Dating sites

Welcome to the world of online dating! For so long, single people have been told that online dating was “just for people who couldn’t get a date,” or “a last resort.”

Well, we’re here to tell you: that’s just not true! Studies have shown that, with the rise of the popularity of the internet, the number of people who have found their match online has risen, too!

There are tons of reasons why you might want to look for love online, and the success of these sites proves that they’re not just a last resort. In today’s world, we depend on technology more and more, and let’s just face it – we’re busy! Whether it’s with family, work or school, you just don’t have time to hang out at clubs or bars, right?

If you’re thinking about dating online, this is the guide for you. Whether you’ve used online dating sites before or haven’t, this guide will teach you:

•        All about the different types of online dating sites
•        About the safety of dating online
•        Tips for setting up your online dating profile
•        How to have success finding love online.

There are millions of people around the world who are using online dating sites. Just using common sense and a little basic math, that will tell you one thing: there’s a great chance your perfect partner is out there. He or she is online. Whether you’re gay, straight, bisexual, young or a senior, your perfect match is out there, waiting for you to log on.

Are you ready to start building your online dating profile and meeting matches? Thought so! Let’s get started!

 

1. Online Dating Security

But wait!

Before you go posting your picture and your personal information online, we want to talk a little bit about online dating security.

As you begin your online dating adventure, remember: you can be anyone you want to be online. And so can everyone else. The person you may chat with today could be up to no good tomorrow. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman; there are online dating safety precautions everyone should take.

These precautions begin as you chat online, and they continue as you meet for your first date. Let’s talk for a few minutes about the things you should keep in mind before you begin online dating.

Giving out personal information online

When you first meet someone you connect with online, it’s tempting to share information about yourself. And, in fact, that’s great! You want this person to know about your hobbies and interests, maybe your religious affiliation and your political standing. After all, you want to know if you’re compatible.

There’s such thing as oversharing, though. You don’t want to share too much information about yourself with someone you’ve never met. Things your potential date does not need to know include the following:

•        Your home address
•        Obviously, information like bank account numbers and SSNs shouldn’t be divulged
•        Specific information about your children, such as where they go to school
•        Dates you’ll be out of town

You may even be cautious about giving away your real phone number. That’s up to you. If you choose not to, you can use a service like Google Voice. These services will give you a number that automatically redirects to your cell phone. If your date ends up to be a little pesky, you can just change your Google Voice number.

You don’t have to be super paranoid when meeting people online. But do use caution and common sense. Not everyone is out do to you harm, but there may be a stray scammer here and there, so be careful.

Meet in a public place

This is one that should go without saying. When you meet your date for the first time, be sure to meet in a public place. And not just a public park – be sure there will be others around.

Choose a coffee shop, a restaurant or a similar place to meet your first date. We don’t really recommend “dinner and a movie,” and that’s for two reasons. First, movie theaters are dark and not really public. Secondly, they don’t really lend themselves well to conversation.

Great places to meet for a first date that are safe and secure include:

•        Restaurants
•        Coffee shops
•        Volunteer activities (with a group)
•        Group hikes
•        The gym (why not work out together?!)
•        A sporting event (like a college football game or soccer match)

Use your imagination! Just be sure there will be others around so that if anything inappropriate happens someone else will notice.

Drive yourself

When you meet your date for the first time, always drive yourself. Depending on your date for a ride to and from the meeting place causes two problems. First, he or she will then know where you live. That’s a first date no-no. Secondly, if the date goes sour, you’re stranded.

Whether the date goes south for dangerous reasons or just reasons of boredom, you want to have your own transportation. Don’t have a car? Know the public transport routes ahead of time. Just knowing when the train leaves can give you a little security.

It’s also a great idea to tell a friend where you’ll be. Tell your buddy you’ll check in every hour or so. And don’t be afraid to tell your date you’re doing just that! A reasonable person will understand, and will appreciate your honesty.

Stay sober

It is never, ever a good idea to get sloppy drunk on a first date. We’re sure there are tons of reasons, but we can think of four:

•        Heavy drinking will leave you unable to drive away if things go wrong
•        Most dates don’t like a drunk date, plain and simple
•        Heavy drinking lowers your inhibitions and you may do something you regret
•        If you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, drinking will keep you from reacting appropriately

Can you have a glass of wine or a beer? Absolutely! Just know your limits and be honest with yourself. Give yourself a limit before the date even begins, and stick to it.

