Implementing Per-Page Chatwoot Widget Configurations In WordPress For Multilingual Sites

by StackCamp Team 89 views

Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to display different chat widgets on various pages of your WordPress site, especially when dealing with multiple languages? It can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, we've got you covered! This article will walk you through the best practices for implementing per-page Chatwoot widget configurations in a multilingual WordPress environment. We'll focus on dynamically setting the website_token, locale, and user information from cookies on a page-by-page basis. Let’s dive in and make your Chatwoot widgets shine on every page!

Understanding the Challenge

The main challenge here is making sure each page on your site has its own unique Chatwoot widget configuration. Imagine you have a WordPress website serving content in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, each on a separate page. You’ll want each page to have its own chat widget that connects to a different inbox, speaks the right language, and securely identifies users. This means dealing with different website_token values, locales, and user data for each page. Let’s break down the specific requirements and how to tackle them.

Key Requirements for Per-Page Widget Configuration

  1. Individual Inboxes: Each page needs to connect to a different inbox. This is crucial for keeping conversations organized and relevant. You'll need to initialize the Chatwoot script with a unique website_token for each page.
  2. Language-Specific Interface: The widget's language (locale) should match the page's language. For example, pt_BR for Portuguese, es for Spanish, and en for English. This ensures a seamless user experience for your visitors.
  3. Secure Identity Verification: Using HMAC for secure identification is essential. This involves generating and passing the identifier_hash to the widget for each logged-in user, ensuring their data is protected.
  4. Pre-fill User Data from Cookies (No Pre-Chat Form): Nobody likes filling out forms, right? We want to disable the pre-chat form and automatically identify users by reading their information (name, email, phone) from cookies. Your website likely saves this data after a user fills out an initial contact form, so we’ll leverage that.

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s how you can implement per-page Chatwoot widget configurations in your WordPress site. We'll cover loading the base script, reading browser cookies, setting user identity, and setting the correct locale for each page. Ready? Let's go!

1. Loading the Base Chatwoot Script Dynamically

The first step is to load the Chatwoot script on your pages. But not just any script – we need to load it dynamically so we can configure it based on the page. This means adding the script to your WordPress theme's footer (or header, if you prefer) and making sure it only initializes once the page is fully loaded. Here’s a basic example of how you can do this:

function loadChatwootWidget(websiteToken, locale) {
  window.chatwootSettings = {
    locale: locale, // Set the locale dynamically
  };

  (function(d,t) {
    var BASE_URL="https://app.chatwoot.com";
    var g=d.createElement(t),s=d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0];
    g.src=BASE_URL+"/packs/js/sdk.js";
    g.defer = true;
    g.async = true;
    s.parentNode.insertBefore(g,s);
    g.onload=function() {
      window.chatwootSDK.run({
        websiteToken: websiteToken, // Use the dynamically passed websiteToken
        baseUrl: BASE_URL
      })
    }
  })(document,"script");
}

// Example usage (you'll need to get these values dynamically in your WordPress theme)
var websiteToken = 'YOUR_WEBSITE_TOKEN'; // Replace with your actual website token
var locale = 'en'; // Replace with the appropriate locale
loadChatwootWidget(websiteToken, locale);

In this snippet, we define a function loadChatwootWidget that takes the websiteToken and locale as arguments. This allows us to pass different values depending on the page. We also set the locale in the window.chatwootSettings object, which is crucial for the widget’s language.

Key Improvements:

  • Dynamic Configuration: The function loadChatwootWidget accepts websiteToken and locale as parameters, allowing for dynamic configuration based on the page.
  • window.chatwootSettings: Setting the locale in window.chatwootSettings ensures the widget’s language matches the page.
  • Clear Example Usage: The example at the end shows how to call the function with placeholders for the actual values, making it easier to understand.

