Live Chat App Vs. Syncro

In the changing landscape of digital customer service, businesses continually seek new ways to engage with customers and draw in leads. Among the various tools and services available, live chat applications and plugins stand out as prominent choices. Both solutions offer unique advantages and cater to different business needs. This article breaks down the differences between live chat apps and website plugins, highlighting their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help businesses make informed decisions. Follow along below to determine if you should invest in a live chat app or a plugin like Syncro for your business!

All About Live Chat Apps

A live chat app is a software application that allows businesses and customers to communicate in real-time. These apps are generally designed to be installed on various devices like computers and handheld technologies. This makes it easy for support agents and clients to manage interactions on the go. The greatest benefits of live chat apps are often their user-friendly interfaces and simple setup. Many live chat applications also support multichannel integration with CRM systems and social media platforms. They may also include analytics tools so that businesses can track their customer support success and history. 

While apps do come with a variety of advantages, for some businesses, the potential drawbacks are hard to ignore. For example, live chat apps are generally more expensive than the average plugin. This is especially true for those looking for a high-quality app that can support a large customer base. 

Another drawback of live chat apps is that the interface will likely require greater training requirements to effectively use all features of the software. This can be both time-consuming and costly for a business. In addition, live chat apps are highly dependent on internet connection. For businesses that need to be able to communicate with clients on the go, this can be limiting in areas where Internet connectivity is poor.   

A final downside of live chat apps is their inability to conform to changing software versions and devices. Like any software, live chat apps are subject to compatibility issues that can arise when used with outdated or incompatible software versions and devices. If you are not the direct owner of the app, it’s unlikely that you will have any say in how version mismatches are patched (if at all), in the situation that your app no longer works with all of your employees’ devices. live chat plugin vs. app

How is Syncro Different From the Rest?

Unlike traditional apps, Syncro is designed for effortless integration into your business’s website for live chat use. This integration process is straightforward, allowing you to embed the chat functionality directly onto your site without the need for complex coding or extensive setup procedures. Once integrated, the chat feature is immediately operational, providing a seamless way for visitors to engage with your business.

A standout feature of Syncro is its ability to route conversations directly to the support agent or business owner’s phone via SMS. This means that you can chat with and support customers who visit your website using text messaging. As a result, there is no challenging user interface to learn or additional software to install. 

Syncro leverages the widespread and well-established SMS technology to ensure universal accessibility. SMS is a ubiquitous communication method that works across virtually all mobile devices, from the latest smartphones to older feature phones. This broad compatibility means that businesses can reach a wider audience, including those who may not have access to stable internet connections.

As we noted above, apps can sometimes have issues with scalability and changing software/hardware versions. However, Syncro’s system is uniquely tailored to ensure that it can overcome the limitations faced by traditional live chat apps. Unlike apps that depend on specific software versions or advanced hardware capabilities, Syncro operates without the need for an application. This allows it to handle the changing technological environment, regardless of the device being used. 

Overall, live chat plugins are more cost-effective and scalable than traditional live chat apps. If you’re looking for a simple live chat solution, a plugin is a great place to start!

Contact us Today!

For more information about why you should consider adding our live chat website plugin to your site, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you get a better understanding of how live chat can benefit your company. Be sure to check out our blog again next month for more information about live chat and all that it can do. If you have any questions about Syncro, feel free to reach out at any time. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

What Types of Businesses Do Chat Solutions For Websites Benefit?

If you’re looking for a way to make your business stand out from competitors, you may be considering chat solutions for websites. Live chat has taken the Internet by storm, with several websites now offering a chat service for their customers. This is extremely beneficial from a customer experience and sales perspective. But, what businesses benefit the most from live chat? And, would your business be the right fit for a chat solution? We answer all of these questions and more in the article below. Follow along to learn more about chat solutions for websites!

Does Your Business Need Chat Solutions for Websites?

There are several different businesses that can benefit from live chat. Whether you’re a small online boutique or a large-scale homebuilder, live chat software can be invaluable to your company. Take a closer look at some of the businesses that we think are a great fit for website live chat. 

