Putting instant messaging on your web site has never been easy. The only way people could get any messaging on their web sites was to use IRC. The popular way to do it was to embed a channel such as with PJIRC. And later on there was the ability to create an IRC chat "widget" with Mibbit.

Both methods are so-so at best because they rely on IRC servers that periodically have netsplits, kicking you off your own channel. IRC for messaging is an imperfect solution at best.

These days however there are two super-easy ways to get IM direct on your site that is true IM and not IRC.

Yahoo! Messenger Pingbox

This creates a small widget-style box that you embed direct on your web site. It does not reveal your Yahoo ID (big plus). In your Yahoo! Messenger you will see a new "friend" category for the Pingbox you create.

Pingbox allows for any color customization you can think of, three different text sizes and emoticon support.

You use Pingbox just as you would with any other Yahoo! Messenger contact that’s on your contact list.

IMPORANT NOTE:

Pingbox will not work unless you specifically have Allow Yahoo! web sites to show when I am online checked in the messenger client.

To see if you have this enabled or not, launch Yahoo! Messenger, then click Messenger then Privacy.

You should have the "allow" box checked, like this:

If you don’t, check the box, then close and restart Yahoo! Messenger. Pingbox will start to work after you do that.

Meebo Me Widget

Meebo is known as one of the best in-browser instant messengers there is. Something else that it offers is the ability to create custom IM chat widgets for your web site.

To create a widget, login to your Meebo account (if you don’t have one it’s free to register), click preferences then meebo me widgets, like this:

From there you create your widget.

Like Yahoo! Messenger Pingbox, you can configure it to say any name you want and not reveal your Meebo username.

Meebo Me widgets are not as fanciful as Pingbox, but definitely get the job done.

In addition, if you want a way to chat without having a Meebo session open in the browser, just use Meebo Notifier. This will put a small icon (in Windows) in your taskbar. Whenever you receive a message you’ll get a toaster pop-up where you can click and reply.

Why would this be useful?

Here’s a few examples:

• For a gamer that runs a guild that wants an easy way for people to contact you without revealing your IM screen name.
• For a small biz owner that wants a free solution for direct-IM contact with customers that looks nice and works.
• For anyone that wants a universal solution for IM that doesn’t require anyone to use any specific IM service.

I’m sure you can think of a few more, but you get the idea. Having easy ways for people to IM you without the need for specific clients/services is good to have.

Web-based instant messaging is something some people swear by while others (like me) still prefer the client.

Meebo, one of the better multi-service web-based IMs, now has a Windows app called Meebo Notifier that can run the service without having the browser running, sort of.

I say "sort of" because while it is a legitimate app that takes care of authentication, gives toaster pop-ups for new instant messages and so on, it still has to launch the browser when you want to actually chat. Even though that’s true, some of you out there may like this.

Meebo Notifier is small and installs itself as a small taskbar icon. It’s distinctive because it’s orange (but still looks decent, not to worry). When you have messages waiting/incoming or other events, the icon changes to an orange ring and flashes politely for a few seconds (i.e. slowly), then stays as the O until you clear notifications or double-click the icon to see the messages.

One of the best part is that you don’t have to use a Meebo account.

Here’s the login screen for the app:

I can choose just one IM service if I want instead of the Meebo account (which launches all IM accounts you have configured). In fact you don’t even need a Meebo account to try it – and that’s cool.

When logged in successfully you get a toaster pop-up:

Note the orange Meebo icon.

Above, when you get a message, the icon turns into an orange ring and a pop-up appears for a few seconds (or until you close it).

Above, right-clicking the icon gives you the option to clear notifications, set preferences, exit and so on.

Above, when you close the browser, you get this notice. Meebo is still logged in even with the browser closed.

Said honestly this is really good.

My biggest complaint? No sound options. It would be really nice if there were a small WAV you could choose when notifications come in. Other than that it’s tough to complain about.

Try it out, you may like it.