When completing an online survey the customer and respondent's privacy is our top priority and ultimate concern. There are various reasons for taking a tough stance on spam, but the most pressing is the global nature of the problem, not just the inconvenience caused, but also its associated costs such as lost time and the purchase and implementation of spam protection software. The United States of America has developed laws to protect consumers from spam. The main strategy there is to have business include an Opt-out feature at the bottom of their company emails. While it was well intentioned this strategy hasn’t been entirely successful in curbing the problem.

Recently the European Union selected an Opt-in strategy after intense pressure from lobbying groups. This approach forces companies to only send you an email if you first agree to receive them. In essence this is intended to make the issue of opting out less needed.

Consider some of the following problems caused by spam…

• According to European research 95% of email is being blocked due to spam concerns

• 90% of US email is unsolicited and is an incredible burden on Internet networks (Source: Computing services and Software Association)

• 10% of all blocked mail is pornographic in nature

• 22,000 people throughout Europe signed an online petition calling for unsolicited email to be prohibited

• 68% of US users surveyed finds unsolicited email problematic

• Two-thirds of US Internet users support legislation against unsolicited email

• Unsolicited email costs UK businesses £5,000,000,000 a year (Source: Novel)

• Unsolicited email is already banned in the Netherlands and Germany

Major corporations have been found guilty of spamming under various International laws. It would be nice to say that these convictions have served to completely stop spam from infiltrating your inbox, but you know from experience it hasn’t.

You can help your business and your customers by learning how to protect their privacy and your integrity. It is important that you protect your business and stay informed of the latest developments.

From a business point of view it is beneficial to send email only to those who are motivated to consider what you have to offer. It costs money and goodwill to bother individuals who do not want or care for your offerings. A self-developed business list comprised of those eager to receive your email is always a better strategy than offering to take their name off a list only after you’ve annoyed them.

We may be able to help you develop solid strategies that retain customers, attract new ones and leaves visitors with a positive hassle-free experience.

Make sure your service provider don't turn your service initiative into a embarrassing situation.