Alternatives

Here are some of the alternatives to Meebo for embedded chat:


Snimmer-Has an embedded web chat feature. It is not linked to your previously existing IM accounts, which is handy if you don't have them, but it also means that if people choose to contact you through them, you will need to have another set of software running.
Also, you can only customize the colors of the embedded chat, and not the size. This is really only an issue because it takes up a lot of space on the page. It seems to be more "social" than "business".

Chatango-This is the other service libraries are using, according to libsucess.org, but those are fewer than those using Meebo. The only clever feature on this is that you can use it for groups, but it is mostly an either/or, so you would have to have a group chat and a private chat. Given the nature of reference interactions, the group chat is kind of pointless most of the time. It does have an add-on "message catcher", so if you are not "signed on," it will still receive messages. Like Snimmer, it is not tied to any other IM accounts. It also seems to be geared towards social networking more than a "business" setting.

Interaction-Is a strictly embedded chat software, which makes me worry about the ease of referrals, or having people sign in and out of the account easily. It doesn't seem like there is much going on with the product, as their forums are small and inactive, although they seem to be a fairly new company. Once again, like Snimmer and Chatango, it is not tied to any other IM accounts. They seem more "businesslike" than the other two, but the features are pretty limited unless you get the pay-to-play versions.


Aesthetically, all of these are ugly looking. There's no nice way to say it, but they don't have the same sheen that Meebo does. I know it should not matter, but I think it effects their "approachability." It also seems like there is a much stronger community around Meebo than any of these other products, which gives me the sense that there is some merit to it. I think that bodes well for its' longevity and support for it.