Description
Stop killing your SEO with bloated chat widgets.
GhostChat (by The Chat Widget) is the world’s lightest live chat solution. While other widgets add 200KB+ to your site and tank your Lighthouse scores, GhostChat is only 3KB gzipped.
Why GhostChat?
- Extreme Performance: 30x smaller than Intercom or Zendesk. Won’t slow down your site.
- Privacy First: No cookies. No tracking. GDPR compliant by design.
- Gmail Threading: Reply to your customers directly from your Gmail inbox. No new dashboard to learn.
- CRM Lite: Built-in contact management. Email required before messaging (automatic lead capture).
- Zero Bloat: One script tag. No dependencies. No jQuery.
- Smart Setup: Paste the full script tag or just the ID—we figure it out instantly.
Speed Comparison
- Intercom/Drift: 150KB — 300KB
- Typical React Widgets: 50KB — 100KB
- GhostChat: 3KB (Lightning Fast)
Key Features
- Gmail Threading: Reply from your inbox. Threads stay in sync.
- CRM Lite: Export contacts to CSV, add notes, view history.
- Automation: Business hours, away mode, offline email capture.
- Mobile PWA: Reply from your phone like WhatsApp.
- Edge-powered: 10-30ms latency worldwide.
Installation
- Install GhostChat via the WordPress plugin directory.
- Activate the plugin.
- Go to Settings > GhostChat.
- Enter your Site ID from app.thechatwidget.com.
- Pro Tip: You can paste the entire script tag from your dashboard, and we’ll automatically extract the ID for you!
FAQ
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Do I need an account?
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Yes, sign up free at thechatwidget.com/signup to get a Site ID.
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Is it really free?
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Yes! We offer a 30-day free trial with all features. No credit card required. After that, plans start at just $5/month (or $50/year for 2 months free).
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Does it slow down my site?
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No! At 3KB, GhostChat is 20-40x smaller than competitors like Intercom (120KB+), Zendesk (150KB+), or Drift (200KB+). It has zero impact on page speed or Lighthouse scores.
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Does it track visitors?
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No. GhostChat uses zero tracking and zero cookies. However, visitors must provide their email before messaging (this captures leads automatically). No cookie banners needed.
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Is it GDPR compliant?
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Yes. GhostChat doesn’t track or store personal data without consent. Perfect for EU businesses.
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Can I customize the widget?
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Yes! Customize colors, position, and welcome messages in your dashboard.
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Does it work on mobile?
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Yes! The dashboard is a mobile-first PWA. Install it on your phone and reply to customers like WhatsApp.
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Can I reply from Gmail?
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Yes! This is one of our key features. When a visitor sends a message, you get an email notification. Reply directly from Gmail — your response appears in the chat widget, and the conversation threads perfectly. Visitors can also reply via email.
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What is CRM Lite?
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CRM Lite is our built-in contact management system. Every visitor who messages you becomes a contact (email is required before messaging). View all contacts, see conversation history, add notes, and export to CSV. Available on Growth and Business plans.
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Does it support automation?
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Yes! Set your business hours, toggle away mode, and automatically capture visitor emails when you’re offline. Available on Growth and Business plans.
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“GhostChat – 3KB Lightweight Live Chat” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
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Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.0.7
- Updated description to reflect new features (Gmail threading, CRM Lite)
- Updated pricing information
- Removed «anonymous sessions» reference (email now required)
1.0.6
- Fixed WordPress.org plugin checker errors
- Corrected text domain to match slug
- Added proper input sanitization callback
- Updated tested up to WordPress 6.9
- Reduced tags to 5 (WordPress.org requirement)
1.0.5
- Added chat bubble icon to header for better branding
- Fixed script enqueuing to use WordPress standards
- Added input sanitization for security
- WordPress 6.9 compatibility verified
1.0.4
- Added professional branding with gradient header
- Added footer with helpful links
1.0.3
- Added smart paste detection — auto-extracts Site ID from script tag
- Improved user experience with real-time feedback
1.0.2
- Added step-by-step setup instructions
- Better guidance for first-time users
1.0.1
- Clarified branding: GhostChat by The Chat Widget
- Updated widget URL to api.thechatwidget.com
- Updated dashboard URL to app.thechatwidget.com
- Improved admin UI with better status messages
1.0.0
- Initial release