Surface Kit – The All in One Engagement Platform. Sticky Headers, Floating Buttons, AI Chatbot, Popups vs AI Chatbot Free Models – Customer Support, Live Chat, Virtual Assistant

AI Chatbot Free Models empowers you to integrate a cutting-edge AI chatbot into your WordPress website! It is a multi-provider solution: connect directly to OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), DeepSeek, Groq, xAI (Grok), Together AI, Mistral, Perplexity, or OpenRouter (over 500 models with a single API key), and you can even point it to any custom OpenAI-compatible API endpoint. Choose from a wide array of both free and premium models to perfectly match your needs and budget. Unlike many other plugins, all management and customization happen entirely within your WordPress backend, no need to visit external sites for configuration. The only account required is to obtain your API key. Looking for a platform-independent version? This chatbot is also available as a standalone version for use in non-WordPress websites (HTML, PHP, etc.). Get it on GitHub Use Cases Here are several practical ways to use Chatbot AI Free Models on your WordPress website: 24/7 Customer Support Provide instant answers to visitors at any time, improving engagement and reducing support workload. Lead Generation Assistant Qualify visitors and collect contact information through conversational interaction. Product Recommendation Bot Help users find suitable products or services using natural language queries. Content Navigation Helper Guide users to the right blog posts, categories, or pages based on their questions. Automated Live Chat for Immediate Engagement Deploy an automated assistant that mimics a live chat operator. It can greet visitors, answer initial questions, and guide them, ensuring every user feels supported. Knowledge Base Access Offer a conversational interface to your FAQ, help articles, or documentation. Idea Generation for Writers and Bloggers Suggest article topics, headlines, or summaries directly within your website. Multilingual Support Serve users in multiple languages by selecting models with multilingual capabilities. Chatbot-Powered Helpdesk Turn your chatbot into a powerful first-line helpdesk. It provides instant, automated support 24/7 and captures visitor details with an optional pre-chat form. Free AI Integration Use free models from OpenRouter or other supported providers without additional costs or complex setup. Configuration – Setting up your AI Chatbot Get an API Key from one of the supported providers (OpenAI, OpenRouter, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, Groq, xAI, Together AI, Mistral, or Perplexity) from its official website. Enter your API Key in the “Settings” tab and select the matching provider. Choose an AI Model. On OpenRouter, free models have the suffix “:free” at the end of their name. Other providers list their free or low-cost models directly. Provide context about your website in the “Information for responses” field. Customize the chatbot’s appearance in the “Style” and “Images” tabs. Click “Save settings”. Remember to refresh your website (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R) after saving, otherwise the changes may not be displayed correctly due to caching. Message and IP Saving You can enable or disable the saving of chat messages and user IP addresses in the “Messages” tab of the settings page. Message saving is disabled by default for privacy reasons. If enabled, all chat messages and IP addresses will be stored securely within the plugin’s dedicated database. Using a dedicated database offers several advantages: Simplified Management: All chatbot-related data is contained in a single location, making it easier to manage and maintain. Reduced Impact: Storing data separately minimizes the impact on your website’s core database performance. Important: If you choose to enable message and IP saving, you MUST update your website’s privacy policy to reflect this data collection practice and inform your users accordingly. You are responsible for complying with all applicable privacy laws. Enabling “Powered by NewCodeByte” Enabling “Powered by NewCodeByte” helps me support the development of this free plugin. If you enjoy Chatbot AI Free Models, please consider enabling it! If you’d prefer not to display the “Powered by NewCodeByte” link, you can support me with a donation on Buy Me a Coffee via Buy Me a Coffee. All donations are greatly appreciated and will help me continue to improve and maintain this plugin. External Services Chatbot AI Free Models allows you to connect your site to AI services via one of the supported providers (OpenAI, OpenRouter, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, Groq, xAI, Together AI, Mistral, Perplexity, or any custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint). You need your own API key and must comply with the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy of each provider you use. The plugin developer is not responsible for any issues or damages resulting from the use of the plugin or AI-generated content. Make sure your usage complies with the laws of your country. All data stays on your server, it’s your responsibility to keep it secure. OpenRouter Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: Terms of Service: https://openrouter.ai/terms Privacy Policy: https://openrouter.ai/privacy Donate link You can support the development of Chatbot AI Free Models by making a donation via https://www.buymeacoffee.com/codebytewp. License and Usage Chatbot AI Free Models is provided free of charge for both personal and commercial use. You are allowed to distribute the plugin in