Real estate agents and brokerages make a perfect fit for live chat solutions. In real estate, it is critical to build meaningful relationships and ensure customer satisfaction. Without strong business-client relationships, it is hard to thrive in this industry. A live chat tool for your website can help improve the dynamics of your relationships within the community. It’s also a great resource for potential clients who want to meet with you, inquire about one of your properties, or set up a showing. 

  • Construction/Landscaping Businesses

Other businesses that can see improvement with live chat are those in the construction/landscaping industry. A large part of owning a business in one of these sectors is interacting with current and potential customers. Just the same as real estate, construction and landscaping businesses are more successful when they have positive community ties. Live chat is a great way to reach a broader audience within your locale to make a lasting impact. Having a chat tool on your website can allow visitors to ask questions about services, receive a quote, or set up a meeting with your team. 

  • Legal Services 

Those who specialize in legal services are also great candidates for website live chat. As a law firm, you can use live chat to direct inquiries, set up initial consultations, and provide information about your services. Live chat is also beneficial for mediators.

What Other Businesses Can Benefit From Live Chat?

  • E-Commerce Platforms 

As an e-commerce platform, implementing a way to communicate with customers is essential. While consumers are shopping online, having the ability to ask questions or receive help can make a significant difference in their purchase decisions. Live chat offers real–time support for customers to interact with the business. This way they can address any concerns and evaluate their options before they buy anything. Including such a service is a great way to establish trust and reputability. Thus, bolstering your brand and increasing the likelihood of repeat purchases. 

  • Educational Institutions 

As a student or parent, navigating educational websites for universities, boarding schools, and specialty programs can be challenging. Regardless of how effectively the website is designed, visitors often still have unanswered questions. For instance, what is campus life like? How to apply for financial aid? Is there a program specializing in XYZ? Integrating a live communication channel with customers is a great way to help them in their search for these answers. Especially, if they aren’t immediately obvious.  

  • Healthcare Providers 

Healthcare providers receive enormous amounts of questions on a daily basis. Having a way to streamline these inquiries is critical in supporting patients and ensuring that they get the help they need. A live chat provider can help the practice and the patient to schedule appointments, direct inquiries, and offer a more accessible way to get in touch with a healthcare professional. This contributes to a more reachable care system that provides personalized services to its patients. 

Contact us Today!

Syncro is a great software for anyone who wants to integrate live chat onto their web platform. Whether that be a landscaping company or a real estate brokerage, Syncro can help to convert web traffic into leads!

For more information about adding website live chat to your site, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you get a better understanding of how live chat can be of benefit to your business. Be sure to check out our blog again next month for more information about live chat and all that it can do. If you have any questions about Syncro, feel free to reach out at any time. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

Website Live Chat Company Talks: New Year’s Resolutions

The New Year is finally here! If you’re looking to make some changes to your business in 2024, now is the perfect time to envision what you’d like to achieve in the months to come. Setting strategic and measurable goals is a great way to set your business up for success. In the business world, the start of a new year brings plenty of opportunities for growth and improvement. To help you capitalize on these prospects, we are going to be discussing some New Year’s resolutions that your business can adopt. Whether it’s incorporating new marketing strategies or prioritizing customer engagement, there’s a lot to focus on in 2024. Follow along below to get some inspiration for what to improve in your business this year!

2024 Resolution Inspiration for Your Business

This year, it is more important than ever for businesses to adopt strategies that prioritize customer interactivity and engagement. People want to work with companies that actively involve them in meaningful and personalized interactions. This is a key part of gaining brand loyalty and enhancing customer satisfaction. Doing the bare minimum is no longer suitable, especially for businesses that gain the majority of their leads digitally. Instead, companies should focus on finding ways to emphasize things like multichannel communication and interactive content. Given the rapidly shortening attention spans of digital citizens, it is essential that your 2024 business goals include a plan for boosting customer engagement. 

Another resolution to consider is coming up with an improved digital marketing strategy. After all, the majority of people begin their search for a product or service online. Finding new ways to capitalize on this fact is a great solution to ensure that you stay ahead of the game. By investing in SEO, social media marketing, and/or leveraging data analytics, you can guarantee a more robust online presence. This will increase your visibility and better position your company in the online world. A well-designed digital marketing strategy makes sure that your products/services are not only discovered by potential customers but also leave a lasting impression!

