Jun
30
How to Choose the Right Online Dating Site for You
Filed Under Advice |
Everywhere you look you’ll see promotional material for online dating sites. Whether you’re surfing the internet and an annoying advertising window pops up enticing you to try out one or another sites for some great offer such as one month free membership, or 7 day trial package, it’s hard to avoid them. If you are feeling a bit jaded with traditional dating, and are feeling a pull towards getting your online dating feet wet here are some things to consider before committing yourself to any one online dating site.
First of all make a list of any sites that you’ve seen advertised, or heard about from people who’ve tried them. Make a checklist of comparative features such as introductory offers, member features, payment plans, etc. Then do an Internet search to find reviews written by people who have tried the sites themselves. These should be in no way affiliated to the website because what you are looking for is a “warts and all” overview of being a member at the site.
Once you’ve narrowed the list down to about 3 or 4 possible sites that look as if they will have members who are seeking a similar kind of relationship to what you’re looking for, then take another look at those introductory offers. If there’s a 7-day (or better still 1-month) no obligation free trial, sign up for it. Read the small print first though. It could be that they will bill you immediate the end of the free period is up and so you need to be ready to cancel your membership the day prior to this to ensure you’re not caught up in a contract you don’t want.
Having become a site member you can then set about using whatever features are available to free members. Some sites will allow you more or less free access across the site, others will place restrictions on your activity but either way you should get a good idea about whether or not you feel comfortable at the site, and with the kind of contact you get from other members. Set up a basic profile that gives very little personal information away, choose a username so that you aren’t even giving away your real name, but make sure you are clear about the kind of person you are looking for.
The best way to find good dates is to seek them out. Don’t be a cyber wallflower. If your trial period allows you to contact members, read profiles and see if overall they seem to be people of a similar age range looking for similar things to you. If they are, then perhaps this is the site you should consider signing up for member on. If not, or if the contacts you get seem a little immature or overly personal, cancel your membership, and try out another site.
Online dating is exciting and puts you in contact with people all around the world. It may be that you find romance, it may be that you enlarge your Christmas card list, but if you choose the right site for you, you’ll find that you suddenly have a huge new network of friends in which to socialize.