Free On Line Dating – is it Worth It?

On line dating is a convenient and popular method of finding a date used by millions of single men and women all over the world.  Whereas a few years ago most people would have asked if on line dating was safe, these days on line dating has become so popular that the question has instead become: which are the best on line dating websites?

Some people will answer this question by recommending you avoid free on line dating websites.  However many of the reasons why these people feel adversely about free on line dating websites relates to myth rather than fact, just as it did years ago about on line dating in general.  Myths aside, the major somewhat credible reason is not really a major issue at all; it is quite a manageable concern if you are simply responsible with your actions.

In a nutshell the major issue people worry about regarding free on line dating sites is that they tend to attract more undesirables than paid dating sites.  The concern is somewhat valid since not having to pay makes it easier for those who have no real serious commitment to get involved.  Add this to the issue that many free on line dating websites operate with more relaxed screening processes and yes, free on line dating websites can become a home for those who you should keep your eye out for. 

Of course, this is not a unique issue localized to free on line dating websites.  Paid sites also must have processes in place to deal with the issue of undesirables, albeit to a lesser degree.  It is also not an issue restricted to the on line dating world since in the real world people have been cheating, lying and acting unscrupulous since the dawn of time.  You see, free on line dating is no different than any other method of dating except that by being free it often comes with more of a relaxed sign up process and through that may attract more people who are not entirely honest.

In other words, free on line dating websites are really no different than the experience you might have upon paying money to a dating service or from what you might experience in a real world dating environment like a bar.  Given that, there really is no reason why you should avoid free on line dating websites and, if you take care, there are benefits to using them.

If you’re new to the on line dating scene then free on line dating websites offer you the very real opportunity to test the water.  Just like on paid sites or in the real world, any risk you take in utilizing such services comes down to how responsible you are with your own personally identifiable information.  If you are careful to take things slow, to gauge the scene, and to interact by divulging plenty of broad information about your likes and dislikes and very little information about your real name, address, and other information that can identify who you are, then the risk to you is no more than it would be anywhere else.  In fact, it can even be arguable that it is a lot less.

Additionally, because the on line dating industry is a growing, multi-million dollar one, there are many businesses vying for their share.  Many of these begin by making their services free so that they can attract clientele.  There are also free on line dating services that allow you to post a profile and to access other people’s profiles, but that won’t allow you to chat with other people unless you pay.  These types of free on line dating services provide you a relatively low risk opportunity to check out the service and see if it has other users who you might like to get to know before you pay a cent.

Further, there are many people like you who perhaps aren’t 100% sure about on line dating in general and, rather than hand over their credit card details, prefer to try for free before they commit any money.  For this reason the free on line dating service industry may offer more opportunity to meet that special someone simply because there are more people willing to try using it.  In other words, there are pros and cons and honestly, if you’re always careful, the pros outweigh the cons.

If in the end you are still not sure about that last statement, most paid on line dating services offer a free trial period or free pass.  A free trial is different to a free on line dating service because at some point you are going to have to commit to payment, but it does give you a temporary means to compare what the paid sites have to offer compared to the free on line dating services that you might be considering.  

The rule of thumb is if you’re seeking a free on line dating service; don’t hand over your personal details or credit card until you are sure you know what you’re doing.  Be cautious about rushing into things, take your time getting a “feel” for the service, and compare it to other services both free and paid.  Some people report bad experiences with paid on line dating services whilst others report wonderful experiences with free on line dating services.  It is all relative and, in the end, your successful on line dating experience ultimately depends on how responsible you are with using either type of service.