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Overview

Match.com has a membership of over 20 million people serving 25 different countries in 8 languages. The site itself went live in 1995 and since then has become one of the market leaders in the online dating industry. Although Match.com largely started out as a majority of women members, the site now has a fairly even ratio of men to women. The majority of users are in the age range 20 – 50.

Features

Match.com has a wide a range of features, for example:

• Mobile text alert – this enables you to receive messages whilst out and about. Match.com will send you a text alert whenever someone sends you a message or a wink.

• Match Talk – a completely anonymous alternative to conventional phone calling, enabling you to talk on your phone with your match Talk connections.  A interested member dials your specially generated Match.com number, which directs him/her to your phone. Both caller and receiver will only see the match talk number on their caller ID.  A great idea if you don’t want to give out your number to anybody.

• Profilepro – profile experts can help you improve your profile with advice and tips. Let’s face it, some people find it hard to sell themselves, so if you find the prospect of having to write a personal profile daunting, this is a great service.

• Match.com guarantee – if you take out their 6 month subscription and you don’t find a perfect match during those 6 months, they will give you a further 6 months free.

Accessibility

The website itself is easy to navigate even if you are new to the internet. I just followed a few simple steps and I was registered. You will need to enter your name, age and email address and that’s it – you can browse!

Service

The site doesn’t have any live support, which I thought would have been helpful. You have to fill in an online form if you have any questions or technical queries, however I did find most of the help I was looking for in the FAQ.

Pricing

Free

• Create a profile,
• Post photos,
• Conduct searches,
• Send and receive winks
• Plus, you can also cruise the site and access your account from their mobile site or from apps on all major Smartphone platforms.

Subscribed

• Receive and reply to messages from other Match.com subscribers
• Send messages to Match.com members you’re interested in
• See who has viewed or favorited your profile
• Connect faster with IM
• Keep track of all open Connections in one place – including those you’ve sent Winks to

• Remove members you’re not interested in from your search results in order to make room for other possibilities

The costs of subscription-only services are:

• 1 month subscription – $34.99 / month
• 3 month subscription – $22.99 /month
• 6 month subscription – $19.99 / month (best value and you also get the Match.com guarantee)

Summary

I like the website itself, but it doesn’t feel very intimate – it’s just such a monster of an operation. 20 million active members is a heck of a lot, so if using this site, I would suggest you narrow down your search by taking the personality quiz (which incidentally, I loved) and Match.com will then suggest possible matches. If you are just browsing, be prepared to spend a lot of time doing it!

I like the idea of Profilepro to help you with your profile but think the $39.99 cost of this service is a bit steep.

Overall, Match.com is excellent if you want to access a wide choice of people and want to be able to make full use of technology such as anonymous calling, text alerts, and Smartphone apps.

Created in 2005, Geek 2 Geek is a dating website which lays claim to being a dating site where “it’s ok to describe yourself as you really are”. Designed for individuals who get tagged as “geeky” by virtue of their intellectual gifts or interest in “geeky” activities anime, fantasy gaming, puzzles and other non-mainstream activities, those who are fans of geeks are also very welcome. The site has over 200,000 active members from all over the world.

Features

Geek 2 Geek has a variety of features which include the following:

• Match Search - Search by age, sex, and city for other members
• Chat - Talk with other Geeks directly in chat rooms.
• Forum - Post messages to other Geeks on a variety of topics
• Blogs - Personal blogs of members created especially for Geek 2 Geek
• Videos – Create videos and look at other member videos
• Geek Goddess – Ask advice regarding your relationships
• Polls – Polls on what geeks think about a range of topics
• Surveys – See what geeks think of the site and other things
• Top Rated Profiles – Profiles of paid members can be easily accessed

Some of these features are only available to paid members.

I especially liked three of the Geek 2 Geek features. The first of these is Geek Goddess. This feature offers members advice about their relationships in a traditional “problem page” format.  The second feature which drew my attention is an event calendar. It shows the dates of different events that geeks enjoy all over the country. The last feature of special interest was the news link which shows you current geek news.

Once you’re a member of Geek 2 Geek, you’re able to access the member discount area. The member discount area gives every member access to discounts at popular websites and stores. Groupon, Fans Edge, Flightnetwork, and wireless emporium are a few examples of discounts on offer.