With artificial intelligence gaining so much attention as of late, you may find it worthwhile to integrate some kind of AI feature into your online presence. There are various ways to do this that are not overly complicated. In fact, the right AI or automation tool can help you cut back on operating costs and complete work more efficiently. For instance, you could use AI to help build a database with your clients’ information or automate messages so that customers are never left hanging. 

How Website Live Chat Can Help You Achieve Your Business’ New Year’s Resolutions

If you want to incorporate the above-mentioned New Year’s resolutions into your business plan for 2024, website live chat can help! Here’s how:

1. Enhancing Customer Engagement/Interactivity

Customer engagement and interactivity can easily be bolstered in 2024 with the help of website live chat. Live chat tools like Syncro allow for immediate, real-time communication with website visitors. This makes it easy for customers to reach out and ask questions about products or services without having to spend hours on the phone or wait days for an E-mail response. Instead, a tool like Syncro allows individuals to send a text message straight from the website to the business owner (or designated employee). This makes it easy for the client and the business to engage with one another. If you don’t have live chat integrated into your website, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a trial today!

2. Improved Digital Marketing

Live chat is also a great way to improve your digital marketing strategy going into 2024. With the help of a live chat tool, visitors can reach out to you and ensure that you never miss a lead. It can be hard to convert website traffic into viable business, however, live chat is an excellent method to make the most of your online presence. Moreover, it can assist in gathering valuable customer insights and preferences. This data can help you optimize your digital marketing strategies to make sure they align with your customer’s needs and expectations. 

3. Integrating AI for Automation/Personalization

If integrating AI is number one on your business to-do list this year, start simple with live chat. Software like Syncro makes it possible to automate messages and provide instant responses which ensures no customer is ever left unassisted. This streamlines efficiency and improves customer satisfaction. 

Contact us Today!

Syncro is the perfect software for anyone who wants to attain their 2024 business resolutions. Whether that be crafting a more engaging digital presence or improving your marketing plan, Syncro can help!

For more information about integrating website live chat, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you get a better understanding of how live chat can be of benefit to your business. Be sure to check out our blog again next month for more information about live chat and all that it can do. If you have any questions about Syncro, feel free to reach out at any time. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

Live Chat for Websites: AI Trends Vs. the Human Touch

Artificial intelligence (AI) features are appearing everywhere. No matter what app you open or what website you visit, it seems as though companies are eager to implement AI features into their platform. As the AI trend becomes more and more prevalent, businesses must maintain a balance between automation and personalization. After all, there remain some instances where people just want to talk to other people. In this article, we will be going over the rise of automation and why you should still value the human touch. Especially, when it comes to live chat for websites! Follow along below to learn more. 

The AI Trend: Automation + Chatbots in Live Chat 

AI is becoming an increasingly popular tool for businesses. Major companies like Dropbox and Quizlet have rapidly integrated their own AI features. With more and more companies adopting the AI trend, business owners are frantically looking to find their own AI solutions to suit their specific needs.

This trend is particularly prominent for companies offering a chat feature on their platform. With its ability to operate around the clock, unpaid, AI seems like a no-brainer. Given recent advancements in technology, artificial intelligence tools are more sophisticated than ever before. Thus, allowing a wider range of capabilities. For instance, 24/7 customer support, the ability to handle a high volume of customer inquiries, and their capacity to provide information. The streamlined nature of AI and automated responses are certainly enticing. In fact, for some businesses, the appeal of AI has made them question whether they still need staff to handle customer support.

However, businesses need to be aware of the downfalls of overreliance on AI. While AI can undoubtedly enhance efficiency and improve your customer experience, it also has the potential to distance your business from its consumers. Thus, negatively impacting client satisfaction. To make the most automated chat features and AI capabilities, you must balance their mechanicalness with human interaction. It is only when people work together with AI that the greatest efficiency is achieved. Let’s take a closer look at the need for a human touch in live chat. 

Live Chat for Websites Benefit From a Human Touch!