2. Reading Browser Cookies

Next up, we need to read user data from browser cookies. This is how we'll pre-fill the user’s information in the Chatwoot widget without using a pre-chat form. JavaScript provides a simple way to access cookies using document.cookie. Here’s how you can read cookies and extract the necessary information:

function getCookie(name) {
  var value = "; " + document.cookie;
  var parts = value.split("; " + name + "=");
  if (parts.length === 2) return parts.pop().split(";").shift();
}

function getUserDataFromCookies() {
  var name = getCookie('user_name');
  var email = getCookie('user_email');
  var phone = getCookie('user_phone');

  return {
    name: name,
    email: email,
    phone: phone
  };
}

// Example usage
var userData = getUserDataFromCookies();
console.log(userData);

This code snippet defines two functions: getCookie and getUserDataFromCookies. The getCookie function retrieves a specific cookie by its name. The getUserDataFromCookies function then uses getCookie to extract the user's name, email, and phone number from the cookies named user_name, user_email, and user_phone, respectively. It returns an object containing this information.

Key Improvements:

  • getCookie Function: This helper function makes it easy to retrieve specific cookies by name.
  • getUserDataFromCookies Function: This function encapsulates the logic for extracting user data from cookies, making the code cleaner and more readable.
  • Clear Example Usage: The example usage demonstrates how to call the function and log the results, making it easier to understand how to use the code.

3. Setting User Identity with setUser()

Now that we can read user data from cookies, we need to set the user’s identity in the Chatwoot widget. We'll use the window.chatwootSDK.setUser() method for this. This method allows us to pre-fill user information, which is especially useful when you've disabled the pre-chat form. Here’s how to do it:

function setUserIdentity(userData) {
  if (window.chatwootSDK && userData.email) {
    window.chatwootSDK.setUser({
      name: userData.name || 'Guest',
      email: userData.email,
      phone_number: userData.phone
    });
  }
}

// Example usage
var userData = getUserDataFromCookies();
setUserIdentity(userData);

In this snippet, the setUserIdentity function checks if the window.chatwootSDK is available and if the user has an email. If both conditions are met, it calls window.chatwootSDK.setUser() with the user’s name (or 'Guest' if no name is available), email, and phone number. This ensures that the user is identified in the Chatwoot widget without needing to fill out a pre-chat form.

Key Improvements:

  • Availability Check: The function checks if window.chatwootSDK is available before attempting to use it, preventing errors if the SDK hasn't loaded yet.
  • Email Check: It also checks if the user has an email, as this is a crucial piece of information for identifying the user.
  • Fallback Name: If no name is available, it defaults to 'Guest', providing a fallback for anonymous users.
  • Clear Example Usage: The example usage shows how to call the function with the user data obtained from cookies, making it easy to understand how to use the code.

4. Setting the Correct Locale

Setting the correct locale is essential for displaying the Chatwoot widget in the user's language. We can dynamically set the locale when loading the Chatwoot script. Here’s how you can integrate the locale setting into your script:

function loadChatwootWidget(websiteToken, locale) {
  window.chatwootSettings = {
    locale: locale, // Set the locale dynamically
  };

  (function(d,t) {
    var BASE_URL="https://app.chatwoot.com";
    var g=d.createElement(t),s=d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0];
    g.src=BASE_URL+"/packs/js/sdk.js";
    g.defer = true;
    g.async = true;
    s.parentNode.insertBefore(g,s);
    g.onload=function() {
      window.chatwootSDK.run({
        websiteToken: websiteToken, // Use the dynamically passed websiteToken
        baseUrl: BASE_URL
      })
    }
  })(document,"script");
}

// Example usage (you'll need to get these values dynamically in your WordPress theme)
var websiteToken = 'YOUR_WEBSITE_TOKEN'; // Replace with your actual website token
var locale = 'en'; // Replace with the appropriate locale
loadChatwootWidget(websiteToken, locale);

As shown earlier, we set the locale in the window.chatwootSettings object. This ensures that the widget is displayed in the correct language. You'll need to dynamically determine the locale based on the page. In a WordPress environment, you might use the get_locale() function or check the URL structure to identify the language.

Key Improvements:

  • Dynamic Locale Setting: The loadChatwootWidget function now includes the locale parameter, allowing for dynamic locale configuration.
  • window.chatwootSettings: Setting the locale in window.chatwootSettings ensures the widget’s language matches the page.
  • Clear Integration: The example shows how the locale setting integrates with the script loading process, making it easier to implement.