Trust your intuition

Intuition is the most important thing you can bring on your first date. Bring it, then use it.

If your date starts acting sketchy, pay attention. If he or she says something that differs from what they told you online, pay attention. Is he wearing a wedding ring? Definitely pay attention.

Being mindful of your surroundings and of your date’s behavior can mean the difference between anger and safety. It can also help you weed out the potential partners from the first date flops. Use your common sense and listen to your gut.

 

2. How Do I Sign Up for a Dating Website?

Alright! Now that we’ve gotten all that bad news out of the way, it’s time to get your profile set up! We’ll talk more in depth about the different types of sites later in this online dating guide. For now, we’ll stick with the basics and go through what you’re going to need to consider when you sign up.

Most online dating sites are quite similar. While some are paid and some are free, they pretty much all require the same four things:

•        A profile picture
•        Your chosen username
•        An idea of your ideal match
•        A bio

Let’s look at each of these things individually, so you can get a better idea of how to have success with online dating.

Your profile picture

Your profile picture, obviously, is the very first thing people will see when they view you online. If you’re using an app, your picture will help them decide whether to click “yes” or “no.” If you’re on a full site, your picture will compel potential matches to click through to the rest of your profile.

Your profile photo is probably the most important thing you’ll choose when you’re setting up your dating profile. So what kind of picture should you choose?

Well, that’s up to you! Some people choose to include action shots of themselves, doing things like mountain bike riding or skiing. Others prefer to take a “headshot” type approach, choosing a picture of their faces, front and center.

The photo you choose depends upon how you want to present yourself. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

•        You should be smiling in your profile photo! A happy face is more likely to attract dates.
•        You should keep the ex girlfriends and ex boyfriends out of the photo, thank you.
•        In fact, it’s best if you keep everyone else out entirely. This is about you.
•        Your profile photo is your first impression. Make it count!

Some dating sites will allow you to post more than one picture. If that’s the case, choose the one you like best to be the “featured” photo – as long as you’re showing your smiling face, it doesn’t matter!

Your username (handle)

Your username isn’t the most important part of your online dating profile, but it’s often overlooked. See, when you sign up for dating sites, you’ll usually get an assigned name. SusanT1912827. Compelling, right?

Don’t stick with the default name. Instead, choose a username that reflects your personality! It doesn’t even have to include your real name. We looked around the web and found examples of a few we liked:

•        MontanaMan
•        SnackAttack
•        Bearhugs
•        InfiniteHorizons
•        Ready4You

What do these usernames do? They tell just a little bit about the person’s personality. What do they not do? They don’t limit the user, or restrict them. A username like FunnySteve might imply that the guy can’t take anything seriously. A handle like WhackAttack is just a bad idea for obvious reasons.

Pick a username that tells your date a little about yourself, but don’t make it too sexy, silly or – well – scary.

Your bio

Your bio is the part of your profile where you get to tell people all about who you are. However, some people have trouble talking about themselves.

Don’t worry! You’re going to have the opportunity to explain exactly who you are once you meet your match! In the meantime, you should include your interests, hobbies, perhaps what you do for a living … you know, the basics!

Be specific, too! Anyone on the planet can write “I love long walks on the beach.” Take it up a notch and tell your matches, “I love to visit Kure Beach. Could stay for hours! You find the most amazing shells!”

There are a few things you should avoid in your online dating profile. These things include:

•        Personal information like your phone number or address
•        Specific information about your kids or family members
•        Racist or other hate speech
•        Arrogant phrasing
•        A list of things you don’t like. (That’s just rude, and will turn people off)

Other than that, the sky’s the limit! Just be honest about who you are, and you’ll have no trouble at all.

Your ideal match

You know what you’re looking for in a match. (Right?)

Sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil and write out the characteristics you seek. Then, cross out everything that has to do with personal appearance. It will look something like this:

•        Caring
•        Funny
•        Compassionate
•        Tall
•        Blond hair
•        Career-oriented
•        Likes to volunteer
•        Athletic build

When you write your bio, you’re going to want to include only the characteristics of the match you want to find that are related to his or per personality. No one’s perfect, and if you start describing the perfect-looking partner, it’s only going to make you look arrogant.

With that said, most dating sites will allow you to choose these traits behind the scenes. The bigger sites will allow you to filter matches based on height, weight, build, hair color, eye color and so on. By all means, do it!

