> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://answeringservicecare.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://answeringservicecare.com/docs/features/live-chat.md).

# Live Chat

Let website visitors reach your business by chat, handled by ASC and centralized in your portal.

Live Chat adds a chat channel to your website so visitors can reach your business in real time. ASC handles the conversations for you, and everything is captured alongside your calls and messages in the Client Portal.

### What you can do

* **Chat from your website.** A chat widget on your site lets visitors start a conversation without picking up the phone.
* **ASC handles it.** Conversations are answered for you, following your instructions, so visitors get a response even when your team is busy or off-hours.
* **Everything in one place.** Chats are captured in your portal with your calls and messages, so nothing gets lost across channels.
* **Capture leads and questions.** Use chat to answer common questions, qualify leads, and route the details to your team.

### How it works

1. Live Chat is enabled for your account and the chat widget is added to your website during setup.
2. Visitors start a conversation from your site.
3. ASC responds on your behalf, following your script and routing rules.
4. The conversation and any captured details appear in your portal.

{% hint style="info" %}
Live Chat is configured with your implementation specialist, who sets up the widget, your greeting, and how chats are handled and routed. To enable it, contact your account manager or ASC sales.
{% endhint %}

### Pricing

Live Chat is billed at **$5 per chat** (with a **$50 setup fee** when bundled). For current rates, see the live [pricing page](https://answeringservicecare.com/pricing).

### Related

* [Two-Way SMS](/docs/features/two-way-sms.md): text conversations from your business number.
* [Answering modes](/docs/overview/answering-modes.md): how ASC answers your calls.
* [Plans and pricing](/docs/overview/plans-and-pricing.md): service lines and add-ons.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://answeringservicecare.com/docs/features/live-chat.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.