How do I add a chat widget to my HOA website?

The Chatref website widget gives residents instant, accurate answers about dues, rules, maintenance requests and event schedules - right from your own documents. Because the AI is grounded only in what you upload, it never guesses or provides information that isn't approved by the board. The widget sits on your site 24/7, so support doesn't stop when the office closes. Every chat is saved in a shared inbox, letting a manager step in when a question needs a real person. This is resident support that scales without adding headcount.

1. Train your agent with HOA content
Log in to Chatref, create a new agent, and upload the documents your residents ask about most: CC&Rs, bylaws, architectural guidelines, dues policy, community event calendars, and any existing FAQ pages. You can also point Chatref to your website and it will crawl the pages for you. The agent learns from everything you provide.

2. Place the embed code on your site
Once your agent is ready, grab the snippet from the “Widget” tab. Paste it just before the closing </body> tag on every page where you want the chat icon to appear – your homepage, contact page, and resident portal are great choices. The widget works with WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or any custom HTML site. No plugins required; a single line of code enables the chat experience.

Chatref gives every HOA full control over how the widget looks and behaves. In the agent settings, you can:

• Set a primary color to match your community’s brand or logo.
• Upload your own agent avatar (like a neighborhood icon or welcome graphic).
• Write a custom welcome message that greets residents, such as “Hi! Ask me anything about Maplewood Estates rules or upcoming events.”
• Choose whether the widget collects names and emails before or during a chat, so you can follow up on unresolved issues.

All customization options are included on every account – no hidden fees to remove branding or add your own logo.

Put the widget where residents naturally go for information: the homepage, the contact page, and any password-protected resident area. Encourage your community to use it by adding a short note: “Try our instant help widget for dues deadlines, pool hours, and more.” Since the answers come from your own docs, the board stays in control of the message. Review the conversation inbox weekly to spot which topics come up most. Use those insights to add or update training content so the widget gets smarter over time.

How to enable live chat on my HOA website?

Enabling live chat means giving residents an instant way to get answers right on your site. After you upload your HOA’s documents to Chatref and your agent is trained, go to the Widget section inside the app. Copy the provided HTML snippet and add it to your website’s code. Once published, the Chatref icon appears on those pages immediately. Residents can start typing questions and the AI agent responds in real time using your content. All conversations appear in your Chatref inbox, so you can watch and jump in live if needed.

What information should the chat widget collect?

It depends on your HOA’s follow-up process. At minimum, consider asking for a resident’s name and unit number so the board can verify who asked and provide a personal reply later. Chatref can collect these details before the chat begins or during the conversation. You can also collect an email address if you plan to send follow-ups outside the widget. The data is stored securely and visible to your team in the conversation inbox. Start simple – name and unit – and add fields only if you truly need them.

How to customize the chat widget for my HOA?

Inside Chatref, open your agent’s settings and navigate to “Appearance” or “Widget.” From there you can change the primary color to your HOA’s palette, upload a custom avatar (such as your community logo), and write a greeting message that feels personal – like “Ask me about Oakwood’s trash schedules and gate codes.” You can also adjust the widget’s position (bottom-right or bottom-left) to fit your site’s layout. All these options are live the moment you save, with no extra cost or coding needed.