Don’t be narrow minded, though. The love of your life may not be tall and blonde after all. He may be a short redhead.

3. What Does it Cost? (Subscriptions and Price)

Now that you know how to stay safe while you’re online dating, and you’re ready to set up your perfect dating profile, you’re probably curious how much money you’re about to fork over. That’s fair.

The answer isn’t that simple, though. There are so many dating sites out there, ranging from free to pretty darn steep. We’ll discuss the different types as we go through this guide. But let’s just get a feel for what these sites cost.

We’re not going to mention specific sites in this section. We’re just going to give you a general idea of what you might expect to pay to a dating site.

In the United States and Canada there’s a huge, very popular dating site which offers subscriptions. These subscriptions cost:

•        $10 per month for 24 months
•        $19 per month for 12 months
•        $40 per month for 6 months
•        $60 per month for a month

This same site is available in the UK, Australia and a few other places in Europe, and the rates are comparable.

That’s just one site, though, and it’s not even a global site! It’s a big one, sure, and covers quite a large geographical area. There are thousands of online dating sites. Thousands. You’re going to have to choose the one you like, and then determine the cost.

If you do choose to pay for a dating site, there are some advantages. First of all, people tend to take paid members more seriously, and they may be more likely to get matched. Secondly, paying for your membership will give you the ability to instantly chat with prospective dates. The free sites often feature “winks” and “smooches” and other pesky things that are distracting to a real connection.

Set yourself a budget. We don’t recommend paying for a 24 month subscription to any site right off the bat. After all, you’re hoping for a quicker connection than that, right?

Read the terms and conditions of the site you choose, then start with a month or two. If you like the way the site works and want to hang out a while longer, you can always extend your subscription later.

Should I pay for a dating site?

Hmmm… that’s a tricky one. If you find a dating site you really like, or a site that comes highly recommended from a friend, sure! By all means! If you’re on a limited budget, you might want to start with a free site and see how it goes.

We can’t stress it enough, though. If something’s free, literally everyone can join. On some of the free sites, you’re more likely to come across people who are:

•        Just looking for a hookup
•        Trolls
•        Experimenting
•        Playing pranks on friends

When you go to the paid sites, you’re more likely to find matches that are serious about finding love online. These are the people you want to meet! And in the same way you know they’re serious when they pay a dating site, they’ll know the same about you.

Are paid dating sites better than free ones?

Absolutely not. There are plenty of free sites out there that have thousands of viable potential first dates for you. That said, it may be a little harder to weed through the fake profiles in order to find the match of your dreams.

Overall, you can find a match whether you’re using a paid site or a free one. Just consider your budget, your patience and your timeline when you decide whether you’re going to join a paid site or not.

4. Dating Apps

There are an increasing number of dating apps out there. You can download them to your iPhone, your Android device and even your Blackberry if you have one of those. Many are free, while some are paid.

So what about these dating apps? Are they worth your time? Should you clear a little space on your phone and download one or two?

Dating apps have some pros and some cons. Let’s look at those for a moment.

Dating App Pros

Here’s what we like about dating apps.

•        Most are free.
•        You’ll get instant notifications when you’re matched with a date.
•        They’re so convenient! You can literally find a date while you’re riding the bus to work.
•        Signing up is almost instant.
•        Apps hugely increase your “prospect pool.”

In a nutshell, dating apps are quick and convenient. It’s literally like holding a dating service in the palm of your hand. Just swipe to connect or click the X to decline. Dating apps are anonymous and fun, and on the whole they’re a great idea.

Dating App Cons

As much as there is to love about dating apps, there are a few things we’re not too crazy about.

•        Many carry hidden charges which are automatically billed. This is a pain if your app is connected to, for example, the Apple Store.
•        Many people on the apps aren’t serious about finding a date.
•        They’re super convenient, but nonsensical notifications can get annoying.
•        Many require that you connect with social media, which prevents anonymity.
•        Sometimes the functionality of these apps is limited.

To summarize, dating apps are great but they carry some inconveniences. The most noticeable of these is the sheer volume of people on dating apps who aren’t truly looking for love online.

Types of Dating Apps

When you go to the Apple Store or the Play Store and search “dating apps” you’ll get hundreds of results returned. It’s up to you to decide which you’ll download on your phone.