its original, unmodified form. This plugin is created and maintained by NewCodeByte. Author NewCodeByte Disclaimer and Legal Information This plugin is provided “as is” and without any warranty, express or implied. NewCodeByte is not liable for any damages or losses arising from its use. While this plugin is provided free of charge for personal or commercial use, the “Powered by NewCodeByte” link helps support its development. This plugin is licensed under the GPLv2 (or later) license, and you are free to use, modify, and distribute it according to the terms of that license. You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of this plugin complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Privacy This plugin handles user data in the following ways: Chat Messages – Messages are stored only when explicitly enabled by the site administrator – Messages are stored in a dedicated, secure database – Messages can be exported or deleted through the admin interface – No message content is shared with third parties except OpenRouter for processing User Data Collection – IP addresses (when message saving is enabled) – Chat message content – No personal identification information is collected – No cookies are used by the plugin itself Data Retention – Messages and IPs are stored until manually deleted by the administrator – No automatic data deletion is performed – Administrators can delete all stored data at any time GDPR Compliance – Users should be informed about data collection – Site administrators must update their privacy policy – Data export and deletion tools are provided – Clear process for handling data subject requests Contact If you need support: https://newcodebyte.altervista.org

Surface Kit is the unified engagement platform for WordPress. Instead of installing separate plugins for sticky headers, floating buttons, popup builders, and AI chat activate only the features you need from one centralized dashboard. Designed for marketers, agencies, and site owners who want to increase conversions without plugin bloat, Surface Kit combines the most-requested engagement features into a lightweight, high-performance toolkit. Why Surface Kit Stands Out Most engagement plugins make you choose. You want a sticky header? Install one plugin. You want floating buttons? Install another. You want an AI chatbot? That’s a third plugin plus monthly API costs. Surface Kit eliminates that friction. One plugin. One dashboard. One place to activate, customize, and analyze visitor engagement. Compare what Surface Kit replaces: * Traditional sticky header plugins (free/paid variants) * Floating action button builders * Notification and popup platforms * Separate AI chatbot services * Analytics from multiple tools Surface Kit bundles all of this functionality into a single installation with unified analytics. AI Chatbot – Your 24/7 Sales and Support Machine Multi-model AI support means you’re never locked into one provider. Seamlessly switch between OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, and Google Gemini or use multiple models for different purposes. Key Features: * Select your preferred AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini) * Secure API proxy routes requests through WordPress to protect API keys * Customizable system instructions and brand voice * Smart trigger controls: auto-open on scroll, exit-intent, or manual * Conversation history persistence across sessions * Built-in conversation logging and analytics * Mobile-responsive chat widget with custom styling * Page-level visibility rules for precise targeting * Rate limiting and cost controls The chatbot learns from your site context. Provide documentation, FAQs, or custom knowledge the AI delivers responses grounded in your actual content. Sticky Navigation – Keep Navigation Accessible Sticky headers improve UX and reduce bounce. Surface Kit’s implementation is universal: works with any theme (Elementor, Divi, Genesis, custom themes), any page builder, and any WordPress setup. Features: * Automatic sticky activation when users scroll past original position * Scroll-aware fade-in and smooth animations * Optional bottom border and drop shadow styling * Scroll progress indicator bar (optional) * Device-specific visibility (show/hide on mobile, tablet, desktop) * Page-level rules: apply sticky to all pages, selected pages, or exclude specific pages * Minimal CSS/JS footprint protects Core Web Vitals * Real-time visual preview in the admin dashboard No CSS selectors required. Point-and-click setup works with any navbar structure. Floating Action Buttons – Direct Communication Channels 11+ button types keep visitors connected to your most important channels. Configure up to 3 active buttons displayed together, or use the orbital hub mode for expandable menus. Supported Actions: * Click-to-Chat (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter) * Click-to-Call phone integration * Email shortcuts * Scroll-to-top with progress indicator * Custom URL buttons * Messenger/SMS workflows * Social media links Features: * Multi-button orbital hub with custom ordering * Trigger-based display (scroll depth, time delay, exit-intent) * Device targeting and scheduling windows * Page-level include/exclude rules * Custom styling: colors, icons, animations, sizing * Analytics: track opens, clicks, and conversions per button * Pre-filled messages for click-to-chat * Responsive design for all screen sizes Smart Popups – Exit-Intent, Targeted Offers, Lead Capture Display high-converting offers exactly when visitors are ready to act or about to leave. Features: * Exit-intent detection (trigger when cursor moves toward browser exit) * Display