Accessibility

Geek 2 Geek is one of the easiest to use websites that I have encountered and it’s also very pleasing to the eye. Its layout  is uncluttered and what is really neat is the fact that all features are easily accessible through menus on either the left hand side of the website or at the very top, while the middle of the page shows the members or the view of whichever feature you click on…

Service

Customer service appears to be good, with response to emails within 24 hours and an extensive FAQs page. There’s no telephone support.

Pricing

There are three different account packages (Free, Silver, Gold), each with a different set of features which allow you to stay in contact with members. It’s possible to use the site without paying a cent, but only if you’re prepared to wait for paying members to contact you and are happy to significantly limit your own participation on the site.

Paid memberships are affordably priced, especially as a new member, when a one-time discount is available.

Silver

The Silver package gives you access to the majority of features. First-time user prices are as follows:

Monthly -$8.99

Bimonthly-$15.99

Quarterly-$21.99

Semiannual-$34.99

Lifetime-$119.99

Gold

The Gold package is also affordable and as you might expect, gives access to all features. First-time pricing is as follows:

Monthly-$13.99

Bimonthly-$24.99

Quarterly-$33.99

Semiannual-$54.99

Lifetime-$149.99

Summary

Overall, Geek 2 Geek is an interesting and accessible online dating website which recognizes and celebrates the diversity of human experience, reclaiming what has hitherto been a derogatory term for those who refuse to be defined by all that is mainstream.  If you feel like a square peg in a round hole when you visit other dating sites, you’re going to love Geek 2 Geek.

Overview

Founded in 2000 by Neil Warren who is a psychologist and author of a number of relationship advice books, eHarmony is based on millions of dollars of research. The site itself has over 30 million members worldwide and claims that over 500 people each day marry as a result of meeting on eHarmony. That is 5% of all US marriages. The first site of its kind to use a tried and tested scientific approach to matching singles.

Features

• 29 Dimensions® Using patented technology, the system enables eHarmony to match potential couples using core traits that will not only mean you are compatible now but also in the long term, which means a higher rate of relationship success.

• Free online dating advice is a free service to all members where you can get advice from the experts in all aspect of relationships and online dating.

• Free personality profile. This is very in depth and offers great insights on how people see and perceive you. This was great, as it gave me many insights into myself that I was not aware of before. I loved this tool.

• You do not need to scroll through thousands of members. eHarmony only match ones that you are compatible with, so this saves a lot of time.

• Secure call lets you speak on the phone without identifying your number. There are no long distance charges either for using this service.

• RelyID quickly verifies your name, city and age to give your matches a greater degree of confidence in you.

• Deeper analysis tool gives you greater understanding of how you work and how this impacts your daily life.

Accessibility

This is an extremely easy to use website, with very clear instructions and navigational tools. Although the personality test takes quite a long time to complete, it is worth doing and easy to do and follow.

Service

Site itself is very helpful with lots of topics about how to do things. You can also call eHarmony toll-free, which is great if you can’t find the help you were looking for. The testimonials on the site speak for themselves, as do their statistics.

Pricing

Basic  Plans

1 Month Full Price $59.95 per month

3 Months Standard Plan $39.95 per month – (Save 33%)

6 Months Featured Plan $29.95 per month – (Save 50%)

12 Months $19.95 per month – (Save 66%)

• View match photos
• Request photos from your matches
• See “who’s viewed your profile”
• See when your matches last logged in
• Send/Receive Communication Requests

Total Plans

3 Month Starter Plan $44.95 per month

6 Months popular Plan $33.95 per month – (Save 24%)

12 Months Value Plan $23.95 per month – (Save 47%)

• View match photos
• Request photos from your matches
• See “who’s viewed your profile”
• See when your matches last logged in
• Send/Receive Communication Requests
• Get your ID verified
• Talk on the phone safely and securely
• Get a deeper analysis of your personality

Summary

eHarmony is among my favorite dating sites. It’s easy to use and fully deserves five star status. It’s not a site just for browsing. This is a service for serious people wanting serious matches.  If you are serious about finding a long term partner, then this is the site to use. It is on the pricier side, but I think the gains are worth it.  If anywhere near the 500 people eHarmony claim are marrying every day as a result of this site actually do, then it deserves to be number 1!