5. Integrating with WordPress

Now comes the crucial part: integrating this JavaScript with your WordPress site. There are a few ways to do this, but the most common is to add the script to your theme’s footer.php file or use a custom JavaScript plugin. Here’s a general approach:

  1. Access your WordPress theme files: You can do this via FTP or through the WordPress admin panel (Appearance > Theme Editor).
  2. Locate the footer.php file: This file is usually located in your theme’s directory.
  3. Add the JavaScript code: Place the JavaScript code snippets we discussed earlier into the footer.php file, just before the </body> tag.
  4. Dynamically set websiteToken and locale: This is where you’ll need to use WordPress functions to get the correct websiteToken and locale for each page. For example, you might use conditional logic based on the current page URL or language settings.

Here’s a snippet illustrating how you might dynamically set the websiteToken and locale in your footer.php:

<script>
<?php
$current_url = home_url( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] );
$website_token = '';
$locale = 'en';

if (strpos($current_url, '/pagina-portugues') !== false) {
    $website_token = 'YOUR_PORTUGUESE_WEBSITE_TOKEN';
    $locale = 'pt_BR';
} elseif (strpos($current_url, '/pagina-espanhol') !== false) {
    $website_token = 'YOUR_SPANISH_WEBSITE_TOKEN';
    $locale = 'es';
} else {
    $website_token = 'YOUR_ENGLISH_WEBSITE_TOKEN';
}
?>

var websiteToken = '<?php echo $website_token; ?>';
var locale = '<?php echo $locale; ?>';
loadChatwootWidget(websiteToken, locale);

var userData = getUserDataFromCookies();
setUserIdentity(userData);
</script>

This PHP code snippet dynamically sets the websiteToken and locale based on the current URL. It checks if the URL contains /pagina-portugues or /pagina-espanhol and sets the appropriate values. If neither is found, it defaults to English. The JavaScript code then uses these values to load the Chatwoot widget and set the user identity.

Key Improvements:

  • Dynamic Value Setting: The PHP code dynamically sets the websiteToken and locale based on the current URL, allowing for per-page configuration.
  • Clear Conditional Logic: The use of if and elseif statements makes the logic clear and easy to follow.
  • WordPress Integration: The example shows how to integrate the JavaScript code with WordPress using PHP, making it practical for WordPress users.

Best Practices and Tips

Alright, you've got the basics down! But let’s talk about some best practices and tips to make sure your implementation is smooth and efficient.

  • Use a Child Theme: When modifying your theme files, always use a child theme. This prevents your changes from being overwritten when you update your main theme.
  • Optimize Cookie Handling: Make sure your cookie handling is secure and efficient. Avoid storing sensitive information in cookies and use proper encoding techniques.
  • Test Thoroughly: Test your Chatwoot widget on different pages and in different languages to ensure everything is working correctly.
  • Consider a Plugin: If you’re not comfortable editing theme files, consider using a custom JavaScript plugin. There are many plugins available that allow you to add JavaScript code to your WordPress site without directly modifying the theme files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best planning, you might run into some issues. Here are a few common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

  • Widget Not Loading: Check your websiteToken and make sure it’s correct. Also, ensure that the Chatwoot script is loading without any errors in the browser console.
  • Incorrect Locale: Double-check your locale settings and make sure they match the language of the page.
  • User Data Not Pre-filling: Verify that the cookies are being set correctly and that the getUserDataFromCookies function is retrieving the correct values.
  • JavaScript Errors: Check your browser console for any JavaScript errors. These errors can often provide clues about what’s going wrong.

Wrapping Up

Implementing per-page Chatwoot widget configurations in a multilingual WordPress environment might seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, it’s totally achievable. By dynamically setting the website_token, locale, and user information from cookies, you can create a seamless and personalized chat experience for your visitors. Remember to test your implementation thoroughly and follow best practices for a smooth rollout. You've got this! Happy chatting, guys!