Free Memberships

Subscription based Internet dating sites allow new users to register and post their profile free of charge. Free memberships differ from site to site, however, most of them only allow minimal access to the site's features.

Free users can usually browse profiles, search member database using the most basic of search tools, and flirt or show interest by sending "Smiles" or "Ice Breakers. Granted, some dating sites do allow free users to respond to mail receive from a paid member, but are rarely able to initiate mail contact themselves.

Generally speaking, a free membership is only useful if you want to spend time checking out the service, the people that use it, and see what tools and features are available. Other than that they have no real value, especially if you signing up for the purpose of meeting someone.

Trial Memberships

A Trial membership works a bit differently. Still free, but instead of limiting your use of the tools and features, it limits the amount of time you get to spend on the dating site without paying. Trial memberships last anywhere from 5 to 10 days.

Unlike a free membership, Trial users have full access to everything on the dating site. They can communicate with other members through chat or instant messaging, and participate in forums ( if the dating site happens to have one). They have complete access to the matching system, advanced search tools, and best of all, can initiate mail contact with anyone they want.

Paid Subscription

Serious singles, men and women that are using an online dating service with the intention of really wanting to meet someone, will benefit more from a paid membership.

Internet dating services that work on a pay to use basis, often only allow paid subscribers to use the advanced searching and matching tools. Without the use of these highly sophisticated tools, you can spend days, even weeks browsing and reading profiles that are of no interest to you.

Another advantage to a paid membership is having the ability to communicate with the people you meet - an essential part of online dating. Once you find someone, you can get to know them better using online chat, real time instant messaging, and email. Some services now offer audio and video chatting, seeing and hearing your online date is more personal and can help you connect on a much higher level.

A couple more perks worth mentioning. The profile of paid members often come up first in the search results, this extra exposure may result in having more members read your profile, and possibly even respond to it. Most if not all dating sites only allow paid members to initiate mail contact, so you know that the person writing to you is just as serious as you are.

It's never a good idea to sign up for a long term plan right away, even if it is less expensive. Instead, purchase a one month plan, and if you find that after a while you don't really like the service, or it has no members that interest you, just cancel your membership and try another site. Keep doing that until you find one that works for you. Dating services are pretty close in price - usually $20 to $30 for the first month, so you won't be spending too much to give it a try.

After paying for one month, if you still like the service, sign up for a at least six months to a year. You'll save money off the regular cost of membership, and have plenty of time to find, meet and make a special connection with a desirable partner.

If you take your time, and don't feel rushed, you can be more selective in who you choose to communicate with, and better your chances of making a real love connection.