---
title: "Getting Started with Customer Chat"
description: "Chat with your customers in real time—no add-ons required. Handle support, send announcements, and share resources instantly."
url: https://help.clearcrm.com/en/articles/11502575-getting-started-with-customer-chat
collection: "Customer Chat"
updated: 2026-09-23
language: en
---

# Getting Started with Customer Chat

Chat with your customers in real time—no add-ons required. Handle support, send announcements, and share resources instantly.

The Customer Chat feature in ClearCRM lets you talk to your customers in real-time, with no extra costs or integrations.

## Step 1: Open Customer Chat

From the left-hand navigation menu:

-   Expand **Service**
    
-   Click on **Customer Chat**
    

You’ll also see the number of online customers directly on the menu item itself.

## Step 2: Explore the Chat Interface

The chat screen includes three tabs:

-   **Team**
    
-   **Groups**
    
-   **Customers**
    

For this section, focus on the **Customers** tab. This shows a list of all the customer organizations you're working with.

-   Click the company name to expand their contacts.
    
-   Click on a contact to start chatting.
    

Your chat history is preserved across sessions, allowing for continuous and contextual support.

## Step 3: Search and Filter

Use the **search bar** to quickly find any customer or contact—ideal when managing multiple conversations at once.

## Step 4: Make Announcements

To send an update to multiple customers:

-   Click **Create Event**
    
-   Choose **Announcement**
    
-   Select the relevant customer contacts
    
-   Type your message and send it out
    

## Step 5: Mention Invoices (or Other Records)

While chatting with a customer:

-   Click **Create Event**
    
-   Select **Quick Mention**
    
-   Choose **Invoice** (or another record type)
    
-   Pick the specific item to mention
    

This will insert a **clickable link** to the invoice directly in the chat, making it easy for the customer to access without navigating the CRM.