Problem with Mail link smartrphone

[larry45]

On my contact page on website, a prospective client pointed out something.

My mail to link.. which works great on desktop... Click and a new email come up in Apple Mail (or whatever client), and ready to go.

But on smartphone, (in my case iphone), I see a hidden at bottom, (beyond pathetic), "Open this link in external app? mailto joe@joephoto.com"

This is just pathetic. Is this how email links work for smartphones or is there something I can do to replicate the "normal" way it works on desktops/ laptops, thanks.

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

Actually it's a lot worse than you realize.  MAILTO links are useless unless your device has an e-mail client like Outlook installed on it.  Most people stopped using e-mail software ages ago when they switched to browser-based Gmail and Yahoo mail.

To protect yourself and ensure a good user experience for everyone, you need a secure contact form that safely sends form data from your server to your e-mail.   Ask your hosting provider which scripts you can use on your server. 

Forn services like Wufoo.com are another option.  Form data is collected and processed on their servers, not yours.

[larry45]

Thanks Nancy, well the page is a form page. I have a beautiful form. But I put a "loose" email on the top of the form, for those who might want to just send a quick inquiry without filling the form.

So bottom line, and I never knew this, is that on smartphone, loose emails, or independent emails links do not bring up a new email in their email client, as it would on a desktop/ laptop?

I could get rid of the loose email, but for some reason, I feel it's a nice option for those who prefer that. Though, if not on dektop/ laptop, but smartphone then could get confused.. so one could argue just force everyone to use the form?

[Nancy OShea]

Posting an e-mail address online is irresponsible.  It does nothing but promote spam and puts you and your server at risk.  Spammers like to use other people's e-mail address in the header of their spam campaigns. When your server gets hit with 4,000 bounced e-mails per minute, it doesn't matter that you didn't initiate them.  Your site can be blacklisted or worse, shut down for spamming abuse.  Best advice, DO NOT post your e-mail address online.

[BenPleysier]

Adding weight to Nancy's answer, have a look at https://michoninternational.com/michon-news/never-use-a-href-mailto-or-html-mailto-on-a-website/

[larry45]

Thanks Nancy/ Ben. Ok will get rid of it. So no one will miss it?  It's been there as a courtesy. Actually when I'm online with company, I prefer seeing a quik email to a tiring form.

I think I have my email on a few dozen sites, LInkene etc, and I put it there when web was new and gentle and nice. Not such a nice place anymore?

[larry45]

PS Nancy, I do see folks / companies/ who list email on without a live link. Is that Kosher?

[Nancy OShea]

Frankly, I think that's their cross to bear.  I can't recommend posting a real e-mail address online.  But I have some clients who insist so I use an unlinked image.  It's not web friendly but it will suffice as robots can't read images.  

I  have no e-mail software installed on any device including workstations.  The contact form is my only way to reach a site owner.

[larry45]

So even if they are are not linked, no good? Just jpeg?