Ok, so common sense says that to avoid our email inbox being ravaged by spam bots, a readable/clickable link (which opens up the users email so as they can send an email right away) is to be avoided at all costs.

So instead I should create an image with our email addresss on it, so as the evil spam bots cannot read/attack the clickable email link.

......

Is this rude?

I have provided my email address without allowing the user to actually use it. Is this frustrating/annoying for users to have to copy & paste/remember/write down the email address? How many people will leave my site unsatified at being able to contact us? (I realise I have listed other means, but the companies we deal with pretty much rely on email).

What do you guys think? What are your opinions?

I put a contact form on my sites.

I use the image variation all the time myself. I look at it a little differently. If users can't take the time to write down an email address, then they are too lazy for me to work for J/K of course. But to be honest, most people don't care if they can copy and paste, and to be even more honest, a very high percentage of internet and computer users don't even "know how" to copy and paste, so writing down the email address works just fine. Those that do know how, they figure it out pretty quickly and write it down so it's all good.

As for clickable email addresses, I hate them myself, and I always write them down or copy and paste them if possible. I don't like things like that opening software for me. Just my preference of course.

I use a contact form, but for good measure, the message that pops up saying thank you for submitting your form, I add to this please add (my email address) to your email contacts list, as unlike clicking on an automatic link, i dont think it automatically insures my reply wont go to their spam folder, especially if your reply might include a link to a product in your shop or similar.

Added spam deterrent, add a number to your email address, ie my contact form emails all now are 2enquire@domainname.com

Or :: assistance4you@........................com