Some conversations can't wait.

Moreover, you may not realize the value in some conversations until you have them. The live chat movement, made possible by live chat software, helps create new opportunities by initiating dialogue with website visitors. This can translate to in-the-moment sales or upsells and stronger client relationships, in addition to the speedy resolution of issues that previously took tedious amounts of time.

The rise of live chat goes hand in hand with that of social networking communities. Both are empowering businesses to engage with customers and prospects from anywhere, at any time. This enables the timeliest of interactions and a deeper level of customer service for brands across the globe, by letting customer voices be heard and problems be answered from the convenience of their keyboards, at the sites they were already browsing.

Now that we've all tasted the sweet nectar of instant communications, there's no going back to the time of "business hours" and on-hold muzak. Live chat - paired with the emergence of chatbots software, which further automates digital conversations - is fast becoming a standard feature of business websites, regardless of industry.

Don't just take our word for it. We've compiled some impressive statistics on the matter, which should serve as evidence of the space's mass appeal and forward trajectory.