With that said, there are a few different types of dating apps. First, there are the “swiping” apps. This trend began with one app that grew in popularity after its launch in the early 2010s. It was so easy to swipe left on someone you didn’t like, or right on someone you did!

Suddenly, more and more developers followed suit, and now you’ll find quite a few similar apps on the market. They, too, have their pros and cons. But if you choose this type of app, you’ll need to remember one thing: these apps are based primarily on your appearance. If that’s okay with you, great! Choose a rockin’ profile pic and have a blast.

If you’d rather be matched with a partner based on personality, these swiping apps may not be right for you. Instead, you’ll want to find a different type of app like one that’s connected to one of the big sites.

When you download apps that are connected to larger services, there’s a good chance you’ll have to go onto your laptop to complete a profile. That can be a little time consuming, but the personalized matches might be worth it to you.

Despite the initial inconvenience of signing up online, apps that are connected to dating services have some distinct advantages. First, of course, those personalized matches. Secondly, they’re more likely to have customer service options. Third, you can manage your subscriptions from your desktop computer. And finally, the people who use them have gone through the same trouble as you have! They’re more likely to be serious about connecting with you.

5. What Kinds of Dating Sites Are There?

Alright! So far we’ve covered:

•        Online dating safety
•        Your online dating profile
•        Free vs paid dating sites
•        Different types of dating apps

Now let’s look a little more specifically at the types of dating sites that are out there, waiting for your profile.

We mentioned earlier in this guide that, no matter who you are, we’re sure your match is out there! Whether you’re gay or straight, 19 years old or 79 years old… if you’re divorced, or even if you’re currently married, there’s an online dating site for you!

Ready to explore your options? Let’s look at the types of dating sites you can choose from.

Gay Dating Sites

Again, we’re not going to go into specifics here, as we haven’t joined every dating site out there. That said, we’ll give you the run down on gay dating sites and what they can do for you.

First off, we’d like to make it perfectly clear: you can find love online even if you don’t join a gay site. You’ll find plenty of LGBTQ members on the bigger sites, whether they’re apps or on your desktop. Most of the larger services allow you to choose whether you’re a Male Seeking Male, Female Seeking Female and so on.

However, when you look into the gay dating sites, you can be sure that those prospects are serious about finding a date like you. They community, as a whole, will be catered to your lifestyle and, frankly, it’s just easier.

No matter your country, you’re likely to find dating websites that are specific to the LGBTQ community.

Senior Dating Sites

Over 50 and looking for love? Let’s face it. If you’re over 50 you may not feel like a “senior.” However, there are plenty of dating sites that are catered toward the demographic.

Large dating sites can be overwhelming when you’re looking for something serious. People who are over 50 are less likely to be looking for a fling or a one night stand than the younger crowd. But sorting through all those potential matches is time consuming and sometimes frustrating.

Instead of going through all that, why not join one of the senior dating sites out there? On these sites, you’re guaranteed to only find potential dates who are within the age range you seek. You’ll also have the assurance that they are looking for someone in your age range!

Married Dating Sites

We mentioned that you can find a date online, even if you’re married. We’re not here to judge – everyone’s situation is different. We do have a few thoughts to offer on the subject, though.

There are dating sites out there that cater to married people. You could be solidly married, in the process of a divorce or in whatever stage of your relationship – it doesn’t matter. Join these online dating sites and you can find a partner.

There are two things that stand out about these sites. The first thing is that, when you sign up, these sites usually take extra measures to protect your identity. This is a plus if, for instance, you wouldn’t want your boss to stumble upon your profile … let alone your spouse.

The second thing you’ll like about these sites is that the people you’ll match with aren’t there to judge. Either they’re married, too, or they’re looking for a partner like you and don’t care that you’re in a marriage.

If you’re married and looking for a date online, there are sites you can join that aren’t as public as the big names in online dating.

Black Dating Sites

As with gay dating sites and senior dating sites, you can find love online on the big sites no matter who you are. But if you’re specifically looking for a black partner, try looking into an online site that’s specific to your preferences!

This isn’t just true for people looking for a partner who shares their skin tone! Dating sites exist for almost every cultural identity. Muslim, Buddhist, Indian, African-American, Native American … you name it, there’s a site out there.

The benefit to these sites is, to put it bluntly, you don’t have to weed through a sea of faces that don’t meet your preferences to find the one that does. Everyone on the site is looking for the same thing you are.

