Hyperlinking Web Pages - E-Mail Links using mailto

Unlike normal hyperlinking, E-mail links are used for special purpose. E-Mail links are also know as "MailTo" links. This type of linking is mainly used when byclicking on the link should cause the user's computer to open its default mailing program with the specified address instead of linking to a new page. This can be done like this:

<A href="mailto:EmailAddress"> ... </A>

Example:

Mailto Link Example -- This links opens the default mailing program in your computer with the To Address admin@sitename.com

Code:

<a href="mailto:admin@sitename.com" link="red" alink="green"
 vlink="maroon"> Hyperlink Example </a>

Note: We can also specify the default subject that has to be mailed.

For example,
Mailto Link with Subject -- This link opens the default mailing program in your computer with To Address admin@sitename.com and subject defaulted to "Hello"

Code is here

<a href="mailto:admin@sitename.com?subject=Hello" link="green" alink="red" vlink="maroon">Mailto Link with Subject</a>

Note: This subject property is not supported by all browsers or email programs. Browsers/Email programs that doesn't support the subject will just ignore it.

Advanced Techniques for Mailto Links

Beyond the basics, we can enhance mailto links by pre-filling various fields such as CC, BCC, subject lines, and body content. This approach streamlines user interactions and ensures consistency in the emails received.

Pre-Filling Multiple Fields in Mailto Links

We can pre-fill multiple fields in an email to guide users effectively. Here's how:

<a href="mailto:admin@sitename.com?cc=support@sitename.com&bcc=manager@sitename.com&subject=Feedback&body=Dear%20Team,">Contact Support</a>

Contact Support

In this example:

cc: Adds a carbon copy recipient.
bcc: Adds a blind carbon copy recipient.
subject: Sets the email subject line.
body: Pre-fills the email body. Note that spaces are encoded as %20.

Best Practices for Using Mailto Links

To maximize the effectiveness of mailto links, consider the following best practices:

Obfuscate Email Addresses: To reduce spam, obfuscate email addresses using JavaScript or other methods to prevent bots from harvesting them.
Provide Alternative Contact Methods: Not all users have a default email client configured. Offering a contact form ensures all users can reach you.
Test Across Platforms: Ensure that mailto links function correctly across different browsers and email clients, as behavior can vary.
Use URL Encoding: Properly encode special characters in the subject and body to prevent issues. For example, a space should be encoded as %20.

Limitations and Considerations

While mailto links are convenient, they have limitations:

Spam Exposure: Visible email addresses can be harvested by spambots, leading to increased spam.
User Experience: Relying solely on mailto links may not provide the best user experience, especially for users without a configured email client.

Conclusion

Mailto links offer a straightforward method for users to contact you directly via email. By implementing advanced techniques and adhering to best practices, we can enhance user experience and maintain the functionality of our website.

HTML Form

E-Mail Links(MailTo)