Using Ferndesk with other chat platforms

Ferndesk's self-serve widget can work alongside your existing chat platform. When visitors click the contact button in your Ferndesk widget, they'll see your Intercom, Crisp, or Help Scout chat instead of a basic email form.

This gives you the best of both worlds: automated help articles to help your customers self-serve, and your full-featured chat platform when someone needs to talk to your team.

How it works

• You'll install both widgets on your site. Ferndesk for self-service help, and your chat platform for live conversations.

• Configure Ferndesk to hand off to your chat platform when visitors click the contact button

• Your chat platform's widget stays hidden until someone needs it, so visitors see Ferndesk first and only escalate to chat when they can't find their answer.

Supported platforms

• Intercom: Opens the Intercom Messenger when visitors contact you

• Crisp: Opens Crisp Live Chat for real-time conversations

• Help Scout: Opens the Help Scout Beacon for support requests

• Pylon: Opens the Pylon chat widget for customer conversations

• Zendesk: Opens the Zendesk Web Widget for support tickets

• Plain: Opens the Plain chat widget for customer support

Setup overview

For each platform, you'll need to:

1. Install your chat platform's widget on your site

2. Install the platform SDK; Ferndesk will manage the launcher's visibility

3. Test the handoff to make sure both widgets work together

Next steps

Choose your platform to see step-by-step setup instructions:

• Setting up Crisp with Ferndesk

• Setting up Help Scout with Ferndesk

• Setting up Intercom with Ferndesk

• Setting up Pylon with Ferndesk

• Setting up Zendesk with Ferndesk

• Setting up Plain with Ferndesk