A Better Website Chat Greeting in 12 Words or Less

'Welcome! How may I assist you today?' is polite, but it says almost nothing.

The idea

The best greeting names the decision a visitor is making. Keep it brief enough to read on a small screen. A good greeting also avoids pretending an automated assistant is a person. Write a few versions tied to actual visitor needs, then choose one that invites a clear response.

Put it into practice

1. Start with the visitor's likely task: compare, book, ask, or find.
2. Offer one concrete next step instead of a paragraph about your brand.
3. Read it aloud and cut words that do not change the meaning.

What this looks like

For a local bakery: 'Need a custom cake? Tell us the date.' For a consultant: 'What decision are you trying to make?' Both lead somewhere specific.

What to measure

Look at first-reply rate and whether the replies contain enough context to be useful.