SexyAds offers one of the best dating deals on the internet; hot pictures of lots sexy people wanting to meet, live video, a magazine, chat and great service.

If it’s good, clean adult fun you’re looking for, SexyAds is one of the best of places on the Web to start your search.  Sexy, without being scillatious, x-rated, but safe, SexyAds is one adult dating site we feel confident about recommending on the strength of its ability to make full use of all the latest social networking and digital media, as well as its demonstrable commitment to providing opportunities for  people to get involved in intimate encounters both online and offline, and to doing so by providing a very high standard of customer service.

Features

.    Upload personal videos

.    Video chat – 8 different chat rooms for different interest groups.

.    Content filters -Choose how explicit you want your content to be: Nice, Naughty or Wicked.

.    Phone photos – Email a photo while you’re on the go if you want to share your every move!

.    Voice ads – Enrich your written profile with an optional voice recording.

.    Contest galleries – Fun photo contests.

.    Certified Real -  get your profile verified as real than fake.

.    Blogs – write your own blog.

.    Forums – participate in online forums.

.    Erotic stories - read titillating stories or write and post your own!

.    SexyAds has several sub-domains, which cater to a range of tastes and interests.  Also visit;

BBW SexyAds
BDSM  SexyAds
Straight SexyAds
Gay SexyAds
Mature SexyAds
SpankingSexyAds
Ebony SexyAds
Trans SexyAds
SwingersSexyAds

Free Membership

It’s limited; you don’t get quite as many benefits as if you become a VIP member. However, with free membership at SexyAds, you still get;

• Access to member database and profiles (thumbnails only).
• Search on limited range of parameters.
• Access to 2 of 3 content filters (VIP membership required for full X-rated access).
• Ability to send virtual “cards”.
• Ability to send “tickles”.
• Ability to send emails to VIP members.
• Ability to participate in private or group chat (IM only).
• Ability to create and read blogs.
• Ability to post comments on blogs.
• Ability to participate in forums.
• Ability to read erotic stories, take part in trivia games etc.

VIP Membership

In addition to free membership benefits, VIP members have:

• Premium Placement – your highlighted profile which appears ahead of free member profiles. This, together with the increased access free members have to email you is calculated to elicit 62% more contacts being made to VIP members than those received by free members.
• Access to explicit uncensored X-rated content.
• Ability to see full size photos.
• Ability to use advanced search parameters.
• Ability to participate in private or group video chat.
• Ability to send voicemail to your contacts.
• Ability to send email to all members.
• Ability to receive email from free members – means increased likelihood of being contacted (see above)
• Ability to post comments on profiles.
• Ability to add personalized text to the virtual cards you send.
• Ability to track who has viewed your profile.
• Ability to view profiles anonymously.

Cost

VIP membership rates start from $24.95/month, but they often have special discount days, where you can purchase your subscription for a mere $9.95/month.

Highs?

This feels like a high quality adult dating site, which achieves a balance between giving the customer access to exactly what he or she wants, and doing it with as much taste and panache as possible. SexyAds is a slick, but friendly site on which to surf – the design feels professional (but the SexyAds people remain committed to using real people rather than models to advertise the site), pages load quickly and it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. It’s also very addictive and easy to spend many hours enjoying the amazing variety of features on offer!

SexyAds pride themselves on their customer service, and are one of the few companies we’ve come across that actually live up to their promises Support isn’t limited to replying to the odd e-mail. Our experience has been that they offer support right down the line, from help with getting started on your use of the site, to making sure that you aren’t bothered by nuisance “callers” by blocking people you don’t want to correspond with, and ultimately if necessary, terminating their membership. We’ve always had responses within a few hours when we’ve dealt with them; not automated messages; just clear factual answers to questions that we’ve put to them. Full marks.

Lows?

We hate it when we can’t find anything to gripe about…but we really couldn’t when it came to commenting on SexyAds. A year or so ago, we would have complained about the relative tackiness of the site layout, but they’ve improved it now, so we’re stuck with having to say that SexyAds is simply a damn good site if you’re looking for spice in your life.

A website for “generic” or non-specialist dating aimed at a wide user base.

