Match is the biggest online dating site in the USA & Canada and has been increasing in popularity over the years as more and more people turn to internet dating to meet new people.

As well as having a huge number of members, Match also allows you to do very detailed searches so that you can narrow down your potential dates only to the people that you know you are likely to be interested in. Read our review of Match.com below to find out quickly whether or not it is the right dating website for you.

At the time of writing this review, Match had over 20 Million members.

Free Membership Options and Features

With Match you can sign up for free and create a detailed profile that includes photos. You’ll also be able to use their search facility to browse other members’ profiles and see if there are any people that interest you.

The profile takes around 15-20 minutes to create and contains lots of detail about yourself and what you are looking for. You can add information about where you live, your interests and hobbies, your job, your lifestyle, background and values. You can also specify requirements for your partner. It is easy to go into a lot of detail about what you are looking for in a partner, but do remember if you are too specific you will end up with less matches.

After finishing your profile it gets submitted to the Match team for approval. This may seem a bit cumbersome, but it helps to ensure that Match is kept full of clean, genuine profiles.

Here are a couple of screen captures from the profile setup.

At this stage you will not be able to contact anyone without paying a membership fee. The free membership is a great way to find out whether or not Match is suitable for you, but if you are serious about meeting someone online you’ll need to upgrade to start interacting with other members.

Match Membership Cost

The cost of becoming a member with Match.com is $34.99 per month, but you can reduce this fee by signing up for multiple months in one go. A 3 month membership works out at $19.99 per month and a 6 month membership works out at only $16.99 per month.

There is also the option of a Premium membership at $22.99 per month for 3 months or $19.99 per month for 6 months. The premium membership gives you more exposure by highlighting your profile in the search results and sending new members your profile first. It also allows you to see whether or not someone has read your email.

Both the premium and the standard 6 month memberships come with the Match.com Guarantee. This guarantee will give you an additional 6 months membership for free if you do not find someone special within the first 6 months. Do claim the 6 months you must keep your profile online for 100% of the time and contact at least 5 people each month.

Membership Benefits & Features

As well as all the usual profile and search features, Match has a few fun features such as “winking” . A wink at someone lets them know that you like them and is a good way to start a communication and see if they like you without sending a full message to them. If you are a paid member you’ll be able to see who has winked at you

Match has a really cool feature called “DailyMatches”. Each day Match will send you some suggestions based on what they think you’ll like. You can then rate these potential matches and as time goes on, the system will automatically learn what you like and don’t like. This is a really great way to find potential dates without having to spend a lot of time searching.

As you browse through the site you wil be able to “favorite” people that take your fancy. Do be aware that paid members will know when you have favorited them.. So don’t do what I did and start favoriting too many people at once! As a full member you will be able to see who has winked at you, who has favorited you and who has viewed your profile.

From time to time Match also organize “stir events”. These are social events that happen in real life rather than online and are exclusively for Match members. Previous events have included bowling, wine tasting, cooking classes and happy hours.

Search Features

The basic search facility in Match allows you to search based on a specific age range and up to a maximum number of miles from where you live. This is a good initial search to do as it will let you see all the people within your preferred age range that live close enough to you to consider dating. You can also search for only people who have photos on their profile. I recommend doing this as I think it is very important to see at least one photo of someone before you even consider going on a date with them.

If you find that this search is returning too many people, you can use Match’s advanced search feature to narrow things down for you. The advanced search allows you to search based on:

• Physical Attributes
• Faith
• Has Kids/Wants Kids
• Smoking/Drinking
• Interests
• Education

If you’ve dated people in the past that you’ve not been compatible with due to religion, interests, beliefs or goals in life, this is a really good way to just cut to the chase and only see people that you know you can have a relationship with. With offline dating, you’ll often have to go on numerous dates before you can find this stuff out!

Match Review Verdict

Overall we’ve rated Match 5 out of 5 stars. One of the biggest advantages of Match is the huge database of members, so this site is ideal regardless of where you live. If you live in a very small town or in a rural area, Match is probably your best chance of meeting someone online due to the sheer popularity of this site.

We also found the site very easy to use, both for setting up a profile and searching for potential matches. If you are new to online dating you will probably find this site is a good one to get started with.

