How to Build a Website With Chat Room

Adding chat to a website creates more interactivity.

Including chat functions can add a new level of interactivity to a website. Giving site users a place to collaborate and discuss topics keeps them on the site longer and adds reason to keep visiting. It builds user loyalty and attracts new users. Adding chat to a website takes only minimal effort.

Things You'll Need

• Server-side chat software

Instructions

1. Find a server host that supports installing server-side software. Server hosts offering this service often advertise "Fantastico" support. Fantastico is popular software that allows a user to install server-side packages through their hosting control panel. Having a way to install server-side software is a prerequisite to hosting a chat room on a website.

2. Install a chat server. There are various packages available, including an assortment of open-source alternatives such as AJAX Chat. The chat server will handle the chat functionality and allow users to interact with each other.

3. Configure the chat server. Most chat servers have options that define what a user can and cannot do. This prevents unwelcome behavior like spamming and griefing.

4. Design the chat-specific section of the website. The chat-specific section of the site is where users will go to chat. The web pages in this section will contain the script code to call the chat server when users open one of these pages.

5. Launch the chat functionality by uploading the newly designed web pages onto the host server. Once placed into the main hosting directory, the chat functionality is active.

References

• Netenberg: Fantastico De Luxe

Resources

• AJAX Chat