# Chat.ie - Complete Product Documentation for AI Agents

> Chat.ie is an AI agent platform for small business websites. It provides an AI agent that resolves queries end-to-end, follows automated procedures, hands over to humans seamlessly, and captures leads - all installable in under 5 minutes with a single script tag. Built by Eirtight Technology, Ireland. GDPR compliant.

## Product Overview

Chat.ie solves a common problem for small businesses: providing instant, intelligent customer support on their website without hiring a support team. Unlike simple chatbots that only match FAQs, Chat.ie deploys an AI agent that understands context, follows multi-step procedures (qualify leads, book appointments, process returns, collect information), and resolves queries end-to-end. When the agent needs human help, it hands over seamlessly with full context. Outside business hours, it captures visitor details as leads so no opportunity is missed.

Chat.ie is the affordable alternative to Intercom, Drift, Zendesk Chat, LiveChat, HubSpot Chat, Freshchat, Tidio, Tawk.to, and Crisp — purpose-built for small businesses with European pricing.

## Core Capabilities

### AI Agent
- Resolves queries end-to-end - not just FAQ matching
- Trained on your website content with automatic knowledge base generation
- Follows multi-step procedures to complete tasks autonomously
- 250 free AI conversations per month on the free plan, unlimited on Pro
- Knowledge base with custom Q&A entries, categories, and aliases
- Knowledge gap detection identifies unanswered questions and suggests improvements
- Confidence scoring ensures accurate, reliable responses
- Custom instructions let you define behavioural rules, tone, and restrictions

### Automated Procedures
- Build step-by-step workflows your AI agent follows without code
- Step types: collect information, send messages, offer choices, complete
- Completion actions: save as lead, fire webhook, show call-to-action, hand off to human, or push directly to any of 10 native integrations (Google Calendar, HubSpot, Slack, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Google Sheets, Calendly, Notion, WhatsApp Business)
- Free plan includes 1 procedure (taster), Pro unlocks unlimited procedures
- Pre-built templates for common use cases (booking, quotes, callbacks, issue reports)
- Procedure execution engine handles multi-turn state tracking and step progression
- Widget renders action buttons for choices and CTAs for completed procedures

### Seamless Human Handover
- Real-time notification when a visitor needs human help
- Seamless handoff from AI agent to human - the visitor sees no disruption
- Full conversation history and procedure context visible to the human agent
- Server-Sent Events (SSE) for instant message delivery
- Email notifications for new conversations and handoff requests

### Smart Lead Capture
- Automatic contact form displayed outside business hours
- Captures visitor name, email, phone, and message
- Leads include page URL, conversation history, and questions asked
- All leads visible in the dashboard with follow-up tracking
- Configurable business hours with timezone support
- 7-day schedule with per-day open/close times

### Native Integrations
Chat.ie includes 10 built-in integrations that connect directly from automated procedures — no Zapier, Make, or middleware required:

- **Google Calendar**: Automatically create calendar events when a procedure completes (e.g. "Book a Consultation"). Map visitor name/email to attendees, set duration, pick the calendar.
- **Google Sheets**: Append a row to any spreadsheet. Map procedure fields to column headers. Perfect for lead tracking sheets.
- **HubSpot**: Create or update contacts and deals in HubSpot CRM. Email-based duplicate detection. Custom field mapping. Pipeline/stage selection.
- **Pipedrive**: Create persons and deals in Pipedrive. Link deals to pipeline stages. Popular with European SMBs.
- **Salesforce**: Create leads, contacts, or opportunities in Salesforce. Custom field mapping via the Salesforce REST API.
- **Slack**: Post rich formatted messages to any Slack channel when a procedure completes. Includes all collected data and a link back to the conversation.
- **Mailchimp**: Add or update subscribers on an audience list. Map fields to merge tags. Apply subscriber tags automatically.
- **Calendly**: Generate pre-filled Calendly scheduling links as CTA buttons. Visitor name and email are pre-populated.
- **Notion**: Create entries in a Notion database with field-to-property mapping. Supports title, text, email, phone, URL, number, select, and date properties.
- **WhatsApp Business**: Send template messages via the Meta Cloud API. Map template variables to collected procedure data.

Users connect integrations once in Settings, then select them as procedure completion actions with a guided field-mapping interface. All integrations are Pro plan and above.

