One of the top New Year's resolutions is always to find love. And though there are plenty of ways to attract the opposite sex and plenty of bars to check out, it's online dating sites that tend to reap the rewards of the post-holiday slump.
January is a huge month for online dating websites, with OkCupid seeing a 30% rise in membership, HowAboutWe seeing 40%, and Match.com seeing a rise of 55% on January 2nd alone last year.
Whether you're looking to hook-up or mate for life, there is a website out there that fits your lifestyle.
Which dating site should you be using?
Grouper Social Club
Grouper uses Facebook to set up groups of three guys and three girls for drinks based on age, educational background, profession, interests, and lifestyle.
Pros:
- Not as dangerous as meeting a stranger from online since you go on the date with two other of your friends ("wingmen")
- It includes a free drink
- Grouper makes a table reservation at a nearby local spot so you can find one another
Cons:
- Grouper doesn't disclose any details like photos or bios before the date, so it's essentially a blind group outing
- The free drink is a part of the $20 per person up front cost per date
- You have no say over your first-date destination
eHarmony
eHarmony claims to use a scientific method for matching singles based on their patented 29 Dimensions of Compatibility.
Pros:
- Anyone willing to pay for a match and fill out a 258-question profile is probably going to be more committed to finding love
- Site uses algorithms that are far more detailed than other websites
- Offers guides and "icebreakers" for meeting other members for the dating-challenged
Cons:
- Is one of the more expensive websites out there, with a one -month membership costing $60, and a 12-month membership costing $23.95/month
- No refunds if you cancel after three days
Plenty of Fish
PoF uses an algorithm based on how you respond to the questions on their Chemistry Quiz to match you with potential dates.
Pros:
- Free to use (for the most part)
- It's one of the biggest dating sites at over 40 million members, so the odds are in your favor
Cons:
- Site is slow and the design is lacking compared to other dating websites
- The no-cost barrier can lead to scam artists, married people, and insincere profiles
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