The inescapability of AI in our modern world has many consumers craving human interaction. Especially, when they are surfing the web. While automated messages are great for outside of operating hours or holidays, there’s something about having a conversation with another person that is irreplaceable. Human responses to live chat inquiries create a more personalized and enjoyable experience. Through this, customers develop a sense of trust in your services. Thus, impacting their conception of your brand. Not to mention, people are more likely to be able to comprehend the intricacies of a client’s inquiry than AI chatbots. 

By contrast, automated responses may fail to acknowledge the emotional aspect of a customer’s question. This can cause the consumer to become frustrated and degrade the customer-business relationship. In addition, AI may misinterpret a person’s question causing them to provide inaccurate solutions/information. 

To leverage the capabilities of AI while still maintaining good customer relationships, it’s important to combine the two for the most effective results. The complete replacement of one with the other is unrealistic given the present-day realities. Instead, businesses must recognize where AI outperforms people and where people outperform AI. One instance of this might be having people respond to inquiries during office hours and chatbots responding to inquiries outside of office hours. You may also use automated responses for times when you are experiencing larger numbers of inquiries than usual. This way customers are still being acknowledged, but it affords you some time to get back to them. Striking a balance between the two will ensure that the need for efficiency and human connection are met.  

Contact us Today!

Syncro is the perfect option for those looking to add live chat functionality to their website. This tool effectively maintains human interaction while also maximizing efficiency through automated messaging capabilities.

For more information about using a live chat for websites, contact us today! We’d be happy to help you get a better understanding of how live chat can be of benefit to your business. Be sure to check out our blog again next month for more information about live chat and all that it can do. If you have any questions about Syncro, feel free to reach out at any time. We look forward to working with you in the near future!

The Benefits of a Live Chat Tool That Doesn’t Need an App

A live chat tool provides a substantial amount of benefits for your business. For instance, better communication between you and your clients. And, enhanced accessibility. However, its hard to reap all of the benefits of a live chat tool when it operates through an app. This is because apps have several limitations. A chat tool that can function without an app is much more versatile and reachable than one that cannot. In this article, we will be going over the benefits of using a live chat tool that doesn’t require an app. Follow along below to learn more about this topic!

No App Means You Can Chat With a Flip Phone.

Buying a phone that is current with industry standards is pretty well the same cost as a month’s rent. If you ask us, that’s not worth the cheap hardware and greenwashed claims of the brand. However, lots of us are forced into buying the newest phone we can in order to operate the apps that sustain our work and social habits. Unfortunately, forking out this kind of cash is getting less attainable for the general population. As the cost of living increases, people are more content to stretch the lifespan of their current phones. 

While this is certainly better for the environment and your wallet, it’s not so great for businesses that use apps to communicate with their client base. This is because most apps won’t run on a device that is too old. If the phone’s software isn’t up-to-date apps can become buggy and full of issues. You might be thinking something like “well, update the phone then – duh”. But, it isn’t that simple. Some phones can’t sustain the latest updates because they are just too old. Which, can cause battery life issues and slow the device’s performance. 

There is also the issue of compatibility, where many apps on IOS (Apple) aren’t available for Android (Samsung, Google, etc) devices.

However, by using a live chat tool that doesn’t require an app you don’t need to worry about having the latest device. Instead, you can answer messages from your 2002 flip phone. And, you won’t need to worry about compatibility issues. How’s that for accessibility?

Stop Worrying About Updates for Your Live Chat Tool.

live chat tool no app

Keeping apps up-to-date can be a pain. Especially, because the majority of app updates chew up more storage from your device. This can cause the app to crash on older phones or phones with minimal storage. Besides bloating your phone’s storage, app updates can sometimes cause new bugs in the software. Furthermore, people who don’t have enough storage space to keep up with app updates can also experience problems. Thankfully, when you use a chat tool that doesn’t need an app you won’t have to worry about pesky updates. 

One Less Password to Remember.

In 2022, it is estimated that digitally active people have about 100 passwords. That’s a lot to remember. Unlike chatting apps that require you to sign up and create a password, SYNCRO is free of these requirements. That means no signing in, no usernames, and no weird details. Our chat tool ensures that you have one less password to remember. Or, one less password to reset 😉

Live Chat Tool + No App = Zero Weird Permissions and Zero Added Fees!

