Look before you leap when it comes to dating sites

Experts recommend starting with one or more dating sites that are either free or offer a free trial period. It's a good idea to delay paying for a subscription until you assess a site's potential. Keep in mind, however, that many profiles may belong to members who haven't subscribed or are no longer active, and most dating sites do not make this information readily available.

Experts and users suggest the following tips to narrow down your list of possible dating sites:

  • Check the privacy policy before registering. Most dating sites share your personal information with other companies but may allow you to opt out, to avoid receiving spam.
  • Take advantage of money-saving offers. Many dating sites offer promotions, but it may require paying for a long-term subscription. Some users say they received discounted offers a month or two after registering for free.
  • Understand the billing and cancelation policies before paying any money. Users report subscription renewal can kick in even one or two days before the end date, so it's best to cancel two or three days in advance and then double-check that it went through.
  • Check for security affiliations that protect your personal information. Although this isn't a standard in the industry, it's a plus if the dating service uses a privacy program like TRUSTe to protect your personal information. Look for the trademark on the website.
  • Look for features to help whittle down the list of possible matches. Keyword searches offer flexibility, but a search form with multiple different search criteria can also help. You'll also avoid wasting a lot of time contacting people who aren't ever going to reply if you can search by the last login date.
  • Consider niche sites for a more specific pool of singles. Some dating sites are geared toward singles with certain compatible requirements, such as gender, location, income, religion, interests or sexual orientation, which can save you time.
  • Check for mobile applications. If you are rarely home or able to access a computer, look for a dating site that has applications with features that are phone friendly. Some dating sites charge an extra fee for mobile access.
  • Expect it to take time to find a suitable match. If you're serious about online dating, a one-month subscription may not do much for you. Even matchmaking sites like eHarmony.com and Chemistry.com require patience and the weeding out of incompatible matches.

Seasoned online daters say using dating websites takes practice and perseverance. The good news is there's plenty of advice available to newbie online daters. Refer to websites in Useful Links and Our Sources for information ranging from how to create a profile that gets noticed to personal safety.

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