Put that Credit Card Away! 100% Free Online Dating

Like many single people out there, my New Year's Resolution this year was to find that special someone. The conventional methods of finding a worthwhile suitor were not working. So after dealing with the bar scene, a speed dating fiasco, numerous blind dates, networking, flirting with any guy without a wedding ring on his finger, and even asking my mother for help, I decided to check out this whole online dating phenomenon. I was dismayed, however, to find out that there are literally thousands of websites promising to help you find the love of your life. Not only that, I was horrified to find out that most of these websites, who in my opinion prey on the vulnerability of the lovesick, have outrageous monthly fees. Even the sites that claim to have "free online dating" have a fee to upgrade to the premium subscription if you want to do anything but browse member profiles.

Through my exhaustive search, I actually did stumble upon some 100% free, "put-your-credit-card-away" websites that are definitely worth a look. The following is my review of some of the most popular. Happy Searching!

Plenty of Fish

Why it's worth a look: The webmaster claims that Plentyoffish.com generates over 300,000 relationships a year, with sites in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Advantages:

1. After you complete your profile, every time you open your mailbox, a panel is displayed above your inbox containing the pictures of the last 10 guys (or girls if that's who you're looking for) that checked their mail, within a 50 mile radius from your zip code. This feature allows you to see which members have checked their e-mail and are active.

2. Has many of the same features of paying sites: the ability to instant message other members that are online, the option to have your matches e-mailed to you, and the ability to search within a 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100 mile radius of your zip code.

3. The ability to upload more pictures than most dating sites.

4. It has a popular forum where members can ask questions or give advice about single parent dating, over 30 dating, relationships in general, an "Ask a girl" or "Ask a guy" section, and others. This website's "Dating Advice" section covers everything from how to write a profile to real advice from experts and real people.

5. They have an extensive help section. No round about wording or having to go from link to link, everything you want help with about the site is right there, everything from blocking users, to deleting a profile, to basic computer troubleshooting.

6. Whenever you open an e-mail reply, your original e-mail to that person to which they are replying is posted first. I find it helpful because it right away reminds me what I wrote, especially if it has been a while since I last e-mailed a particular person.

7. It has been around since 2001, so there is a large member base.

8. You can filter out people who are solely on the site for photo exchanges or intimate encounters.

Disadvantages:

1. The only way to search is by gender, distance from a particular zip code, age, what you're looking for (for example, just hanging out, a long term relationship, or photo exchange), and astrological sign. This website is not equipped to search by ethnicity, religiousness, number of or presence of children, or smoking and drinking behavior.

2. People can become members in search of simple photo exchanges or intimate encounters, so not everyone on this site is there for committed relationships.

Okcupid.com

Why's it's worth a look: It is a popular website with a large member base.

Advantages:

1. Large member base.

2. Many of the same features of paid sites: instant messaging members who are online (which you can accept or reject), quizzes, local matches option, and the ability to send and receive unlimited e-mails from members.

3. Every time you sign in, you are given the new pictures of members near you as well as excerpts of journal entries that you might be interested in.

4. Very thorough Help and Frequently Asked Questions section. Very thorough

5. You can write your own quizzes for interested parties to answer.

Disadvantages:

1. Website refreshes every few seconds, which can get obnoxious.

2. Confusing to navigate: lots of wording, cluttered pages.

3. Cavalier attitude of webmasters, such as frequent profanities throughout the website content posted by webmasters.

4. Seems to be geared towards the casual crowd, versus folks interested in pursuing a long term relationship.

5. Members have to answer lots of questions.

eRomance.com

Why it's worth a look: Easy to navigate and professional appearance make you feel like you're on a paid website. Although it is still pretty new, this website definitely has the potential of attracting many new members everyday.

Advantages:

1. Attractive, uncluttered, visually pleasing web pages. It is very easy to navigate but there is also an option to take a tour of the site.

2. Has all the common features of paid websites, including the ability to send and receive unlimited messages, bookmark your favorite profiles as well as see who has visited and bookmarker your profile, create your own blog and join discussion forums all for free.

3. Advice section includes free love quizzes, poems, and eCards.

4. New "Local" section in which you can locate local date ideas, restaurants, weekend getaways, bars, and charming cafes in your area.

8. Extensive site map.

Disadvantages:

1. This is a fairly new site with most members living in larger cities.

2. The website is currently operating a Beta version so the website maybe changing.