How to add an AI chatbot to WordPress
WordPress gives you three ways to add an AI chatbot. Pick the one that survives theme updates, keeps your site fast, and lets the bot learn from your pages.
The safest way to add an AI chatbot to WordPress is with the chatbot's plugin, or with a header-and-footer code plugin such as WPCode: paste the chatbot's script into the site-wide footer and save. Avoid editing footer.php directly, because theme updates overwrite it.
Option 1: The chatbot's own plugin
If your chatbot has a WordPress plugin, install it from Plugins → Add New, paste your agent ID, and it handles placement for you.
Option 2: A header and footer plugin (works everywhere)
Install a snippet plugin such as WPCode, add a new footer snippet, paste the chatbot script and activate it site-wide. This works with both classic and block themes and survives theme updates.
<script src="https://cdn.fini.ai/widget.js" data-agent="YOUR_AGENT_ID" async></script>Option 3: Edit the theme (not recommended)
Pasting into footer.php works, but a theme update will remove it. If you must, use a child theme.
WooCommerce tips
- Give the bot your shipping, returns and product pages.
- Connect orders so it can answer order-status questions.
- Hide the widget on checkout if it distracts buyers.
With Fini.ai
Fini's WordPress install is in early access. Paste your site URL and Fini reads it in about a minute, tests itself, and gives you one line to paste, or a plugin. Start with the free plan.
Questions
Is there a free AI chatbot plugin for WordPress?
Several chatbots offer free plans that work on WordPress. Fini.ai's free plan includes 250 AI replies a month, trained on your own site.
Will an AI chatbot slow down WordPress?
A widget that loads asynchronously adds very little. Test with PageSpeed Insights before and after.
Does it work with Elementor or block themes?
Yes. A site-wide footer script works with any builder or theme.
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