The only warning we would give you is to be aware that any trial or membership that you take with Match is recurring. This means that you are automatically billed and you will need to cancel your membership manually if you have decided not to continue. I’ve seen a lot of people complaining online about this particular aspect of Match, so just wanted to point this out so that you remember this. Thankfully they make it really easy to cancel and you just need to login to your account and go to the help area to do this. As with any membership that you join it pays to know the rules and be organized.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO MATCH.COM FOR FREE

Turn the clock back 10 years or so and you’ll have found that many people held this attitude about online dating or dating agencies.

However, in this day and age you will find that the majority of people just see internet dating as a normal activity, and  one that is very popular and common among single people.

So if you are wondering if online dating means you are desparate, the answer is a resounding “NO!”. You just need to take a look at the USA’s biggest dating site Match.com as an example. They have 20 million members and I’m pretty sure that most of these people are not desperate

Online dating is also the third biggest business on the internet – see this article on computer world for more details.

If this isn’t enough to convince you, you may want to consider the fact that by not trying  dating websites you are missing out on a huge opportunity to meet someone special. If you’ve already met all your friends’ friends, your family’s friends and the people at your work without meeting someone suitable, then that only leaves meeting people at bars and clubs, by chance, or through some hobby or club that you are involved in.

Trying online dating opens up a whole lot of new possibilities. As most dating sites have extensive search features you can also filter out the types of people that you know you’ll definitely not be interested in e.g. people of a certain age, or people that don’t (or do) want children, people that don’t share your interests, people that smoke (or don’t smoke), or people who are not of a certain religion.

In real life it’s not really possible to do that amount of filtering as you can’t find these things out about people until you meet them and spend some time with them.

With online dating it is actually possible to be VERY picky (the opposite of desperate don’t you think?). You can pretty much whittle down your potential dates to people who fit your requirements exactly and then have some fun browsing through the photos and profiles to find someone that you want to chat to online or meet in real life.

If reading this has changed your mind, have a look here to find out what the best and most popular dating sites are.

If you are unfamiliar with the different dating websites, it can be a minefield to know which ones are the best to sign up with. If you are feeling bewildered, this post will show you how you can differentiate between the plethora of different online dating sites!

#1 – What does it Cost?
Some online dating services are free to use, others are partially free where you can access certain functions before you have to pay and others are ones you have to pay to access the services offered. If you decide to join a dating service where you have to pay, ensure you know what you are paying for and whether it will be a one-off fee or reoccurring for a certain time period.

Have a look at the terms and conditions as well. I know this can be boring, but you need to know if you are tying yourself into a specific period of time, or if you can get a refund within a certain number of days if you are unhappy with the site.

Also, do bear in mind that free is not always better. Free dating sites tend to have so many more “dead” profiles ie. profiles of people who left the dating site long ago.

#2 – Does it Meet your Needs?

Certain online dating services are specialised in the type of people that they are targeting eg seniors, single parents, same sex. If you have specific requirements, sign up to an online dating service that caters for your needs and requirements.

If you are looking for a long term relationship you will find that certain sites are catering specifically to this. On the other hand if you are looking for lots of casual dates, you need to pick a site that caters to yhis.

#3 – What Features are there?

Various online dating services offer a range of features to entice single people to sign up with them. Such features can include winks, real time chats, photo and video uploading and instant messaging. Select an online dating service that has features that make it engaging and enjoyable for you.

#4 – What do Your Friends Think?

A number of your single friends may have tried various online dating sites and had some success stories come out of them. Listen to what they have to say and sign up to online dating services that have received good feedback and avoid those that have had unfavourable feedback.

#5 – Ease of use

Online dating services should be user friendly and make it relatively straight forward for you to sign up and register and begin searching for potential new partners. If there are too many steps involved in the process, it can turn off potential users.

#6 – Easy to search
The key to a good online dating service is the ability to search for potential new partners. Select an online dating service that will help you search the way you want. For example, you may wish to search for partners based on age, height, body type, occupation, location and relationship status.

#7 – Number of Members
Another final thing that you may want to consider is the number of members that the dating site has. This is particularly important if you live in a rural area. There is not much point paying to join a dating site only to find that there are 3 or 4 people in your local area!

