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Better Messages for HivePress: Listings, Bookings, and Vendor Chat

The HivePress integration for Better Messages adds Send Message buttons on every listing item in archive lists, every listing page, every booking list and booking page (HivePress Bookings add-on), and every vendor list and vendor page. Vendor avatars and shop-profile links use HivePress data throughout. If you are using HivePress's own Messages add-on, deactivate it after installing Better Messages to avoid a double-messenger conflict. Works on both the free and WebSocket versions.

REQUIREMENTS

To install the plugin ensure that your website running:

  • WordPress 5.9 or newer
  • PHP 7.4 or newer

Video demonstration#

Installation#

How to install HivePress#

Download HivePress from official website and install following standard WordPress installation process

How to install Better Messages with HivePress#

  1. Install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly or upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/bp-better-messages directory.
  2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in WordPress
  3. Use the Better Messages -> Settings menu to configure the plugin
  4. Go to Settings → Integrations → Directories, find the HivePress section and turn on Listing Message Button. The Messages Menu Item toggle beside it adds a Messages link with an unread counter to the HivePress account dropdown. Settings

Supported features#

When you install HivePress plugin with Better Messages, the Better Messages plugin doing the same as native HivePress Messages plugin, but providing much more features and functionality.

Adds Send Message button to the HivePress listing item in HivePress lists#

Listing item

Adds Send Message button to the HivePress listing page#

Listing page

Adds Send Message button to the HivePress booking lists and booking page#

Booking list Booking page

Adds Send Message button to the HivePress vendors lists and vendors page#

Vendor list Vendor page

Frequently asked questions#

Does it work with HivePress Bookings?#

Yes — Send Message buttons appear on both booking lists and individual booking pages.

Does it work with HivePress Marketplace?#

Yes — vendor pages get the Send Message button, listing pages get it, and conversations show the listing's image / title / price inside the thread context card.

Can listings be messaged anonymously?#

Optional — enable Guest Chat in Better Messages → Settings → General → Guest Chat.

Will it work with custom HivePress themes?#

Most HivePress themes use the standard template hooks, so the buttons auto-render. For heavily customized themes, place buttons manually via shortcode.

Should I deactivate HivePress Messages?#

Yes if you want a single messenger experience — running both side by side leads to confusing UX.

See also#