Best online dating sites
There are so many online dating sites that finding the best one for your needs is almost as hard as finding a date! Choices range from expensive, paid memberships to totally free Internet dating services and there can be a bewildering array of free trial options to choose from.
When it comes to actually finding a date there's an equally wide choice. From small membership, niche dating sites that match your special interests, to sites with a huge membership base where you can browse personals ads from a bigger range of potential dates. Try the following sites to get started.
Perfectmatch.com
Special Buy 2 Months, Get 2 FREE! Perfectmatch.com describe themselves as a relationships site rather than a just an online dating site. They use their own system to find highly compatible matches combined with powerful search tools so you can target the best personal ads to look at. Member “snapshots” include photo, compatibility traits, plus any extra information provided to allow quick review. Additionally there are specific categories available if you have special interests. The Perfectmatch offer includes a free Duet Compatability Profile and it's free to review your matches.
eharmony.com
Since launching 10 years ago eharmony has had more than 20 million registered users across all states and in 191 countries. Their unique matching system is based on research that identified key factors in compatibility and the “potential for long-term relationship success.” It seems to work for many members as a recent Harris poll found “an average of 236 eHarmony members marry every day in the United States as a result of being matched on the site.” It's free to complete a detailed relationship questionnaire and you get a free profile. Their system matches singles with your profile and it's then free to view the personals ads that match. If you want to contact these people you can select from a range of competitive price plans.
Cupid
Cupid has a unique approach to online dating by making it easy to meet local singles and then spend time getting to know them. They believe that this way you can decide if you've found a good match rather than relying on questionnaires and formulas. Basic membership is free and you control how much information you disclose about yourself.
Spark.com
The Spark network aims to offer lower prices and more features than the other large internet dating services. They claim to have millions of members from all walks of life, backgrounds, professions and ages. To join you fill in a short but detailed personality test and all members must upload a photo. After registering it's free to create a profile and you can upload up to to 12 photos. It's also free to respond to emails and free to read messages.
Matchmaker.com
Matchmaker.com is aimed at the 35 plus age group, looking for a serious, long term relationship. This service has been online since 1996 and is the longest running online dating site. You can create a free dating profile and there can be thousands of members online at one time waiting for instant contact. The service has members worldwide so your not limited to searching for a date just in your local area or city.
Friendfinder
The Friendfinder network boasts over 1.6 million members. It's quick and easy to fill in the questionnaire and get free membership which allows people to contact you. There's a huge range of groups to join plus online chat and video. Friendfinder offers a choice of competitively priced options to upgrade to premium membership which allows access to detailed profile information and lets you email anyone you find. You also get the added benefit of your personal ad appearing at the top of search results.
What next?
For those just getting into using personals ads sites then the larger, established services can be a good start. Many offer free trials and since they have a large number of members they offer more personals to browse through in search of your date. You'll need to fill in a questionnaire in order to start the trial but this doesn't take too long. Many people join multiple sites to increase the number of ads they can choose from. This gives you the best chance of finding a suitable date!
Signing up with one (or all!) of the above internet dating sites is a great way to get into online dating. Such an approach gives you a wide range of ads to browse and means your own personal ad is seen by a bigger range of potential dates. If you just want to test the water then use chat and email until you get confident enough to take the next step. It's worthwhile looking at some online dating tips to help you get the best from these online dating sites.