top 5 Support Plugins for WooCommerce + A full Comparison
Offering excellent customer support is crucial for any successful eCommerce store. For WooCommerce store owners, having the right support plugins can dramatically enhance the shopping experience, build trust, and increase customer loyalty. Support plugins can help manage inquiries, offer live chat, integrate ticketing systems, and even provide comprehensive documentation. In this article, we’ll explore five of the top support plugins for WooCommerce and provide a detailed comparison to help you choose the best option for your store.
1. WooCommerce Support Ticket System by ThemeNcode
The WooCommerce Support Ticket System is designed to create and manage support tickets directly within WooCommerce, making it easy for store owners to keep track of customer inquiries.
Key Features:
- Seamless ticket creation and management within WooCommerce.
- Customers can create tickets from their My Account page.
- Ticket attachments and customizable statuses.
- Email notifications for ticket updates.
PROS
- Fully integrates with WooCommerce.
- Easy for customers to submit and track support requests.
- Customizable ticket management workflow.
CONS
- Limited integration with third-party support tools.
- Advanced features may require some technical knowledge.
Pricing:
$59/year.
2. WP Live Chat Support
WP Live Chat Support is a user-friendly and robust live chat plugin that allows WooCommerce store owners to connect with their customers in real time. This plugin is ideal for improving customer engagement and resolving queries quickly.
Key Features:
- Real-time chat functionality with customizable chat boxes.
- Offline message option when live chat isn’t available.
- Chat history saved for future reference.
- Option to initiate chats proactively with site visitors.
PROS
- Quick and easy to set up with no technical knowledge needed.
- Customizable chatbox for brand consistency.
- Free version with solid features for small stores.
CONS
- Advanced features, such as analytics and integrations, require premium upgrades.
- Limited chatbot capabilities compared to more advanced solutions.
Pricing:
Free with a premium version starting at $39/year.
3. Awesome Support
Awesome Support is a feature-rich support ticketing plugin designed to provide customer support for WooCommerce stores. It includes a variety of advanced features, making it ideal for stores with high support demands.
Key Features:
- Complete ticketing system with priority management.
- Ticket automation rules and canned responses.
- Integration with WooCommerce products for ticket context.
- Extensive set of add-ons for enhanced functionality.
PROS
- Highly customizable with multiple add-ons available.
- Great for stores that need a full-featured ticketing system.
- Well-documented and offers extensive customer support.
CONS
- Requires a premium plan to access the most useful features.
- Complex setup for first-time users.
Pricing:
Free version available, premium add-ons start at $99/year.
4. Help Scout
Help Scout offers a WooCommerce integration that brings external help desk capabilities to your store. It is great for eCommerce businesses that want to provide a seamless customer support experience with email-based ticketing.
Key Features:
- Integrates WooCommerce order data into Help Scout conversations.
- Simple and powerful email-based customer support.
- Customer profiles with complete support history.
- Advanced reporting and customer satisfaction surveys.
PROS
- Streamlined interface for managing customer tickets.
- Robust features for managing customer interactions.
- Great for stores focused on email support.
CONS
- Pricing model based on per-user fees can be costly for larger teams.
- May be overkill for smaller stores.
Pricing:
Starts at $20/user per month.
5. Zendesk Support for WooCommerce
Zendesk Support offers a comprehensive help desk solution with an integration tailored for WooCommerce stores. This plugin brings Zendesk’s customer service capabilities directly to your eCommerce platform, allowing for effective ticket management.
Key Features:
- Synchronizes WooCommerce order data with Zendesk tickets.
- Multichannel support including email, chat, and social media.
- Customizable ticketing workflows and automated responses.
- Advanced analytics for tracking customer service metrics.
PROS
- Highly scalable and suitable for large WooCommerce stores.
- Integrates with other Zendesk products for a complete support suite.
- Strong multichannel support capabilities.
CONS
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Complexity may require a learning curve for new users.
Pricing:
Starts at $19/user per month.
Comparison Table
| Plugin | Price (Annual) | Support Type | Ticketing System | Live Chat | WooCommerce Integration | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Support Ticket System | $59/year | Ticketing | Yes | No | High | Medium | Direct WooCommerce ticket management |
| WP Live Chat Support | Free/$39/year | Live Chat | No | Yes | Moderate | High | Real-time chat support |
| Awesome Support | Free/$99/year+ | Ticketing | Yes | No | High | Medium-High | Full-featured ticketing system |
| Help Scout | $20/user/month | Email-Based Support | Yes | No | Moderate | High | Email-based support with customer profiles |
| Zendesk Support | $19/user/month | Multi-channel | Yes | Yes | High | Medium | Comprehensive help desk solution |
Conclusion
Choosing the right support plugin for your WooCommerce store depends on your specific needs and the type of support you want to offer. For a straightforward and easy-to-use ticketing system, WooCommerce Support Ticket System or Awesome Support are great choices. WP Live Chat Support provides excellent real-time customer engagement through live chat. If your business heavily relies on email-based communication, Help Scout offers a robust solution with deep customer insights. For larger stores needing multichannel support, Zendesk Support brings the power of a comprehensive help desk.
No matter which plugin you choose, providing effective and timely customer support can significantly improve customer satisfaction and drive repeat sales. Consider your store size, support goals, and budget to find the plugin that best aligns with your WooCommerce store’s needs.
