to one display during a seven-day period.
Attention Animation
While the welcome message is visible, the WhatsApp icon can use a continuous attention animation to attract visitor attention and encourage interaction.
Popup Interaction
Clicking the welcome message opens the ChatConnect WhatsApp popup so the visitor can enter the configured information and start a conversation.
The welcome message does not include a dismiss button. Visitors can either click the message to start a chat or continue browsing the website.
Message Template Variables
Use the following variables inside your custom WhatsApp message template.
{email}
{order_id}
{message}
{page_url}
Example Template
Name: {name}
Email: {email}
Order ID: {order_id}
Message:
{message}
Page URL:
{page_url}
Smart Message Formatting
ChatConnect automatically removes empty fields from generated WhatsApp messages. This helps keep the final message clean when a visitor leaves optional fields empty.
Use Cases
Customer Support
Provide instant customer support directly through WhatsApp.
WooCommerce Queries
Handle order inquiries and customer communication efficiently.
Lead Generation
Convert website visitors into direct WhatsApp leads.
Sales & Inquiries
Allow visitors to contact your business instantly for sales and general inquiries.
Product Support
Offer product-related support directly from WooCommerce product pages.
Quick Communication
Create a fast visitor-to-WhatsApp communication path without requiring a traditional contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plugin require WhatsApp API?
No. ChatConnect uses the WhatsApp click-to-chat
functionality through wa.me and does
not require a WhatsApp API or external API account.
Can I customize the message format?
Yes. You can customize WhatsApp message templates
using dynamic placeholders such as
{name}, {email},
{order_id}, {message},
and {page_url}.
Can I enable a welcome message?
Yes. Version 1.1.3 includes an optional automated welcome message that can be enabled or disabled from the ChatConnect settings.
Can I control when the welcome message appears?
Yes. You can configure the display delay from 1 to 60 seconds and choose a display frequency: every page load, once per browser session, once per day, or once every 7 days.
Can visitors dismiss the welcome message?
No. The welcome message does not include a dismiss button. Visitors can click the message to open the ChatConnect popup or continue browsing.
Does clicking the welcome message open WhatsApp?
Clicking the welcome message opens the ChatConnect chat popup, where visitors can complete the configured form before starting the WhatsApp conversation.
Does the WhatsApp icon animate when the welcome message is shown?
Yes. ChatConnect can use a continuous attention animation on the WhatsApp icon while the welcome message is being displayed.
Does ChatConnect work on mobile devices?
Yes. The plugin is responsive and includes separate mobile customization options for the floating button and popup.
Can I customize the chat button position?
Yes. You can position the floating chat button on either the left or right side and configure its size, bottom spacing, and side spacing.
Can I control chat availability?
Yes. Business hours can be enabled to display an online or away status based on your configured schedule and timezone.
Does it support overnight business hours?
Yes. ChatConnect supports business hours that cross midnight, such as 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Does ChatConnect support timezone-based business hours?
Yes. ChatConnect includes timezone-aware business hour calculations using the configured timezone.
Can I use my own custom chat icon?
Yes. You can upload or select your own custom chat icon using the WordPress Media Library.
Does ChatConnect support WooCommerce?
Yes. ChatConnect works with WooCommerce and supports product page chat integration and order-related WhatsApp communication.
Can I disable chat on selected pages?
Yes. You can control where the chat button appears, including the homepage, posts, pages, and products.
Does the plugin automatically remove empty fields?
Yes. The smart message builder automatically removes empty fields from the generated WhatsApp message.
Can visitors send order IDs through WhatsApp?
Yes. The popup form supports structured fields including order ID, name, email, message, and current page URL.
Does ChatConnect collect visitor data?
No. ChatConnect does not use third-party tracking, does not require an external API, and does not collect visitor information on an external server.
Does the plugin require any third-party service?
No. ChatConnect works independently using WhatsApp click-to-chat functionality without requiring an external chat API or third-party service.
Is ChatConnect lightweight and performance optimized?
Yes. ChatConnect is designed with lightweight frontend assets, optimized interaction, DOM caching, and minimal frontend overhead.
Does ChatConnect work with all WordPress themes?
ChatConnect is designed to work with WordPress themes and includes CSS isolation to reduce conflicts with themes and other plugins.
Is the plugin beginner friendly?
Yes. ChatConnect is designed with a clean admin interface and straightforward settings for quick setup.
Changelog
- NEW Added configurable welcome message display frequency.
- NEW Added welcome message frequency options: every page load, once per session, once per day, and once every 7 days.
- NEW Added configurable welcome message display delay from 1 to 60 seconds.
- NEW Added optional automated welcome message to encourage visitor engagement.
- UX Added continuous WhatsApp icon attention animation while the welcome message is displayed.
- UI/UX Improved welcome message positioning for both left and right chat button layouts.
- UX Improved welcome message behavior when opening the ChatConnect chat popup.
- CHANGE Removed the welcome message dismiss button and related dismiss functionality.
- ACCESSIBILITY Improved popup accessibility with keyboard interaction support.
- BUSINESS HOURS Improved business hours status handling and timezone-aware calculations.
- VALIDATION Improved WhatsApp number validation and click-to-chat URL generation.
- STABILITY Improved frontend popup interaction and stability.
- PERFORMANCE Added minor frontend UI, UX, and performance improvements.
- COMPATIBILITY Verified compatibility with WordPress 7.1.
- COMPATIBILITY Tested compatibility with WordPress 7.0.
- VERIFIED Verified compatibility using Plugin Check.
- MAINTENANCE Minor stability and maintenance improvements.
- NEW Added ESC key support to close popup quickly.
- FIX Added click outside popup close functionality.
- UI/UX Improved popup interaction and animation smoothness.
- BRANDING Updated plugin icon, banner, and branding assets.
- UI/UX Minor UI and UX refinements.
- SECURITY Added full CSS isolation wrapper to prevent theme and plugin conflicts.
- TIMEZONE Improved timezone handling with accurate local time display based on the selected timezone.
- TIMEZONE Replaced fixed IST display with dynamic GMT offset, such as GMT+3 and GMT+5:30.
- BUSINESS HOURS Improved business hours logic including overnight cross-midnight support.
- VALIDATION Enhanced WhatsApp number validation and input handling.
- PERFORMANCE Optimized frontend performance with DOM caching and reduced reflows.
- UI/UX Improved popup UI, UX, and mobile responsiveness.
- UI/UX Added smooth scrolling inside popup for better user experience.
- ADMIN Added Settings quick link in plugin action row.
- SUPPORT Added Support link in plugin meta row.
- SECURITY Strengthened input sanitization and overall security.
- UI/UX Minor UI and layout refinements.
- NEW Initial release.
- NEW Floating chat button with popup form.
- NEW WhatsApp integration.
- NEW Smart message builder.
- NEW Business hours feature.
- NEW Mobile and desktop customization.