Find The Perfect Online Dating Site
Although online dating was once considered an option only for those too weird for the ‘real world,’ in recent years it has become not only acceptable, but often it is the preferred dating method. After all, we live in a digital society. Using the web allows us to extend our search for the perfect mate far beyond the popular offline strategies of yesterday.
In the offline world, it is difficult to know where to turn to find someone who might interest you. Is the local pub better than a night club? Are you more likely to meet someone at church rather than through a sports or hobby club?
In the online environment, we have similar questions. But, by far, the most common question is:
“What is the best dating site?”
Obviously, if there was only one “best” for everybody, we would only need one site. The fact that there are hundreds to select just proves that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to dating sites.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the more popular sites to help you decide which one fits you best:
Cost: $35/month (lower priced plans available for long-term commitments)
Pros:
- Extensive advertising has made it well-known;
- Available to people in many countries;
- Easy to search profiles and photos.
Cons:
- Because Match.com is part of a company that owns numerous online companies, your email is shared with all of them, which means you’ll receive a lot of SPAM.
- Only paying members have the ability to send emails, which means there are thousands of profiles of members who can’t respond if you try to contact them.
- Profiles remain in the system for many years – long after the member no longer uses it.
- To take advantage of the lower price options, you have to commit to paying for several months regardless of whether or not there’s anyone who interests you.
Chemistry.com
Price: $49.95/month (lower priced plans available for long-term commitments)
Chemistry.com is owned by the parent company of Match.com, except the service provides a personality profile to generate matches for you. Otherwise, the Pros and Cons are essentially the same.
eHarmony.com
Cost: $60/month (lower priced plans available for long-term commitments)
Pros:
- Not for casual dating as the site’s focus is on helping you find a mate;
- The Personality Profile is designed to computer match you with people who share common interests.
Cons:
- The lengthy questionnaire takes about an hour to complete;
- A lot of people have reported that the matches they receive are completely wrong for them;
- 4-step communication process requires you to answer a lot of guided questions back and forth before you can enter into a “normal” conversation;
- Some people are rejected.
Yahoo! Personals
Cost: $30/month (lower priced plans available for long-term commitments)
Pros:
- Email notifications of members who meet your criteria;
- One week free trial available.
- Only paying members have the ability to send emails, many people you contact can’t respond.
- Profiles remain in the system for many years – long after the member no longer uses it.
- To take advantage of the lower price options, you have to commit to paying for several months regardless of whether or not there’s anyone who interests you.
Cons:
- Requires a Yahoo! email account which can attract a lot of SPAM;
- You are able to view non-paying members profiles, but cannot contact them, which wastes your time when you’re searching.
Over35Match.com
Cost: $14.95/month (pay-as-you-go, no long-term commitments)
Pros:
- Free trial available;
- Combination dating and social networking, not just one-on-one messaging;
- The chat room feature allows you to have multi-person discussions so you can get a better idea of someone’s personality;
- Members can create and organize offline events allowing you to meet in a group setting while enjoying common interests. This also allows members to meet and get to know many people at once;
- Deceptive profiles and photos get “outed” by other members through the chat room and forums;
- Optional private video chat feature allows you to see the other person live without waiting for a first date – no extra cost;
- Members can upload videos – no extra cost;
- Members can create blogs – no extra cost;
- Payments are handled through PayPal for secure processing and easy cancellation.
Cons:
- Limited to single adults over 35;
- Does not offer gay/lesbian relationship selections;
- PayPal account required.