It’s no fun reading through the legal jargon of a terms and conditions contract. However, it has become an unconscious part of signing up for most apps. And, most people don’t spend the time to read the contract. App creators can be sneaky and hide all sorts of alarming information in their terms and conditions contract. However, all of this information goes unnoticed by those who blindly agree. Although, this is not to say that every company is trying to sell your data. 

Whether you read the terms and conditions contract for an app or don’t, SYNCRO doesn’t require you to agree to any weird permissions. So, you don’t have to worry about providing access to things that shouldn’t be needed in order to run an online chat tool. 

In addition to this, there are no hidden fees with SYNCRO. What you see is what you get. All of our pricing is reflective of the total cost to use and operate our chat tool. If you are sick of in-app purchases, do away with the apps. Get started with our live chat tool SYNCRO. We promise there’s no app involved.

Contact us for more information on SYNCRO or on our pricing. We look forward to helping you improve your company’s communication. Generate more leads with our live chat tool today! We anticipate hearing from you soon!

Chat software for people on the go

We’re all about new and shiny so long as it serves a purpose and our latest feature coming down the pipe is all purpose with a neat little bow of efficiency tied on top.

So far we’re calling this new lead routing feature Tag. Not to be confused with #, #tag or hashtag.  This feature has nothing to do with social media grandstanding and everything to do with survival of the fittest.   It works on the same basic principle as a grade school game of playground tag, but in this system the lead is it, the sales people are being chased and want to be tagged and your brokerage, dealership or businesses sales force is the roster out on the playground.

Let’s break it down:

A lead comes in via live chat on your company portal website. The lead asks a general question about anything on your site for example: “Does this neighbourhood have access to public transit?”

SYNCRO will now take that lead and fire it out via text message to everyone on your sales roster at the exact same time via text message – in this example we are using a 300 agent real estate brokerage.

The first person to respond to the incoming question using SMS from their mobile phone, will secure the lead and is free to continue the conversation via SMS back to the live chat window where the customer is visiting the website. Everyone else from the roster is deemed too late to the chase and can play again next round.

This helps combat a few very obvious things that continue to plague online leads:

  1. We keep the consumer efficiently engaged with the parent brand
  2. There is no need to develop complex lead funneling systems to combat lead neutrality (fairness) within a sales team
  3. Solicit a competitive instant response from a larger pool of sales people nearly guaranteeing that every online lead will receive a near instant response
  4. BONUS: Show sales managers via stats who is hungry, who doesn’t pay any attention to online leads and correlate online and offline behaviour for a more tailored training approach
  5. BONUS: The consumer doesn’t need to download and install an app on their phone or computer
  6. BONUS: The sales person doesn’t need to download and install an app on their phone or computer

Aren’t there other companies that already do this?  Not without an app, or an untrained, unlicensed call center flagging your chats there aren’t!

You’ll be able to turn Tag on our turn Tag off and use SYNCRO the traditional way to respond and track leads, but from what we’ve been testing we think that Tag will become a fun way to keep things competitive in the office. What a great incentive program idea for the most responsive sales agent? Or what a great opportunity to swap tricks and tips on how to engage with online leads to make the sale. We see all kinds of potential, but as always we welcome your feedback which leads us to the next paragraph…

This feature is currently moving to open beta and we will be contacting current SYNCRO clients with large volume sales teams to inquire about participation shortly. However, if you are not yet a client, have a big team and you want to test it along side us now – please SYNCRO us for more details.

Otherwise keep your eyes, ears and mobile open  – you never know when you might get Tagged.

Live chat solution that goes mobile

So you have an awesome looking website, and it appears to be generating great search engine traffic among other sources, but you don’t seem to be getting any inquiries about your products or services. There is a good chance that the way you designed your website isn’t exactly answering the questions that many consumers might have about your products / services. It has been proven that until recently, most people would pick up the phone to ask if you offer this or that. They may have even take the time to fill out a contact form to wait for a response… Since the advent of live chat, consumers expect there to be a way for them to engage with you instantly, so to be able to validate your company and or services. Having a live chat option on your website will allow people to ask the questions they have, and determine if they want to do business with your company in a quick and easy way. Live chat software is an incredibly versatile way to ensure someone is available to answer your customer’s questions quickly and with intelligence.

