Choosing an online dating package can seem daunting, to say the least. As I’ve learned, if you do a comparison shop of a handful of different online dating websites, you’ll find enough membership options to make your head spin. It’s true – the process of online dating can definitely be overwhelming; however, it doesn’t have to be.But, with so many different membership options out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Before you take the plunge, here’s a few things to ask yourself to make sure you’re selecting the best online dating plan (aka: things I wish someone had told me about online dating when I first signed up).
How much are you looking to spend?
When you choose an online dating plan, you’re making an investment in your love life. Like any kind of purchase, it’s always wise to be realistic about your budget. Whether you’re looking for something casual or hoping to meet the love of your life, it’s important that you carefully consider how much you’re willing to spend to achieve your dating goals. Luckily,though, there are lots of different options to accommodate everyone.
For example, let’s say that you’ve never tried online dating before and want to “test the waters.” Your goal is to meet a lot of different people, go on dates and possibly have one of those connections turn into something more. However, since you’re not sure whether online dating is “your jam,” you’re not willing to make much of a financial investment. If this sounds like you, an online dating site like Plenty of Fish might just be the perfect fit.
Plenty of Fish (PoF) is an awesome choice because it’s basic membership is totally free! However, unlike other dating sites where a free “membership” is extremely restricted (ie. you’re only allowed to browse matches, not contact them), PoF’s free service includes full functionality and you’ll get every feature you would expect from a dating site (plus a few fun bonuses). With a free membership, you get full access to the site, including searching, testimonials, favorites, and communication with other members. You’ll also gain access to PoF’s highly detailed personality assessment test results, which includes their “Relationship Needs Assessment Test” that can help you better understand how you function within a relationship.
Free dating sites get a lot of flack for being inferior to their pricier competitors; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. With over 32,000,000 members and 2.4 billion page views every month on PoF, you can’t argue with the numbers. With a free PoF membership, users are guaranteed to meet a variety of diverse singles.
If you’re not ready for much of a financial commitment, and want to keep your online dating experience relatively casual, Zoosk is another great option for you. Zoosk has registered tens of millions of users from more than 80 countries and is available in more than 25 languages, which makes it one of the fastest growing online dating sites out there. It also offers unique flexibility when it comes to it’s membership plans.
Users can access the site through two means: coins, which you can pay for or earn by logging in and doing a variety of activities, or by becoming a subscriber. With Zoosk coins you can boost your profile to get more attention, send virtual gifts to other members or use them to find out if someone has read your profile or email. You can also earn coins through social media, by “Liking” Zoosk on Facebook, installing the app on your phone or by filling out partner offers such as memberships with NetFlix. The site also offers a variety of affordable membership options that start at $29.95 per month and go down from there, depending on how many months you sign up for.
What kinds of features are you looking for?
Want access to more features? In general, when you make a small financial commitment you get access to some really fun and useful features. For example, PoF’s premium membership offers access to the Ultra Match advanced “Behavioural Matchmaking System,” the ability to see if sent messages were read or deleted, profile themes, unlimited gifts, the ability to remove ads and to see who viewed your profile. Your profile will also be placed at the top of the search results – perfect if you really want to put your best foot forward and get the most exposure possible.
What are your dating goals?
If you’re not sure what your dating goals are yet, a free service like PoF is a great place to start – remember, you always have the option to upgrade to a premium membership! However if your goals are more specific, you might find that signing up for a membership with Zoosk (if you’re interested in casual dating) or eHarmony (you’re looking for a serious relationship) will provide you with the most payout for your time and money.
If either of these two scenarios describe what you’re looking for, you’ll also want to consider a longer membership package. Casual dating is an ongoing process and finding true love often takes longer than a few weeks, so why limit yourself with a one month package? A longer membership is always more cost effective overall and will also provide you with more time to ease into the online dating process.
