Frequently Asked Questions

We know you have questions, and we have answers!

TECHNICAL

How hard is Parla Connect to implement technically?

Parla Connect’s integration is literally one single line of code — we’ll totally understand if you don’t believe this, but in this case the cliché is actually true. We provide simple and specific instructions on where to copy and paste the code. And we’re always available to help.

You say it's only one line of code, but will my website crash?

The Parla Connect integration does not impact any other functions of your website and will not shut your site down or cause any downtime. Yes… Really.

Will Parla Connect impact the performance of my website in any way? Slow it down? Interfere with other plug-ins?

Nope. Your site will stay snappy, snazzy, and sparkly. Parla takes care of hosting and transmitting the live video so there’s no impact on your website’s performance.

What if I need help?

That would be unusual, but we are on call to help! Support@parlaretail.com

Does Parla track what’s happening on my website?

We track the number of clicks to the Parla Connect pop-up or button.

What data does Parla Connect capture?

The only data that Parla captures is the email or phone number and name of each customer who initiates a Parla Connect call. We do not share any of this data with third-parties.

What tracking and KPIs does Parla Connect provide?

We simply track the number of clicks and calls for Parla Connect. You can also upgrade to the full Parla product suite to gain access to more granular conversion rates, basket size, staff efficacy, customer reviews and much more. Contact us to learn more about upgrading to Parla.

What prerequisite integrations are required by Parla Connect?

None. Nada. Zero.

What is needed to onboard and get Parla Connect started?

Sign up, add a single line of code to your site, customize your pop up button, and start closing sales with Parla Connect!

Can I toggle our staff availability on and off? Can I pre-schedule on-demand availability — for example, set up Parla Connect availability the same as our retail hours?

Yes - you can adjust availability to (for example) only take video calls during certain hours, or if your staff is not available for a call at that time you can toggle instant access off. During these down times, you can allow users to schedule a video call to be delighted later.

What happens if we are not there and the customer does not get an answer?

The customer will be provided with the option to schedule a meeting. Parla Connect Basic allows you to schedule up to 5 meetings per month. If you would like more meetings, you can either top up your account or upgrade to Parla Connect Pro.

Can we turn Parla Connect on/off as needed?

Yes - there are two ways to ‘turn Parla Connect off’. One is to adjust availability in settings, and the other is to delete the single line of code from your website. Then you can instantly re-integrate Parla Connect any time by simply reinserting the same code!

What equipment do I need?

You can run the video calls from a laptop, desktop, or mobile device. No fancy equipment or acting lessons necessary!

COMMERCIAL

Will I see success with Parla Connect?

As long as you have sufficient web traffic, you will definitely see results! Typically we recommend sites with more than X,000 visitors per day. Current Parla clients see dramatically higher conversion rates and AOV, reduced return rates, and increased customer satisfaction.

How will Parla Connect affect my conversion rate?

Parla clients have seen their online conversion rates increase dramatically from the usual ecommerce 1-2% to north of 50%.

How will Parla Connect impact my AOV?

Clients see increased Average Order Value (AOV), resulting not only from more confident and informed purchase decisions on high-ticket items, but also from spontaneous product recommendations by smart salespeople based on their interaction with customers.

What staffing levels do I need to support Parla Connect?

We recommend allocating specific staff resources to be ready to answer Parla Connect calls as they come in. Staff from any part of your business can support this effort — in-store salespeople, call-center reps, or even folks working from home!

Which salesperson should be answering my Parla Connect video calls?

Whoever is the hungriest. Ask your staff who wants in, and then align your sales incentive structure to empower them to crush the Parla Connect opportunity.

What physical setup do we need for Parla Connect?

No specific ‘set’ or backdrop is required for video calls. If your staff are operating from your retail location, then we do not recommend a virtual background, as your store is already your strongest selling point. If you have staff answering from home or an office, you can upgrade to the full Parla version to add a branded virtual background.

What if there is no one available to answer?

You can toggle your settings to ‘unavailable’, and customers will be able to schedule a video call with your staff when they are available.

Who should monitor the video calls — call center staff, store staff, customer service?

All of the above are good options for monitoring and running the video calls with customers. It's important to make sure that at least one person is responsible for Parla Connect calls, and as your traffic builds, add people.

How do I make sure I am staffing Parla Connect correctly?

Think of it as having the same staff answering customer questions in-store, by phone, or by text/email. It should be someone who is knowledgeable about your brand story and products, and can provide excellent customer service with pizazz.

How do I balance my store staff’s time between Parla Connect and in-store customers?

In the same way that your staff balances answering the phone with in-store customers during busy periods, Parla Connect calls need to be balanced with other responsibilities. Remember that a Parla Connect call represents a customer who is already deep into the consideration cycle — not a rando question like “Are you next to the laundromat?” — and is therefore far more likely to convert than a phone call. So be sure to optimize staffing accordingly.

What is the average length of a Parla Connect call with a customer?

Just like in-person customer interactions, the length of time can vary. We typically see three types of customer interactions on Parla Connect:

  • Quick question: 1-2 minutes quick customer question that is clarifying a point or asking a quick question before completing a purchase.
  • Discussion: 2-10 minute customer discussion to overcome uncertainty or explore product options, similar to what would occur in the in-store environment.
  • Pre-scheduled appointments, which can be any length ranging from a full consultation to a quick question.
Do staff need training for a video call?

If they have ever done a Zoom meeting, Facetime call, or used any other video service to have a call, then… Nope! It’s super simple and anyone who is trained on your brand and products can easily Parla Connect, just as they use traditional phone calling.

Is holiday the right time to start this?

Not only is holiday the right time to start this, but our current clients would argue that you can’t afford to NOT have Parla Connect during the holiday season. Holiday is precisely the time that you will have higher than normal traffic, increased customer questions and this is the time you can’t afford to be losing sales.

Where does check out happen?

With Parla Connect, checkout happens on your website as normal. If you choose to upgrade to the full Parla experience, then your video will be shoppable in real-time and transactions can occur while you are on the video call.

Is my video ‘shoppable’?

ParlaConnect videos are not shoppable, but if you upgrade to Parla, then the videos are shoppable.

What are the keys to making this work for me?

Incentivize people, assign a dedicated staff, place the call-to-action in a prominent spot, and communicate to your customers that they can get help from a human being.

SUBSCRIPTION

Can I change my plan at any time?

Yes, simply upgrade or downgrade at any time.

Can I add minutes if I am on Parla Connect Solo?

Yes! Our philosophy is to never lose a sale! So we have made it easy for you to add additional minutes and pre-scheduled video appointments at any time by topping up your account.

Is there account support?

Of course! We are on a mission to dramatically improve your online shopping experience and we are here to support you!

How do I upgrade?

Simply visit here to upgrade your account at any time.

What benefits are there to upgrading?

Upgrading gives you access to more advanced features, including shoppable video calls, more granular tracking, and personalized account support.

VIDEO CALLS

What if the customer loses connection?

In case the customer loses connection, the call will automatically try to reconnect. They can also return to the conversation easily when they come back.

What if the customer refreshes the page?

If the customer refreshes the page, the call session will not be interrupted, and they can continue the interaction.

What if the customer moves to another tab/page/program/app?

If the customer switches to another tab or app, the video call will remain active, and they can return to the conversation when they’re ready.

What if the call drops?

If the call drops, the system will attempt to reconnect the call automatically. The customer can also refresh their browser and rejoin the call.