With the multitude of dating sites out there it's hard to know which one is the right choice for you. Luckily the Match.com online dating site lays all the information out for you in an easy to navigate fashion that lets you find local singles as quickly as possible.
In this Match.com online dating site review I will give you my experience with the site and let you know what it has to offer.
Signing Up And Creating A Profile
The first thing you are going to have to do when using the Match.com online dating site is create a free profile. You can run a search for local singles before creating this profile, however you will not be able to view their information unless you are signed in. This makes this site slightly more private than others out there where anyone can view your profile.
The sign-up process itself is easy and straightforward however does take a little more time than others so be prepared for this. This is to your advantage however because using the information you provide they will then look for others in your specific 'what I look for in a partner section' specifications that match what you wrote. These matches will then be delivered to you in your inbox making your search that much easier. This is one key feature of the Match.com online dating site that sets it apart from the rest.
You will be asked basic questions like your age, overall body appearance, location and race and then go into more detailed information like:
-hair and eye colour
-whether or not you have piercings or tattoos
-what you do for fun
-where you would like to travel
-your reading, sport/physical activity and interest preferences
-how often you exercise and what your typical diet is
-your smoking and drinking habits
-how much education you have
-your ethnicity
-your religious beliefs
-your political stance
-your occupation and income level
-whether you are an early bird or a night owl
-if you have any siblings
-whether you currently have children or pets and if you would like them in the future
-what languages you speak
After filling out this information that will help you find local singles by giving them a good indication of who you are you have the option to expand upon that by describing yourself in your own words and what your perfect match would be.
You will also then answer questions similar to the ones above about what you look for in a match.
This process took me about 30 minutes, however depending on how in-depth you wanted to make your customized answers it may take you slightly longer. You also have the option of uploading up to 25 photos, which is highly recommended as it will get you an increased response rate. That was one thing I noticed in particular, without a photo my profile was hardly ever viewed and I did not receive many messages, when the photo went up however, I got a great deal more responses.
What Can You Do For Free?
With this new profile you created on the Match.com online dating site there are a few things you are able to do for free.
You can find local singles and send them winks without it costing you a penny. This lets the person know you are interested and then they can choose to send you a message if they wish.
Unfortunately you are not able to respond to a message until you become a paid member so that is possibly one of the biggest downfalls of this site. If you want to successfully find local singles, you are going to have to pay.
How Much Does A Membership Cost And What Is Included?
That brings us to the price plans offered by the Match.com online dating site. For the basic membership you have a selection of choices, 6 months for $14.99/month, 3 months for $16.99/month and 1 month for $29.99.
With this paid membership you will also get the following features:
-being able to send and respond to e-mails
-being able to see whose viewed your profile
-being able to remove certain members from your searches
-msn alerts of new messages
Finally you will have the option of signing up for Match.com's premium membership, Match.com Plus, which incorporates the help and advice of the popular talk show host, Dr. Phil.
This membership will cost you $21.98/month for 6 months, $24.98/month for 3 months and 38.98 for one month.
With this you will get the advanced features of video advice modules, dating insights and strategies, Dr. Phil workshops, action plans to help you see success and a private online journal. This membership is very targeted towards those who are serious about finding their match within local singles using this service.
Why Should I Sign Up With The Match.com Online Dating Site? What Are The Extra Perks?
One of the best things about the Match.com online dating site is that you are guaranteed to find a match when you sign up for 6 months. They have a special offer that as long as you keep your profile active, respond or initiate conversation with at least 5 different members per month, if by the end of your 6 month membership you have not found a match, the next 6 months of membership are free. This is a great benefit that gives you some reassurance that you won't be trying to find local singles for long!
Another thing I really liked about match.com was being able to see who viewed my profile. This gave me a good indication of whom my profile seemed to be appealing to and how I might be able to change it to find local singles that interested me.
The Match.com online dating site is also great because your private contact information will always remain anonymous. Every e-mail that you send will go out as username@talkmatch.com. This ensures that they can only contact you through the site until you give them your own private e-mail or phone number if you choose to do so.
An additional perk is that there is an online dating magazine for you to read that will provide you with advice and tips on relationships, finding your match and dating in general. This is an excellent way to learn more and improve your chances of finding a match and a successful relationship.
The final thing I really liked about the Match.com online dating site was that it gave you simple response messages you could send to members. For example, if someone who you don’t feel particularly interested in sends you a message you can simply hit the "No Thanks" message option. This way they get a message back so they aren't left wondering but you do not have to come up with an explanation of why you are not interested (although you can do so if you wish). This will also be good for you when you send a message to another member. You wouldn’t want to be left wondering right?
Who Should Sign Up With Match.com?
The Match.com online dating site is a good option for anyone who is looking for a relationship as there is a large age range of people using it. I did a search and found many people from 18 years old all the way up to the 50+ age range. This makes it a great choice for those who have been divorced or widowed and are looking to find someone to spend the remainder of their lives with.
How Is It To Use And What Is The Success Rate?
Match.com was fairy easy to navigate and I found I did not spend a lot of time trying to figure out how it worked. Everything is laid out for you very nicely and they have a very thorough and helpful FAQ section that can solve most of your problems. I also sent an inquiry to their customer service department and received a response within the hour so if you are stuck with a problem, getting an answer will not be a problem.
With over 200 000 success stories on their database that you can browse by location or relationship status, there is no doubt that Match.com works. One you have met a match you are then able to submit your own success story to the site as well if you would like.
Additionally, there is an option to hide your profile once you have met someone so you can pursue that interest without having to completely cancel your membership. This will also prevent other members from trying to contact you as you concentrate on your current relationship. If that relationship does not work out however then you simply take your profile out again and begin interacting immediately.
So if you are serious about finding a partner I would highly suggest the Match.com online dating site. While there are a few small drawbacks, price being one that could potentially be an obstacle for some, I feel the benefits are well worth it. The prices can really be justified if you take into consideration how much you spend on a typical date that doesn't have success. Most times that would often cover a month of membership in itself.
With the stigma being removed from online dating these days more and more people are trying it out. I'd suggest letting Match.com be the site to take you into this dating world.