=== SSF Chat Connect - Click to Chat Button & Product Enquiries ===
Contributors: ssfllc
Tags: chat button, click to chat, contact button, customer support, whatsapp
Requires at least: 6.4
Tested up to: 7.1
Requires PHP: 8.1
Stable tag: 0.1.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Add a customisable WhatsApp contact button with prepared page messages. Advanced product enquiries require the separate Pro add-on.

== Description ==

SSF Chat Connect gives visitors a clear way to open a conversation with your WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business number. Choose a label, colour and placement, then add a prepared message containing the current page title and link.

The Free plugin is a complete single-contact button. It starts disabled, and no business phone number is bundled. Add and test a number you control before enabling it.

= Included in Free =

* One WhatsApp destination number.
* Floating contact button and an inline [ssf_chat_connect] shortcode.
* Custom label, colour, and bottom-left or bottom-right placement.
* Prepared messages with {site_name}, {page_title}, and {page_url} placeholders.
* Mobile, desktop or both-device visibility.
* Number validation, local preview and a destination test link.
* Keyboard-accessible links, reduced-motion support and local assets.

The separate SSF Chat Connect Pro add-on provides advanced product enquiries and department selection. These paid tools are not included in this Free download. Learn about Smart Solutions Framework at https://ssfllc.com/.

= How conversations work =

The visitor clicks a contact link, opens WhatsApp, reviews the prepared message and sends it there. Your business replies in its normal WhatsApp account. This plugin does not operate a shared inbox, transfer ongoing conversations, send automatic WhatsApp messages, or provide AI replies.

= Privacy and external services =

Free stores plugin settings in your WordPress database. It does not collect visitor messages, create visitor tracking cookies, send analytics, or load remote scripts or fonts.

When a visitor clicks a contact link, their browser opens https://wa.me/ and passes your configured destination number and prepared message to WhatsApp. The message may include the public page title and canonical permalink generated by WordPress. Required public routing arguments for plain permalinks (such as ?p=123 or ?product=tractor) are preserved. Visitor campaign/private query parameters and fragments are excluded. Do not place personal or confidential data in the message template.

The service is provided by WhatsApp/Meta. Review its terms at https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/terms-of-service and privacy policy at https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy. WhatsApp or Meta may process data when a visitor uses that service. A click does not prove that a message was sent, delivered or read.

SSF Chat Connect is independently developed by Smart Solutions Framework and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WhatsApp or Meta. No third-party brand logos are bundled.

== Installation ==

1. Upload the ssf-chat-connect folder to /wp-content/plugins/, or install the ZIP through Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
2. Activate SSF Chat Connect.
3. Open Settings > SSF Chat Connect.
4. Add your international WhatsApp number, including the country code and without a local leading zero.
5. Choose your label, message, colour, position and device visibility.
6. Use the test link to check the destination. Enable the button and save.
7. Optionally add [ssf_chat_connect] in a Shortcode block for an inline button.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Is a paid WhatsApp API account required? =

No. This Free plugin uses a normal WhatsApp contact link. Ordinary WhatsApp service terms and your connectivity costs still apply.

= Can a visitor edit the prepared message? =

Yes. WhatsApp opens with a prepared message; the visitor can review and edit it before pressing Send.

= Can I show multiple departments? =

Free uses one destination number. Department selection belongs to the separate Pro add-on.

= Do the Free plugin title and description mean product enquiry forms are included? =

No. Free can include the current page title and link. Structured product enquiry forms, advanced product details and department selection require the separate Pro add-on.

= Can I add a button inside a page? =

Yes. Use [ssf_chat_connect], or [ssf_chat_connect label="Ask a question"]. The shortcode uses the same saved number and message as the floating button, and follows the same enabled/device settings.

= Why does a preview URL not include my visitor's query string? =

Messages use public permalinks generated by WordPress. Required routing arguments for plain permalinks are retained, while visitor query parameters and fragments are omitted to reduce accidental sharing of personal or campaign data.

= What happens when I deactivate or uninstall? =

Deactivation keeps your settings. Deleting the Free plugin through WordPress removes only its own Free settings. The Free uninstaller does not erase Pro records.

== Changelog ==

= 0.1.0 =
* Initial release with single-number contact button, prepared messages, shortcode and local settings preview.

== Upgrade Notice ==

= 0.1.0 =
Initial release. Add and test your own number before enabling the button.

