Must-Have Features to Look for in a Chat SDK
More product teams are choosing to use third-party APIs for their chat functionality. Choosing the right chat API/SDK provider can help you deliver your users an excellent in-app messaging experience.
Chat SDK & API providers offer a variety of features that increase user engagement and loyalty rates, drive conversions, and add value to the overall user experience. Some of these must-have features include:
Real-time location sharing
The real-time location-sharing feature allows users to share their live locations with individuals within a chat thread. They can choose how long they want to share their location (from 15 minutes up to three days) and stop it anytime. The shared locations appear on the map; users can tap them to see their last updated location.
Another essential feature is cloud storage, which backs up chat app data on the server. It saves space on the device and enables users to access their contact history, messages, audio, video, shared files, and images anytime.
The most popular chat SDK providers offer a range of features and deliver scalable solutions for apps of all sizes. Choosing the right solution depends on your business needs and budget. Some chat solutions are free, while others require a subscription. Look for an API that provides simple integrations and a comprehensive UI framework to ensure your product is easy to integrate. It should also offer delivery and scaling guarantees for optimal performance. The best chat software developers will also provide you with technical notes and examples that are easy to understand.
Online/offline status
A chat application’s online/offline status is a crucial feature for determining whether users are communicating with one another. When a user is online, they are active in the community and have access to chat functions, including DMs and voice channels. However, users are unavailable for a chat session when they are offline. There are several ways to determine a person’s online/offline status, including asking them directly, looking up their profile or community page, and messaging them.
The best chat SDKs offer a variety of social communication features. They are easy to integrate into existing apps and platforms and can be customized for a seamless user experience. They also have low latency, ensuring messages are sent and received quickly.
In addition, a good chat API should be secure and adhere to the latest security standards. For companies handling sensitive data, it is imperative. Users who choose reputable SDK providers will have complete control over their security as they will be granted access to all data and source code. They will also take the responsibility for fixing bugs and vulnerabilities off developers’ shoulders.
In-chat translations
Chat translation is a must-have feature for websites and apps with a global audience. It facilitates the removal of language obstacles, prevents miscommunication, and increases the accessibility of your services.
Adding a translation feature to your chat application lets your users connect more strongly with your agents, services, and overall brand. It also separates your business from companies that only offer English-only customer service.
Real-time chat translation eliminates the need for customers to switch between apps to translate text and makes communication more seamless.
A toggle in the admin dashboard can enable the feature. When enabled, the system checks the first word and string of chat text for the default language set in the agent’s settings. A translation popup will appear if the language detected differs from the agent’s default. After that, the chat will be translated into the customer’s language of choice. Note that the translation feature does not translate DTAC’s presence or presence status or chat history.
Automated responses
Chat SDKs allow developers to add chat functionality into apps that businesses of all sizes can use. They can help companies increase customer engagement, improve brand loyalty, and boost revenue. They can also provide a platform for sharing company news and information.
The most common chat application features include real-time messaging, activity feeds, and AI personalization. They can also offer scalability to ensure the app works well even as the user base grows.
Message broadcasting allows users to send the same message to several people at once without disclosing the other recipients. These feature benefits companies that wish to send out newsletters or promotional messages. Chat APIs can also provide a way to track user activity on the chat app, which is another way to improve user experience and increase customer engagement. Some chat platforms also feature live video calls for better collaboration. Other features are more specific to a business, such as the ability to create custom reply suggestions based on previous conversations.
Speech-to-text
A chat SDK provides software-building tools that allow developers to embed pre-made real-time messaging functionality into their apps and websites. This feature benefits companies that want to send out newsletters or promotional messages.
Adding chat to an app increases customer engagement and improves overall satisfaction. It is also helpful in addressing specific concerns, such as a lack of information or a problem with an order. Connecting customers with agents and other team members also helps reduce wait times and support costs.
Speech-to-text is a feature that converts verbal audio recordings into written text, allowing for quick and accurate transcription. When a user uses a mobile device or speaks a language other than the app, they may be unable to type, which can be extremely useful.
Many chat SDK & API providers offer multiple languages for users to communicate in and multi-platform support, ensuring their apps can be used across various devices. Additionally, they provide secure connectivity through industry-standard encryption protocols to keep user data safe from unauthorized access.
