Chat & Surf ??

i have now got a proggie that lets me chat to users as they browse my site...if i want to...
i havent installed it yet.

it all sounds a bit scary to me...one minute your looking around...the next...
i can pop up and say HELLO !!

question is...would that be cool...or would it freek the life out of you??

 

worth a try.

 

Annoying and invasive.

Offer it as an option for them to select.

 

I agree with Crazy Rob. This is the main reason I hate shopping. And telemarketers. And spam. If I want something and I have questions - I'll ask. Try to do passive chat and not proactive.

 

it would freak me out and put me on the defensive right away

 

Is it like livehelp? You should have a spot the customer can click to initiate it. I have used one, but ran into some problems with the program but now he has a new release CSLH ??Syntax live help?? forgot the full name, it is bundled with Fantastico on many hosting services.

 

livehelp is like an answering servicec, proggie is like a coldcall
you come to a site, a chat window pops up with someone telling you you need to buy their service now

 

I would use that one then.

Download Livehelp, it is free, he does ask for donations if you like and use it, and I am sure he deserves the donations.

 

hmmm ... which 1 is it ? http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=live+help

I agree, it's like when you walk down the street and someone comes right up in your face and you just want to slap them

 

It causes me to immediately close my window and never return to your site.

 

Rotflmao !!!...thats what i thought.

It would make me die...especially if i could get those FBI eyes to pop up and follow the cursor around...

i think thats something that will stay on the shelf.

 

I bet it does work for some businesses just like telemarketing does, but building a reputation and providing good info is better long term.
Live chat is great because it's better to make them want to talk to you rather than just intruding.

 

Yeah, if I was just calmly reading a website and all of the sudden I started getting messages I think that would be pretty annoying. If you need to tell your readers something, do so on the front page.

 

The paradigm of the web is a passive medium. There are other internet technologies that are more direct, and designed that way - IRC, various P2P messagers, or to some extent email. People browse the web expecting it to be that way - I don't think hacking it to be like you suggest is a good idea.

 

You can add a button or other thing labelled "Live Chat With Me" to let the user select it. It's more friendly than a pop up.

 

IMHO, give the user more options and if they need to find you they will. Remember KISS (keep it simple stupid).