Christian, Muslim, Other Religious Dating Sites

When you join the larger dating sites, you’re going to have the opportunity to state your religious preference in a partner. Looking for someone who also loves Jesus? Say so. Looking for someone who’s studied the Vedas? Say so!

But you’re still going to be faced with a few difficulties. First, and once again, you’re going to have to weed through matches. Second, when you finally do find a worship partner, he or she may not be as enthusiastic as you are about the faith.

Joining a site that’s specifically meant for your religious group is a really easy way to counter those difficulties. You can be assured that everyone on your Christian site has at least some familiarity and belief in the religion, for example. From that point, you can learn more just by chatting with your match!

If your religion is important to you, consider joining a dating site that’s meant to match you with others who share your beliefs.

 

Curated Dating Sites

There’s an interesting, relatively new concept in online dating. It’s called curated dating, and it’s not the most popular option out there, but it still exists.

 

Curated dating is just what it sounds like. Basically, you’ll submit a profile photo and your bio, along with what you’re looking for in a partner and some personal information about yourself. This info is sent to a group of actual, real-live people. Those people then use your information to match you with others who have signed up for the service.

 

Curated dating sites are very expensive and very objective. What that means for you is that there are very few potential matches out there because it’s cost-prohibitive. It also means that you’re in someone else’s hands. The person they think might be a good fit for you may very not well be.

Other Dating Sites

We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: there’s a dating site out there for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a rich woman or a hookup, a married man or a high level executive, you can find your perfect match online.

 

There are dating sites based on fetishes and based on physical activity level. Looking for a partner with a few extra pounds? There’s a site for that! We’re serious… there’s literally something out there for every single person who’s looking for love online.

Take advantage of that! For dating matches that are vastly narrowed down to your preferences, look for a specialized dating site. Join that site on its own, or in addition to one of the larger sites.   

 

6. Dating Sites Abroad and for Foreigners

There’s a specific niche of people who might be looking for love online, and that is those who are looking for love abroad. Why would you do that? Well, there are quite a few reasons, actually.

First of all, you may be looking for love online because you’d like to marry a foreigner. Maybe you need a work visa in Australia. Maybe you’d like an American green card. Whatever your reason, you want to marry someone who lives in another country. You can find sites dedicated to your cause online.

The second reason you may be looking for love abroad is because you’re about to move! Perhaps your job just transferred you to Hong Kong, and you want to meet a few Chinese women to have dinner with. You can do that by joining a dating site for foreigners.

It’s possible you could be the type who just loves a good long distance relationship. You live in Ontario, but you’d like to meet a nice young man from Edinburgh. Go for it. Join an online dating site that’s based in Scotland.

Maybe you just want a girl in every port. Hey, we’re not here to judge.

You get the idea. There are plenty of reasons you may want to date a foreigner. Gone are the days of “mail order brides” … they’ve been replaced with online dating! You can find a match online no matter your geography.

If you do decide you’d like to “date internationally,” there are probably a few extra safety considerations to keep in mind. Here they are:

•        Never wire money abroad to someone you meet online. There are tons of scam artists out there who will build up your trust, only to swindle you out of thousands of dollars. (This goes for wiring money at home, too!)
•        Take a few more precautions when you vet your date if you’re planning to meet in person. Make arrangements to stay in a hotel or with someone you know in the area – not with a complete stranger.
•        No matter the reason for your travel, you should always know where your country’s “office” is. For instance, if you’re from the United States and travelling to China, you should know where the US Embassy is in that nation and how to contact them.
•        Always have a way to return home.

Dating abroad can be very exciting! You’ll learn about new cultures, and maybe even a new language. The promise of travel is very enticing… who wouldn’t want to visit Bangkok, right?

Wherever your destination, there’s an online dating site you can join to find a partner. Just be sure you use your common sense, and always have a safe way to return home.

 

7. Dating Sites for Seniors

You’re called something different across different cultures. Seniors. Elders. Elderly. However you identify yourself, you’re usually within a certain demographic. Generally speaking, that demographic is age 50 and older.  

Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean you don’t want to find love. It doesn’t mean you don’t want companionship. Hell, it doesn’t mean you don’t want sex. But not all the dating sites are specifically designed to help you, a mature adult, find what you need from life.

