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The Uncharted Island:

Contact Capabilities without the Concerns

For years, webmasters enjoyed leaving a live email link on their pages. It was a convenient way for visitors to have instant contact with site administration.

Unfortunately, spammers grew aware of their presence and the dreaded “spambot,” was born. These treacherous little devices initially combed web sites across the internet looking for live email links or addresses. Once found, the bot harvests the address and adds it to an ever-expanding list.

As technology developed, these bots could move past live email links. Now, they can detect any email address just typed on your web page, whether you offer a direct link or one that simply tells guests to email you there.

Webmasters need never fear! There are a host of methods for dealing with spambots and ensuring your addresses isn't picked up by any device.

1. The most common method of dealing with spambots is to deliberately mistype your email address. You can then provide your visitor with information on what to do to contact you.

Some examples are:

Email_me(@)mydomain.com (omit parenthesis)

Email_me-----@------mydomain.com (omit dashes)

<Email_me><@><mydomain.com> (omit brackets)

2. The most secure way to provide a visual email address is to create a graphic with the email address inside. It would appear something like:

3. If you are very uncomfortable with the idea of putting any email address on your web site, don't be disappointed. There are still many options for visitors to have instant contact with you.

Web companies such as Bravenet.com offer visitors countless options and much is completely free.

You can offer a guestbook, a message board or forum, a form response (Bravenet offers this feature) and much more.

Companies such as this are capable of offering professional services should you need them in the future.

Your communication options can range from such services as “Live Chat” where your visitors can instantly open a chat window with you, to the more traditional methods like message boards (a.k.a. Forums) and guestbooks.

With a little forethought, you can still have all the interactivity without the spam. There's no need to feel isolated with your domain. You can still contact visitors and interact with guests.

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