So take a little bit of time to think about what yo want and compare online dating services before you dive in and sign up.

Have a look at the top dating sites in the USA and Canada to help you decide what the right ones for you are. You can sign up to all of these dating sites for free initially and decide whther or not it is suitable for you before you join.

#1 – Put up a clear and nice picture of yourself
Due to the absence of seeing what a person actually looks like in person, a photo is the next best thing. For the majority of people online, they will only click into a person’s profile if they like the look of the photos. Offensive or hazy looking photos won’t do much for your profile so make sure your photos are clear and are the best photos of you to put on your profile. Also don’t be tempted to add old photos – you may get more dates with a photo of your younger self, but you are unlikely to get repeat dates when people find out that you have been economical with the truth!

#2 – Be creative and interesting with your headline and tagline
Often, dating sites will have one line for you to put your headline and tagline. Write one that will grab people’s attention. Show a bit of creativity and write one that is witty, will best portray your personality and will act as a hook to lure people to your profile! Some people may just glance quickly at the taglines rather than reading the whole profile, so this is often your only chance to catch someone’s eye.

#3 – Write a short but sweet online profile
An online profile should unveil a bit of yourself however not reveal too much. Create a bit of mystery and intrigue by writing a short paragraph about who you are. Once you start messaging each other than you can start unravelling more and more about yourself!

#4 – Be upfront and honest
If you want a particular type of relationship, write that in your profile. People will then know upfront whether they are seeking the same type of relationship as you. In your profile, be honest about who you are and if they like what you write then they will be inclined to contact you and want to know more about you.

#5 – Create a sense of modesty
Who likes a know it all who just wants to brag about themselves! Be down to earth when writing your online profile and mention a few things that you are proud of however do not get too carried away. You may have achieved a lot in your life however people do not need to know all this information on your profile.

The best time to post a dating profile is as soon as possible after joining a dating site. You will often find that dating sites advertise the newest members very prominently so you have a couple of days where your profile will be viewed by a LOT more people than normal. Take advantage of this by getting your profile set up as soon as you can.

Online dating websites have helped many members who have signed up hoping to meet that special someone. A dating profile needs to have a point of difference that will get people’s attention. Use these dating profile tips to help you get the best profile possible! If you need some dating profile examples take a look at this site for advice on how to write your profile in 3 and a half minutes!

The dating game may have changed quite a bit since the last time you dated. Keep an open heart and mind and you will become successful at dating and meeting that special someone again. Here are 5 tips for divorced people dating for the first time.

Tip #1 – Ensure you are in the right headspace
You are ready to date when you have separated yourself from the marriage that you were in. Issues in the relationship may have been numerous and caused a world of pain however once you have moved on from these internal injuries then you are ready to let someone special into your life. If you are still harbouring resentment and anger then you may need to let time heal these emotions a while longer before you delve into the dating game.

Tip #2 – Consider How Your Children will Feel
If you have a child or children then it is important not to forget them when you begin dating. Depending on the age of your children, it is best to be open with them and tell them upfront that you are dating and whether you are going out to meet a date. The introduction to the person that you are dating is only advisable if the relationship is serious.

Tip #3 – Learn to be happy
It may have been a while since you have been truly happy in a relationship. Remind yourself that dating after a divorce is going to be a positive experience. Don’t dwell on the past but focus on the future. It won’t be long before someone special enters your life and gives you happiness and joy.

Tip #4 – Be open to the notion that your date may have baggage
Chances are that the person that you are dating may also come with baggage. Such baggage may include children or residue from their past relationship or marriage. It is important that you try to understand each other’s problem and discuss them if you feel appropriate. Becoming a good friend and a good listener will help you build a connection and bond with the other person. Helping each other will ease the pain you both feel and help each other get over these hindering barriers.

Tip #5 – Be selective about who you date
The reason why you came out of a divorce is because the person you were with was not right for you. Be careful about who you choose to date as you do not want to make the same mistake and choose a similar type of person. Select a person who has similar interests to you and who understands the situation you were previously in.

A fresh beginning after a divorce is all you need to become a happy and fulfilled person again. Yes, it can certainly be nerve wracking however as long as you follow the above advice then you will be ready. Have a look at some of the best dating sites then get out and have your first date after divorce!

