Beginners Guide to Online Dating
1. Know what’s good for you
2. Be honest during the registration
3. Testing the waters
Have you been tinkering with the thought of dating online for far too long? No matter whether you are already into it or just coquetting with the idea, we can agree that finding the best dating site is nearly impossible. There are countless dating services on the Internet, all competing for your attention, while claiming to be the best. But don’t let yourself be taken by the flowery language and vague promises, displayed on the front page. In truth, there is no dating site that is universally perfect for everyone. You need to learn reading through the marketing lines, and acquire the skills to judge a service on its own merits. And you can do so, but only if you know the Five Golden Steps, taught for the most persistent disciplines within the walls of the Grand Monastery, on the misty peeks of Mount S’ayapo. But you know what? This is your lucky day, and our dating experts share the secret with you.
1. Know what’s good for you
We highly recommend holding onto yourself before jumping right into action with the first offer you see on the web. Dating sites like to portray themselves as one-of-a-kind services, but the truth is they can be easily categorized. There are three types of dating websites you should know about.
General dating sites
There are the large, general dating sites that go after a broad audience, often with groups of people from other countries too. And more fish means a bigger chance for a catch, but keep in mind that an overly generic pool of singles also increases the odds that you end up talking to people who you share no chemistry with. Dating websites like these do have very detailed matchmaking algorithms that do a great job in finding those profiles that suit you best, to make sure you are only presented with daters that tick all the boxes. In case you are interested in meeting people from both close and afar, take a chance with eHarmony, a site famous for its remarkable matchmaking system and good ability in finding matches closeby.
Innovative matchmaking system
Detailed compatibility information
In-depth personality test
Innovative matching system
Extensive personality test
Versatile matchmaking options
Specialized dating sites
Specialized dating websites are quite the opposite of the international dating services. In this case, you can be part of a group that is smaller in numbers, but the members share a common quality or interest. There are countless sites dedicated towards the Jewish, Asian, Catholic or black community, but there are also those sites catering to seniors, intellectuals, or upper class entrepreneurs. They promise a more intimate atmosphere and a strong mutual link between you and your potential partner. These kinds of services are usually part of a larger dating network, and share some of their visual assets and features with their sister-sites. Match.com is a great example of this kind of service: it’s focusing mainly on singles in the U.S. and UK, but as a member of the Meetic-group, people across Europe can find the same high quality and devoted dating service on their own language as well.
Intuitive dating sites
“Intuitive” might be a broad term, but the point is clear: there are dating sites that sport an unusual feature that shakes up the boring old matchmaking formula. Currently the newest “gimmick” is the personality test. Some services, like eHarmony, hired a professional psychologist, relationship consultant or anthropologist to create a series of unique personality evaluation questions for them. The grounded science behind the process is disguised as a fun quiz, and then you can read your results in an easy-to-comprehend assessment. These sites also have a striking visual design, and they can be recognized on the first glance, as they showcase their expertise on their front page.
Many of the hot dating apps today also take what we would call an intuitive and refreshing approach to online dating. Tinder is best known for giving a fun and clever twist to dating by intuitively matching you with potential matches in your vicinity through an easy to use app. Then there are tons of other dating apps like Lovoo and Badoo that share characteristics of Tinder, but with more depth added to the formula for better quality matching. New online dating services like these are born every day and are constantly reshaping the way we date and meet new people.
2. Be honest during the registration
After you decided what type of dating site you prefer – alternatively you can give a go for a handful of them, just for good measure – you can start your adventure to the land of online dating by creating profile. This step often discourages people, even though this is one of the easier tasks. Nowadays, 99% of popular dating sites offer you free registration, and they are polished to be a swift and pleasant experience. The process only requires some basic info, like an email address, nickname, location, age gender etc. This is furthered by asking you about your physical appearance, interests, hobbies, faith, ethnicity and possibly your income. We warn you from faking this information. It’s a good idea to use a separate email address and use a nickname for safety purposes, but the generic details describing you help others judge you. Posing as someone else for the sake of looking cooler might help you be noticed, but bites you in the back as you start to grow a serious relationship.
3. Testing the waters
Right after you finished the registration, you’ll be taken to the main page. Always seek a dating site that has a soothing design, and arranges the available features in a practical manner. A regular roster of the popular or active profiles is a definitive plus, with the ability to initiate a detailed search. A good dating site also fits extra options, like personalized e-cards, “About Me” essays, photo portfolios, video introductions, blogs, relationship quiz questions or the ability to browse a list of random singles, just for the sake of luck. Another crucial aspect to check for yourself is the chatting and messaging functionalities the site offers. It’s true that you can create an account on almost any site for free, but keep in mind that this is a gilded cage: some parts are kept behind payment walls. The ability to send emails or start live chatting are popular victims, and you should always check what you can do using a free account, and what a paid membership offers in this regard.
4. Compare the prices
The cost of the dating service is a determining fact when it comes to choosing the ideal candidate, we know that. Running along with a free account is nice and all, but sometimes the benefits of the premium membership is just too tempting. Well, when it comes to checking out, always pay attention to the following: Are there any recent promotions or coupon codes you can use to lower the price? Are there any free trials to experience the full service beforehand? What kinds of credit cards are allowed, and can you pay with PayPal? Additionally, compare the prices under the right circumstances. Dating sites put an expensive price tag on the one-month subscription to motivate you for opting longer. Lengthier commitments come with a discount on the price, but ordering the service for a whole year is only beneficial if the site allows you to cancel with a money back guarantee. The most balanced choices are always the 3-6 month plans.
5. Read reviews
If you followed our steps thoroughly then you may have a clearer picture about the online dating world. We only have a handful of advices left for you. Read reviews about the dating site before you fill out the registration form. Reviews written by experts and users alike are a great source of trustworthy intel. We can also offer you some extra guidance about the perfect selfies, introductory texts for your profile and other dating tips through our blog. When you wish to join a specialized dating site, make sure you pick the leading force in the field, because minor players have far less active members. Don’t be afraid to set up multiple accounts on different sites at the same time. Starting an account is typically entirely free, and is the perfect way to find out if the dating website and its audience are your kind of thing. Take full advantage of the free(mium) account, even if it has its restrictions.
Why you can trust us
The Best Reviews team researches and tests all products first-hand. We've been reviewing products
and services since 2012 and are proud to only publish human-created content.
Tamás Ő.
Sander D.