triggers: immediate, scroll-based (%, distance), time-delayed * Smart scheduling: set display windows (date ranges, specific times) * Cookie-based frequency control (show once per session, daily, weekly) * Page-level targeting: include/exclude specific pages and post types * Device-specific display rules * Custom form builder for lead capture * Pre-built templates for discounts, lead magnets, announcements Built-in Analytics Dashboard All engagement metrics in one place. No external tools required. Metrics Tracked: * AI Chatbot: message count, conversation duration, resolution rate * Floating Buttons: click-through rate, channel breakdown, conversion source * Popups: impressions, click-through rate, form submissions, conversion rate * Sticky Navigation: scroll depth, interaction patterns * Time ranges: 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, all-time * Device breakdown: desktop, tablet, mobile * Detailed event logs: timestamps, user actions, conversion sources Performance & Security Built for speed and privacy. Lightweight asset delivery: minimal CSS/JS adds <50KB to page weight Lazy loading: engage code only loads when feature is triggered Core Web Vitals optimized: no impact on LCP, INP, or CLS API key security: keys proxied through WordPress backend, never exposed to browser Local storage: all analytics and settings stored in your WordPress database GDPR-friendly: conversation history and analytics remain fully private No external data requests unless explicitly configured Cross-Theme & Builder Compatibility Works with every WordPress theme and page builder. Tested with: * Elementor (Pro & Free) * Divi * GeneratePress * Astra * OceanWP * Beaver Builder * WPBakery * Gutenberg (Block Editor) * Custom themes What’s Included in Free vs Pro Free Version: * Sticky navigation * 1 floating button (limited channels) * Basic popup builder * Keyword-based chatbot (no AI) * 90-day analytics retention * Essential support Pro Features (Premium): * Unlimited floating buttons * Multi-model AI chatbot (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini) * Conversation history and RAG context * Unlimited analytics retention * Page-level visibility rules for all features * Custom CSS injection * Priority support Real-World Use Cases E-commerce stores: AI chatbot answers product questions, sticky checkout button increases conversions, exit-intent discount popup recovers abandoned carts. SaaS applications: Sticky navigation keeps features accessible, floating chat button reduces support tickets, popups promote feature adoption. Marketing agencies: One dashboard controls engagement for multiple client sites, unified analytics proves ROI to stakeholders. Service businesses: Click-to-call buttons convert visitors, AI chatbot qualifies leads 24/7, sticky booking button is always visible. Content sites & blogs: Exit-intent email capture grows your list, sticky navigation improves content discovery, floating button links to your best-performing content. External Services & API Dependencies Surface Kit integrates with third-party AI services only when you enable the chatbot and provide your own API keys. No data is sent to external servers without explicit configuration. OpenAI API (optional, for chatbot) * Endpoint: https://api.openai.com/v1/chat/completions * Data sent: model selection, system instructions, conversation messages, API key * When: only when enabled and chatbot messages are sent * Terms: https://openai.com/policies/terms-of-use * Privacy: https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy Anthropic Messages API (optional, for chatbot) * Endpoint: https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages * Data sent: model selection, system instructions, conversation messages, API key * When: only when enabled and chatbot messages are sent * Terms: https://www.anthropic.com/legal/commercial-terms * Privacy: https://www.anthropic.com/legal/privacy Google Gemini API (optional, for chatbot) * Endpoint: https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models * Data sent: model selection, system instructions, conversation messages, API key * When: only when enabled and chatbot messages are sent * Terms: https://developers.google.com/terms * Privacy: https://policies.google.com/privacy No requests are made to these services unless the chatbot is explicitly enabled and configured. Privacy & Data Collection To provide proper support and ensure plugin compatibility, Surface Kit may collect limited technical data when you choose to “Verify” your installation or provide feedback during deactivation. This process is optional and helps us improve the user experience. Data we may collect includes: Contact Information: Admin email address for support-related correspondence. Site Identity: Site URL and environment details to troubleshoot compatibility issues. Direct Interactions: Feedback, survey responses, and error reports provided during plugin usage or deactivation. Technical Logs: User agent, PHP/WordPress versions, and installation timestamps to identify bugs and performance bottlenecks. We do not track individual user behavior or share this data with third parties for marketing purposes. Support & Documentation For detailed documentation, setup guides, and troubleshooting, visit: https://getsurfacekit.com/docs Need help? Open a support ticket: https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/surface-kit/ Contributors Special thanks to the WordPress community for feedback and testing. License Surface Kit is released under the GPLv2 or later. See license.txt in the plugin folder or https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html for details.