What Purpose Does a Chat Room Serve?

[Forces of Steel]

Inspired by a recent thread about this very subject.

As the title says, what are the benefits of adding a chat room to your blog or forum?

Personally, I'd argue that they only work for certain communities that are willing to use both your Web site and its chat feature. A lot of then-popular Web sites no longer have active chat rooms, although the discussions are still active.

My opinion of a successful chat room is no less than five chat regulars who usually idle when they're not able to communicate. The discussions should also go beyond mere greetings, which can instantly kill the whole conversation. As the operator or co-operator of your chat room, it's your job to be as active as possible. Describe what you're about to listen to or watch, link a few amusing articles, and be spontaneous with how you type. Expand from there.

 

[RH-Calvin]

Chat rooms are beneficial to websites or forums with huge traffic. It helps to communicate between between members directly.

 

[Joshua Farrell]

I understand Chatrooms being used with certain types of websites, like webhosts, and software communities, but in general, you are either going to have the chat kill the forum, or kill bandwidth because of the need of the software to do constant checks for fresh content.

 

[Reverse Flash]

I used to just link to a Chatzy room on my forum (which doesn't kill any bandwith)

 

[Forces of Steel]

I understand Chatrooms being used with certain types of websites, like webhosts, and software communities, but in general, you are either going to have the chat kill the forum, or kill bandwidth because of the need of the software to do constant checks for fresh content.

Not my experience. It's more that the IRC is killed before it's even given a chance to breathe new life. I've given my members many ways to access our chat room, but very few really bothered even joining. I mostly use it to directly talk to one of my staff members and a regular member who comes on every other day.

 

[Sapett]

Personally, I am against chat boxes on most websites. Forums in particular don't seem to benefit from them in my opinion. I've found they are distracting and take away from quality discussion and communication through the boards. Chat boxes don't encourage posting, so activity in that regard is sure to decline. If members want to communicate with one another directly, they can do so through PM or off the forum through Skype or another IM client. Otherwise I would prefer for members to communicate through standard topics and replies.

 

[cpvr]

Nothin at all, just gives owners/staff members a lot more work to do. If you want to have a successful online community, then don't worry about implementing a chat box.

 

[Cierra]

Nothing at all, just gives owners/staff members a lot more work to do. If you want to have a successful online community, then don't worry about implementing a chat box.

I think they work well but only once you already have an established community. Chat boxes can be low maintenance in my opinion if you manage them right and have a solid staff team.

 

[Varlot]

I like chat rooms. Chit chat that aren't suitable for any forum can strengthen a community, and make people actually get friends within the community.

 

[pandaa]

I think they work well but only once you already have an established community. Chat boxes can be low maintenance in my opinion if you manage them right and have a solid staff team.

I completely agree with this. Even then, you need a certain kind of community for a chat box to work. Some communities just aren't that social, and other communities would rather spend all day chatting on the shoutbox, rather than post on the forum. It's a tough balancing act trying to maintain both of them, and if you can do it, hats off to you!

 

[marcbryant301]

the purpose is to meet new people

 

[Deleted member 25872]

Chat rooms can be low maintenance in my opinion if you manage them right! You need to focus on getting a sustained amount of traffic before considering a chat box! 🙂

 

[MasterA]

Chat rooms will helps members interact and build friendships but at the same time, it would also decrease the amount of posts on the forum because people will chat on there and be less lively to make posts.