Retrieving E-Mail Addresses from visitors
I have asked this question before, but I have a very persistent client.
Is there a script that will retrieve a visitor's e-mail address and store it somewhere so my client can "follow-up" with the visitor? Not a mailing program. Just need the e-mail address so they can write to them to the effect of: Glad you stopped by and is there any further info you need....yadda yadda....
Guestbooks don't work. This is a company site that sells sheet metal fabricated parts and visitors just won't sign guestbooks. I've checked with the host (Earthlink), and while we get reports, the reports are too vague and they can't accommodate this request.
Any help at all is appreciated. Thanks.
mjames posted this at 21:52 — 13th August 2001.
They have: 2,064 posts
Joined: Dec 1999
You mean a script that steals your visitor's e-mail addresses so you can get in contact with them? That would be a breach of privacy and is dishonest. Tell your client that's not a feasible request.
Cactus posted this at 22:41 — 13th August 2001.
They have: 54 posts
Joined: Mar 2000
Yeah, I know...I wouldn't like that done to me either...but I have to see if it is possible. I've gone into sites who e-mailed me and I never filled out anything. So has my client, unfortunately, so they know it can be done.
mairving posted this at 23:39 — 13th August 2001.
They have: 2,256 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
It can't really be done. The only way possible for them to do it is a guess. I suppose that if you named your computer bob and your ip resolved to domain.com (this would be in the referrer logs), then they could send out an email to [email protected] and maybe email you. Of course, if you are smart your computer name is something like Xs7l15CckYAC or something meaningless like that. Beyond that there is no possible way to obtain an email address.
Even if you could figure out a way to do it, it would be unsolicited email (ie spam) and you would turn off more people than you would attract. Plus some ISP's might even block your email, if it was reported that you were spamming people.
Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states
Cactus posted this at 20:15 — 16th August 2001.
They have: 54 posts
Joined: Mar 2000
Well...I told my client I didn't know how to do it nor would I do it if I knew how to do it. I don't want to be known as the web designer who does unethical sites. I also convinced them that they wouldn't want to be known in their industry as doing an unethical practice and that it would hurt their business in the long run.
I can understand how this client feels. They see a bunch of visitors looking at their site on the server reports and wonder who they all are with no way of ever finding out.
What still puzzles me is how I can go into a site I've never been in before on a particular topic, and then all of a sudden I receive several e-mails relating to the same topic. I never filled out a form or gave my e-mail. Any ideas?
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