The chat widget is the visible part of a chatbot or AI assistant on a website: a bubble in a corner that opens a conversation window. Visitors write without changing pages, and the conversation continues as they browse.
How it is installed
In most cases, a short code snippet is added to the website once; the bubble then appears on every page. Some tools also offer a dedicated page that can be linked from an email, a signature or a QR code in a shop window.
What can be configured
- Appearance. Colours, position, avatar, assistant name
- Welcome. A welcome message and a few suggested questions in the visitor’s language
- Trigger. Automatic opening after a delay or on certain pages, once per visitor, without being persistent
- Consent. The visitor’s agreement before anything is remembered between conversations, and a link to the privacy policy
Good practices
A widget must not get in the way of reading: on mobile, it stays discreet and closes easily. It should load after the page content to limit its effect on speed. It remains usable with a keyboard and readable by screen readers. Since 2 August 2026, Article 50 of the European AI Act has required people to be informed clearly, no later than the first interaction, that they are interacting with AI, unless this is obvious; an explicit assistant name and a notice visible as soon as the window opens meet this requirement.
Widget or dedicated page?
The widget suits visitors who are browsing and ask a question along the way. A dedicated page suits direct use: a link sent to tenants, a QR code in a building lobby, an address to remember. Many organizations use both, with the same assistant.
The KernChat assistant can be installed on a website with one line of code or remain accessible on a dedicated page; setup is carried out with the organization (see how it works).