Live Chat has arrived!
It's here! We have developed and deployed the number one request from our buyers...an instant chat feature to speak with artists. Buyers on every IndieMe artist store you will see a blue chat button in the lower right corner, click on that magical button, and if the artist is available you can chat virtually with each other. Perfect for a quick question prior to ordering, a simple way to get an order update or just a way to say hello.
The entire IndieMe Marketplace is custom-built and specific to each vendor. So that means we cannot simply purchase pre-designed software. We need to program it from the first line of code to the last line. Hard work but worth it!
How it all works...
The Chat button appears on all active IndieMe stores. The buyer must initiate the chat first. Take note, the chat box displays your profile picture. Smile!
Artists have the ability to mark themselves unavailable or available from the module on their Artist Dashboard. We suggest you check your availability status when you log in.
The Live Chat module stores your availability status in the browser's local storage, so no need to turn it on/off unless you log in using a different computer or browser.
Artists - in the top navigation bar to the right of your name you will see a gray envelope. When a buyer initiates a chat, that envelope turns red signaling there is an open chat. Simply click on the envelope to be taken to the Artist Dashboard where you will see the buyer's name and message.
Buyers keep in mind as soon as you open up the chat box on an artist store your name will be visible to the artist whether you leave a message or not!
Multiple chats for buyers - currently you can only chat with an artist while on their IndieMe store page. If you wish to chat with multiple artists concurrently, you must open a new tab for their store.
Multiple chats for artists - you will be able to manage multiple chats with buyers at one time. You will see all current chats from the module on your Artist Dashboard. An envelope icon will appear next to their name if a new message was sent.
The Search box can be used if you are chatting with a multitude of buyers.
The session will be visible until either party logs off of IndieMe.
