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 the site's potential. Although most fee-based sites don't allow you to read full profiles without subscribing, you can at least browse through listings of singles in your area before paying. Keep in mind, however, that many profiles may belong to members who haven't subscribed, and most sites don't let non-subscribers reply to email, nor do they make it apparent who's a subscriber and who's not.

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 and avoid receiving solicitation emails.
  • 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 within a month or two when they registered but didn't subscribe right away.
  • Understand the billing and cancelation policies before paying any money. Know in advance what action is required to cancel a subscription and whether the company automatically renews subscriptions by charging your account.
  • Check for security affiliations that protect your personal information. To ensure your personal information is secure, the site should license a privacy program like TRUSTe. Look for the trademark on the website.
  • Look for features to help whittle down the list of possible matches. You will avoid wasting a lot of time contacting people who aren't ever going to reply if you can search by criteria like "who's online" or "last time visited the site."
  • 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. It may be less time consuming to find compatible singles on one of these niche dating sites, rather than more general dating websites.
  • Compare mobile applications. If you are rarely home or able to access a computer, look for a dating site that has applications that allow you to access features from your cell phone. Some dating sites charge an extra fee for mobile access.
  • Member screening can offer peace of mind. A few dating sites take measures to verify a person is single or run a background check. You should still be cautious when meeting someone, as these checks aren't all-encompassing.

Seasoned online daters say using dating websites takes practice and perseverance. The good news is there's plenty advice available online 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.

Back to top