Spam It

While the UK is waiting for the introduction of new data protection rules regarding online marketing campaigns, the problem of Spam is growing rapidly for businesses in the North East

(PRWEB) December 25, 2004 -- While the UK is waiting for the introduction of new data protection rules regarding online marketing campaigns, the problem of Spam is growing rapidly for businesses in the North East.

According to a recent survey conducted by e-mail filtering company Brightmail Inc, Spam accounted for over 50% of all Internet e-mail in July this year.

In less than two years, Spam messages have increased from 8% of all e-mail traffic to more than half.

Norma Foster, general manager of n-e-life.com says: these figures reflect the feedback we are getting from businesses in the region that are complaining about a dramatic increase in Spam.

"It is causing them a real headache by reducing the time individuals have to spend on their work. It is also ruining the chances for companies conducting responsible, well-targeted campaigns, which offer real benefits to businesses."

n-e-life.com runs regular e-marketing campaigns to promote its online tendering service n-e-opportunities.com.

Norma Foster says: whilst we await the introduction of new data protection rules aimed at reducing Spam, responsible companies have already begun the communication process with customers to ensure they are happy to continue receiving information.

"But there must be a balance. While we welcome these new rules, there needs to be an education programme so that individuals understand that if they 'opt in to receive emails, they can easily 'opt out at anytime. Otherwise, they might just decide to opt out of everything and miss real business opportunities."
    
The problem with these new rules, she says, is that they wont stop the irresponsible and often unsolicited emails.

For Spammers, it's easy to make a profit. They can send out millions of e-mail message every day for virtually the same cost as sending out just one, so if they only get a few replies, it is still compelling for them."

The problem of Spam is particularly pronounced for smaller businesses that tend not to have email filtering software.

She says: typically, those that have the least time, the small business owners, are the ones suffering most."

Yet the increasing maturity of UK Internet users is expected to lead to an e-commerce boom in the next few years, with 57% of UK consumers already online, and 43% having Internet access at home.

She says: within a few years, the vast majority of Internet users in the North East will be transacting online, and the increased adoption of broadband will boost sophisticated online use.

"Yet if new data protection rules take a blanket approach to Spam, it could result in us not being able to contact potential users of n-e-opportunities.com, meaning North East businesses will lose out."

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