live chat software

There are some downfalls to have a live chat tool in your website if you are not using the right service. For example, having someone manage your chat on your behalf will just delay the right answers your customer is looking for, and frustrate you customer. There is absolutely 0 value in having a chat tool that is acting as a message answering service for your business. Be wary of live chat companies that use staff to respond to your chats, as this can destroy your lead generation, and provide unhappy customers to never purchase with you again. The second biggest problem with standard live chat software is that you need to be logged into the application and sitting behind a PC to communicate. So many of us operate our business away from our computers which is why the standard model of live chat doesn’t work any longer. Live chat needs to go mobile for it to work with any degree of effectiveness. Imagine as a chat comes in you can engage with your clients in real time from the coffee shop or from your backyard because you needed to get a bit of yard work done. There are two types of live chat software that drive conversations to your mobile phone, they can either operate as an app which means you have to have a special phone, with the most up2date operating system, be connected to an internet connection, and ensure that you are logged into the app for it to work.

The second is a live chat software that uses SMS or text messaging to drive the communication. The benefits of using chat to SMS or chat to text is that:

  1. You don’t need a special phone for the mobile chat to work.
  2. You don’t need to learn anything new because everyone already knows how to use text messaging or SMS.
  3. You don’t need an internet connection, only an SMS enabled phone.

SYNCRO live chat to text is an incredibly powerful chat solution that drives leads directly to your mobile phone so you can interact with them anywhere, anytime.   SYNCRO tracks everything and allows you to see everything from click to chat data, text me data, email tracking and more.

To learn more about SYNCRO, and how it can improve your customer relations, and improve lead generation, please start a chat with us now!

Send your live chat to multiple people at once and more…

Get ready for website chat to text that can handle multiple chats at once, agent on duty functions for large corporate websites, incredible lead tracking functions to track the success of your chats, and so much more. Our live chat to text message software is incredibly powerful because you don’t have to sit behind a computer to chat with your website visitors. You simply need any phone with a text messaging plan. If you don’t want to learn anything new, and you just want to chat with your website visitors, then you have to try SYNCRO live chat to text message. We offer a 7 day money back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose, so try a free trial today, or click here to sign up!

BCIC Success Story

SYNCRO was recently featured in a BCIC (British Columbia Innovation Council) success story post on their website.  We’re always thankful for a shout out from our peers and we’ve never been shy to point fingers at our favorite BC Technology Accelerator, Accelerate Okanagan, for all the help they’ve thrown our way. Great mentors, advisers and members of the business community across Canada have helped to keep us on track with our goals and the future has never looked brighter!

SYNCRO – Heading Back to San Francisco Already?

I guess we left our hearts in San Francisco.

We’ll soon be hitting the road back to the lovely City to attend Inman Connect as an exhibitor on start-up alley.  It seems we just unpacked after attending as a finalist and fan favorite in the amazingly orchestrated RealogyFWD15 Innovation event, but no complaints on our end!

We attended our first Inman Connect in New York City back in January of this year where we braved the storm of the century and introduced SYNCRO to the cold weather and throngs of brokers, technology enthusiasts and real estate agents.

We’re excited to be exhibiting at Inman again.  They have a reputation of having a high quality crowd of exhibitors, attendees and presenters alike and that was very apparent at the NYC event.

If you’re looking to connect with us while we’re in town please come and see us over on Start Up Alley at table S30.  We’d love to demo our product for you and talk about all the value SYNCRO website chat to text can provide for your real estate brokerage.

San Francisco Here We Come!

We are ecstatic and grateful to announce that SYNCRO has been selected among 15 innovative real estate technology companies to pitch at real estate giant Realogy’s FWD Innovation Summit for emerging real estate tech in San Francisco on June 23, 2015.  We can’t wait to demonstrate SYNCRO to a captive audience of real estate professionals at this caliber and receive feedback to make our chat to SMS technology even better for agents, brokers and banners.

The full press release, written by Paul Hagey, can be read over at Inman News http://www.inman.com/2015/05/20/realogy-picks-15-real-estate-startups-for-pitch-competition/

We’re looking forward to meeting our colleagues and fellow innovators in San Francisco and seeing what’s new in REtech.  See you very soon San Francisco!

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