Add the live chat widget to your website

A live chat inbox lets website visitors message your team in real time. Chat inboxes also power real-time AI replies and store-catalog lookups (used by WooCommerce and Shopify).

Step 1: Create a chat inbox

1. Go to Admin → Inboxes → New → Live chat.
2. Name the inbox (for example Website chat).
3. Add the agents who should answer chats.
4. Finish the wizard.

Step 2: Embed the widget

After the inbox is created, ADS Helpdesk gives you an embed script snippet. Paste it just before the closing </body> tag on every page where you want chat to appear:

<!-- ADS Helpdesk live chat -->
<script src="https://app.adshelpdesk.com/widget.js" data-inbox="YOUR_INBOX_ID" async></script>

Replace YOUR_INBOX_ID with the value shown for your inbox. On most sites you add this once to the shared layout, header, or footer template so it loads everywhere.

Tip: Using a CMS or site builder? Most platforms have a "custom code", "header/footer scripts", or "embed HTML" area where this snippet belongs.

Step 3: Test it

Open your site in a private/incognito window. The chat launcher should appear. Send a message and confirm it shows up as a ticket in ADS Helpdesk, then reply from an agent account to verify the round trip.

Customize and route

• Set agent availability so chats route to people who are online.
• Configure greeting, routing, and assignment in the inbox settings.
• Turn on AI so chats get instant first responses, see AI replies.

Troubleshooting

• Widget not showing: confirm the snippet is on the page and the inbox ID is correct, and check the browser console for blocked scripts.
• Chats not assigned: make sure at least one agent on the inbox is Online.