Here’s what’s on offer:

Free Membership

• favorites
• search
• post basic photos
• flirt/show interest
• read blog

Gold membership

All the features available to free members, plus:

• instant messaging/chat
• emails
• post extra photos
• ad free browsing
• premium placement
• send virtual gifts ( a coffee, a beer, cuddly toy, jewlry etc.)

Cost

Subscriptions from $11.66/month.

Highs

While you do have to complete it before accessing the membership, MakerMaker’s profile isn’t the most painful I’ve come across. The website is also mercifully simple to navigate – you don’t feel overwhelmed by an avalanche of activity.

Lows

I described this as a non-specialist dating site. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with catering for a broad spectrum, but for some reason, it’s difficult to get excited about MatchMaker. Maybe it’s because it’s impossible to find out anything about what’s on offer without either registering and completing a profile or Googling the site and finding out what others have to say. Call me anal, but I like to know a bit about what I’m signing up for before I sign up!

Even when you’re up an running as a member, there’s very little “sell” of what’s on offer – just links to various features, then nag screens requiring you to take out a paid prescriptions before accessing those features.

My other gripe is about virtual gift sending. I know MatchMaker aren’t alone in offering this service, but I’d feel ripped off/stupid if I spent hard cash buying tokens that buy…absolutely nothing. You buy tokens (starting at $1.00 for 10 tokens) which entitle you to “send” “gifts” to contacts you’re interested in. Since the cheapest gift is costs 10 tokens, it’s not difficult to rack up a lot of spending pretty fast.

It’s easy to overlook this little gem of a dating agency – it doesn’t invest big bucks in high profile advertising, it doesn’t have an all singing, all dancing website with lots of social media technology. However, if you spend 5 minutes just browing the website, you notice something that’s missing from many other similar agencies – a quiet industrious stance that’s dedicated to promoting the best that the Russian Federation countries have to offer in the way of female citizens and to helping you finding one of those women to make you a good wife.

Elena’s Models has been operating since 1999. It’s a dating agency registered and run in Australia by a Russian (Elena Solomon (née Petrova), who is married to an Australian man.

There are no ifs or buts about the purpose of Elena’s Models – they exist principally to help broker marriages:

“Our ultimate goal is to help our clients to find suitable partners.

We want our clients to get married – and stay married.”

Marriage being their goal, they’re not really interested in conducting business with clients of either gender who are simply out for a good time, so from the outset ask you to declare your commitment to the idea of a serious relationship.

Once you’re “on-side”, it’s as if you join a family in which everything possible is done in order for you to achieve your potential.

Features of Elena’s Models include:

• 15,000+ active profiles
  
• Works in a similar way to traditional dating sites – both men and women add their profiles (for free), before opting for contacting rights at various levels of membership.
• Users must endorse a declaration that there intention in joining Elena’s models is for the purposes of meeting a potential marriage partner.
• Strong anti-scamming measures in place – female users are strongly encouraged to produce documentary evidence of  their status. Production of documents is required in order for a woman to acquire “confirmed” status on the website. Women are forbidden from making any form of request for money. Any women caught scamming are placed on a blacklist and reported to Russian police.
• Expression of Interest.

  This is a really useful feature in that it enables you to test the water before making a financial outlay. Having completed and posted your profile, you’ll no doubt want to browse the database of available women. If you come across any you’re interested in, you can send a quick “Expression of Interest” message to them. This is similar to the “wink” on mainstream dating sites – you’re simply alerting the object of your interest to the fact that you’ve noticed them.Once the ladies receive your expression of interest in their mailbox, they can return an “Interested” or “Not Interested” response, which will allow you to decide whether or not to take out a membership subscription in order to begin a proper correspondence.You may also receive expressions of interest notifications from women.

