Online dating sites are everywhere. Sometimes, I get the feeling that there is a dating site ad on every web site I visit. Those in search of other singles are often overwhelmed by the amount of choices available. Many click at the first random link they come across, only to be turned off by the entire matchmaking experience. Frustration quickly sets in as singles find that none of the sites meet their individual needs. However, with some simple research, the right online dating service is just a click away.

First, you need to ask yourself exactly what kind of a relationship you are looking for. Are you looking for a friend, a serious long-term relationship or, an intimate encounter? A lot of today's sites are tailored towards a particular activity. There are adult sites for the adventurous single, and religious sites for those looking for someone of the same faith and most sites now include matchmaking software to help you pinpoint your search to a single with any number of specific attributes you specify.

Age should also be a deciding factor in choosing the right online dating service. There are many sites that cater to seniors and just as many that have a younger target audience. If age is a determining factor in finding an online single, do a few exploratory searches on the websites you are interested in and pay attention to the average ages that come up in the search results. The sites overall design is also a good indicator of the age group they are targeting. Sites for seniors will typically be easier on the eyes and simpler to navigate while more technical and “flashy” sites are probably aimed at a younger age group.

Speaking of complexity, a lot of today's online dating services have a ton of features such as instant messaging, streaming video, online forums, and even text messaging. Pay special attention to the features you want, and don't get stuck paying extra for a bunch of services you will never use. Often, simpler is better.

The amount of time you plan on spending on an online dating service is also an extremely important factor to look into before committing to any one site. If you are an occasional user, you may be interested in a dating site that charges by the use. If you have plans to be very involved in your matchmaking experience, sending plenty of emails and generally committing large amount of time to the site, then a monthly or even yearly payment plan may be a better choice.

While we are talking about prices, many online dating sites have competitive rates for those who pay for six months or even a year at a time – savings of up to ten dollars a month is not uncommon. If you find yourself concerned about spending $50 or more only to find that the online dating scene is not for you, many dating services also offer trial subscriptions for just a few dollars, and sometimes even free.

If you specifically want to hold off paying anything at the moment, watch what each site offers for free. Many online dating services, especially the adult ones, will not allow you to read member profiles without some sort of payment. If you have a hard time figuring out what's free and what's not, find the link that says “Join” or “Become a Member” and it should go to a page that summarizes the benefits of joining the online dating service.

Another thing to pay attention to is the type of searches your online dating service offers. It can be very difficult to find someone in your area if the search functions are very broad and don't allow you to specify your town or city. Obviously, if the dating site only allows searches within North America, they likely have a limited amount of International members. If this is important to you, it may make sense to find a site catering to your Country.

Let's say you have now found a possible match and decide you'd love to meet them. What we need to focus on now is distance. Are you concerned about their location? Does the single you desire to meet live in your own city? Are you willing to travel a little? How about traveling far away? The Internet has brought people closer together more than any other form of communication in the past. Many online dating sites offer multiple methods of communication. So, talking to that special match across the ocean isn't a difficult as you may think. However, when it comes time to meet, distance does become a factor and you may not want to be buying expensive airline tickets overseas.

The bottom line is to have fun and search around. Online dating can be a great experience and has resulted in many long term relationships. Keep in mind what you are looking for and make sure you read the reviews of members of the dating sites you're interested in.

Best of luck,

The Date Detective