Sunset over Cabo Frio (the Cold Cape), Brazil

Sunset over Cabo Frio (the Cold Cape), Brazil
where the warm north Altantic meets the cold south Atlantic. picture (c) phil marks 2009

Monday 1 February 2010

What Dating Sites?

I've been writing for weeks about online profiles, so this week I thought I would have change and write about some online sites.

If you are choosing a site then the basic categories are:

General
Specialised
Adult

There are both Free and Subscription-only sites in all these categories. Most of the subscription-only sites have free offers at some times of the year (and most often for females). Many, if not most, of the free sites offer some sort of premium service which costs money. So, in general it is more about marketing.

Generally, most sites cater for all adult orientations, and some for group orientations or specialised - eg 'married, but want a fling' requirements. These are not necessarily classified as 'Adult Sites'.

General Sites
These cater for the general population, they have relative higher numbers of members and the most sophisticated interfaces

Specialised Sites
These are typically for theatre, music (including band lovers), various sports (sailing for me) - but also golf, horses and so on. Plenty of variety here, but obviously the 'choice' is more limited. Also, sites which are event based and travel based.

Adult Sites
Catering for all tastes, I'll say no more. I have no experience of these to contribute, other than free browsing. It takes all sorts.


User Interface
Some are much easier to navigate than others, and poor navigation can be frustrating in the early days of membership. The investment required to fill in a profile can be considerable (both time and emotion) if you are new to it and want to present yourself in the best light.

Check the earlier posts in this blog of you want some guidance on filling in a profile.

So, think what you want out of a dating site and look at several before you pay. I definitely recommend the paid sites - paying demonstrates that you are serious about the exercise, and you know that the other person is too.

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