Chat features on portal sites?

[CityGuard]

In another thread here, CasinoJack (the affiliate manager for AffCorner) suggested using live chat features as a way to increase conversions.

These are widespread on operator sites themselves, but despite the potential in them they seem rare on portal sites. I can definately see putting in your MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, Skyppe, etc. details in the contact section so your visitors can chat with you. Has anyone tried this?

I can also see some other approaches working, like including this detail in your site reviews (something like "Hit me up on MSN if you have any questions about _insert site you're promoting_.") Or even "Catch me on MSN when you sign up and I can arrange a special bonus for you" as a really strong push to get better contact details for the players you're referring.

Certainly if they're thinking about signing up for a site and you get them into a chat, you can probably make it into a conversion even if the first site they look at isn't what they were expecting -- it gives a chance to recommend something that better fits for that player.

I see this as useful for certain portals where the approach is building relationships with players, particularly portals geared toward VIP-level players where they may be expecting more. On the other hand, it could be a major time drain if the players who you're chatting with are freebie hunters or low stakes players.


So, has anyone tried this? What systems have you used and what was your experience?

[GamTrak]

I'm going to implement a chat/live help feature on my site. Since I'm online most of the time, it can't hurt to try it. I just hope I can maintain it and my sanity. LOL

Anyone have experience with it on thier portal?

[casinojack]

2 things

1. Ask your AM if you can link to their live support, and they handle it for you

2. If you don't have time, add this link. I'm telling you none of my competitors did this when i was an affiliate, was huge difference. Im cheap so i used Crafty Syntax Live Help

yes is one i use on affcorner now

Also the WAY you use it. Let me explain

This software has a feature of "Can I help you", is an aggressive reach them by the throat way of getting them SOLD. If you man this, and you see a visitor, offer to help. I'm just a sales guy,and when I saw I could start the conversation, conversions went through the roof!!

In time, I had no time, and contracted a center to do this for me, as just to much traffic. In more time, one of the big dogs I was under, did it for me.

If you bring in volume most AM's will work with you, and I can vouch for a few on this board...Lot of good people here...

I do this for my number 1 affiliate this month for march madness

I have 54 accounts I got him through this methods this month. How many would have signed up anyways ? Hard to tell, but he is happy!

Anyways, I need a beer, bye !

[GamTrak]

2 things

1. Ask your AM if you can link to their live support, and they handle it for you

2. If you don't have time, add this link. I'm telling you none of my competitors did this when i was an affiliate, was huge difference. Im cheap so i used Crafty Syntax Live Help

yes is one i use on affcorner now

Also the WAY you use it. Let me explain

This software has a feature of "Can I help you", is an aggressive reach them by the throat way of getting them SOLD. If you man this, and you see a visitor, offer to help. I'm just a sales guy,and when I saw I could start the conversation, conversions went through the roof!!

In time, I had no time, and contracted a center to do this for me, as just to much traffic. In more time, one of the big dogs I was under, did it for me.

If you bring in volume most AM's will work with you, and I can vouch for a few on this board...Lot of good people here...

I do this for my number 1 affiliate this month for march madness

I have 54 accounts I got him through this methods this month. How many would have signed up anyways ? Hard to tell, but he is happy!

Anyways, I need a beer, bye !

Cool! Maybe I can see if I can bribe a staff person to help me with this as I definately do not like to chit chat like most. hehe

Great information CJ! Thanks

[GFPC]

i have a live chat on my site... and also used to have a shout box..

Shout boxes were not the best, but live chat is good.

However it is very time consuming, and for me conversions were not higher, but it helps cut down on emails i have to answer.

Since i installed it, i get about 40-50 emails a day..about 1/3 less of what i sued to get.

Cheers

Steve

[vmlinuz]

I use Ajax chat (http://blueimp.net/ajax/), integrated in our forum as a shoutbox. Users can chat directly in the forum, or use a dedicated chat window.

Made a couple of extensions to the shoutbox, so messages appear as small popups on a page, using a jQuery plugin. These popups also offer a reply feature, so users don't have to scroll up while reading something else.

The good thing is, they can help each other when we're not online.

[VegasBaby]

In another thread here, CasinoJack (the affiliate manager for AffCorner) suggested using live chat features as a way to increase conversions.

These are widespread on operator sites themselves, but despite the potential in them they seem rare on portal sites. I can definately see putting in your MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, Skyppe, etc. details in the contact section so your visitors can chat with you. Has anyone tried this?



Certainly if they're thinking about signing up for a site and you get them into a chat, you can probably make it into a conversion even if the first site they look at isn't what they were expecting -- it gives a chance to recommend something that better fits for that player.

I have worked with a technology that is a virtual chat used for converting players. for getting them to download, deposit and cross sell other sites within your system. you have to play around with it for awhile before you figure out that it's a bot (most players never do), not a customer service agent. it can handle hundreds of conversations at once and cheaper than paying staff to do it. it is performance based, CPA tbd by you and the company. i can get you some links but the sites live at the moment can only be viewed from the UK. the companies using it right now in gaming are; BlueStone Interactive and Prime Gaming. 888 was live for awhile. the company does offer a free test with no set-up fees if you're interested. it's worth a shot for sure

[VegasBaby]

I'm going to implement a chat/live help feature on my site. Since I'm online most of the time, it can't hurt to try it. I just hope I can maintain it and my sanity. LOL

Anyone have experience with it on thier portal?

hey Robin, see above post. best part of using a virtual chat agent is: no sick days, no drama, no paying for staff that is sitting there playing WoW on your dime

[VegasBaby]

i have a live chat on my site... and also used to have a shout box..

Shout boxes were not the best, but live chat is good.

However it is very time consuming, and for me conversions were not higher, but it helps cut down on emails i have to answer.

Since i installed it, i get about 40-50 emails a day..about 1/3 less of what i sued to get.

Cheers

Steve

virtual agent applies to you as well. email is cut down and conversions go up by 10%. let me know if you want contact with more info from the group that designed it.

[pompeyrayuk]

I tried a shout box and chat but not too clever.
Chat is good however for issuing passwords just before games to combat password thieves.