Step 1: Set Up Your WordPress Website

Before adding a chat room, you need a WordPress website up and running.

1. Choose a Domain Name and Hosting

Pick a domain name (e.g., mychatroom.com) and a reliable web host.  Virtual hosting is a managed service, which means it is fully supported by team and has ready-to-use features, allowing you to quickly start developing your website. One-click installer, convenient control panel, automatic WordPress updates, installed plugins, and marketing tools.

2. Install WordPress

Once you’ve signed up for hosting, use the one-click installer to set up WordPress.

Step 2: Choose a Suitable Theme

You can install a theme via Appearance > Themes > Add New in the WordPress dashboard.

Step 3: Install a Chat Room Plugin

WordPress doesn’t include chat room functionality by default, but plugins make it simple to add.

Here are a few popular chat room plugins:

Wise Chat

CometChat

Simple Ajax Chat

  • Easy to set up
  • Offers real-time messaging
  • Lightweight and simple
  • Supports private and public chats

  • Voice and video chat options

  • Great for basic chat rooms
  • Customizable UI

  • Requires an account with CometChat

  • Requires no login for users

To install a plugin:

  1. Go to Plugins > Add New

  2. Search for your preferred chat plugin

  3. Click Install Now and then Activate

Step 4: Configure Your Chat Room

After activating the plugin, follow the setup instructions in the plugin’s settings panel. Customize:

  • Chat appearance

  • Who can chat (registered users vs. guests)

  • Chat room names and channels

  • Notification sounds and timestamps

Depending on the plugin, you might be able to embed the chat room using a shortcode on a page like yourwebsite.com/chat.

Step 5: Add the Chat Room to Your Site

  1. Create a new page (Pages > Add New).

  2. Add a title (e.g., “Chat Room”).

  3. Paste the chat plugin’s shortcode (usually provided in the plugin settings).

  4. Publish the page.

You can then add this page to your site’s menu under Appearance > Menus.