Choosing An Internet Dating Site

Internet-based dating is now a very popular way to meet someone special. As you probably know, there are many hundreds of websites offering dating services - some are 'free' sites (no cost to join or use the site), while others require payment in some form. Such 'paid' sites might charge a subscription, or perhaps a small fee for every message you send when using the site.

So far so good. But one of the key problems with all these various types of sites is knowing which one is 'right' for you. Not only do you have to choose between 'paid' and 'free', but also from 'boutique' versus 'general' dating sites. And then there are sites which have members from across the world, versus ones that have members mostly from one region or country. Another factor is whether to go with an established 'name brand' site that is widely advertised, or one that you've not heard of.

In this article, I'll try to give you a few words of advice, which may assist you in making a decision about which dating site (or sites) to use.

Firstly, I think it's very important to have a clear idea of two things - the sort of person you're looking for, and how much money you're prepared to spend in order to find them.

If your clear about the sort of person you want, then that's a big help. If you know what country you prefer them to live in, their age, their values (conservative or more easy-going) and lifestyle choices. Once you get clear about how much money (and time) you're prepared to spend in your search, you're now ready to consider the following points.

'Free' versus 'Paid' online dating sites - Free sites are great for getting used to the online dating experience, and your expectations are reasonably low. Free sites are generally run on a very small budget, so customer support might be limited, and the site is unlikely to be as reliable or full-featured as a paid site. However, there are some fine free sites that do a good job, and they should not be dismissed. And if you are unclear about who you're looking for, then start with free dating. You have nothing to lose, and by using them it's likely you'll learn a lot about what sort of person you're seeking.

Paid sites offer more features, service, and usually provide a reliable and well-managed site. However, it can get expensive, particularly if you haven't decided who you're seeking, or why. Because some sites charge 'per message', it's a common sense to only send messages to prospective dates that fit your ideal. On the other hand, some paid sites have many features that you may never use - such as chat and real-world social occasions. So you may feel that some sites are not good value for money. And finally, many paid sites have very enticing advertising on the internet, and you can be disappointed when you find the site doesn't live up to the 'hype' described in its advertising. Nevertheless, paid sites are very popular, and I recommend using them if (and only if) you're reasonably clear and professional about who you're looking for, and you're prepared to put in the time and money to find them.