Having a chat running on your website is a great way to keep visitors entertained and engaged with your writing. You can offer chat in various locations and visitors can chat amongst themselves.

Geesee Chat – This is basically a chat client that is available to use with many different platforms including WordPress. It is very useful in keeping in touch with your readers and allowing them to talk with each other to discuss your writing.

WP Live Chat – This is a plugin that is basically an IRC engine. It allows users to chat over your website and supports many functions of the popular IRC chat engine.

Side Sparks Chat – This plugin allows you to communicate with your readers in real time. This makes it possible to do so with a self hosted WordPress installation.

Chat Catcher – This plugin allows you to post comments from social media services to your blog. It is a great tool to ensure that you get all of the praise for your blog as possible while moderating out the less flattering comments.

ooVoo Video Chat – This is a very nice chat application that makes it possible to have live video chats with other users. The great thing about it is that you can have up to 6 people connected via webcam and have focus groups or brainstorming sessions with readers!