It seems as though everyone has an online profile somewhere on the web. And for most of us, we’re actually on multiple networking sites – some for work, some for fun, and some with a mix of both of our needs.

Let’s look at two of the most popular – Facebook and MySpace.

Both of these sites have ways that you can proclaim your single-ness to the rest of the world, allowing you to have a free way to meet dates online. But is it really as effective as it might seem? Or are traditional dating sites the way to go?

Here are the pros of networking sites:

• They offer you a look into the personality of your date
• They can give you a sense of who they hang out with
• You can look at their profile before talking to them
• They’re free to use!

But here are the cons of using networking sites as dating sites:

• They can lead to long term issues with people bugging you for dates
• They can lure less than truthful people to your profile
• The security risk is higher

Just as with any website for dating, there are positives and negatives, so you need to weigh the risks before heading into the dating pool of these sites. But the good news? You don’t have to accept anyone as a friend until you’re completely sure you want them to be a friend.

Choose your friends wisely, and you might find your dating life spicing up.

Reviews Chat, Facebook, Friends, MySpace, Social Networking

While you might think that you have all the answers when it comes to online dating and meeting people, maybe there’s a better way. At SinglesPlease.com, you can go through a quick and painless profile setup process while also being guided through the dating service with informal greetings and commands. Now that’s more fun, isn’t it?

In truth, many of the dating sites right now are simply sterile and do you want to actually meet the people who enjoy that kind of impersonal attitude? Absolutely not. And to make things even better, SinglesPlease.com is completely free, so you’re not shelling out money to meet people…until you want to take them out.

To make things even easier, the singles on this site can look through hundreds of profiles all at once by simply putting a check on the pictures they like and them reading through only those profiles. When the site member signs in again, they’ll see who has been looking at their photos and the dating fun can begin.

Sure, dating is a business for those who run the dating sites, but when you’re looking for a deeper connection with someone – or maybe just a fun night out – you want to go to a site that treats you like a friend, not like a customer.

Reviews Lonely, Meet People, Money, Reviews, Singles

It’s the beginning of the year and you’re already behind with all of the Christmas bills that are now due. So when you want to sign up for a dating service site, with its high monthly fee, how are you protecting yourself and your budget?

Before you even plunk down your credit card, you need to be aware of one thing – dating sites want to make money. But at the same time, there are a number of dating sites who simply exist to take money from people without giving them anything in return.

At least, that seems to be what US and World Report claim.

Here are some ways to make sure you are not only protecting yourself, but also getting your money back if you should be dissatisfied with the service:

• Investigate the site before you sign up – Don’t just sign up on the first site you find. Read reviews. Find out what your friends are using. Take some time to figure out whether this site seems like it’s set up to help you.
• Read the contracts – Find out how much money you need to pay and whether you will be signed up for a monthly charge from the start.
• Try to pay by check – If you can, try to pay by paper check. This way, if you’re done with the service, they can’t automatically charge you on your credit card. True, this is a rare feature in dating sites, but if possible, it’s the best deal.
• Find out who to contact with complaints before you have a complaint – This way, you can give them a call and see how helpful they are before you sign up, letting you know how helpful they will be when you are a member.
• Keep records of your charges.

Reviews Bad, Complaints, Fraud, Money, Reviews, Scam, Trust