Enter senior dating sites. Senior dating sites are becoming more and more popular and abundant, which is a good thing! However, they carry some pros and cons, just as other sites do, that you’ll need to keep in mind.

What’s So Great About Senior Dating Sites?

There are a lot of young people out there. Baby Boomers are now surpassed in number by Millennials. And by 2028, Boomers are expected to be surpassed in number by Gen Xers.

That’s not scary, it’s just the way things go. But with that said, you can rest assured that Millennials and Xers are looking for different things than you are. And they’re looking for it in different ways.

That is what’s so great about senior dating sites. While the young kids are swiping left and right, the older generation is looking for meaningful matches. (Okay. Usually. The older gens like to have fun, too.)

Senior dating sites are specifically designed to appeal to the older crowd. You’ll find matches on these sites that are within your desired age range, who are looking for someone of your age. You’ll find that the people on these sites are just as fun and flirty as the younger guys on the larger sites.

The senior dating sites are also designed with your technological preferences in mind. You won’t need a fancy phone if that’s not your thing. You won’t have to download a thousand programs to install onto your computer. They’re simple, they’re neat and they’re designed with you in mind.

What’s Not So Great About Senior Dating Sites?

Nothing’s perfect. And that’s true for senior dating sites, too. There are precautions you’re going to have to take when you join a senior dating site, unfortunately. That’s true for any site, but let’s look at the dangers specific to senior sites.

First, there are the predators. Unfortunately, the older generation, rightfully or wrongfully, has gained a reputation for being vulnerable and gullible. In either case, they’re more likely to be preyed upon. According to the FBI, here’s why:

•        Seniors, generally speaking, have a savings and good credit. That makes them likely prey for scammers.
•        Older people are less likely to know how to report a crime. They’re generally more trusting than the younger generations, too.
•        A lack of knowledge of technology and information security can make seniors more vulnerable to crimes online.
•        When seniors do report a crime, it’s usually weeks after the fact. Criminals know this, and take advantage of it.

For those reasons, online senior dating websites are like chicken coops for the fox-like predators out there. Remember that not everyone is who they say they are. Take precautions to never send money or give away account numbers or identifying information.

Secondly, there are the trolls. It’s unfortunate but true – there are young people out there who join senior dating sites as “a joke” or “prank.”

While these kids are usually harmless, they’re still frustrating. No one deserves to be bullied. If you come across one of these pranksters, report them to the dating site right away so they can’t bother anyone else.

Other than the pranksters and the con artists, there’s really no way to go wrong with a senior dating site. Join up, upload your best smiling photo and wait for your matches to roll in! Whether you’re looking for a life partner or a fun night out, the right man or woman could be waiting for you!

8. Free Dating Sites

We’ve touched on free dating sites previously in this guide. But, as with any type of dating site, there are both setbacks and benefits to these sites we’d like to explore with you.

Free dating sites are great, obviously, because they’re free! But what does that mean for your chances of meeting your match? Should you just buckle down and pay for a subscription to a dating site? Well, let’s take a look at free dating sites so you can make that decision.

What are free dating sites?

Just as there are many types of paid dating sites, there are many types of free sites! Within the free site space, you’ll find services that are based on swiping photos or a more in depth look. You’ll find sites geared toward foreigners, the LGBTQ community, seniors, married folks and more. If you’re looking for it, you can find it on a free site.

There are two categories of free sites, though. There are the free sites that are 100% no cost from beginning to end. And there are the sites that offer a “free trial” or a “limited service” to you until you pay for a subscription fee.

We’re going to look at each of those a little bit, and you can choose which you think works best for you.

100% Free Dating Sites

Dating sites that never cost a penny sound like a dream come true, right? After all, if they’re totally free, that means anyone can join! The chance of your perfect partner showing up in your feed is that much bigger! Right?

Sort of! As we mentioned earlier, the free sites can host everyone on the planet. That includes people who aren’t interested, people who are playing a prank on a friend, people who are just looking to scam you… you get the picture. Anyone.

When you first begin dating online, it’s likely you’ll begin with a site that’s totally free. We think that’s a good idea. Doing that will give you a better idea of what online dating can offer. If nothing else, you’ll begin to believe us: there are thousands of prospects out there.

Most of you will begin with the “swiping” sites. That’s okay, too. Just remember that it’s quite possible to be “swiped left” (that’s a no, for those of you who aren’t familiar) based solely on the profile picture you choose.

