Which Online Dating Site is Right for You?

Online dating sites have become more acceptable to find new relationships, whatever you are looking for. However, not all dating sites are equal and better yet, the right dating site for your best friend may not be the right dating site for you! Hopefully, the following should help you figure out which dating site is right for you.

1.) Determine your reasoning for joining a dating site.

This is critical to the process because it really helps you prioritize what you want out of a relationship. Some example questions that you should be asking yourself, include:

• Do you want to meet friends online or date a man/woman?

• Are you looking for passion or someone who shares the same interests as you?

• Do you want a shot-term relationship or are you looking for a long term relationship?

• Who would be your perfect date? (Religion, race, age, etc.)

All of these questions are helpful to narrow down the choices. For example, if you only were interested in dating a Asian women, a niche site like Chnlove.com, may be the perfect choice for you.

2.) Evaluate both niche and general online dating sites.

Most people have heard of Match.com, Chemistry.com, and eHarmony, but few have explored the level beyond that. Every day, new sites come online every day that position themselves in a different niche and try to help individuals connect with like-minded individuals. A few examples of sites can be seen below:

• Shaadi.com: The oldest matrimonial service online focused on Indian couples worldwide.

• Black Singles: Black singles looking for dating opportunities

There is a wealth of dating sites out there that may match your unique preferences.

3.) How much help do you need creating a profile?

There are certain sites out there that require you create your profile in a certain way, others provide more flexibility. If you have the time and want to make your profile unique to differentiate yourself from the masses, the latter is definitely your best bet. However, if you don’t think you have the time or ability to create a unique profile it is probably best to avoid the sites that require it.

Think about it this way, would you rather have your own blog or just a facebook profile page? A blog allows you to express your true personality and may mold to your feelings; however, a facebook page does something similar in a premade package. The facebook profile page also provides comfort because most people using facebook are very familiar with it and won’t judge you if you forgot to fill out one detail.

4.) Look beyond free services.

One of our biggest reservations with dating sites today has been around free dating sites. While the price may look right, it doesn’t necessarily fit the bill. Remember, you are joining a dating site to meet people and ultimately will be spending your time, energy, and probably money on them – wouldn’t you want to make an investment up front to ensure that you find the right match?

Moreover, most free sites tend to be questionable in their motivations. They certainly connect individuals but often times utilize your data for other means (selling it to marketing agencies, for example). Paid sites that have been vetted and fit your preferences, in our experience, have been the most successful.

We hope this article has helped you frame the online dating services and perhaps the choice doesn’t seem as daunting as before. If you think you are ready to take the plunge and find the right dating site, please check out our dating tips based on your preferences.