Installing a chatbot on WordPress should not require editing every page. The reliable method is to place one site-wide script in the footer, publish it once, and test the public website in a private browser window.
Before you start
You need administrator access to WordPress and the unique widget snippet from your Apex Chatbot dashboard. Never copy a tenant ID from a tutorial video: your snippet already contains the identifier for your business.
Step 1: prepare the chatbot first
Add your services, prices, opening hours, booking link, frequently asked questions, and topics that require a human answer. Test at least ten real customer questions in the dashboard before putting the widget in front of visitors.
Step 2: install a footer-script plugin
In WordPress, open Plugins, choose Add New, and install a reputable header-and-footer script plugin such as WPCode. Activate it, then open its Header and Footer area.
Using a plugin is usually safer than editing footer.php directly. A theme update can overwrite manual theme-file edits, while a site-wide snippet remains separate from the theme.
Step 3: paste the unique widget snippet
Copy the entire script from the Apex dashboard. Paste it into the Footer field, not into a visible text block or page editor. Save the change and confirm that the snippet is enabled.
Do not add API keys, passwords, or private credentials to WordPress. The public widget snippet is designed for the browser; secret keys are not.
Step 4: clear cache once
If the site uses a cache plugin, managed WordPress cache, or a CDN, clear it after saving. You should not need to keep clearing cache after every conversation. This is only to make the new script visible immediately.
Step 5: test the public site
Open an incognito or private window and visit the public homepage. Confirm that the launcher appears, opens correctly, fits on mobile, and answers from your business knowledge.
Ask one known question, one vague question, one question in another language, and one question outside the knowledge base. A good assistant answers the known facts, asks a useful clarification when needed, follows the visitor's latest language, and admits when a human should decide.
If the widget does not appear
Check these items in order:
- The snippet is enabled and saved in the global Footer field.
- You are testing the public site, not only the WordPress editor preview.
- Cache has been cleared once.
- An ad blocker or privacy extension is not hiding the widget.
- The current domain is allowed in the chatbot's domain settings.
The complete visual walkthrough is available in the Apex setup guides. You can also test the answer engine before signup in the live chatbot demo.