• Translation Services 2 levels of translation are provided by Elena’s Models – Adequate and Creative. The quality of each level of translation is denoted by the substantial price difference between the two. Turnaround time is up to 3 days.
• Membership Levels

  Silver Membership - (automatically available to all members)

  • Create your profile
  • Add listing/ad to Elena’s Models website
  • Add unlimited photos
  • Create list of Favorites

  Gold Membership

  • UNLIMITED contacts with any woman on the site
  • UNLIMITED Expressions of Interest
  • UNLIMITED download of direct email addresses
  • Additional photos

  Platinum Membership

  • TOP of search results position
  • Personal ad on agency’s RUSSIAN SITE – get seen by a wider range of women
  • UNLIMITED contacts
  • UNLIMITED Expressions of Interest
  • UNLIMITED download of direct email addresses
  • Additional photos
• Individual Service

  This is a personalized matchmaking service. Elena’s Models is unique among dating agencies of this kind in providing a one-to-one service for those serious about finding a bride. The Individual Service is designed to take the hassle out of meeting a Russian woman, freeing you from the uncertainty and stress involved in negotiating a relationship across continents. The agency undertakes to screen and contact all women who meet your personal requirements, sending you extended resumes of those women who express an active interest in making contact with you. All email contact and translation services are included within the service price.Once you have made contact with women you’d like to meet, Elena’s Models will organise your trip to Russia in the finest detail – everything from travel, visas and accommodation, right through to the provision of a driver, English speaking guide and visits with women are arranged on request (costs associated with your trip abroad are not included in the Service fee). Should you decide to marry in Russia, the Agency can also arrange that for you. If you marry in your own country, the Service provides advice on the obtaining of a fiancée visa should this be necessary.Elena’s Models screens men’s suitability for admittance to this program. Once you’ve been accepted, they guarantee to work with you for the one-time fee until you are married.

  The view of one happy user of the Individual Service:

  I think your Individual Search service is absolutely great. You did a fantastic job, and met or exceeded all of my expectations. There are many positive aspects to your service…  I liked that you responded promptly and thoroughly to my letters if I had any questions or concerns. I particularly liked that you were available and willing to try to help if any relationship problems developed, and you educated me about Russian psychology and cultural characteristics, which was very helpful.

  …I also like that you seemed to screen the girls who you introduced me to, so I had confidence that you were introducing me to girls of a very high caliber. Of course the thing I liked most was that through your efforts you were completely successful in finding and introducing me to the most wonderful girl on the planet, who I hope to marry within this year! … It is an efficient and effective method of searching for a special mate with exceptional qualities.Dr. A. Johns, USA

• Is IMBRA compliant

Prices for Standard Services

Free membership for women.

Silver Membership:

FREE

Gold Membership:

- 3 months: $33/month (billed as one payment of $99.00)

- 6 months: $24.99/month (billed as one payment of $149.95)

- 12 months: $16.50/month (billed as one payment of $197.95)

Platinum Membership:

- 3 months: $86/month (billed as one payment of $259)

- 6 months: $83/month (billed as one payment of $499)

Translation Services:

Adequate Russian or Ukrainian to English / English to Russian or Ukrainian  translation: $5 per 1000 characters with spaces

Creative Russian or Ukrainian to English / English to Russian or Ukrainian: $10 per 1000 characters with spaces

Agency staff are accessible in English via the telephone – an unusual occurrence in the world of internet dating.

Testimonials

Many satisfied EM clients testify to the quality of services provided:

Most of all I really like all the precious information given on your site, the services as well as your anti-scam policy. You’re on my personal ‘gold list’, as you are one of the only sites, where I didn’t spot any scammers. You have perfect services, moderate rates and fees and many beautiful women. (Alexis)

I just finished listening to the audio clip by Elena Petrova and I am amazed how honest Elena answered questions from people. It’s good to hear someone tell you the truth. (Morten)

I like your site and generally prefer it to your competition. I have been asking myself “why?” I think it is several reasons. First I think your site is simply more user friendly. It is easy to navigate and get the info I want. (Jim)

The “expression of interest” is a very useful alternative to sending a standard introduction. …. I have spoken to women who have a sincere interest in meeting a foreign man, the ones I’ve spoken to have all been intelligent, polite and willing to talk. Probably the best feature is the supporting bulletins send to introduce Russian cultural values, I found these interesting and completely accurate. (Chris)

The most important thing is security and I feel that you handle this very well. All the contacts I have made on Elena’s Models have been real and genuine and this is very important. (Philip)

Most useful is that the ladies are checked out. One knows the ladies are not just con artists. (Lee)

The amount of support in terms of literature, articles, and news items is very good. The company does not make hallow promises. It is run like a company that takes itself seriously and which hopes to be around for a long time. (Jonathon)