Next.js 14 Integration with Intercom for Enhanced Customer Engagement

Intercom is a powerful tool for businesses needing efficient customer communication. Integrating it into your Next.js 14 project can enhance customer interactions and improve satisfaction.

Prerequisites

An existing Next.js 14 project.
Active Intercom account.
Access to your Intercom app ID.

Step-by-Step Integration Guide

You’ll create a dedicated component for Intercom and integrate it into your layout. This will allow Intercom to load correctly throughout your project.

Step 1: Create IntercomClientComponent

Go to your components folder.
Create a file called IntercomClientComponent.tsx.
Add this TypeScript code:

1// src/components/IntercomClientComponent.tsx
2
3'use client';
4import { useEffect } from "react";
5
6
7const IntercomClientComponent: React.FC = () => {
8  useEffect(() => {
9    window.intercomSettings = {
10      api_base: "https://api-iam.intercom.io",
11      app_id: "{YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID}" // Replace with your actual Intercom app ID.
12    };
13
14
15    if (window.Intercom) {
16      window.Intercom('reattach_activator');
17      window.Intercom('update', window.intercomSettings);
18    } else {
19      const script = document.createElement('script');
20      script.src = 'https://widget.intercom.io/widget/{YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID}';
21      script.async = true;
22      document.body.appendChild(script);
23    }
24  }, []);
25
26  return null;
27};
28
29export default IntercomClientComponent;
30
31

Replace {YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID} with your Intercom app ID.

Step 2: Integrate into RootLayout

Open your layout file (e.g., layout.tsx).
Import the IntercomClientComponent.
Add the Intercom script to ensure it loads after the page content.

1// src/layouts/RootLayout.tsx
2
3import React from "react";
4import Script from "next/script";
5import IntercomClientComponent from "@/components/IntercomClientComponent";
6
7const RootLayout = ({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) => (
8    <html lang="en">
9    <body>
10    <main>
11        {children}
12    </main>
13    <Script
14        strategy="afterInteractive"
15        id="intercom-settings"
16        dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
17            __html: `
18            window.intercomSettings = {
19              api_base: "https://api-iam.intercom.io",
20              app_id: "{YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID}"
21            };
22          `,
23        }}
24    />
25    <IntercomClientComponent />
26    </body>
27    </html>
28);
29
30export default RootLayout;
31
32
33

Dynamic Integration of Intercom in Next.js 14

Pass user data to personalize customer interactions.

Update IntercomClientComponent to accept user props:

1// src/components/IntercomClientComponent.tsx
2
3interface IntercomClientComponentProps {
4    userId?: string;
5    userEmail?: string;
6}
7
8const IntercomClientComponent: React.FC<IntercomClientComponentProps> = ({ userId, userEmail }) => {
9    useEffect(() => {
10        const settings = {
11            api_base: "https://api-iam.intercom.io",
12            app_id: "{YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID}",
13            user_id: userId,
14            email: userEmail,
15        };
16
17        window.intercomSettings = settings;
18
19        if (window.Intercom) {
20            window.Intercom('reattach_activator');
21            window.Intercom('update', settings);
22        } else {
23            const script = document.createElement('script');
24            script.src = 'https://widget.intercom.io/widget/{YOUR_INTERCOM_APP_ID}';
25            script.async = true;
26            document.body.appendChild(script);
27        }
28    }, [userId, userEmail]);
29
30    return null;
31};
32
33export default IntercomClientComponent;

Pass user data from RootLayout:

<IntercomClientComponent
userId={user.id}
userEmail={user.email}

/>

Optimization Tips for Next.js 14 Script Management

Use Next.js Script component to manage script loading for better performance.
Set script loading to afterInteractive to prevent render-blocking issues.

Troubleshooting Common Integration Issues

Script Errors: Ensure scripts load after all necessary DOM elements to avoid errors.
User Data Not Updating: Confirm that props such as userId and userEmail are being correctly passed to the component.

Next Steps

Visit our GitHub repository to contribute or explore more examples for integrating Intercom with Next.js 14.
Stay updated with the latest improvements to both Intercom and Next.js for continuous enhancement of your customer engagement features.

How to Integrate Intercom in Your Next.js 14 Project

Step 1: Create IntercomClientComponent

Step 2: Integrate into RootLayout

Abraham Esandayinze Tanta

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