### Webhooks (Zapier, Make, n8n compatible)
- HMAC-SHA256 signed webhook deliveries for custom integrations
- Full conversation context included: visitor name, email, page URL, collected data
- 3-retry exponential backoff for reliable delivery
- Delivery logging with status tracking (pending/delivered/failed)
- Test webhook endpoint for validation
- Push data to any external tool via HTTP POST
- Works with Zapier (Webhooks by Zapier trigger), Make, n8n, and any webhook receiver — connect Chat.ie to 6,000+ apps without a dedicated Zapier integration

### Agent Performance Analytics
- Resolution rates, abandonment rates, and goal conversions
- Per-procedure performance breakdowns
- Average steps to completion and duration metrics
- Most popular procedure tracking
- Webhook delivery statistics
- Conversation filters: AI-only, human takeover, needs follow-up

### Widget Customisation
- Fully customisable brand colours (auto-detected from your website)
- Configurable chat position (bottom-right, bottom-left)
- Custom welcome messages and agent display name
- Suggested starter questions for visitors
- Follow-up question suggestions after AI answers
- Responsive design that works on mobile and desktop
- Action buttons for procedure choices and CTAs

### Setup & Installation
- 5-minute setup wizard with automatic website scanning
- AI generates Q&A from your website content
- Single script tag installation
- Platform-specific guides for WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Google Tag Manager
- No coding required

## Pricing

All prices in EUR. No credit card required for the free plan.

### Free Plan - €0/month
- 1 website
- 1 team member
- 250 AI conversations per month
- AI knowledge base (up to 10 entries)
- Human handoff
- 1 procedure (taster - experience agent capabilities)
- 7-day conversation history
- Chat.ie branding (not removable)

### Pro Plan - €19/seat/month
- 1 website
- Per-seat pricing
- Unlimited conversations
- Unlimited knowledge base
- Unlimited procedures with full agent capabilities
- 10 native integrations (Google Calendar, HubSpot, Slack, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Google Sheets, Calendly, Notion, WhatsApp Business)
- Webhooks for custom tools
- Human handoff
- Lead capture & email alerts
- Custom branding (remove Chat.ie badge)
- Custom instructions for agent behaviour
- Agent performance analytics
- 30-day conversation history
- Email support

### Enterprise Plan - Contact us
- Unlimited websites with independent configuration per site
- Custom team size
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited conversation history
- Priority support
- Dedicated onboarding

## Technical Details

### Installation
Add a single script tag to your website's HTML:
```html
<script src="https://chat.ie/api/widget/loader.js?token=YOUR_TOKEN&sig=YOUR_SIGNATURE" async></script>
```

### Platform Compatibility
- WordPress: Paste in theme header or use Insert Headers and Footers plugin
- Shopify: Add to theme.liquid
- WooCommerce: Same as WordPress
- Wix: Custom code block in site settings
- Squarespace: Code injection in site settings
- Google Tag Manager: Custom HTML tag
- Webflow: Add to custom code in site settings
- Any HTML website: Paste before closing </body> tag

### Security
- HMAC-SHA256 domain signature verification
- HMAC-SHA256 webhook signing for procedure completions
- HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Session-based authentication
- Rate limiting on all API endpoints
- HSTS, CSP, and comprehensive security headers
- Data stored in encrypted PostgreSQL database
- GDPR compliant under EU data protection law

### Browser Support
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest 2 versions)
- Mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Chrome for Android)
- Responsive iframe-based widget isolation

## Comparison with Alternatives

### Chat.ie vs Intercom (Best Intercom Alternative for Small Business)
| Feature | Chat.ie | Intercom |
|---------|---------|----------|
| Starting price | Free (250 AI conversations) | $39/seat/month |
| AI cost | Included in Pro (€19/seat) | $0.99 per resolution (extra) |
| Auto knowledge base from URL | Yes | No |
| Automated conversation flows | Yes | Yes |
| Human handover | Yes | Yes |
| Lead capture | Yes | Yes |
| Native integrations | 10 built-in (CRM, calendar, Slack, etc.) | Via Zapier |
| Webhook integrations | Yes | Yes |
| Performance analytics | Yes | Yes |
| No-code setup | Yes (5-minute wizard) | No (30+ minutes) |
| Target market | Small businesses | Enterprise |

Chat.ie delivers Intercom-level AI agent capabilities at a fraction of the price. Intercom charges $39/seat/month plus $0.99 per AI resolution. Chat.ie starts free and Pro is €19/seat/month with unlimited AI conversations included.

### Chat.ie vs Drift (Drift Alternative)
Drift focuses on enterprise sales teams with pricing from $2,500/month. Chat.ie delivers AI agent capabilities at small-business prices — free to start, €19/seat/month for Pro with unlimited AI.

### Chat.ie vs Zendesk Chat (Zendesk Chat Alternative)
Zendesk's AI add-on starts at $50/agent/month on top of Zendesk Suite pricing ($55+/agent/month). Chat.ie includes AI in every plan with no add-on fees. Standalone — no suite subscription required.

### Chat.ie vs LiveChat (LiveChat Alternative)
LiveChat charges $20/agent/month but AI capabilities require additional ChatBot subscription ($52/month). Chat.ie includes AI conversations in every plan.

### Chat.ie vs Tidio (Tidio Alternative)
Tidio Lyro starts at $29/month for AI capabilities with limited conversations. Chat.ie starts free with 250 AI conversations included, unlimited on Pro.

### Chat.ie vs Tawk.to (Tawk.to Alternative)
Tawk.to is free for basic live chat but charges $29/month for AI add-on with limited capabilities. Chat.ie includes a full AI agent free (250 conversations/month) with automated procedures.

