Support Board adds a simple live chat system to your Active eCommerce website. It allows guests and logged-in customers to start a support conversation directly from the storefront using a floating chat widget. Store admins and staff can manage incoming conversations from a dedicated admin Support Board panel.
The add-on includes visitor chat, staff replies, unread message indicators, conversation claiming, conversation closing, and email notification when a new support chat is started. It is designed to help store owners respond faster to customer questions without needing an external chat service.
Key Features
Floating frontend live chat widget
Works for both guests and logged-in customers
Customer name auto-filled for logged-in users
Admin/staff Support Board inbox
Staff can claim conversations automatically when opened
Reply to visitors from the admin panel
Unread conversation counter in admin sidebar
Waiting / claimed conversation status
Close conversations without deleting chat history
Visitor transcript remains visible after closing
Automatic first-response support bot message
Email notification to admin for new conversations
Permission-based admin access using manage_support_board
Uses Laravel routes, controllers, models, Blade views, and database tables
No third-party chat subscription required
Technical Details
Add-on name: Support Board
Identifier: support_board
Minimum Active eCommerce version: 10.8.0
Adds database tables:
support_conversations
support_messages
Adds admin permission:
manage_support_board
Frontend chat uses AJAX polling
Admin thread/list refreshes automatically by polling
Includes mail template for new support chat alerts
Short Description
Support Board is a lightweight live chat add-on for Active eCommerce CMS that lets customers contact store support from a floating frontend chat widget while admins manage conversations from a dedicated backend support inbox.
One note: this is not WebSocket-based “instant” chat; it uses polling every few seconds, which is simpler to install and does not require a separate realtime server.
