Bold Software, developers of the popular live chat software, Bold Chat, has announced an enhanced version of the BoldChat Basic product that incorporates professional chat features into this small business product.

A simplified version of the company’s robust live chat support software, the new BoldChat Basic was designed specifically for small online businesses and retailers, said Shea Sylvia, marketing retention manger for Bold Software. The software is to implement into any small business Web site, and Sylvia also noted that the new version is ideal for one-person shops and small businesses that don’t have immediate access to an IT support staff. 

 “Literally, you can add the chat code to your site’s HTML and have live chat up and running in less than five minutes,” said Sylvia. “You don’t need to be tech-savvy, you just need to be able to access and edit your site’s HTML code.”

Professional Chat Features in a Small Biz Product

BoldChat Basic includes features usually available only in professional versions. These features can help small businesses and online retailers maximize their online connection with Web site visitors.

For example, business owners have more customization options for displaying the chat buttons and when sending Web-site customers an invitation. BoldChat Basic offers more than 70 invitation designs so you can make your live chat match your business Web site.

Sylvia said that these new options are designed to boost confidence in site visitors. “By changing the live chat window design, you can make the BoldChat basic software looks like it belongs on your Web site.  You can also customize the message displayed in the live chat window.”

The capability to customize the chat window is important. If you’re unavailable to monitor the live chat, you can ensure your site visitors receive alternate contact information, such as a support e-mail address or phone number.

For one-person operations, BoldChat will alert you to chat requests so that you can keep the Live Chat support online without having to sit at the computer to monitor it.

Initiate a Chat, Encrypt Messages and Visitor Reporting

The enhanced BoldChat Basic lets you invite site visitors to a chat session. If you see visitors having a problem with the cart check-out process, or you see them hitting the same informational pages repeatedly, you can start a live chat session and offer assistance.  Another handy feature — especially for retailers — is the capability to drag-and-drop product images from your site in to the live chat window. This feature can help you show customers different styles of a product they are viewing, or to show them similar or matching items while they shop.

BoldChat Basic offers a number of customization features so that chat buttons and windows look like they belong on your site. (Click for larger image).

BoldChat Basic also lets business owners encrypt chat sessions. This is useful for any small business that requires secure information transfers — such as an accounting firm, or a retailer who wants to capture a customer’s credit card information.

Lastly, the enhanced version of BoldChat Basic provides a weekly summary that you can use to determine how well the live chat function works for your business. You can also search all your chat and visit histories to confirm details and monitor your staff's ability to interact with your site visitors.

BoldChat Basic Pricing and Availability

BoldChat Basic is available now. Until February 28, 2010, small businesses will receive two licenses for $29 (which is typically the price for each license). Licenses are determined by concurrent user sessions, so a small business can have all employees trained in using the chat software, and any two employees in your office can use BoldChat Basic at the same time.

The promotional offer for two licenses lasts for the lifetime of the BoldChat customer. After the promotion ends, the price is $29 per license. Bold Software also offers a 10-day free trial, with no upfront payment required.

Vangie Beal is a veteran online seller and frequent contributor to ECommerce-Guide.com. She is also managing editor of Webopedia.com. You can tweet with her online @AuroraGG.

Do you have a comment or question about this article or other e-commerce topics in general? Speak out in the SmallBusinessComputing.com E-Commerce Forum. Join the discussion today!