A free Joomla module that adds the VK Community Messages widget to a site. Visitors type into a chat window on the site, and replies come from the VK community.
JL VK Community Messages is a free alternative to live chat services. The module embeds the official VK (VKontakte) Community Messages widget: a visitor writes a question in the chat window on the site, and staff reply from the community's messages section in VK.
Features
- Support for the official VK API for the Community Messages widget.
- An option to open the chat automatically when a visitor arrives on the site, at once or after a delay of 5 to 120 seconds.
- Choice of screen side for the chat button: left or right.
- A tooltip on the chat button with custom text.
- Sounds for new messages and for opening the chat can be switched on or off.
- An option to hide the additional link under the widget.
How the VK chat works
- Visitors do not have to wait on the site for a reply: the conversation continues in VK messages, on the web or in the mobile app.
- If the administrator does not reply for a long time, for example at night, the visitor sees a notice that the reply will take longer.
- Staff receive enquiries in the familiar community messages interface and can see the visitor's profile straight away.
- A welcome message can be set in the community settings to help visitors phrase their question.
- The chat relies on the social network's own features.
Compatibility and requirements
- Joomla 3.
- Extension type: site module.
- The module loads the widget through the VK Open API library; according to the VK documentation, this method does not work in Safari and Firefox.
- A VK community with messages enabled and the Messages widget option ticked under Manage → Messages.
- The numeric community ID, entered in the module settings.
