The best online dating sites should have a host of tools to help you meet a large number of potential dates, and to go on dates with real potential. A dating site should act as a screening tool, helping you find people you may like, and helping to protect you from anyone dangerous. The best online dating site is the one that you’re comfortable using and that has enough people for you to find some attractive choices. Most of the sites we researched offer mobile apps, and if connecting on the go is important, be sure to find a site you like that has a usable app.
EXPLORE THE OPTIONS
If you’re keen on variety, online dating is the way to go. You can choose from a pool of peoples’ profiles, based on factors like demographics and preferences.
Whatever your likes and preferences, explore all the dating world has to offer by getting on a dating site or phone app.
TAKING REJECTION
Thankfully, with online dating, it’s easy not to take rejection personally. If someone’s not your type and turns you down, you can always just move on to the next person’s profile.
Ever want to go into hibernation mode and take a break from online dating? On some sites, you can freeze your account and come back later. This often means your profile will not be visible or active, but you can always reactivate it with the click of a button. It’s just that easy to deactivate your account.
PROS OF ONLINE DATING
- The online dating world is filled with lots of options
- Start your online profile in seconds
- Online dating sites and apps are sometimes free or reasonably priced
- You can talk in your PJs from home or wherever
- You’ll enjoy the ease of online communications
- Online dating is convenient whether at home or on the go
- You can meet people locally or across the globe
CONS OF ONLINE DATING
- Sometimes you have to weed through a lot of profiles
- You can’t always verify if matches are legit
- Online communication can’t replace that in-person connection
- It may be unsafe to meet in person and there’s the possibility of being lied to
STAY SAFE
So, what about safety and security? Some sites have moderators that can remove fake profiles and conduct background checks to verify. Some offer 24/7 support and help pages. There may be SSL encryption technology to prevent scammers and spammers from entering the site.
However, these security features may not be enough and the rest is up to you. To address safety concerns, always meet in a public place the first time, and tell at least one trusted person of your whereabouts. Be sure to tell them your destination, contact information and any other details.
GET REAL AND FACT CHECK
Make sure on Facebook and other social media platforms that the information on your date appears to be true and real. Check for consistency. If you know someone who knows him, find out what they think and verify that what you think you know is true.
POPULAR SITES AND PHONE APPS TO EXPLORE
SITES: Match.com, EliteSingles.com, Zoosk.com, OkCupid.com, EHarmony.com, Marriage.com, Flirt.com, PlentyofFish.com, CoffeeMeetsBagel.com, AdultFriendFinder.com, Anomo.com, SingleandShy.com, Bumble.com, OurTime.com, and BlackPeopleMeet.com.
Source: Susan Schabacker, Forsyth Woman Magazine, February 2019
Top Sites:
Best for Serious Relationship: Elite Single
Elite Singles is designed around people who are serious about finding a match. This site uses an extensive personality questionnaire that asks the serious questions that go beyond hair color and body type common on casual dating sites.
This site asks not only about your own education level but how much you care about that in your partner. It asks questions that tend to come with long-term relationships – whether or not you want children, whether you insist your partner have a specific religious affiliation and other similar themes. Elite Singles is not one of the online dating sites that specifically cater to participants of certain ages, religions or ethnicities, but this site is determined to appeal to those who have a high level of education. The landing page for the site states that more than 80 percent of members have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This site also removes people that don’t log on often, so you are left only with people who interact regularly with the site. To access the site, CLICK HERE
Most Popular: Zoosk
Zoosk began as a Facebook application in December 2007, and now it’s a global dating site with millions of registered users to its name. Zoosk is a unique dating company on a mission to seamlessly integrate social networking and online dating. The dating website and app provide singles with an intuitive dating experience with affordable and customizable communication tools at their disposal. Zoosk attracts a fairly young crowd of singles looking for casual dates and deep relationships in a fun online environment. It has an active and diverse user base in 80 countries. The dating site caters to singles of all ages and orientations with over 40 million members who collectively send an average of 3 million messages a day on the site. It has a relatively even split between men (48%) and women (52%) registered on the site. To access the site, CLICK HERE. (Overview by: Hayley Matthews)
Best Site for 50+ Singles: OurTime
OurTime caters to singles 50 years and older who are looking for anyone from pen pals and travel partners to serious relationships and marriages. As you explore the features of the site, it’s clear to see OurTime is essentially the Match.com of online dating for a more senior age group. The site mimics Match in many ways, from their handpicked daily matches, to their well-designed profiles that provide just the right amount of information to get conversations going. To access the site, CLICK HERE.
Presented by: Smart Strategies for Successful Living