Home » Top Ten Online Dating Sites
:: Top Ten Last Updated - March 15, 2007
The Top Ten Online Dating Sites are my personal reviews of the major dating sites in the industry, and maybe even a few that you have never heard of. My reviews are based on Layout & Design, Features, and User-Friendliness, such as ease of use, and search capabilities.
From other reviews I've seen, too many rankings seem to be based on the popularity of the service, gained simply by massive advertising. What I have given you are my opinions of the top dating sites based on their services, regardless of how often you see them advertised in the media. Feel free to send me your comments, questions, or suggestions. |
Free Membership Features & Limitations:
Lavalife seems to provide the most with their free memberships, as it entitles you to several important features such as:
Features -
- Replies
- Flirts(smiles)
- Unlimited Browsing/Searching
- Keep Hotlists
- Lavalife Magazine(more details below)
Limitations -
Limitations? With Lavalife, the only thing that can even be put into this category is not being able to message other members. This will be the case with any quality service. However, when a paying member messages you, you are allowed to reply for free. This goes for both mail and instant messages... something you won't find with many other quality dating services.
|
|
back to top ^
Added with Paid Membership:
Since everything Lavalife has to offer is already given to you with a free membership, the only thing left for them to sell you is the ability to message other members. And they've done this with style by allowing you to purchase credits on the spot. (Read more about credit purchases below.)
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
Probably the most under-rated dating site by far. If you ask me, no other dating site currently holds a candle to Lavalife. Look up the definition of the term "sexy" in the dictionary, and do you know what you'll find? The definition of "sexy". But they should have thrown a description of Lavalife in there somewhere!
Lavalife features three different communities you may choose from such as Dating, Relationships, and Intimate Encounters(adult dating), which are seperated, yet integrated together almost seemlessly. Ability to switch back and forth from one community to another takes one click and is instant. It's as if you have three dating sites combined into one. And your profile in each community is also seperate so each may be different. Lavalife also offers other communities for alternative(Gay) lifestyles, such as Womanline and Manline.
As if that isn't enough, Lavalife also offers "Lavalife by Phone" and "Lavalife Mobile". Like Lavalife.com, Lavalife by Phone offers you the same three communities, Dating, Relationships, and Intimate Encounters. You would simply record your own personal voice profile, and then you're ready to chat live with other Singles. With Lavalife Mobile, anyone with text messaging or WAP browsing on their cell phone may now chat with singles on the move.
Rich with content, Lavalife also includes Lavalife Magazine, containing Articles & Advice, Horoscopes, Contests, Polls, Newsletters, and more. Very nifty stuff.
At Lavalife, you purchase credits rather than monthly memberships. This allows you to interact with other singles on your own time rather than forcing you to find that special someone within a timeframe. Just came across someone you want to contact, but you aren't a paying member? Purchase a few credits real quick and send them a message. It's that easy.
The credit options are as follows:
• 200 credits - $39.99(USD)
• 100 credits - $24.99(USD)
• 50 credits - $14.99(USD)
- Sending a mail message to a member costs 6 credits. Messages to that member thereafter are free.
- An instant message session with a member costs 6 credits for 20 minutes and 12 credits for an hour. You may extend a session by 5 min for 2 credits. Also, you may message as many members as you like for the duration of your session.
Maybe it's just me, but I really dig this structure. It's affordable, and it's convenient with your own personal time.
So, here it is - My #1 pick for online dating services. Lavalife.
|
|
back to top ^
Free Membership Features & Limitations:
Features -
- Flirts(show interest)
- Unlimited Profile Browsing
- Date Info(more details below)
Limitations -
- Sending Messages
- Replies?(not sure yet)
- Difficult to be seen(paid members get higher search rankings)
|
|
back to top ^
Added with Paid Membership:
- Send E-mails
- Send Instant Messages
- Chat Rooms
- Higher Ranking in Profile Searches
- Audio/Video Messaging
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
I may have given Date.com just a little too much credit, but over-all, I think it's a nice, yet simple site which makes it easy to use. Another reason I've given it a higher ranking is it's added features which are available even to free members, such as Date Info. Date Info is a cool little section with content such as Success Stories, Articles, Advice, Virtual Interviews, Horoscopes(very cool), and More. Without this, Date.com probably would have fallen a slot or two in my top ten.
Memberships are as follows:
• 1 month for $29.95 USD
• 3 months for $59.95 USD (only $19.98 USD per month)
• 6 months for $89.95 USD (only $14.99 USD per month)
• 1 year for $119.95 USD (only $9.99 USD per month
Being a paid member gives you top rankings in profile searches. It's another good incentive to pay for a membership, but really puts free members at a disadvantage. After a month as a free member and hardly getting any profile views, I was starting to wonder. Then I read about the higher rankings as a paid member and it all made more sense. Unfortantely, you're not going to get alot of action as a free member, but at least they give you just enough for you to decide if you want to pay them for their service.
Also avaliable is Date Mobile. I can't say much about this due to the fact that I haven't personally used it, but it should be a nifty feature to say the least. What I can tell you, is exactly what Date.com has to say, and I quote:
"DateMobile is a fun and accessible way to meet and communicate with people across North America. With similar functionality to Date.com you can search profiles, select and communicate by text messages or WAP at anytime on your mobile phone, making the service available to you 24 hours a day."
"DateMobile costs 50¢ for every message you receive including replies to commands that you send. These charges will appear on your wireless phone bill."
"In Canada, DateMobile costs 50¢ for every message you send. There is no cost for messages you receive. These charges will appear on your wireless phone bill."
"The WAP version of DateMobile costs $4.95 per month. These charges will appear on your wireless phone bill. In Canada the WAP version of DateMobile costs $4.95. These charges will appear on your wireless phone bill."
So yeah, if you ask me, Date.com seems to provide a good quality service, but you won't be able to fully appreciate it until you upgrade to a Gold Membership. Would I do it? Yeah, I'd give 'em a shot.
Visit Date.com now.
|
|
back to top ^
Free Membership Features & Limitations:
Features -
- Free Flirts(limited to 30)
- Hotlists
- Unlimited Browsing
Limitations -
- Sending, Reading/Replying to Messages
|
|
back to top ^
Added with Paid Membership:
- Send and Recieve E-mail
- Send Instant Messages
- Video Chat
- Message Boards
- Create Customizable E-cards
- See Your AstroScope Compatibility
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
American Singles has laid out a good-looking site with a few cool features that you won't find on other dating sites. None that I've reviewed anyway. Also, the site is easy enough to use for the most part which plays a big part in my reviews. After-all, who wants to spend time on a site if it gives you a headache just trying to find your way around?
A free member seems to be rather limited, but once again, with what you're given you should be able to figure out if you feel you want to pay for their service. I am a bit in question about one thing in particular, however. Several months as a free member and my profile has only been viewed 9 times? No messages, no flirts.. no anything. This is not the case with most other dating sites that I've reviewed. I can only assume that, like Date.com, a paid member is listed ahead of free members in search results. Or perhaps there is a glitch in the programming? I'm still unsure...
American Singles has a nifty featured called "Click!", in which each profile displays the question, "Do you think you'd click?". If you click "yes" and at any point in time that member views your profile and also clicks "yes", you'll be informed that you've "clicked" with a member.
I'll be reviewing this service further, so it's placement in my top ten is definately subject to a soon change. I feel I must dig deeper into this one! All in all, this one is well worth a try.
Visit American Singles now.
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
| Personal Review: |
|
Review Currently In Progress...
|
|
back to top ^
|
Your Destinations
