php contact form

Discussion in 'PHP' started by jbzcc, Oct 28, 2008.

  1. #1
    Hello
    i want to seek everyone's opinion on this.
    I see drawback of a contact form on a website as
    1 some type in wrong email address
    2 some just play around on the form typing letters and sending
    there may be other drawbacks too

    Hence is it still okay to have a contact form on a site?
     
    jbzcc, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  2. markowe

    markowe Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    26
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    #2
    There are more drawbacks - you get bots sending you spam.

    But I would say yes, you do need a way for customers/visitors to contact you - it makes your site more legitimate and trustworthy in my opinion.
     
    markowe, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  3. archanapatel

    archanapatel Peon

    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    I think it's good to have contact form.
    You can keep captcha for your contact form so bot can not do anything or no one like to play form which has captcha.
     
    archanapatel, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  4. markowe

    markowe Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    26
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    #4
    I have implemented a VERY simple custom captcha that filters just about ALL automated scripts - all you do is make a field like:

    Please enter the word 'blue' in this field: 
    Code (markup):
    It's that simple, no bot will ever figure that out - I did it on this page for example: http://www.itsgottabered.com/first-page-of-the-internet/ (see down at the bottom) - no bot postings in months.
     
    markowe, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  5. jbzcc

    jbzcc Peon

    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    sure i have other contact information like phone no and email address, i just wanted to know others opinion on having the form. Even with the captcha any one can still type A as name, or anything not useful on the form
     
    jbzcc, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  6. kp_mastermind

    kp_mastermind Active Member

    Messages:
    885
    Likes Received:
    17
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #6
    Form validators + any type of captcha will do for you (-:
    For more find form javascripts and PHP captcha script on google
     
    kp_mastermind, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  7. ads2help

    ads2help Peon

    Messages:
    2,142
    Likes Received:
    67
    Best Answers:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    No spam of course, if they don't want to spend time on it =D
    If the no-bot question is not changing, it will be even easier to break
     
    ads2help, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  8. MediaPlay

    MediaPlay Banned

    Messages:
    46
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    Add some simple javascript captcha + contact form validator ( message length, etc. ) :cool:
     
    MediaPlay, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  9. markowe

    markowe Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,136
    Likes Received:
    26
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    165
    #9
    Like I say, I have had this in place for around 6 months and not had a single bot posting. So I guess they don't want to spend time on it..! They will find it EASIER to circumvent a typical captcha because they have algorithms for the standard ones, whereas a "custom" one, even a dirt-simple one, they don't have a solution for.
     
    markowe, Oct 29, 2008 IP