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 Like any software, live chat apps are subject to compatibility issues that can arise when used with outdated or incompatible software versions and devices.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. 
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!