The number of people participating in online dating sites is increasing over the years. In 2005, Americans have spent about $500 million on personal advertising according to the Online Publishers Association (OPA).
Hitwise Inc. said that in November 2004, there are about 844 lifestyle and dating sites. With a lot of choices, how do we determine what service we want?
Internet Love” by marcolm on FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You will start by determining your reasons for joining a dating site. The type of online dating site would depend on your needs. There are some people who would register because they are looking for long-term relationships, while others are looking for friends and people who have the same interests.
Another looming question is whether you prefer paid or free online dating. Of course, who does not want any service for free? Free sites are great when searching for friends, but they also pose more risks compared with paid sites.
Related Article: 21 Reasons Why Older Men Are Dating Younger Women.
Scams and fraudulent activities usually happen in free sites. Aside from that, they could also enlist perverts and dangerous people for free. Users who are seriously looking for relationships are usually found in paid sites. But it does not mean that paid online dating sites are risk-free. Safety and Security should always be kept in mind, regardless if it is free or paid site.
Here are some tips to answer the question of, How To Choose The Right Online Dating Site
The information you’re about to read will be crucial for you because attracting dates online begins with how you choose the best online dating site. After reading this, you won’t have to waste time on irrelevant dating sites.
Table of Contents
1. Be Sure You’re Ready
If you’re not ready to date, you simply aren’t in a position to find an online dating site not to mention picking the best. To do so, you need to feel reasonably happy and confident of your worth. If you’re still angry or hurt from a past relationship, wait a bit.
You need to feel positive, open and up for an adventure. If you’re having trouble getting to the right mental space, you might consider seeing a therapist. This is advised for singles who are in for online dating sites for serious relationships. This is the first and major step to choose the best online dating site.
2. Don’t Be in a Haste
Read reviews of popular online dating sites by various individuals who have at one point or the other checked it out. This step will help you avoid falling into the same pitfall they fell into.
Remember that these reviews are individual’s opinion about various sites so don’t see them as 100% valid. Be sure enough to sample through whatever was said about the site by former and present readers.
Don’t rush to make the first site you come across during your search your one and only option.
Related Article: 21 Absolutely Free Dating Sites For Hooking Up.
3. Enlist Your Friends
Ask for help when you want to choose the best online dating site. One of your friends within your circle may have at one point in time used an online dating site which you may not have known about.
It’s very possible one of them is presently enjoying his/her smooth relationship due to the help of an online dating site. So it’s not enough to keep it to yourself, ask your friends they may have tried some online dating sites over time.
Some of your friends may be more aware and informed about online dating sites than you do and may know the one that best suits you based on the level of information they have which you don’t possess.
4. Choose One That Suits Your Person
There are dozens of online dating success stories. From the big sites with huge databases to the special interest sites, the variety is incredible but did you know there are sites for Star Wars fans, Ivy League graduates and Nascar enthusiasts? JDate (and others) for Jewish singles, people from a specific region of the country like Hudson Valley Singles, Sparkology for young professionals, and Our Time or Senior People Meet for people over 50.
You name it, it’s out there. Of course you can find all the above on general dating sites as well. Be sure to search for a site that suits your person e.g Dating sites for over 50, dating sites for singles, dating sites for artists e.t.c, this will reduce the stress of having to pick just any random site that just pops up when you type in “online dating sites”.
5. Consider Your Financial Commitment
If you’re looking for an online dating site just to catch fun then why invest much money why not pick up free online dating sites. You can invest some money, which is advised for individuals seeking the best online dating sites for commitment, any site will be fine for you.
If you don’t want to spend money, find out what sites give a lot for a little. Some sites offer a lot to those who don’t pay, others much less, and others are premium only.
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6. Realize That People Lie Online
Although you can meet great people when you choose the best online dating site, you may also run into some liars. Anybody who uses the internet has probably realized by now that people lie online.
They lie about their basic biographical information, their interests, and their age. They lie about how great their life is, and how much money they make. And some even take it a step further by posting fake or rendered photos of themselves.
It’s always a good idea to keep your guard up, and realize that the person you’re talking to may not be 100% truthful. Just as we recommend that you avoid handing out your personal information right away, you should also go for dating sites you think have less fakers.
7. Clarify Your Goals
Clarify your goals and then look for sites that help you connect with people who have the same relationship goals that you do. For example, do you want to be online pen pals only or meet in person?
If the latter, do you want casual, long-term, just friendship? Do you want to start a new relationship after dealing with a divorce? Do you want to get married and settle down with kids?. Be sure to pick an online dating site that will connect you to people that have similar goals like you do.
You don’t go searching for online dating site that is for people that wants serious relationships when in the real sense you just need companionship.