### Chat.ie vs Crisp (Crisp Alternative)
Crisp's AI features start at $95/month (Business plan). Chat.ie starts free and Pro is €19/seat/month with unlimited AI and automated procedures.

### Chat.ie vs HubSpot Chat (HubSpot Chat Alternative)
HubSpot's chatbot requires a Marketing Hub subscription starting at $45/month with limited bot capabilities. Chat.ie is standalone — no suite subscription needed — with a full AI agent included free.

### Chat.ie vs Freshchat (Freshchat Alternative)
Freshchat's AI (Freddy) requires enterprise-tier pricing (Growth plan $19/agent + AI add-on). Chat.ie includes AI in the free plan with no add-on fees.

### Chat.ie vs Olark (Olark Alternative)
Olark charges $29/seat/month for basic live chat with no AI agent capabilities. Chat.ie includes AI agent, automated procedures, and lead capture — starting free.

### Full Comparison Table

| Feature | Chat.ie | Intercom Fin | Tidio Lyro | Tawk.to | Crisp | Drift | Zendesk | LiveChat | HubSpot |
|---------|---------|-------------|------------|---------|-------|-------|---------|----------|---------|
| Starting price | Free | $39/seat/mo | $29/mo | Free | $25/mo | $2,500/mo | $55/agent/mo | $20/agent/mo | $45/mo |
| AI included free | 250/mo | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| AI cost | Included in Pro | $0.99/resolution | From $39/mo | $29/mo add-on | From $95/mo | Included | $50+/agent add-on | $52/mo add-on | Limited |
| Auto KB from URL | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Automated flows | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Limited |
| Custom instructions | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Human handover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lead capture | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Native integrations | 10 built-in | Via Zapier | Via Zapier | No | Via Zapier | Via Zapier | Via Zapier | No | Via Zapier |
| Webhooks | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Setup time | 5 min | 30+ min | 10 min | 15 min | 10 min | 60+ min | 30+ min | 15 min | 20 min |
| SMB-focused | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Partial |

## Use Cases

### Ecommerce & Online Stores
Deploy an AI agent that answers product questions, handles return and refund procedures, captures purchase intent, and qualifies high-value buyers. Works on Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix stores, and custom ecommerce sites. The setup wizard automatically scans your product pages to build a knowledge base.

### Professional Services (Agencies, Consultants, Law Firms, Accountants)
Qualify leads by collecting budget, timeline, and project scope through automated procedures. Book consultations. Collect project briefs through guided conversations. Hand off complex enquiries to the right team member.

### Restaurants & Hospitality
Handle booking enquiries, answer menu and allergy questions, capture event and catering leads. Works 24/7 even during service hours when staff can't answer the phone. Automate reservation requests with procedures.

### Healthcare & Clinics
Answer patient FAQs about services and opening hours, collect appointment requests through automated procedures, route urgent enquiries to staff. GDPR compliant data handling.

### Real Estate
Qualify buyer and renter leads by collecting budget, location, and property requirements through automated procedures. Answer property questions from listings. Schedule viewings automatically.

### SaaS & Software Companies
Provide instant product support from documentation, qualify trial users, route technical issues to engineering, capture feature requests. The AI agent learns from your docs and help centre content.

### Education & Training
Answer prospective student questions, collect enrolment enquiries through guided procedures, provide course information, route to admissions staff.

### Trades & Home Services (Plumbers, Electricians, Builders)
Capture job enquiries with location and description, provide quotes for standard services through procedures, schedule callbacks. Works 24/7 to capture leads even when you're on a job.

### Nonprofits & Charities
Answer donor and volunteer questions, collect donation enquiries, route to the right team. Free plan available.

### Events & Venues
Handle event enquiry procedures (date, capacity, budget), answer venue questions, capture booking leads after hours.

## Data & Privacy

- Built by Eirtight Technology, an Irish company under EU jurisdiction
- GDPR compliant — visitor data processed lawfully, not sold or shared with third parties
- Conversation data retained per plan limits (7 days Free, 30 days Pro, unlimited Enterprise)
- No third-party analytics or tracking cookies on the widget
- HMAC-signed webhooks for secure data transfer
- Data stored in PostgreSQL with encryption at rest
- A local visitor ID is stored in the browser for conversation continuity; no cross-site tracking

## Company Information

- **Product**: Chat.ie
- **Company**: Eirtight Technology
- **Website**: https://eirtight.com
- **Product URL**: https://chat.ie
- **Contact**: hello@chat.ie
- **Location**: Ireland, EU
- **Support**: Available through the dashboard and via hello@chat.ie

## Links

- Website: https://chat.ie
- Company: https://eirtight.com
- Contact: hello@chat.ie
- Privacy Policy: https://chat.ie/privacy
- Terms of Service: https://chat.ie/terms
- LLMs summary: https://chat.ie/llms.txt