If you decide to use one of these sites, your best bet is to brush your hair, get the spinach out from your teeth and take a darn good picture. You’ll be more likely to meet matches if you’ve got a solid profile photo.

In short, though, the sites that are 100% free are a great place to start. Begin there, and who knows… you may just meet your match!

Free Trials and Limited Services

A Google search for “online dating service” will return thousands of results. Most of those results will be advertisements for “free dating services,” but take heed! Most of that is a lie!

Do these sites offer a free service? Sure they do… to a point! You can create a profile and post it. You can browse or scroll through potential matches. And you can even send them little messages. Or can you?

Once you find a match you like, go ahead and try to send them a message. What happens? There’s a good chance you can send them a “wink” or a “smile” or some other thing that doesn’t tell your match anything but that you’re interested. Want to spark up a conversation?

It’s time to open your wallet.

Not all sites are like that. Some sites only ask you to pay if, say, you want to expand your geographical area. Or if you want to specify the religion or physical attributes of your partner. But there are a great many sites that will charge you to connect with a potential date. And that’s not free.

We’re not saying that’s a bad thing. After all, those sites have to make money somehow! But just “know before you go” that not all “free” sites are actually, truly free.

Should I Join a Free Dating Site?

Yes! Sure! Why not? Joining a free online dating service is a great way to both get a feel for how dating sites work and to potentially find a match or two!

If you do choose to go this route, just keep in mind the limitations of the free sites. To sum it up in a nutshell, free sites:

•        Aren’t always free
•        Are inclusive of anyone or everyone who has an email address
•        Often come with a “catch”
•        Sometimes do not allow you to actually connect with potential partners

As long as you realize that there are sometimes exceptions to the word free, go on ahead! Join up with a free dating service and see who you’ll meet.

9. Serious and Popular Dating Sites

There are thousands of dating sites on the web, we’ve made that clear. If you’re new to online dating, or if you want to try out a new site, the choices can be overwhelming. Which should you choose? How do you even know the dating site is legit?

Well, sometimes the best websites aren’t necessarily the most popular. That’s true if, for example, you’re looking for a very specialized site. For instance, in the United States there are actually dozens of dating sites geared toward the “cowboy” population. Those, obviously, won’t be very popular. They’re not even popular within the States.

The best way to find out which sites are serious is to just try them out. Of course, you’ll want to make sure they’re legit first. Check that the company is registered to do business in your area, and check around online for scam reports.

You’ll also want to check online reviews. If you find a popular dating site that looks interesting to you, go ahead and join for free. Try it out, but before you hand over your credit card, check with reviews others have posted. Look for:

•        Reviews about customer service
•        Incidences that involve billing issues
•        The average length of time to find a date, if possible

There are always going to be a few Debbie Downers who post bad reviews. Maybe they just didn’t get a date. But an excessive number of bad reviews should be a red flag to stay away.

The Not-So-Popular Sites

So, you know that cowboy site you’re wanting to sign on to? Check it out first. There’s a chance you won’t find too many reviews online if it’s a smaller site. You should be able to find a few here and there, but they may not be reliable.

Try the site out for free, but use caution. Don’t enter credit card information until you’ve checked the site out thoroughly. And never enter your card numbers if it’s not a secure site. You’ll know that by the “https:” at the beginning of the URL in your browser’s address bar.

As far as finding a match, well, that can’t be guaranteed! There are more people on the larger websites. Naturally, there are fewer on the specialized ones. If you’re dead-set on finding a cowboy, go for it. Your Marlboro Man may be waiting for you. But realize that using the smaller sites can greatly reduce your chances of meeting a match.

Don’t Forget to Ask Around

Never underestimate the power of your friends! You never know – your college roomie may have met his wife on a dating website. After all, one in every three relationships begins online!

Let your friends know that you’re looking for love online, and ask if they’ve ever tried a site before. Whether they’ve found a match using the web or not, they can at least give you a good idea of whether or not a site is worth your money.

The recommendations of people you know in person can go a long way toward finding the online dating site that’s right for you.

10. New Dating Sites

In the same way that you should check out the smaller, less popular websites you should also be cautious with new websites.

Today, it’s very, very easy to build a website. All a scammer has to do is purchase a script (or download one for free), implement it on a website and BAM! Instant dating service. The same is true for apps on the iPhone or on Android.