Image Credit: Photostock

Online dating mistakes

Online Dating Mistake #1 – Posting Bad photos
Photos are what will attract people to your profile and let’s face it, people can be superficial and only contact people who have the best looking photos!  As the most significant part of your profile, it is important to display photos that are recent, shows your face clearly and is of good quality.  Include pictures that show you doing something fun or interesting.  Photos that show you obscured in the photo, show you drunk or show you half asleep won’t exactly have people wanting to contact you!

Online Dating Mistake #2 – Sending Standard emails
Make a reference to the person’s profile when making first contact with the other person.  It will show that you have actually read their profile.  If you send standard emails to people, they will think that you are just contacting everyone under the sun hoping to get contact from anyone rather than someone who they think seriously may have a future with them.

Online Dating Mistake #3 – Having too many people on the go at the same time
If you correspond with too many people at the same time, it will get messy and be hard to keep track of what you said to who.  Speaking with a few at the most is the best path to take.  Take time to get to know the people that you are corresponding with.

Online Dating Mistake #4 – Bad spelling and grammar on your profile
Show people that you have progressed from primary school and can spell and string sentences along properly!  Don’t abbreviate words in your profile, such as ‘u’, ‘thx’ or ‘see ya’ when making contact as it will give the impression that you’re lazy.  Show people that you are educated and well versed in the English language.

Online Dating Mistake #5 – Being negative in your profile
Sure, everyone has had their fair share of dating unsavoury people however don’t mention this in your profile.  Writing negatively in your profile will show people that you are a bitter and unhappy person.  Be positive in your writing rather than saying you don’t like this or that.

Online Dating Mistake #6 – Sharing too much personal information
Safety is paramount when you are online dating.  Revealing where you live, where you work and other personal details before you have even met is not advisable.  Meet them in person first and assess what type of person they are before telling them personal information about yourself.

Online Dating Mistake #7 – Setting Your Expectations Too High
When you are dating online you really have to set your expectations first. For example, if you are in your forties do you really think that twenty year old girl is going to want to date you (at least for the right reasons).

The world of online dating can be a minefield to navigate.  Online dating mistakes can occur however try and minimise them as much as possible so you have the best chance of meeting that special someone!

Internet dating is becoming more and more popular and internet dating benefits can be considerable versus the traditional way of meeting people at a bar, a party or through friends. It is very common for people in the dating game to be a little bit apprehensive about trying online dating due to the fear of the ‘unknown’.

However, once you give it a try, you will probably be pleased to find out that it isn’t as daunting as it seems! Internet Dating Benefits include:

• The number of people registered on internet dating websites is can number in the thousands giving you a wide selection of potential partners to choose from.
• Instead of pick up lines and having to pluck up the courage to approach someone, all you need to do is use “flirting functions” that most websites offer, like sending a “wink”, “poke” or “heart” to initiate first contact.
• There is the opportunity to get to the person first online and deciding whether you have common interests before making the decision to meet face-to-face. If you don’t feel there is a connection then you have no obligation to meet them.
• If you are interested in only a casual relationship or only a short term relationship as you are not ready for a long term relationship then you can state that in your preferences.
• Internet dating is relatively inexpensive and requires only a computer with Internet connection which most people have already. You can get to know people online through the comfort of your own home rather than having to get dressed up, going to bars, spending money on drinks and hoping to meet someone on your night out.
• There is the ability to get to know someone at any time of the day. You can log on to the computer and initiate contact or send messages to whoever you choose at whatever time suits you.
• Rejection is less harsh if it is done through email rather than through face-to-face. If you haven’t met the other person as yet, you can just choose to ignore their messages and not respond back to them making it clear to them that you’re not interested in pursuing anything further with them. There is also the reverse situation whereby not hearing from the other person, you realise that they don’t want to pursue anything further with you.

The traditional way of meeting and dating is still common however with the widespread use of the Internet, meeting people online has become popular. Once people give online dating a try then they can see it is a great avenue of meeting other people. Internet dating benefits can be numerous and be a nice way of getting to know someone first before meeting face-to-face and going on an actual date!