Providing an email address on your website may seem like a good way to provide customers with a way to contact you. However, including an exposed email address on your website can open up numerous security risks.
Today, we’re going to look at some of the reasons why you should avoid including email addresses on your website and the other options available to you.
Email Spam and Phishing Attacks
One of the most common security issues with including an exposed email address on a website is that it can lead to increased spam and phishing attacks.
Cybercriminals can collect these email addresses and use them for malicious purposes, such as sending out phishing emails or other forms of targeted attacks. This could mean that your business’s information and data are at risk, which could have serious repercussions for your business.
Data Privacy
Another issue with providing an exposed email address is that it could be used to access private data or sensitive information stored in the associated account. If hackers gain access to this account, they could use this data to exploit or target your business or its customers, leading to significant reputational damage.
It’s important to keep in mind that many businesses are now legally bound by GDPR regulations when it comes to protecting customer data, so taking steps to protect against these kinds of attacks is essential for staying compliant with these rules.
Reduced Visibility
Finally, one more issue with exposing an email address is that it might reduce visibility for your website in search engine rankings.
Search engines use algorithms that recognise exposed emails as spammy content and will penalize websites accordingly by lowering their search rankings. This means fewer potential customers will be able to find you online, resulting in lost sales opportunities and reduced traffic overall.
Ways for Clients to Connect with You
1. Contact Form
So now that we are not including email address on your site, the main way in which your visitors to your site can get in touch with you is through a Contact Us form. You can customise this form to capture the data required however at a minimum, I would include full name, email address, phone, business name and a message.
The more information you try to collect, the less likely someone is to contact you!
2. Clickable Number
The second way is by adding a phone number for visitors to be able to call you. And ensure that it is a clickable number if they are viewing your website via mobile device so they easily click to call.
3. Calendar Booking Tools
The last way I am providing is through a booking system. There are free and paid versions such as Calendly, Book Like a Boss, Acuity Scheduling or even Zoom.
Once set up, these easily and automatically allow potential leads to select a day and time that suits their schedule.
With the above in mind, there are several reasons why you should not include an exposed email address on your website. Doing so could result in increased spam and phishing attacks, data privacy issues, and reduced visibility in search engine rankings—all of which can have a major negative impact on your business’s bottom line.
Instead, consider using a contact form or other methods as mentioned above for visitors to contact you without exposing any sensitive information about yourself or your business online.
Taking proactive steps like this can help keep both you and your customers safe from cyber threats while still allowing visitors to easily get in touch with you when needed.
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Jo
