better_messages_video_call_button

info

WebSocket Version Guide

This functionality available only with WebSocket Version

Embed a video call button anywhere on your WordPress site that starts a one-on-one video call with a specified user. The shortcode works inside posts, pages, custom-built profile templates, page builders (Elementor / Bricks / Beaver), and any theme location that accepts shortcodes.

When to use it#

Scenario	Where you'd place the shortcode
Coaching / consulting profile pages	On the coach's listing page so prospects can start a call directly
Marketplace vendor profiles	On the vendor's storefront for buyer-to-seller live demo calls
Telemedicine / appointment booking	On the practitioner's profile after a booking is confirmed
Custom member directory cards	In the per-member card template to expose a "Call" CTA
Author bio boxes	Below blog posts for direct-to-author calls

Attributes#

Attribute	What it controls	Default
text	Button label text shown to the visitor	`"Video Call"`
user_id	The recipient — the user who will receive the call	Author of the current WordPress post or page
url_only	Set to `1` to return only the call URL (no button HTML). Useful for custom button styling.	`0`
target	HTML `target` attribute on the rendered anchor (e.g. `_blank` to open in a new tab)	None
class	Additional CSS class names on the button element for styling overrides	None

Examples#

Basic — call the post author#

[better_messages_video_call_button]

Renders a button with the default "Private Message" label. Clicking it starts a video call with the author of the current post or page. Best for blog author bio boxes and CPT detail pages.

Custom label and explicit recipient#

[better_messages_video_call_button text="Start Video Call" user_id="42"]

The button label reads "Start Video Call" and connects to the user with ID 42 regardless of the current post author. Useful when the button lives outside a post context (sidebar, custom page).

URL only — for custom-styled button#

<a class="my-custom-btn" href="[better_messages_video_call_button user_id="42" url_only="1"]">
  Talk to support live
</a>

Returns just the URL string. Wrap it in your own anchor element and apply any custom styling. The URL handles all the call-launching logic — clicking it opens the live video call in the Better Messages widget.

Themed class for design integration#

[better_messages_video_call_button text="Video Call" class="btn-primary btn-lg"]

Adds extra CSS classes to the rendered button — pair with Bootstrap / Tailwind / your theme's own button styles for consistent design.

Frequently asked questions#

Does the button work for users who aren't logged in?#

Guests can see the button, but clicking it will redirect them to log in (or to your guest-chat flow, if guest access is enabled for video calls). The actual call requires both parties to have a session.

What happens if the recipient is offline?#

The recipient sees a missed-call system message in the conversation when they next open the thread. Better Messages doesn't queue ringing for offline users.

Will this work with the free version?#

No — video calls require the WebSocket version. The shortcode will still render the button, but clicking it shows a notice that the feature requires upgrading.

Can I make the button appear only for specific user roles?#

The shortcode doesn't have role gating built in. Use a wrapping conditional in your theme or a shortcode-permission plugin if you need that. Alternatively, use the per-role call restrictions in Settings → Calls to control who can place calls at the global level.