With that in mind, be wary before you input your personal information into a new site or app. These sites could be run by anyone in the world. And they could exist solely to collect your data and your money.

Now, with that warning in mind, feel free to check out the new dating sites! There are plenty of great sites up and coming every day – the perfect site may pop up and you may find your one true love as a result!

 

11. Should I Join an Online Dating Site?

Yes, yes, yes! If you’re single and you don’t want to be (or if you’re married and looking for love elsewhere) you should absolutely join and online dating site.

We mentioned earlier in this guide to online dating that there’s a negative connotation some people associate with online dating. In past years, dating online was reserved for people who were “desperate” or who “couldn’t get a date” through other means.

But let’s face it. You’re a busy person. You don’t have time to hang around the bar all night. Even if you did, that’s not the kind of guy you’d want to meet. You’re working full time, then you’ve got your friends and possibly your family to juggle. Who has time to go out on the prowl for a date? Not you!

Even if you’re completely un-busy (hey, it’s a word now), you may just be shy. Maybe you’re not good at introductions, or hate small talk.

You could live in a small town and already know everyone. In that case, you already know there are no options for you.

There are oodles of reasons you should consider joining an online dating site, including:

•        A general lack of time, or an awkward work schedule
•        Not knowing the best places to go to look for a partner
•        Living in a remote location with limited social opportunities
•        A current relationship you’re not ready to compromise
•        A need for anonymity and discretion
•        A desire to meet someone outside of your geographic area

Of course, it won’t hurt you to get out and about in your neighborhood. Your future husband may be shopping for carrots as you read this – you’ll never know unless you get off your chair.

But in the meantime you may as well check out the thousands upon thousands of people online who are interested in meeting you. Whether you do so with a free or a paid site, an online venue or an app is up to you. But yes! Do it! Joining an online dating site is easy and fun!

 

12. Which Dating Site is the Best?

We’re not trying to sound like we’re avoiding the question. Really. But the best dating site is the one that you are the most comfortable with.

The first thing you need to do is ensure a dating website is legit. Check online for reviews, then check for the https: in your address bar. Ask around among your friends, and be sure that the site is licensed to do business in your area.

Once you’ve done all that, it’s time to narrow down your options. Do you want one of the free sites? You know, the ones where you can swipe left or right on people based on their profile photo. Or would you rather pay for the knowledge that others on the site are serious about finding a date?

Consider what you’re looking for, too! Are you looking for a cowboy? A Christian? A dark-skinned girl? Are you looking for a date for when you travel to Thailand? A spouse in Canada? Or do you already have a spouse, and are looking for a little extracurricular excitement?

When you determine who your ideal date is, you can begin to choose a website. Go to the sites where you think your potential partner is most likely to be. If you’re looking for a cowgirl, you’re not likely to find her on a Muslim matching site, right?

Now, you need to decide how willing you are to pay for the prospect of love. More importantly, you’ll have to decide for how long you’re willing to pay. Should you join a site at a higher monthly fee or go in for the long haul at a lower rate each month? Or do you even want to pay at all?

The point is that the best dating site is the one where you’re most likely to safely find a partner. That’s not a cop out, we just don’t know your specifics.

Close your eyes and sit back. Now, visualize the type of person you’d like to meet. What does she look like? What are his values? Where in the world does she live? Does he mind that you don’t want a long term commitment?

Now, look at the online dating service options that are available to you. On which of these sites are you most likely to find your ideal mate?

That’s the one you should choose first, every time.

 

13. Online Dating – A Summary

Online dating is, hands down, the easiest way to find your perfect match. Whether you’re looking for a local girl or a man overseas, we can just about guarantee that you can find him or her online.  

We understand that beginning to use the online dating sites can be confusing and overwhelming. After all, there are so many options out there – how should you know which one to choose? We hope this guide has helped you make that decision, and has you well on your way to meeting your next fling, your perfect partner or the love of your life.

Remember, please, to be safe. Use your common sense. There are people out there who would rather trick you than date you, so be mindful of the online community. Just as you can be anyone you want to be online, so can everyone else. Exercise caution when connecting with your dates and when meeting them in person.

But above all, remember this: online dating is a great experience! It’s fun, it’s fast-paced and it’s exciting. It’s also very likely the route you should take to meet the man or woman of your dreams, no matter what that dream may be!

Good luck, be safe and have fun!