An application program interface (API) is a system by which chat capabilities and server infrastructure are made possible. These applications are full of features that have proven to be very useful to organizations as they allow users to connect or communicate with each other in large chat groups.
APIs have become quite popular in recent years due to the influence social media has on people and their need to express themselves and have become a key tool for businesses and marketers to attract people to their websites.
Chat APIs allow you to connect with people using the same application, making it possible for you to start conversations with other people on the platform through text messaging. Apart from that, most APIs allow users to share videos and images with relative ease.
However, for you to this, you need first to enable the feature in the application. Fortunately, setting these up is quick and straightforward, especially if you use a chat SDK to speed things up.
However, while using a chat API can benefit your business, it is worth noting that there are pros and cons to application program interfaces that you need to know about for you to make the right decision when choosing one. Here is a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of using a chat API.
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Pros
1. Chat APIs Help Attract and Retain Customers
While you might already have an application that works and is well known by your audience, you still have the opportunity to attract even more customers by using a chat API for application that allows your users to communicate directly with your staff or other users.
It’s been proven that, over time, applications with in-app chat features affect how customers and users view a business as they feel valued knowing that they can always air their views, have their questions answered, or issues resolved in real-time through live chat support.
Irrespective of the industry you are in, you can always find ways to provide your customers the assistance and support they need, increasing your chances of attracting and retaining new customers. The key thing about chat APIs is that they allow you to offer your customers a chance to connect and interact with you as a business.
2. They are Affordable and Easy to Install
Many people believe that incorporating in-app chat support in their application is a lot of work and quite expensive. However, that’s far from the truth. As long as you find a good API with exemplary customer service, integrating it into your application, be it an Android or iOS app, is seamless. Furthermore, most chat application program interfaces are free or require a small fee to install and unlock all the features they offer.
3. They Can Be Customized to Suit Your Needs and Branding
Since each business is unique to itself, your mobile app requirements and needs are unique to you, which means having personalized in-app chat features. Chat application program interfaces are fully customizable, which allows businesses to incorporate their design and themes.
Furthermore, if you plan on using a chat API to provide live chat support on your website, you have the freedom to set it up how you like. For instance, you could enable file sending if you intend to use the API within your company for easier communicating between different departments and teams.
Cons
1. Chat APIs Can be Overwhelming at First
Incorporating a chat API can be overwhelming as some APIs require the skills of an expert to integrate them into native apps to ensure they work seamlessly. This includes incorporating extensions and plugins, customizing the API to suit your theme and design, and ensuring it has the feature you’re your business needs. Fortunately, most companies that offer chat APIs have excellent support and are ready to provide the assistance you need when you need it.
2. Additional Costs to Keep the Live Chat Up
If you opt to run a live chat, be ready to spend extra to keep it up and running, as you will need someone to operate the chat and make sure all questions and concerns are being answered.
And then, there is a chance that you might need multiple chat representatives manning your live chats depending on how much traffic your app gets. Nevertheless, a live chat is one investment that pays itself off and some more. Furthermore, the benefits live chat offers far outweigh the benefits of not having live chat support in your application.
Is installing a chat application program interface good for your organization? Start by determining your requirements as a business and weigh the pros and cons mentioned above. Then, please review your options to see which chat API companies or applications provide the best solutions at a price you can afford and compare them to find the one that best suits your needs.
