Six Signs of Quality Online Dating Sites
By Jeff Cohen, freelance writer (cohenwriting@aol.com)
With over 700 online dating sites in the United States alone and new sites cropping up weekly, it can be difficult to choose the right site for you. The vast choices available can overwhelm even the most proactive dater.
While the average site might cost $200 or less annually, you still want to make an informed decision. Here are six signs that you’re about to join a quality online dating site. Keep these tips in mind as you make your final decision.
1) Can you access other members before you join?
Fee-based sites usually won’t allow you to communicate fully with other members before you pay for a subscription. Still, the sites should let you see how many singles match your search criteria and give you the opportunity to peruse the matches. If the site is being overly protective of their members, they may not have enough subscribers in the first place.
2) Can you tell if members are on or off the market?
Quality sites give members the option to put their membership on hold if they’ve met someone. While their membership is still active, a notation will be added to their profile indicating they’re currently in a relationship. There’s nothing worse than getting excited over a photo and profile, only to find out later on they’re not available to date.
3) Does the site perform background checks?
You’re not looking for CIA and FBI clearance, but you do want to know the site is taking reasonable measures to weed out people who’ve joined an online site for all the wrong reasons. Be sure the site you choose takes steps to authenticate its members.
4) Do you know people who’ve been successful on the site?
The online dating site can write the most effective sales pitch you’ve ever seen, but how effective are they in making matches? Nothing beats a real life testimonial in understanding the capabilities of an online site. Check with your friends and family to see which sites have brought them, or someone they might know, dating success. You’ll improve your own chances.
5) Does the site protect your anonymity?
You should have total control over the point at which you give out your personal email address or phone number. Find out if the site ever sells your information to telemarketers or allows members to access your personal information. Any breach of your privacy is grounds for choosing a new dating site.
6) Is the site primarily built for matchmaking?
Some sites position themselves as dating sites but in reality they’re a pornographic site or are soliciting your personal information for profit. Be sure the site you join is legitimate and is truly in the business of bringing singles together.
Follow these six tips and you’ll greatly improve your chances of choosing a quality site, one that gives you the best possible odds of finding love online. At the very least, you’ll know you’ve chosen a legitimate online dating site, one that has your best interests in mind.
Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit Online Dating eBook.
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