=== 247ChatMate ===
Contributors: 247chatmate
Tags: whatsapp chat, whatsapp plugin, live chat, enquiry capture, lead generation, contact widget, whatsapp, enquiries
Requires at least: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.8
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.1.90
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

WhatsApp chat, enquiry capture and lead generation for WordPress service-business websites.

== Description ==

247ChatMate is a lightweight WordPress WhatsApp chat, enquiry capture and lead generation plugin for service businesses.

It provides a structured contact widget that helps website visitors indicate what they need before continuing the conversation through WhatsApp.

Instead of waiting for a visitor to find and complete a traditional contact form, 247ChatMate presents clear visitor buttons for common enquiries such as quotes, pricing and availability.

The enquiry can then be captured and handed into WhatsApp, giving service businesses a simple alternative to a traditional live chat or contact form.

The Free version includes a fixed set of visitor buttons and lets you browse and preview the wider business-type catalogue before upgrading.

= WhatsApp chat and enquiry capture =

247ChatMate combines structured enquiry capture with WhatsApp chat.

Visitors can select what they are contacting the business about before continuing the conversation. This helps businesses receive more useful enquiries rather than an unstructured WhatsApp message.

= Lead generation for service businesses =

247ChatMate is designed as a lead generation and contact widget for WordPress service-business websites.

It helps turn website visitors into structured enquiries without requiring a website rebuild or complex live chat system.

= Key features =

* WhatsApp chat handoff
* Structured enquiry capture
* WordPress lead generation widget
* Lightweight contact widget
* Lead capture and lead email notifications
* Alternative to traditional live chat for service businesses
* Fixed Free visitor buttons
* Browse and preview 467 business types across 44 categories
* Searchable, alphabetically organised business-type catalogue
* Keyboard navigation in business-type search
* Mobile-friendly interface
* Designed for WordPress service-business websites
* No website rebuild required

= Free version =

The Free version uses four fixed visitor buttons:

* Get a quote
* Pricing
* Availability
* Something else

You can browse and preview the full business-type catalogue in Free, but business-specific setups require Pro.

= How is 247ChatMate different from a basic WhatsApp plugin? =

A basic WhatsApp plugin typically gives visitors a button that opens WhatsApp.

247ChatMate adds structured enquiry capture before the WhatsApp handoff. Visitors can indicate what they need, helping the business receive a more useful enquiry before continuing the conversation.

= Privacy =

247ChatMate may process information entered by website visitors as part of an enquiry. Site owners are responsible for configuring and using the plugin in accordance with their own privacy obligations and applicable law.

Depending on configuration and features used, the plugin may communicate with external 247ChatMate services to retrieve product data such as the business-type catalogue, licensing information or software updates.

Please review the 247ChatMate privacy information and your own website privacy policy before using the plugin on a live website.

== Installation ==

1. Install the 247ChatMate WordPress plugin.
2. Activate 247ChatMate.
3. Open 247ChatMate in the WordPress admin menu.
4. Complete the basic setup.
5. Configure your contact and WhatsApp details.
6. Save your settings.
7. Preview the contact widget.
8. Run a test enquiry before using the plugin on a live website.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Is 247ChatMate a WhatsApp plugin for WordPress? =

Yes. 247ChatMate is a WordPress WhatsApp plugin that combines structured enquiry capture with a WhatsApp handoff.

= Does 247ChatMate provide WhatsApp chat? =

Yes. Visitors can start an enquiry on your website and continue the conversation through WhatsApp using the business's configured WhatsApp contact details.

= Is 247ChatMate a live chat plugin? =

247ChatMate provides an alternative approach to traditional live chat. Visitors use structured enquiry buttons to indicate what they need before the conversation continues through WhatsApp.

= Can I use 247ChatMate for lead generation? =

Yes. 247ChatMate is designed for lead generation on service-business websites by helping turn visitors into structured enquiries.

= What is the enquiry capture feature? =

The contact widget asks visitors to indicate what they need using clear visitor buttons. This creates a more structured enquiry before the conversation continues.

= Do I need to rebuild my website? =

No. 247ChatMate is designed to work as a WordPress plugin on an existing website.

= Does the Free version include business-specific visitor buttons? =

Free users can browse and preview the complete business-type catalogue. Activating business-specific setups requires Pro.

= How many business types are available to browse? =

Version 1.1.90 provides access to a catalogue of 467 business types across 44 categories.

= Can I search for my type of business? =

Yes. The business-type catalogue includes search and alphabetical browsing. Search results also support keyboard navigation using the Up and Down arrow keys, Enter and Escape.

= Is 247ChatMate an AI chatbot? =

No. 247ChatMate is primarily a structured enquiry capture and lead generation tool. Its purpose is to help visitors indicate what they need and make it easier for a business to continue the conversation through WhatsApp.

== Screenshots ==

1. 247ChatMate WordPress lead generation dashboard and setup interface.
2. Contact widget and visitor button configuration.
3. Business-type catalogue and search.
4. Website enquiry capture and WhatsApp chat widget.
5. Lead enquiry and WhatsApp handoff.

== Changelog ==

= 1.1.90 =

* Updated the WordPress.org Free release.
* Free users retain the fixed visitor-button experience.
* Business-specific visitor-button setups remain available as a Pro feature.
* Pro business types remain visible for browsing and preview in the Free version.
* Full business-type catalogue contains 467 business types across 44 categories.
* Improved business-type catalogue browsing and discovery.
* Retained searchable, alphabetically organised business-type selection.
* Retained keyboard navigation for business-type search.
* Maintained the separate Free to Pro WordPress.org upgrade journey.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.1.90 =

Updates the WordPress.org Free release while retaining catalogue browsing, structured enquiry capture and the Free-to-Pro upgrade journey.