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8. Watch Out for Online Dating Fraud
One of the best ways to choose the best online dating site is going for dating sites that have no or low record of internet fraudsters. They’re many internet fraudsters right now, so always keep an eye out for online dating fraud.
Most of us will catch on when we’re being catfished. Yet plenty of people still fall prey to online dating fraud. So it pays to be vigilant about what’s going on, and to stop talking with anyone that feels shady.
According to Consumer Reports, plenty of people run into scammers on online dating sites. If someone always has excuses for being unable to meet up, or if they ask you for money, my advice is to run the other way.
Related Articles: 21 Reasons Why Older Men Are Dating Younger Women.
9. Do Your Homework
There are all kinds of online dating sites, so spend some time on the computer researching what looks best for you. For example, there are sites for horse lovers, some for fitness types, and all sorts.
Make enough of research on each online dating site. Making thorough research about a site is one of the best ways to choose the best online dating site.
10. Try Multiple Sites or Services to Find Your Favourite
We’re not advising bouncing around platforms, but give each one on your list a fair chance before you’ve made your choice. In fact, it’s OK, if you don’t find your favourite right away.
A lot of people maybe even you want to sign up on one dating site that’s by far and away the best option. But the reality is that there isn’t a single “best” dating site.
According to Meltzer, there are actually a variety of high-rated dating platforms to choose from, with 45% of online daters having tried multiple ones before settling on a specific one.
11. Consider Starting With the ‘big three’
An expert tip that Consumer Reports learned that when searching for the best dating sites, you may want to start out with the so-called “big three”: Match.com, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish.
They’re among the most popular dating sites in the world. So unless you have a specific reason to narrow down the pool of potential partners, it makes sense to go with the platforms that have the most users, and therefore the most prospective matches.
The more the users on the platform, the more your chances of meeting the right person increases. So check out the big names first.
12. Never Assume Paid Services are Better in Quality
Interestingly, a Consumer Reports survey found that free dating sites score slightly higher in user satisfaction. Many experts have weighed in on the question of whether the adage “you get what you pay for” applies to online dating sites.
Some argue that paid sites attract more serious users, stating that free options may be more attractive to bots or those looking to hook up. Meltzer, however, doesn’t recommend writing off free platforms.
“Even Tinder, despite its reputation for attracting users seeking casual romance, may deserve a more open mind,” she says. While intentions vary, you won’t really know how people on a given site behave and communicate until you give it (and them!) a chance. You may actually end up choosing the best online dating site that suits you all for free.
13. Take Communication Under Consideration
A major factor in how satisfied you’ll be with a given dating site is the kind of interaction you’ll have on there. Sure, the idea is for you to meet someone you’ll ultimately hit it off with, eventually taking your conversation offline.
But in the meantime, the best dating sites for you will be the ones that match your expectations in terms of communication. On OkCupid, for instance, anybody can send you a message.
Whereas on Bumble, Tinder, and eHarmony, you can only reach out to people you’re matched with. Consider each site’s communication style when you want to choose the best online dating site.
14. Check Out the Rules Before You Sign Up
Check out the organization’s “field guide” to get started on your own personal list. You’ll be able to read up on the process you can expect when you sign up, and compare some basic pros and cons associated with each platform before you finally decide on which one to settle down for.
Do not for whatsoever reason maybe impatience or anxiety sign up for an online dating site without first reading its Do’s and Don’ts. Some online dating sites kick out or suspend accounts of erring consumers who kick against laid down rules of such sites.
Related Article: 15 Online Dating Safety Tips For Women.
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15. Accessibility
When considering which dating site to choose, think of its ease-of-use. For example, what is required in the registration process and how logical is it to navigate? Another factor to keep in mind – is it available as a dating app or only on desktop and which is a better fit for your lifestyle?
Be sure not to pick sites that you’ll always have to access via that computer when you only have a phone. In this digital age, it is best to pick sites that one can easily access via mobile phones.
16. Be Yourself While Searching
While searching for the best site that suites one, it is important that we should be as real as possible as this will give us the least trouble getting the right site compared to trying to be what one is not.
Over 50 should not start looking for date sites that is for singles below 30 and vice versa. For one to choose the best online dating site, he/she must be real, unless the person just want to waste his/her time and that of others.
17. Go Where You Think Your Future Partner is Likely To Be
You know yourself better than anyone else. It will be in your best interest to check out dating sites you think your future partner is likely to be. You may have to follow your instinct’s direction; it always works like magic.
If the tips explained above are religiously followed and applied in your attempt to choose the best online dating site, it is a sure bet that one will find the best date no matter the category you fall into in terms of age, status, profession and location.
The information you read is one that I’m sure will give you the needed headstart to choose the best online dating sites all over the internet. So right now, all you have to do is take action, as you’ve gotten the right information to choose the best online dating site that suits you.
